In the end, the party decided to stay in Nagyermend and train for a few days. Theo could work on the final round of elixirs for them with the funds they earned, and Tahir wanted to get used to summoning Mikharma at tier three, so using aura while she was active wouldn’t tear his body apart. For the most part, that meant summoning her at tier two and continuously burning through his aura, which wasn’t hard when he used so much of it also working on Murabi’s sword arts. Between Shukri and Mikharma, Tahir had more than enough time to spar and use up his aura.
They certainly planned to return to the ruin eventually, but the looming confrontation with the spirit mages and Nagyermend loomed on everyone’s mind. Merui stopped by, a week later, to let everyone know that, as he expected, the warehouse they broke into was practically abandoned, and that they’ve narrowed down possible locations that they’ve moved all of supplies to. He didn’t want to make a move, however, until he could be certain. It did seem like in the meantime, the seemingly random spirit mage attacks had stopped.
During that week, Theo finished her final batch of elixirs. This time, Tahir felt the benefit severely diminish, and it seemed like Callipho spoke true. For how much they cost to make each time, they probably wouldn’t find how much aura they’d gain from any more of this same elixir worth it. They’d have to be on the lookout for any more formulas for elixirs, but Tahir doubted they’d just stumble into one, given how the last one was an exchange from the Raven.
There were probably no shortage of mages who wanted to get a peek into a Lich’s spellbook, though, so they always had that as a bargaining chip. Tahir and Meti continued to study from it when they had the time, but Tahir’s work with aura and Meti’s project nearing completion caused them to neglect their spell studies. Still, for the first time in a while, his aura and mana levels felt about even.
The day after Merui came to update them on the investigation, Tahir was in the middle of training in the space provided for Redclouds when he felt a mental ‘ping’, a magical connection opening up, before he heard a familiar voice. “Young Tahir? Are you there? I do hope you’re awake at this point.” Fenian’s voice rang out in his head.
“Fenian? Yes I’m awake, it’s noon.” Tahir responded. Thankfully, he caught him at a moment where he was working alone instead of in the middle of a spar. He left the training field to sit at a nearby bench, drawing the gazes of Hasio, Shukri, and Mikharma nearby.
“Oh wonderful. You would not believe the number of platinum and mithral Redclouds I’ve seen who’ll sleep and wake according to their own whims and whimsy. More than a few of them hungover I suspect.” Fenian replied. “In any case, congratulations on reaching platinum, by the way. Have you been delving into the desert ruin since it opened up?”
“Oh, thanks! And yes, me and my group only went once, but we cleared out a room sealed by a barrier.”
“Ah, that was you, was it? Well that’s grand, I believe this offer I have for you might be to your liking then. At this point, the first 10 floors have been thoroughly explored, but we’ve hit a bit of a bottleneck within the final chamber of the 10th. There are undead creatures of considerable might inside, and what’s strange is that the entrance from this chamber somewhat explicitly called for help from the divine in an inscription.”
“Help from the Divine?” Tahir repeated, and then took a moment to consider. “So they wanted people who could use divine magic?”
“That is the assumption. Personally, I believe it to be more of a suggestion than anything, but better to be safe than sorry. I recalled your bout with Ester where you used a divine spirit and divine magic along with it, so I thought I might extend to you an invitation to join this group that is assembling. Coincidentally, Ester herself will also be there.”
The thought of powerful undead within the dungeon set Tahir on edge, giving him memories of his encounter with the Lich, but if a lich did lie within that chamber, Fenian probably wouldn’t have invited him and only sought mithral Redclouds. It also worried him slightly that he’d be working with an entirely different party by the sound of it. But he knew Ester. From the last time he fought her at the very least, he knew he could rely on her. “Sounds good. When are they trying to tackle the chamber?”
“Wonderful. The others I’ve requested told me that they’re already at the ruin or will be making their way there today, so I imagine they’ll be assembled by tomorrow at the earliest.”
“Got it. I’ll be there. Thank you, Fenian.”
“My pleasure.” With that, the connection was cut, and Tahir could no longer hear Fenian’s voice in his mind.
Tahir went on to tell the others about the mental conversation he just had, getting an annoyed grumble from Shukri but good tidings from everyone else. Despite his reservations, they probably had a good reason for following the inscription and restricting the party to only those who could use divine magic. The others also needed to stay behind in case any more developments with the rogue spirit mages came about. Neremyn’s ability to teleport vast distances opened up their options considerably. Tahir only wished he could leave a spirit behind with them without diverting his pools too much.
And so, Tahir took it easier on his training for the rest of the day, and the others helped him prepare. Theo gave him a few more potions, making sure he had four healing potions and her special auric recovery potions each, as well as the powerful strength enhancing potion - Callipho’s recreation of the one they found in Zorhe’s ruin. He doubted - or rather hoped he wouldn’t need to use it, but it certainly would be good to have in an emergency.
