"You're joking, right?" I said, staring in disbelief at the small, dusty, and doorless room. It was carved out of the rock of the eastern cliff.
Haltir and I stood in a dirty alley after walking through what had to be the worst part of town. All the buildings were rundown with closed and shuttered windows, while dirt and waste littered the narrow streets.
"There isn't another place, Est," Haltir said with a grunt before walking into the room. He took a quick look around. "Go do your thing, and I'll see if I can fix us a new door."
I shook my head, wondering what Rathica would think about her temple being in such a spot.
Would she even care? Did I care? I thought about it for a moment and realized I didn't care one bit. Having a hidden temple would have a lot of benefits, not in the least as a hideout. Besides, since this was the closest populated area near our future city, we needed a temple here.
"You're right," I said as I walked to the back of the twenty by twenty room. Deep grooves in the floor partitioned the room into three smaller ones, but the walls had either never been placed or been removed by someone. Perhaps at the same time, they took the door.
"I'll be back soon. I don't think anybody will come here, but keep an eye on the entrance either way," Haltir said. He stared at me as if he wanted to add something, then just turned and walked away.
What was that about, I thought, while listening to the old warrior's footsteps quickly disappear into the maze of small alleys.
The footsteps faded, and the only sound remaining was the muted shouting of the restarted festivities.
I looked around for a location to place the miniature statue. There wasn't anything special, so I put it on the ground in the center of the furthest wall. The statue was partially unfinished because I didn't want it to summon Rathica in the inn, and now I quickly sliced away the remaining bits.
Like the first time, nothing happened. It didn't surprise me, and I softly prayed to Rathica. Like with the larger statue, at first nothing happened, then an aura of light began spreading from the statue. The wood structure changed, the hair flowing gently in a wind that wasn't there, and the skin turned soft. A slight fragrance filled the room, mixing with the dusty smell of stone.
Est, what is wrong? Rathica's voice sounded tired and slightly annoyed. Through our connection, I felt her force the annoyance away. I was surprised about how good I could feel her actions. It had never been this clear. A moment later, the feelings vanished as if Rathica had turned the volume down. I was left worriedly staring at the small version of Rathica in the now well-lit room.
"I-"
An ancient Aucerion… Rathica's voice interrupted me, and this time I felt a wave of awe bubble up before it was cut off again. If I could feel it with the connection muted, how strong had her reaction been?
A what? I asked, thinking instead of speaking.
The glow around Rathica faded until the room was dark again, and then a small image appeared in front of her. It showed a group of two-armed, demon-like beings that were flying in space against a backdrop of stars. Their lower bodies reminded me of squids, and although they were vaguely human-like, I'd rather not meet one up close. They had smooth faces with two massive eyes and no mouth or nose and long swirly gills along the sides and back of their heads. As I watched them, one turned around and stared straight at me, as if it knew I was looking. It caused my skin to crawl.
Aucerions are one of the oldest known intelligent species in this part of the galaxy, Rathica said. The image disappeared, leaving me slightly fearful.
When you tried to draw in a Vengeful Spirit, you drew in the mind of one.
My mind was a jumble of questions, but before I could ask them, Rathica continued.
How do I know? Because I can feel its lingering presence around your mind where it tried to force its way in.
I sat down, my back against the wall and my eyes on the opening. I'd thought that was what was going on, but hearing it like this made my legs wobbly.
So, now what do I do? I can't go back into the Library?
Wrong. You must definitely go back! And Est? You did great not speaking to it. Aucerions are dangerous, powerful beings that are partially demon and partially deity. If it had gained entrance to your mind, it would have been able to enter this world… And let's just say there aren't enough Deities in this part of the deityverse to stop it if it decides to destroy all life here.
What the hell… then why should I go back? I asked, my mouth dry.
Because Aucerions live by a strict code, one enforced by the others of their kind! It told you it wouldn't kill you, so it won't. It also told you it would grant you one request, which means it will. The only problem is that Aucerions are tricky and deceitful. He said he wouldn't hurt you or kill you, but he might just lock you in the Library with no way out and an infinite supply of food and drink.
I swallowed, glad I'd not asked anything or said anything. But I also didn't feel like going back. I'd imagined just ignoring the thing as I tried to take care of Richal and Ellis, but somehow that was starting to feel like it would be far too dangerous.
So, now what? I asked Rathica, who had been quietly waiting for the turmoil in my mind to calm down.
Go back in and tell it exactly what I tell you now, Rathica said. Tell it that you will agree to release it from its obligations to you if it agrees to your terms. Don't use another word. Use terms. Then tell it that it may not, in any way, directly or indirectly influence the happenings of Kernstalion or your life. It will grumble and curse but eventually agree.
