After exchanging more details with Alfred, Deacon learned that he will be meeting the others at a memorial park of sorts. The dock the crate is floating under is an abandoned smugglers dock that House Bloodbeard used to use. It leads directly under the overhang that the floating islands are anchored too. In Deacon’s mind, he completely bypassed going through the city. He really wanted to look around especially to see how the islands in the Jinkbons district worked. On the other hand, Deacon was grateful for this opportunity to take stock of all that just happened. He failed to save all those slaves in the last ship and that was weighing on him. His leveling has all but stopped and he remembers something about having to climb the cliff wall to help the Tuskaxe twins. That is when he decided now was a good time to follow up with old smiley.

Deacon wrapped his legs in the lotus position on his bed. He began a series of deep breaths that always preceded his meditations. Not long after that he emerged in the stary expanse of his mind space. All the celestial bodies were there to greet him. Every connection to an alternate plane was represented by a planet or space object. Each one connected to him by emerald energy. Deacon just took a moment to marvel at all the colors and even the comet that represented the Suppression Plane. That reminded him he had a gravity based power that was yet to utilize. It was a little complex. Mostly focusing on what direction to change gravity. It wasn’t as straight forward as some of his other abilities.

“Contemplating your place in the cosmos?” asked Chimera.

“Not really. Just trying to get a better understanding of me. Sounds so bizarre when I say it out loud,” replied Deacon.

Deacon turned to his left to see the humanoid form of stars and random colorations that made up Chimera’s form in this space. His grin was as off putting and exaggerated as ever.

“You know, I have a few questions for you. Let us start with an easy one. I’ve stopped leveling all together now. I understand you were helping me break through the barrier of not specializing at twenty because I’m a champion but now it just stopped all together. What gives?” asked Deacon.

“That is a good question. You shouldn’t have just stopped. There should have at least been a slate message telling you what you need to do to earn more levels as a champion. Let’s take a look at you,” responded Chimera.

White and silver energy lifted from Chimera’s form to surround Deacon. It flashed and winked out just before a mass of thick woven tendrils appeared around Deacon’s body. Deacon wasn’t restricted in his movements or anything. It was like he was cocooned within semi transparent threads. It didn’t matter what position he held his arms out in, he was still wrapped up in the stuff.

“I see. The fates have locked down your progression until you complete whatever task they have written for you. That is troubling. For them to be able to focus so intently on you they must be close…” Chimera trailed off as he lifted his right hand to his chin in contemplation.

“Wait, is that bad? Am I going to die or something? What does this mean?” queried Deacon become more and more agitated with each question.

“It’s called a fate seal. Under normal circumstances they need approval from the pantheon to use it. Whatever their plan is, it is happening soon. No matter, I suspect there is only a one percent chance they would use this to just kill you. Much too much power for such a simple task. Although they are somewhere nearby. Most likely that city. That solves the where are the fates question. I have to go now. Get back to looking for Ryan please. Fate of the world and all that. Ta ta,” said Chimera as his form swirled in place before his teeth chomped down and disappeared.

“Thanks?” replied Deacon.

Deacon stretched his limbs out as he hopped of his bed. On the ground at his feet, he only saw one sandal. He looked around his bedroom for the other one to no avail. Now he was completely out of shoes. He cursed at himself for not checking with the cobbler he saved back at Iron Mountain Plateau. Barefoot is just how he would have to go today. All those pirates had boots. He could have swiped some of theirs. Then he thought of how gross pirate boots might be and thought better of it. Maybe Tantus could make something for him. That thought sent him down the spiral of the quest he was given by Verus. He checked his slate for the details.

Quest

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Description

STATUS

Escort Mission

Verus Guild Master of The Tower at Iron Mountain Plateau has asked you take his nephew to the Shattered Sky with you. Rewards; a favor from Verus, unknown.

This was it. Deacon wondered if he was about to lose his friend to the tower. Tantus had grown so much over the months long journey they have had together. There were several instances that would have ended poorly had Tantus not been there. Deacon needed to procure a communications device that wouldn’t just dissolve in his hands. He’d be able to come visit Tantus at any time but… he was an outlaw to this city. Grave Walker wouldn’t help if he couldn’t enter the city. There were so many things he still needed to do. Deacon decided to go into his bag and take out the clothes that Mentalba had prepared for him based on that set of monk’s clothes he found in the rampant dungeon.

