– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 219, Season of the Setting Sun, Day 18 –
“Ying, she got away!” shouted Terry. “Stop!”
They had done their best to hold the powerful vampiress, but the Bloody Duchess had eventually blasted her way free with powerful artifacts that had bought her time to transform into blood and seep into the ground until she had gained enough distance to use other transport abilities and artifacts.
“I can still sense her and if I can, then you definitely can,” growled Ying, who was levitating in front of Terry in the sky. “We can still catch up with her!”
Terry scowled. He had chosen to ignore the signs of damaged mana channels on Ying’s face. It would be hypocritical of him to lecture anyone else on pushing too much mana through their body.
However, there was more at stake here. Terry glared at his frenzied acquaintance. “Not without abandoning the gates here! And I—”
“So be it!” Ying flew past Terry with unbridled hatred in his eyes. “I can create new ones. I won’t let that creature go!”
“Ying!” Daiyu floated up with an eerie magic. She looked almost ethereal, and her hair was fluttering without wind or air currents. “Let it go! Don’t lose sight of what matters! This won’t get her out of that place any faster!”
Terry didn’t understand how the elven woman’s unruly spirit transformation worked, but it was unorthodox spellwork, without a doubt. He appreciated Daiyu coming to back him up. He hated letting the Bloody Duchess go as well, but if they lost the gates here, then he just knew that Edmund, Akemi, and many more would never agree to any other full-scale deployment like this again.
Their priority was the safety of the Freedom Cooperative and that was at risk the moment the dimensional gates would close, because without them, there would be no instant return possible for the vast majority of their forces.
For better or worse, Ying was the only mage capable of anchored dimensional transfers present. The only one capable of setting up and maintaining gates to allow large quantities of folks to travel instantly all the way back to the city state.
Terry counted himself lucky that the count he had to face before had only a fraction of the duchess’s abilities and none of her artifacts. Otherwise, he would have nearly gotten himself killed for nothing.
It looked as if the mayor of Syn City still wanted to argue, but whatever words were waiting in his throat were preempted by the shrill piercing cry of a hawk lunging downwards to suddenly stop next to them.
Siling was floating above Wingman with a mage staff in hand and she glared at the father whose face she saw for the first time – or at least for the first time she could remember. “Cut this shit out. Literally a single enemy escaped. No casualties and we evacuated everyone safely. We’ve won.” She took a deep breath. “And we don’t have time for this shit. We have to talk about Siyu. She spoke to us.”
“Siyu…?” Daiyu’s lips trembled.
“I already told them,” said Terry with a furrowed brow. Siling had informed him that the Spirited Duchess had contacted them when he and the others were still rallying the troops in the Freedom Cooperative and the Lands of the Four Towers.
“Another time. During the battle before she was sent away. At least we think she was sent away,” explained Siling. “She sent a message that I’m free to use soul spirits again.” She involuntarily glanced at Ying, but quickly focused on Terry. “I believe she was worried about not attacking my soul spirits, because it would have been suspicious, but that worry would go away when she was deployed to another location.”
“The powers of the Spirited Duchess target the soul…” Amelia joined the group, hovering in the sky. “Which is also why the Spirit Tower is reluctant to join the battle against her. She’s the natural predator of soul spirits, just like Dargones is hers—”
Ying’s face contorted. “If the Magebane lays a single nullifying finger on Siyu—”
“Focus your anger where it belongs!” snapped Amelia. “Like the people that have turned your daughter into the menace that she currently appears to be. Her husks and soul domination—”
“As if Siyu would have a choice in that cursed country!” spat Ying back. “She’s—”
“ENOUGH!” yelled Siling at the top of her lungs. “Shut up. Just. Shut. Up. Siyu sent another message, which we couldn’t follow up on earlier while the battle was raging and who knows might have been listening. The message only said ‘binding ritual construction’ and we don’t know what it means except that it’s the second time she mentions binding, or rather, being bound.”
“Ritual?” Terry furrowed his brows. Could we ask Instructor Ser to come here to advise? Wait— “What about the supply lists we found…” Those strange volatile materials being used in constructing something…
Subconsciously, Terry glanced at the mayor of Syn City in front of him. He had believed he had been missing something about the construction and now the gnawing feeling had returned together with suspicion. His mana sense wasn’t the same as when he had visited Syn City, but a few familiar impressions remained. “I think we should visit the sites again with you to take a look.”
