Having paid for his passage to one of Sanafalls’ satellite islands, Ezekiel and Shine used the remains of their mana to make their way to Riker’s ship on the neighboring island’s dock. Luckily, the extent of Ezekiel’s planning had left enough breadcrumbs to lead the Church and those that knew him on a merry chase to the other side of Sanafalls. Where his clues implied that he was heading to acquire another ship.
“So, how exactly did you manage to lead them to the other side of the main island?” Riker asked while Ezekiel made his way up the ramp to the Gust Lord. The ship was currently empty, save for a few Island Hoppers that were trusty enough to keep silent.
Ezekiel was also done up in a disguise that implied he was a Cavern Mage, rather than a Void Mage. He even had Shine inhabit their statue body, to pretend to be a moving Spirit that was hiding under his clothes. So long as he didn’t channel his mana, his eyes would remain inert, and he wouldn’t be caught by revealing his elemental affinity.
“I left very clear and very rushed instructions that looked burned and hurriedly destroyed in my office.” Ezekiel explained. “I also did actually make moves to head towards the other side of the island. By pretending I was heading toward the hidden caverns next to the city.”
“You also left a list of names for ships that were heading to Tarquessa, with Riker’s and several others crossed out.” Shine muttered. “I also feel like we spent too much time leaving breadcrumbs. You haven’t slept in over thirty hours now.”
“I’m honestly surprised that that worked.” Riker said.
“I may have lied to a couple of the assistants in my building. I also doubt that every Scholar in the Church actually wanted to try and stop me.” Ezekiel said. “Mostly because they know that the trouble that I’ll cause would be far worse if they actually succeeded.”
Riker hummed in thought. He didn’t doubt Ezekiel’s words, but he knew that Scarlet was certainly not willing to let him go like this. He didn’t want to think about what the consequences of Ezekiel’s escape were going to be when he made it back to the main island.
“What about your contract?” Riker asked. “Won’t there be significant consequences for leaving like this?”
“Not really. I’ve already fulfilled all my Church-related obligations for the year. So, they can’t nail me for anything new. Similarly, I can’t get in trouble for not accepting any new requests or orders. Not in any way that significantly matters, at least.” Ezekiel said. “They’ll likely seize my property, and all the equipment I have, but that’s fine.”
“You also left a crying Mera, when you explained why you didn’t think you could return her crush on you.” Shine said.
“She wanted a quiet life with a hot researcher husband. I’m not looking for that kind of life.” Ezekiel replied. “Besides, you agreed that it would be best to put her down nicely before we left.”
The banter Shine was making with him as he explained things to Riker was incredibly helpful for keeping him calm. It hadn’t been brought up yet, and he’d been trying to ignore it, but Ezekiel knew full well that there were far worse possible consequences than what he’d described so far. He fully believed that the Church wouldn’t go that far, as they didn’t have a legal leg to stand on, but he was still worried.
“You didn’t sign a Spirit Covenant?” Riker asked. “That’s the standard when it comes to Church contracts. Especially when you don’t have collateral. Which you didn’t when you became affiliated.”
“I refused to even consider it. The Church also didn’t bring it up, since Shine is a unique being.” Ezekiel said.
“That doesn’t mean that they’ll stop with just seizing your property.” Riker said. “There are still worse things they can do.”
“I’m aware.” Ezekiel said.
“Are you, really? Because, given the support they’ve given you over the years, I don’t think that excommunication, and being barred from all Church services and assistance is something that’s worth risking.” Riker’s voice was starting to get heated.
If Ezekiel was going to be living a nice, normal, peaceful life, then this wouldn’t be an issue. But given all the trouble that Ezekiel finds himself in, and his well-known intent to reach higher Tiers, losing the support of the largest, world spanning, organization in the world was not a good thing.
“They won’t go that far.” Ezekiel said. “That’s not over confidence speaking either.”