My mind swirled, and I wondered why I shouldn't just limit it more. Ask for it not to influence the happenings of anything in existence?
No! Don't ask for anything larger than one planet! Not the galaxy nor the universe. There are rules it must abide by, but those are void if you ask something that hampers its ability to empower the rest of its kind…. If any even still exist.
I hoped none did.
It will begin asking specifics, details to try and find out the limits of what it can do. It might ask if it can pass you in the street and what would happen if something would occur to you due to this. Don't answer. Just keep repeating the same line I told you before. Don't speak with it, don't try and come up with some smart way to trick it. Nothing will work. It has been tried by mortals and Deities alike, and it never ends well.
Rathica fell quiet, and I swallowed.
"Won't it try to kill me?" I asked.
Not if you do what I told you, Rathica said, and I felt a sense of security and safety flow through our connection.
The glow around Rathica's statue increased again, and as it did, the wall of the room pulled back as it grew into the stone. A pedestal appeared below the statue, lifting it up, and stone benches and tables grew like mushrooms from the stone floor. The light from outside disappeared as a thick stone door blocked the entrance, and a moment later, green plants curled around the left and right walls, beautiful golden flowers appearing that lit up the room even more. Finally, corridors appeared in the back wall.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I've created some quarters here for you and the others, but I can't create anything sophisticated right now. You will have to take care of beds and the like yourself.
I nodded, my mind preoccupied with what Rathica had told me about the Aucerions.
Est, don't worry about the Aucerion. Just be careful when you tangle with those two Primes… Although Cinderage is far from Kernstalion now, he is still out there, and both of those Primes are more powerful than you.
A weary sigh came from Rathica, and the glow around the statue faded.
You know what you need to do, and I need to return to my realm. Make sure to tell the others that if you don't return within a week that they bring the necessary food and clothing to the new city. After the pods open, the new people can't stay in my realm.
Rathica's presence faded before I could ask anything else, leaving me staring at her now inert statue, confused. I was still staring at the statue when a soft knock came from the door.
I got up and moved to the door, noticing it was bolted from the inside. It also had a small window roughly at eye height with a small sliding panel of stone. When I slid it open, I saw Haltir's disgruntled and slightly strained face. He was holding something, but I couldn't see what it was from this angle.
"So, are you going to open that new fancy door or what?" he grunted.
I nodded, closed the window then opened the door. Haltir immediately stepped inside, carrying a thick wedge of wood. It was Torpel tree wood, and it would probably be big enough to create a door from. Or something else.
Haltir looked around, then put the wood on the ground beside the door and moved to one of the benches to sit down.
"So, I guess you managed to contact Rathica?"
I closed the door and sat down opposite him.
"Aye. Besides some beds and sheets, she made us a place to stay," I said before telling Haltir most of what had happened.
"Aucerions? I've never heard of those… Perhaps our little teacher can tell us more about them when she gets here," Haltir said.
"Did you talk with her?"
Haltir shook his head. "Nah. I left her a message in her room," he said before falling quiet.
Both of us gazed at the table for a while, both deep in our own thoughts. Haltir was the first to break the silence.
"Are you sure you have to kill those other Primes? Can't you just go in and do what Rathica said and get out?"
I'd been asking myself the same question for a while now, and each time I came to the same conclusion.
"Perhaps we can find another way to hide who this body belonged to, and maybe there is another place to get spells, but in the end, there will be other reasons to go to that Library. If we don't deal with them now, how are we going to use the library again?"
Haltir nodded. "I thought you might say something like that. Alright, but can you wait a few days?"
I blinked, about to say no, then reconsidered. Why couldn't I wait? I could stay here and have some quiet time. Carving more things and hopefully increasing my skill; I also wanted to find out what that place in my mind was where I had gone a few times. I assumed it was my very own mindscape, but I had no idea what that meant for me. This would give Laurel a chance to learn that spell and perhaps find out another way to hide my origin. The more I thought about it, the more the tension I was feeling faded away.
"Why do you want me to wait," I finally asked, curiously looking at Haltir.
"I've asked around, and there might be a Prime or two that is willing to come with you and help," Haltir said. "It will just take them a few days to travel here."
"Who?" I asked.
"You'll see when they get here," Haltir said. He grinned as he got up. "You stay here. I'll go and get us some food and see if I can get some beds and furniture." He stretched out his hand, the grin widening. "You still have any of those Soulwood shards left?"
I grunted and reached for my pouch. "Sure, pick me clean why don't you?" The pouch still held a few of the larger shards, and I took one and handed it to him. "While you are at it, bring me a bag of clean soil and seeds for edible plants?"
Haltir took the shard with a nod. "I'll see what I can get."
I followed him to the door and locked it before turning around and looking at the corridors. "Fine, let's go and see what Rathica made."
