Chapter 70: Guild Master
News Around The World
Reincarnation, Polydeism, Multiple Universes: The Implications Of Gods
Debate Rages On In Religious and Non-Religious Communities Over Everett's Claim Of The Existence Of Gods
Dozens Of Companies And Businesses Have Declared Support For Xothican Currency Exchange Program
Primer For Xothican Economy And Currency
VVVVVV
Jux sat down at a desk inside his bedroom. His curtains were drawn over the windows to stop the cold air from getting in. It was still cold enough in his room that he wore a thick wool blanket over himself.
Jux lit a candle in the corner of his desk as he sat down. He pulled out a sheet of parchment and a quill. He dabbed the quill into his ink well and began writing on the parchment.
Dearest Usha,
This is your father. I hope that both Suvie and you are doing well at the temple. In the last letter I wrote to you, my apprentice had gone missing. I am pleased to inform you that she has returned and is well. Here's where it becomes unbelievable. Reia along with her friends had gone to another world known as Earth. There they met someone from a race known as Humanity called Thomas Everett. Humans look like Elves but with rounded ears, bulkier frames, and taller than anyone I've ever seen.
While on Earth, they apparently spent a year there fighting against Mordiggian and Ithaqua and attacks by Xoth's wildlife to protect Humanity. Since they lived on a world watched over by another god, the Humans didn't have access to the SYSTEM. Through Kara's machinations, Thomas was able to gain access to the SYSTEM and help protect his race.
I won't bore you with details on their every adventure, I also don't have enough parchment, but at the end of it all, Reia, Vivian, Tala, Sylmae, and Thomas were able to kill both Mordiggian and Ithaqua. I saw the Proofs of Death. They are truly gone. I pray that your older brother and mother can finally rest in peace.
This wasn't the only important news they brought me. They have told me that the storms were have experienced for the last month were part of a spell that the Yellow King casted in order to fuse our world with Earth.
The next bit of news they presented me will be even more upsetting for you. It seems that since our world fused with Earth, Kara has died from this event. I'm sorry to present you with this news and I hope that both you and Suvie can find new purpose in the aftermath of this new world. Know that the two of you will always be welcomed at my smithy.
Always on my mind and within my heart,
Your Father
Jux sighed as he finished his letter. He waited a few moments for the ink to dry before he rolled it up and tied it to a ribbon. Jux took a nearby stamp, wetted it with ink, and then stamped a section of the scroll. The stamp denoted who the scroll is for and where they can be found.
Usha Oro
Guardian at the Shrine of Kara
Worship's Mountain Range
Sogen Continent
'Couriers Guild first thing in the morning,' he promised himself.
With a war just over the horizon, he wanted to see his daughter again before everything falls apart. Just as he was about to leave his desk, a thought suddenly entered his head.
"No..." he uttered under his breath.
Jux quickly took the ribbon off of his letter and continued writing.
P.S.
I reopened this letter because I remembered something very important. There was actually more they told me that I believe involves Suvie and you. Thomas told me about beings known as Elementals. Elementals are beings chosen by the Creator to fight against the Darkness. Each one representing an Element of magic. Reia, Vivian, Sylmae, and Tala are all such beings. Even the Dryad they had with them (long story) is an Elemental. They currently are searching for the other seven Elementals.
What they told me was that the sign that someone is an Elemental is that they have an Unknown title. This title can only been seen by another Elementals or a Human subrace known as the Nephilim. Thomas is a part of this subrace.
I only just remembered that back when Suvie and you were young, you both also claimed to have an Unknown title. At the time, I thought you were just being children and playing around. Eventually I admonished you both when you continued this game. Was it just a game? Do you both really have the Unknown title?
You both are the only thing I have left after the war. Your brother died in battle and you mother died from grief. I'd hate to see the two of you lost in another war, but if what Reia and the others say is true, then they will need your strength. Whatever you decide to do, I will always love and support the two of you.
VVVVVV
Nike chugged down the last half of her mug of juice as Tom finished telling the story of his team's adventures. She was entranced by the tales. During the stories he told, she was sure to use her Identify skill to check his titles, skills, and stats. His titles were also used to confirm the most nonsensical portions of his story like his Dragon Slayer title. The videos they showed her of their many major fights helped further prove their story.
"And so for the first two weeks after the merger, we worked with the UNDF to try to stabilize many of our major cities. Once Humanity got a handle on things, we decided to take the next step and establish relations with Skysign."
"So why are you here, exactly?" Nike asked. "You are definitely not want for cash. Or fame."