Ying frowned. “I’m neither an expert in rituals nor in crafting.”
“No, but…” Terry wasn’t sure if he should say it since it was just an educated guess based on a vague resemblance to a vague memory of a sense that had been much less sensitive back then.
Looking at the intent gazes of Siling, Daiyu, and Ying, Terry decided it was better to share, even if it ended up making him seem like a fool. “But you’ve more experience with the Heart of Syn City, or the Light or whichever name you prefer.” He honestly didn’t remember which of the terms Ying used to use. He only remembered that some citizens preferred one over the other.
“The Heart?” Ying became pensive. “It’s based on the magic the Progenitor stole from the Lich Kingdoms. It’s a ritual from the same location, but how would that alone relate to Siyu? Binding her…? How…?” After a moment of being lost in thoughts, he spoke up firmly: “Take me there!”
“After we’re done here,” hissed Siling.
Daiyu addressed her daughter. “Dear, do you two want to—”
“No,” replied Siling. She had made up her mind. She didn’t feel like talking to her forgotten father. Not now. Not yet. She took a deep breath and focused her gaze on Ying. “I don’t want to discuss what was done. I want to get my sister back. Afterwards… maybe.”
“Hate to divide your attention even further, but…” interjected Amelia while looking at Ying. “From what Matteo is telling Dargones, you are expected to meet with the Spirit Tower Master to discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“And as I was trying to say before,” began Terry, while turning his eyes back to the frenzied father. “While we were fighting, I marked the Bloody Duchess with soulstain liquid. Her soul is marked and as long as the soulstain is active, I’ll be able to detect her signature even at larger distances. I’ll need some help to catch up, but we can track her.”
The Bloody Duchess won’t surprise us anymore. She might even lead us somewhere we can make use of…
Terry took a deep breath. “Later. You’re needed elsewhere, Ying, and I don’t think eliminating the Bloody Duchess is our top priority at the moment.”
“We can form a hunting party,” said Amelia with a pensive expression. “I can take care of the transport. We wanted to hunt for enemy whisperers, anyway.” She gave Terry an appraising look. “From what I’ve seen, you’ll fit right into our group of mage hunters. You’ve grown a lot since the Libra Outpost.”
“I’d like to first hear what Ying has to say about the construction,” said Terry. “Afterwards, I’m game.”
“Great, your spell is a perfect match-up to cover Dargones’s weak point and you already know the finger runes to communicate with him, too.” Amelia mentally went over the required preparations. “We should pick up one of Brynn’s anti-magic constructs anyway, so waiting for the result of the investigation shouldn’t be an issue.”
I guess the Magebane benefits from a spell to cover secondary magic effects like rock projectiles that carry their own momentum even after their magic has been nullified.
Terry nodded and then looked at Siling. “I need to talk to you, too…”
***
“What’s going on?” asked Ying back in the Freedom Cooperative. He was clearly impatient to get going and examine the construction sites.
“Good question,” said Samuel with an inquisitive glance towards Terry. He had been called by his nephew to join this meeting without knowing what it’s about.
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“Can you make sure that no one can overhear us?” asked Terry with full certainty that the reply would be in the affirmative. Naturally, his spellwork researching uncle didn’t disappoint.
Terry still used a card-shaped magic item he had borrowed from his cousin Matteo to get a second safety net.
“What’s with all the secrecy?” asked Miguel with narrowed eyes. He and many of the others that had taken part in the initial liberation of the town targeted by the Bloody Duchess were present too.
Many, but not all of them.
Terry searched for the right words. He could feel the time pressure and impatience, but he couldn’t help but worry about other aspects, too. His earlier feeling of uneasiness had returned. Suspicion was gnawing at his mind again. It was joined by the paranoid coliseum contestant and reader of the Warlord’s Inquiries to call for this meeting.
After the Bloody Duchess had fled, Terry had hurriedly shared his thoughts with Siling and was glad that she had agreed with his reasoning, but his elven friend happily let him deal with explaining the problem to the others.
“All of you know about the messages that Siyu sent through her husks,” said Terry. “Did any of you share that information with anyone else?” He was relieved to see the heads shaking. “Good. I suggest we keep it that way.”