--
Laurel rushed through the crowded streets, effortlessly dodging around drunken dancers. Every time someone stretched out their arms towards her, a question in their eyes, she shook her head and continued on.
She didn't have time to party, no matter how much she wanted to. Besides, even if she had the time, she was still slightly sore from the last night. She grinned as she remembered how slowly Alir had to walk and his constant groaning after he left her room. Although the soldier had been strong, she was still stronger, and she had enjoyed his look of disbelief when he found out. Still, he was a good one, and she had begun feeling the itch for children on occasion. Besides, she could already imagine her mother's face if she said she would be a grandmother. Happy at first, then shocked as the realization would set in that she would have to stay at home and raise the child!
It's too bad grandmother isn't alive to see it. She would laugh herself to death, Laurel thought.
A group of four dancers moved to block her path, their eyes sparkling as they stared at her.
"Not now," Laurel said, slowing down. Three of the dancers shrugged, turning around to find someone else. The fourth one shook his head and barked a laugh. The stench of alcohol swirled around him, and Laurel's eyes narrowed as he stepped towards her.
"Do you even know who I am? If I want to dance with you, we will dance," he slurred.
"Marik, don't!" One of the other dancers shouted as he jumped forward.
The drunk didn't listen and grabbed Laurel's arm. Laurel ripped her arm free then shoved the drunk with all four hands. Marik was sent flying through the air, landing in the middle of the street. His head snapped back and hit the stone street tiles with a dull thud. Then he stayed put.
Cinderage's balls, Laurel thought as she gazed at the unmoving body. She hadn't pushed him that hard, had she?
The three dancers stood frozen, staring at the body with a dumbfounded look in their eyes. The one who had shouted for him to stop rushed forward and examined him. A moment later, he whistled and looked up in relief.
"He is just unconscious. Get him to his father's place before he causes more trouble," the dancer ordered.
"Yes, Aukal," the others said, quickly obeying his command.
Laurel took one last look at the crumpled body then began moving away. She was almost gone when someone grabbed her arm. She snapped around, seeing the lead dancer, Aukal.
"What?"
Aukal's eyes narrowed, but he let her go. "You have to be more careful. I know you are still in your right, but there are a lot of drunk, hotheaded fools here right now. If you have no interest, you should stay away from the center of town. An unwritten rule that everything goes has been stated at the start of the festival."
Still? Laurel grunted, moving away. "Ridiculous," she said. "There has never been anything of the like!"
Much to her annoyance, Aukal followed her with a serious look on his face.
"You haven't heard?
Laurel stopped again. Something about the way he looked at her told her something bad had happened. "What?"
Aukal grimaced. "When Nimron returned, he wasn't just angry about us not using names," he said, looking at her as if trying to convey something.
She had a bad premonition but shook her head. "Explain."
"Nimron wants us to increase our numbers and take a foothold on..." Aukal hesitated, then looked up at the sky. "He wants us to colonize Leralion. He has ordered every woman inside the Gramanite borders to assist in increasing our numbers."
Laurel gaped at Aukal for a moment, not sure which of the two statements made less sense. Kernstalion's sister-planet, Leralion, had been infested by demons for even longer than Nimron had been gone. Any attempt to reclaim it was a fool's gambit! But ordering women to have children? That was unheard of... even the history books had never mentioned anything that severe.
"Did the elders just accept that?" she hissed.
Aukal shrugged. "He is a deity… Some resisted, but he simple killed the two most outspoken elders and-"
"Which two," Laurel hissed, her hairs on end and her heart skipping a beat.
"The oldest of the Des Marlin family, and-"
Laurel didn't hear the rest that came as her legs turned weak. It took all her effort to stay standing and turn around.
"Are you alright?" Aukal asked behind her, and she gritted her teeth as she waved him away.
"I need to go. Take care of your friend," she managed to croak out before running forward.
This time she didn't bother weaving around the partying people but just barrelled through the crowd. A few people saw her coming, but this time nobody tried to coax her to dance. A look at her face made them all jump out of the way, and those who didn't were knocked aside as she plowed through the throng and towards the quieter part of town.
Mother, she thought, as an image of a heavily muscled warrior appeared in her mind.
--
I was standing in the final room of the six that Rathica had made when someone began slamming on the door. It almost looked like they were trying to break in.
It took me only a second to rush back to the main temple room and towards the door. Opening the small window, I saw Laurel, blood on her lips where she was gnashing at them, and tears in her eyes.
"Open this Lisschen blasted door. Now!" she roared.
I immediately unbolted the door, and Laurel shoved it open and ran inside. She was looking around as if she was searching for something, and when she saw the statue, she ran towards it and kneeled down.
"Rathica, I beg you, please come! I need help!"