"As I already mentioned in our story, we are searching for the other Elementals. These individuals can only be identified by an Unknown title. This title, can only be seen by Elementals or Nephilim. It would take forever to check every single person in the world for these titles, so we need the other Elementals to find us. We are going to spread our name as The Unknown Title and that should let them know that we know about the title."
"I just hope that we don't get that same situation in the first two weeks where hundreds of Humans claimed they had the Unknown title," Sylmae sighed. "That was a waste of our damn time. I'm just thankful that fines were instated to prevent con artists from making the attempt."
"We find all the Elementals, we can take down Hastur," Tom finished.
Nike nodded in thought and then said with a wave of her hands, "Alright. Anything to take that bastard down. Now normally, when an Adventurer joins the Guild, they are given the rank of ten. From there, they complete quests to increase their Guild rank until they can reach rank one. I believe this is a unique situation. You all managed to kill Mordiggian and Ithaqua. Even killed a Dragon. A feat that hasn't been done for hundreds of years. Add on top of that, Thomas, you single-handedly defeated the third-rank party Silver Wolves. I'm likely going to get hell for this by the Guild association, but I'm going to promote you all to first rank."
Congratulations You have collected enough points to level up to rank 1.
"Whoa!" Vivian exclaimed.
"I also had to dig up old tomes just to see what were Mordiggian's and Ithaqua's bounties. Initially, their bounty was one platinum each. In the past three hundred years, that value has gone up." Nike sighed. "To the point that we don't have that kind of money at this Guild."
"Uh, how much exactly?" Tala asked.
"For Mordiggian, his bounty is currently two hundred platinum."
Tom and the girls went wide eye and hummed in excitement.
"Ithaqua, on the other hand, just vanished around three hundred years, and presumed dead. Without any major actions in the past three hundred years, his bounty has not gone up by much. Ten platinum for confirmation of his death."
"Still pretty good," Vivian said.
"Like I said, we just don't have the funds on hand to pay you for your service. The Guild would have to coordinate with several nations just to get that money. That will take time."
"I have an idea," Tom said. "The people I work for, the UNDF, are going to need assistance in the future. We have many soldiers, but they can't be everywhere at once. Also, we are trying to catch up in levels. Here's my idea. Have the two hundred and ten platinum as a credit with the Guild. The UNDF can use this credit to hire Adventurers. Is that acceptable?"
"That sounds reasonable. Alright! I'll have the money transferred to an account that the UNDF can use. I'll notify the other Guilds of this deal."
"Fantastic."
Notice You set up a massive business deal that will have far reaching consequences for both the Guild and UNDF. You have earned the title "Deal Maker". This title gives you a 5% discount on all business transactions.
'Not like I need it,' Tom thought. 'I already have money coming out of all my orifices. Plus I'm going to get my first pay check from the UNDF.'
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Nike took a quill and dabbed it in a nearby ink well. She then wrote in the tome. "And with this, the bounty is complete."
Congratulations The Mordiggian bounty has been successfully turned into the Guild. You have been rewarded with 25650 experience.
Notice Your Fame has increased by 7000 for killing Mordiggian.
Notice You have agreed to apply the monetary reward of 200 platinum to a credit account.
Congratulations The Ithaqua bounty has been successfully turned into the Guild. You have been rewarded with 19800 experience.
Notice Your Fame has increased by 9000 for killing Ithaqua.
Notice You have agreed to apply the monetary reward of 10 platinum to a credit account.
The massive influx of experience allowed everyone to level up multiple times. The group went from mildly tired to outright exhausted. Amber was hit the worst. Her eyes became heavy and she struggled to keep them open.
Tala's Strength attribute passed the one hundred threshold and unlocked a new skill for her. Unlike Tom or Vivian, she did not get the Power Strike skill. Instead she received a skill called Magic Shockwave.
Magic Shockwave Type Activate Mana Required 50 Rank A Level Beginner 1 (0%) User emits a magical shockwave from their body. Not enough to do major damage, but it will give the Mage space to retreat or counter attack.
Tala was surprised at this new skill but immediately saw its usefulness. It also made sense to her that she would get this skill instead of Power Strike. Why would a Mage need Power Strike? With this skill, a Mage can do crowd control to give them space to cast spells.
"I see everyone here has levelled up," Nike remarked. "You all look exhausted."
"Just need vitamin water and I'll be good to go," Sylmae said.