Terry couldn’t put his gnawing suspicion into words, but he could give voice to another line of thought inside himself. He let his eyes wander over his family and friends from Arcana, over the death hunter and Guildhead friends of Matteo, over the two aggrieved parents desperate to free their daughter. “I don’t think this is information to be shared with everyone.”
Terry definitely didn’t trust all of his current allies to such an extent. Ruby and her Thanatos squad pursuing their own agenda. Cultists that might be influenced by higher powers. Hunters and city guards with their own priorities and problems. Not to mention spies or operatives turned by the Lich Kingdoms’ Hounds.
“I think this information should stay between us and no one else,” stressed Terry. He caught many nods all around, but also a frown on Ying’s face.
“This information is dangerous for Siyu,” agreed Daiyu. “If the Lich Kingdoms find out that she is betraying them, then who knows what will happen?”
“True, it’s already bringing attention to her that we’re sniffing around, but that can be explained as her family showing an interest without her own involvement,” said Elenec.
“If she gets found out, she could play it off as setting a trap for us?” suggested one of the death hunters.
“Are we sure she isn’t?” interjected Miguel hesitatingly. “She could be?”
Terry saw Siling scowl, but she said nothing.
“What…?” exclaimed Daiyu in a mutter.
“Then why would she make contact instead of simply fighting us with full force?” asked Vess.
“She told Siling to not use soul spirits, which would be weakening her,” muttered Jorg.
“But if the rumors of her powers are true, then she could have simply killed Siling’s soul spirits,” objected Tiana.
“It could set up a bigger trap down the line,” warned Miguel.
“There are also power struggles among the Lich Kingdoms,” said Amelia. “maybe letting the Bloody Duchess suffer such a loss benefits the position of the Spirited Duchess.”
“Then what do you suggest?” demanded Ying in a growl. He glared at Amelia and Miguel. “That we abandon her out of fear? That—?”
“No one said that,” hissed Lori angrily. She glanced at Miguel next to her.
“Right,” agreed Miguel. “Siling is our friend. If this is what she has to do, then we’re with her. But we should be aware of all possibilities, so that we don’t get blindsided and make things worse for everyone.”
“Even if there was a workable cover story…” Terry interjected, to get back to the main point. “It would still be safer to not rely on it. We should not share—”
“If the site shows what I fear it will, then I’ll have to contact the Progenitor through Syn City,” interjected Ying grimly. “He’s the one that stole the magic from the Lich Kingdoms and adapted it for our use in the Heart of Syn. He’s the expert. He’s also a much more educated mage than me and—”
“No.” Siling cut her father off with cold eyes. “No one outside this room will know, unless it’s really necessary. Brynn, Bjorln, and Isille are the only exceptions I can come up with. They might have insights into the situation and, more importantly, I trust them.” Her piercing gaze drilled into Ying’s eyes. “I barely trust you. I definitely don’t trust some masked stranger lingering around in the Wastes and dabbling in necromancy.”
“We can inquire about the construction sites, about whatever might ‘bind’ Siyu, and how to break such a connection.” Terry hurriedly interjected a compromise. “But we should not share that Siyu is working with us.”
After the meeting, they split up into different groups.
Matteo headed back to the Lands of the Four Towers to set up a meeting between Mina the Spirit Tower Master and Ying, as well as to monitor Apex’s situation while she was recuperating.
Ying and Samuel set out with a group of death hunters and a few crafters – both from the Freedom Cooperative and from the Crafting Tower – to investigate the discovered construction sites within the territories previously occupied by the Lich Kingdoms.
Terry joined Amelia and Dargones on a mage hunt for death whisperers and a bloody duchess on the run.
Terry’s other companions, including Siling, set out to liberate another town from Lich Kingdom occupation – this time supported by Daiyu in addition to Elenec. Ying dropped them off at a location close enough to their investigation site for him to interfere if the need arose.
***
“Pity that I can’t ask Ser to come here. Unfortunately, Whaka Brynn isn’t familiar with ritual-purpose constructs,” muttered Samuel while casting several detection spells. Since he had no idea what to look for, he simply looked for everything he could think of. He mumbled to himself. “When the path isn’t clear, look around carefully before taking a step.”
Samuel rubbed his chin and looked at his fellow investigators. “I don’t suppose any of you is capable of temporal inspections or scrying spells into the past?” The flabbergasted looks told him that the answer was as expected. “Pity.” He wondered if he could establish a proper gate to Arcana Academy, but that would probably run into many complications. Objections by Arcana’s Council, for one example.