New Item: Fighting Monks Robes of Sturdiness- the tailor Mentalba reworked these robes to be extra sturdy but still flow like water. By sacrificing the inherent attribute bonuses, he was able to increase the durability of the fabric to mimic that of full chainmail while remaining supple and not restricting movement. The vest and pants create a set bonus that allows the reflecting of any attack once per day.

“Mentalba you genius!” shouted Deacon before he immediately donned the outfit.

Deacon sinched the waist with the belt he was given from Tantus. Originally these clothes were orange with grey trim, now they were jade green colored like his pupils. The trim around the arm holes and the cuffs of the legs were black. On the right breast was the symbol of a dragon spiraling around a fist. As far as emblems go, Deacon quite liked it. The Eikerland silk that made up the majority of the garment felt great against his skin. The enchantment must be of a high quality since it wasn’t breaking down like most of Tantus’s work when he touched it.

“Now I just need some fucking shoes,” lamented Deacon.

“Master Deacon, it’s probably time we meet with the others they must have traveled through the city by now to reach the Monument to the Fallen. I’ve already alerted Jeremiah and Sun Wu that we’ll be leaving,” announced Alfred.

Deacon just nodded and pulled some bread from his bag to chew on. He would have to get a full meal at some point in the future but for now this would suffice. He came down the stairs from the master bedroom to see an extremely happy blue elf bouncing on the balls of his feet next to a rather bored looking Sun Wu.

“Can we go now? I just spent six hours yelling stroke at the kid while he swam, and he didn’t laugh once. Ai ya, I need a bigger audience,” complained Sun Wu.

“You could always go back to the Wode,” said Deacon.

“No thank you,” replied Sun Wu.

With that, the lid of the crate flipped open, and Jeremiah hopped out into the water followed by Deacon. They both dragged the crate closer to the rocky shore where Deacon lifted it onto the dock. That’s when the robot form of Alfred stepped out. Jeremiah joined them and they all looked at their surroundings.

They were on a rundown dock that stuck out only halfway into the cove. To their left was small island about a ten minute boat ride out. There was a large dark vein of metal jutting into the air from the center of the island. It was not an ore Deacon had seen before. He could see from here that there was a small building at the base of it but not much activity. Beyond that was the city’s wharf. Row after row of warehouses that abutted slips for boats to make port. It was far enough away that you’d need to be looking to spot them on this small dock. Just to their right across a rocky outcropping was the cliff wall that connected to the overhang. It was several stories tall. If Deacon had to guess it was at least a mile up. It was covered with blue-grey stone and the ocean current was crashing into the base with regularity. Sharp stone constantly being eroded and sharpened. Looking down the length of the dock they could see what looked like a small fort with two large statues taking a knee and facing deeper into the open stone leading further down. Deacon did not understand why they were facing away from the city but decided he’d ask Tanus about it later.

Then his attention turned to the sprawling city beyond the port. It rose high into the sky until there were just two metal rails that ran up to the floating islands. Deacon thought at this point floating wasn’t the correct term to use considering they were actually attached at the bottom of the islands by more railing. The fact that they could slide around on predesignated tracks did give them the appearance of floating.

“Master Deacon, may we proceed. I doubt the resiliency of these wooden boards will hold this body’s bulk for long,” commented Alfred.

“Sure, sure. Where too? Isn’t that a fort? Won’t there be soldiers there? Seems like I’d just get captured or at the very least get into a fight,” said Deacon with concern in is voice.

“Ms. Turner told me that it’s more of a park these days than a fort. Typically, only one unit of soldiers to guard the Great Doors and they will be facing the mountain. Not the docks,” responded Alfred.

“I like your new clothes,” said Jeremiah.

“Thanks. I can have some made for you if you’d like,” replied Deacon.

‘Really?” asked Jeremiah, eyes shining like stars.

“Relax kid, we’ve got so much more to do before that,” answered Deacon while patting him on the head.