"I don't know what that is, but I'll be sure to look into it when trade starts with the Humans," Nike said. "Now that everything concerning official business with the Guild is done, there are still a few things I wanted to discuss with you all."
"We're listening," Reia said.
"I knew the Heroes. Even fought by their side. I can see them in all of you. Vivian. You have the boisterous personality of your father. Sylmae. The grace of your mother. Tala. A book obsessed scholar, like your father. And Reia. You are the absolute spitting image of your mother."
The girls got misty eyed over Nike's comments.
"I was pretty... close with your parents, Reia. Had things gone one way... I could have been another mother of yours."
The revelation shocked Reia. She readjusted herself on the couch.
"W-What happened?"
"Something I regretted to this day," Nike answered. "After a battle in the Zokot region, I decided to celebrate the victory. I got really drunk. Your parents on the other hand stayed sober. Our base was ambushed. The three of us got separated in the chaos. I tried to find them afterwards, but they kept going from one battle to another. I was never able to reunite with them. It broke my heart to learn of their deaths. I haven't touched a drop of alcohol since that day."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Reia said. "Miss Lazael-"
"You can call me Nike."
"Nike... I'll have one more chance to speak with my parents' spirits before they leave. Would you like me to give them a message for you."
Nike thought on the question and replied, "Tell them that I still think of them and that I cherished the time we had together."
"I'll make sure they know."
"Now enough of the sad memories. Back to what you are all going to need. Your parents' gear. Fortunately, I know where it all is and the special magic that protects it all. Thanks to Tala's father, Leo Ordata, the gear will only accept those they find worthy. I now know that the worthy is their own children. Tala's father's equipment would be the closest one to get."
"The University," Tala stated.
Nike nodded and continued, "It's kept in a special vault in the University and his staff is taken out only once a year during the Mage Tournament. In case Tala didn't tell you, Everett, the point of the tournament is to find a new owner for the staff. The winner gets to touch the staff and see if it will accept them. I know that the staff is waiting for Tala."
"Couldn't we just take the staff?" Tom asked. "Skip the whole tournament. It is Tala's staff by right."
"The University has the staff and his gear under lock and key. They would refuse to believe Tala is the daughter of Leo. And if you just took it, you would piss off the University and every Mage and noble in the world. They all join the tournament to get a chance to prove themselves to the staff. Even if the staff accepts you, everyone will think you cheated somehow. Might is right to them. Tala will need to show everyone in the world that she is worthy of the Morgana staff."
"When is the tournament?"
"In about a week," Tala answered. "Is that correct?"
"That's correct," Nike replied. "I would suggest signing up tomorrow and use any free time you have to train."
"I'll be sure to do that," she said.
"I know my father's stuff is in the Bolaweth kingdom," Vivian said. "But I'm a fugitive there."
"Hey, how did Vivian become an Adventurer if she's a fugitive?" Tom suddenly asked.
"It isn't a black and white application process," Nike said. "When we analyze a person's history, we do take in consideration of their situation. Also the orb is able to detect the truth. When Vivian took the application, she was completely truthful about the situation. We believe her when she said she was defending herself. She was still put on probation, but she proved herself. The Bolaweth kingdom isn't going to want to hear any of it, though. General Kehtan Coppertoe is a high ranked Dwarf. You attacking him, even with good reason, is surmount to treason. I don't know how you can get his equipment."
"We make a name for ourselves," Vivian confidently said. "We get everyone else's gear and the word of our link to the Heroes, our parents, will spread. The Bolaweth kingdom will have no choice but to give me my father's gear. If not, we'll just take."
"There's the girl I love," Tom muttered.
"Damn straight."
"I guess we'll see," Nike sighed. "Reia's parent's gear is in a vault in the Eikoryu Empire. Inside the Emperor's castle. I really wished they didn't get their hands on their gear, but they got to their remains before I could get there. They will be another problem. That gear is a treasure to them. Finally, is Evaline's gear. It might actually be the easiest for you all to get. It's in the Duellia Kingdom inside her estate. The estate is sealed by Evaline's request. Only the king's blood or Sylmae can open it."
"Got it," Sylmae said with a nod.
"Thank you for this information, Nike," Tom said.
"There's still more," she said. "Look..." Nike scanned the room before returning her focus back to the guests before her. "I want you all to know the truth about your parents."
"Truth?" Reia repeated.
"A truth that is better heard here by me than by a mocking enemy on the battlefield. While the tale of the Six Heroes is true. It doesn't cover the entire story. You told me of your visits to the spirit world to meet your parents, but nothing about meeting your other parents. Mothers. Fathers."