Resigned to more roundabout information gathering, Samuel continued his obscure spellwork and pointed the other investigators to anything that stood out as abnormal compared to the environment beyond the town’s perimeter. From ambient mana, over insect movements, or differences in soil. Anything.
“I’m not sure about the rest, but this dust is from paleblood crystals, which have uses revolving around the soul.” A person from the Crafting Tower spoke up. “That’s the only connection I see.”
“Are you sure?” asked a crafter from the Freedom Cooperative. “I know a few applications of paleblood crystals, but nothing soul-related.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” assured the other crafter. “We worked on a related project for the Spirit Tower.”
“Paleblood crystals…” A death hunter searched through the recovered documents. “Here.” She fingered a few pages belonging to the same sequence. “This list includes paleblood crystals.” She handed the pages to the crafters and then turned to another death hunter. “How are the interviews going?”
“We’re making progress, but it’s not clear if we’re going to get anything useful. Most folks were too scared to pay too much attention to whatever the Lich Kingdoms were doing here. They were too occupied with not getting sucked empty by the more feral among the vampire soldiers.”
“Anything might be useful,” interjected Samuel. “Anything about their movements, especially repeated patterns…” He caught himself. “But Isille is with them and she would know all that.”
Samuel looked at the crafter that was holding the documents, including their first connection to a soul-related magic. “Please also get a copy to Bjorln when he’s back from clearing the perimeter. If there are any organic materials or things used in consumables, he might have something to add as well.”
Afterwards, Samuel turned to Ying, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor and was in the process of casting magic that Samuel wasn’t versed in.
Samuel would not have shied away from this line of magic, but it had never seemed particularly useful for either dungeon work or his later research into fire-aspected healing spells. “Anything that the spirits of the departed might add?”
Ying opened his eyes, and his pupils snapped into focus again. “Mostly pain and regrets.” He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Joining thoughts with the lingering sentiments of the dead wasn’t a pleasant endeavor, even more so when there had been few folks dying of natural causes around.
Ying took a deep breath. “Also some with intent. Fear. Not just from the town dwellers, either. The Lich Kingdom soldiers were evidently not fond of each other.”
Ying stood up. “Underneath it all, a… weakness.” He tried to remember the impressions when the Progenitor had brought the Light to Syn City. There was no fear. No intent either.
No surprise there.
They had chosen a remote location far away from sapient souls.
There had been a shallow sea of souls, just like there was everywhere where living beings were dying. That sea had weakened when the Progenitor had set the Heart of Syn aflame.
“When Siling and the others liberated this town…” Ying furrowed his brow. “Did they notice the dead rising again as death aura creatures?”
“I don’t remember Elenec mentioning that,” replied a death hunter. “But it would also hardly be worth a mention, given the number of necromancers around.”
“Hmm…” Ying bit his lower lips with his vampiric canines.
Together with Terry’s earlier words, it was still enough to ponder the implications, even without knowing the exact setup. The Heart of Syn was a magic ritual based on voluntary participation, but the ritual itself had been based on a stolen magic from the Lich Kingdoms.
Ying knew that the Lich Kingdoms set up ritual networks for collecting departing souls and repurposing them together with their bodies into death aura creatures to defend their territory from the Wastes. He had never heard about this being a voluntary act or there being any conscious action to participate.
As such, the Lich Kingdoms’ original ritual was closer to the necromancy familiar to Saul and Ying. Spells they had used in battle themselves to defend Syn City.
These necromantic rituals worked to ensnare his daughter. Ying vowed to figure out the mechanism behind them.
Siyu would be free.
The crafting materials and other information they gathered here might help.
In Ying’s mind, though, the most important lead was the similarity to the Heart of Syn City and necromancy spellwork. He was quite familiar with necromancy and he had a close relationship with the foremost expert and creator of the Heart: the Progenitor.
The original ritual didn’t require active acceptance. It didn’t generate sapient death aura creatures. It didn’t limit the death aura spread to a single generation. Nevertheless, there were similarities.
Ying’s spellwork didn’t activate automatically and wasn’t centered on a ritual, but still. There were similarities.
As long as there were similarities, Ying was halfway to a solution. For the rest, he would have to consult with the Progenitor, Saul, and… Perhaps there was more than one topic to talk about during his scheduled meeting with the Spirit Master Tower.
***