Meti didn’t have anything to give him, and he didn’t want to bring her out of her groove, as she looked on the cusp of finishing her current project. She simply wished him luck, and took a short break to help him sharpen his sword.
Ready as he’d ever be, he summoned Neremyn the next morning and teleported back to the ruin. A little bit out to avoid popping up in the middle of the camp full of Redclouds. After thanking Neremyn for their help and sending them back on their way, he made his way toward the ruin. He’d need a couple of hours to recover the mana and aura he spent summoning Neremyn at tier four, but he could take the time to get to know the people he’d work with to clear out the room. After asking around, he got directions to Ester’s tent, and made his way there.
The tent looked fairly large, like it could easily fit a dozen people sleeping. Almost too big for a single person, but then again, Tahir wouldn’t mind having a massive tent like this for himself. Clearing his throat, he cast a quick spell to create the sound of knocking, as if he was knocking on a door before he spoke. “Anybody home?”
A moment passed before he heard Ester’s voice from within the tent. “Come in.” She told him. When he pushed aside the flap of the tent and made his way in, he found not just Ester, but three others within. Presumably the others he’d be working with to clear out this chamber. Fortunately for him, he recognized most of them. Raline and Naevys, others who’d received the sponsorship. A quick glance at their pocket watches told him that Raline had been promoted to platinum, while Naevys stayed in gold.
The last one was an older human man, with sunkissed skin and a wrinkled face framed by a salt and pepper beard. He wore white and blue robes, and a necklace that ended in a small glass bottle with what looked to be lightning bouncing around, a symbol of the god of knowledge, Hibris. His own pocket watch was also platinum.
“There you are.” Ester stated. “Most of the people Fenian contacted were either already here, or got here last night. We thought we’d have to delay the delve.”
“Sorry for not letting you know. I guess I did tell Fenian I’d be here, but I didn’t really tell him when.” Tahir replied, glancing toward the older man. “I’ve at least seen most of you before, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Indeed we haven’t. You must be Tahir. I am Clement Medlin, priest of Hibris, if it wasn’t obvious.” He held out a hand to shake, which Tahir took. “Funnily enough, I believe I am the only true priest in this party. I’ve been told your situation is somewhat unique.”
Tahir nodded, and glanced around at the others. The knowledge that Clement was the only actual priest had sparked his curiosity. “Right, not too long ago I received a blessing from Odium-” He held up his hand to reveal the mark that signified the blessing, “-which I believe drew a divine spirit to me to make a contract, who has also taught me some divine magic as well. If you don’t mind me asking, what are your associations with the gods?”
At first, no one spoke, and Tahir wondered if he’d overstepped. But Naevys spoke up. “I was also given a blessing by Neharin and had divine magic taught to me, though it was from members of his clergy rather than a spirit.”
Another moment passed, and Ester spoke next. “Though I am not a priestess, I am a holy warrior of Noxulla. A lightmaiden.” She said, and she was quickly followed up by Raline.
“I am also one of Noxulla’s, though I don’t consider myself a ‘holy warrior’ by any means. I am a nightwarden.”
“Oho, it’s not often we get to see both of the Starwalker’s sects operating in tandem. This will be a treat.” Clement said, stroking his beard. “Though, the two of you standing on opposite ends explains why you’ve been standoffish to each other since we all met up last night.”
Hearing that, Tahir began to think that maybe he had erred in bringing up the topic.
Ester rolled her eyes and moved past everyone to leave her own tent. “We won’t be doing anything special, just clearing the room. Unless there are any objections, meet me at the ruin’s entrance in three hours.” She said, no one raised any objections, and no one stopped her as she left. Three hours would be enough for Tahir to recover his energy from the teleportation, so he didn’t see an issue.
“That’s about as good a reception as I can expect.” Raline said with a shrug. “Still, I am looking forward to seeing you in action, Tahir, just from what I’ve heard from Theo, Hasio, and Naevys here.” With a wave, she left Ester’s tent as well.
Naevys followed soon after, and Tahir talked to Clement as they both made their way out. “The lightmaidens and the nightwardens - separate sects of Noxulla for day and night?”
“Quite, though the lightmaidens are significantly more rare, on the count that each one is far more powerful than one of Noxulla’s templars. They channel the raw destructive power of Noxulla’s light.” Clement explains. “In any case, the Nightwardens are a larger but more clandestine group. They get up to all manner of things, most I’d rather not mention. Suffice to say, a well experienced one can certainly stand against a lightmaiden, but standing with them is another matter. They represent fundamentally different aspects of the same goddess.” With a slight shrug, he smiled at Tahir. “Ah, but I have some business to attend to before we set off, so I’ll have to stop before I talk your ear off the whole time."
Tahir didn’t quite understand, but he’d keep it in mind, though the best he could do in that regard was try not to bring it up again.