"What are you getting at?" Vivian asked.
"Sadly, there's a reason you did not see them in the spirit realm. You see, the truth is that your parents' mission to stop Hastur wasn't a heroic quest to save the world. It was a quest for revenge. Hastur and his underlings were responsible for the deaths of their spouses. Their souls were consumed."
"Wh-What?" Tala muttered with tears in her eyes.
"Before the war, Reia, you had another mother. Mia Zyerious. She was killed in a Demonic ambush and her soul taken. Vivian had three mothers. Litee and Mika Jordfodt were killed in an artillery strike on a medical clinic. Your birth mother, Cenni Jordfodt, was killed several months after your birth on the battlefield. Tala, you had two mothers. They were your father's assistants. Zuli Ordata died in a siege on the Bohalen continent. Your birth mother, Fiele, like Vivian's mother, died shortly after your birth. Sylmae. Your father and other mother, Kydal and Tiria Acer, both died, months before you were born, in battle."
Tears came from the girls' eyes but they stayed quiet to listen to Nike.
"The deaths of their spouses infuriated them. Each of your parents were part of several different armies, but they left to go on their own quest for revenge. In their opinion, and in truth, each nation fought each other as much as we fought Hastur's forces. They saw no end to the war if things continued as they did. Maybe it was coincidence, maybe it was fate, but your parents found each other. All had the common goal of revenge. So together they fought every Demon soldier and monster that crossed their path. In their journey, word got around of their achievements. Soon others joined in their quest, scorning loyalties to their nations and accepting loyalties to the masses. Your parents amassed a mighty army that pushed back against Hastur's forces. For a period of time, they vanished. They returned months later with no explanation. I only now realized that it was to give birth to you all. They wanted no one to know of your existence. With good reason. At the end of the war, your parents led one final battle against Hastur's forces in western Erlonia. Many lives were lost, including your parents against Hastur, but they succeeded in ending the war and brutally injured Hastur."
Tom wrapped his arms around Tala and Reia at his sides to comfort them.
"Thank you for telling us this," Sylmae said as she wiped away her tears.
"I owe your parents as much," Nike said. "One more thing and then you can all go. The sixth Hero. Ayil Obria the Lilin Demon. She's still alive."
"We know that much," Amber said. "Do you know where she is?"
"Last I heard, she went towards the Misakeh continent to continue her efforts to overthrow Hastur and free the Demon continent. The war may have been over for the rest of the world, but the war to free her people still continues to this day. It is likely that she has taken the name Scarlet and now leads Scarlet Night."
"The anti-Hastur resistance group?" Tom asked.
"One and the same. Knowing Ayil, that would be something she would do."
"I kinda suspected as much when we learned about her survival. Hearing you also believing it gives me enough reason to report this information to the UNDF. I had originally suggested to them that we should contact Scarlet Night and ally with them. If their leader was one of the Heroes, contacting them will be even more important."
Nike tapped her lips a few times and smiled. "It's finally good to see someone willing to take the fight to Hastur. You'd think the world would have stayed united and continued to fight against Hastur."
"What happened?"
"As soon as Hastur withdrew his forces, the will to keep fighting just left everyone. The danger had passed so no country wanted to spend more on war with nothing to gain from it. Even though we had several wars with Hastur before then." She mumbled that last sentence under her breath. "Literally within a few years, everyone was back at each other's throats one way or another."
"So that's why. I tried to learn your history as best I could through the only book I had access to and through the girls, but I couldn't find the reason why the Demon continent wasn't overwhelmed by the world."
"That and their barriers and magi-tech," Nike admitted. "It's still really dumb. Hopefully your race will change things."
"Here's hoping." Tom checked the time on his phone and saw it was starting to get late. "I'm sorry, but it's starting to get late and we still need to check on the house."
"I won't keep you. Send over your people's rep any time and we'll take care of things for hiring Adventurers."
Tom and the others got up from their chairs and couch.
"Guild Master, thank you for everything you've told us," Sylmae said. "Especially concerning our parents. It's good to have closure."
"It's the least I could do. This world owes your parents everything. I'll do everything in my power to help you all take Hastur down."
"Thank you," Reia, Vivian, Tala, and Amber all said.
They all gathered themselves and walked out of the office.
"Hey, Everett," Nike said.
Tom looked back over his shoulder.
"A word from Reia's father, Delix, concerning your journey. Follow your heart and fight with everything you got and you will find victory."