Riker stopped himself from interrupting. He had thought that Ezekiel was overestimating his importance to the Church. As it was well known that he was the one that had contributed the most to the recent developments that had been spreading through the Archipelago.
“I know that, to most people, it would look like I’m abusing my importance to the Church. But that’s not the case.” Ezekiel said. “I’m well aware that, with the spread of the new methods for mana gathering, and the increase in Void Mages reaching Tier one, that my direct importance has been dropping.”
“Given these developments, the Church has no choice but to treat me like any other Church Affiliated Hunter. Including the breaking of a contract. All my fines and collateral for the breach have been made available to the Church. So, all they can do right now is write me off, and not take me in as a Church Affiliated Hunter again in the future.” Ezekiel’s tone was becoming more and more exasperated as he was speaking. “Even then, it is up to the individual Cathedral’s Grand Scholars to decide who is and isn’t contracted to a specific Cathedral. I’d likely only be barred from Sanafalls.”
Riker looked at Ezekiel with an appraising eye as he thought over the rundown that Ezekiel had given him. He couldn’t find any flaws in his argument, beyond the fact that the Church was generally united enough to accept a Cathedral's decision to bar a person from more than just one Cathedral city.
It was the rare few Cathedrals that had tensions between them that usually granted affiliation to contract breakers. Even then, it was only to snub the noses of the Cathedrals they didn’t like.
“You’re willing to give up your home like this?” Riker asked. “After all these years, you’re just giving it all up?”
Ezekiel looked Riker in the eyes. He was tired of trying to explain himself.
“You know damn well that the Church has no legal right to hold onto me. Even if I was a Scholar, I am not a criminal, and as such, there is no legal point in which they can hold me against my will.” Ezekiel explained. “They might have been able to ground me, since I was still their ward, prior to the news of me being a Hunter was released. But I reached my majority several months ago. My life is my own.”
“... You’re right. Look at me. I was just berating Scarlet a few hours ago for what she was doing. Yet here I am, hounding you all the same.” Riker said as he gave a self-deprecating smile. “Honestly, given the risk to your life, I should be more worried about how you’ll survive. Not how you’ve snubbed the Church after all these years.”
“I know it seems like I’ve snubbed the Church. But this is something I need to do. They wouldn’t be stopping me if I wasn’t unique. Which I can’t allow them to do.” Ezekiel stated. “I’m going. That’s final.”
Riker nodded his head. Opening the door to a cabin and holding out a hand for Ezekiel travel payment. He already knew Ezekiel was set. But that didn’t mean that he wanted the man who had given his daughter a future as a Void Mage to suffer for his current choices.
Ezekiel handed over a small coin pouch that he took from his custom Void Pouch.
“A full ride’s pay.” Ezekiel said. “Tell your kids that they need to keep working hard. They may not be able to become Hunters, but if things work out, then they may still become Legends, just like their dad. One day.”
That revelation had been a pleasant surprise for Ezekiel. He was incredibly happy that the Island Hoppers now had a definitive leader. As well as increased their Guild Tier. This meant that the Iron Hulls had more competition.
Riker looked at him wide eyed for a moment as he processed Ezekiel’s statement. Outside the Church, the knowledge that Ezekiel had acquired regarding Tier four from the Remnant was not widespread. There were rumors that the Scholars of the Church were looking into new means of advancing magic. But nothing solid with regard to breaking through to Legendary without a Spirit.
“Take care out there. This better not be the last time I see you. Ya understand?” Riker said.
“I understand.” Ezekiel said.
With those final words, Riker turned around and left Ezekiel to his cabin. Ezekiel watched him leave for a moment before closing his door. There were no trails that would lead the Church here. So, he was essentially in the clear when it came to reaching Tarquessa.
Locking and barring his door, Ezekiel laid down on the small cot that was placed inside the cramped room. Having little to do before they reached the Continent, he and Shine settled down to catch up on the sleep that was missed while they were creating false trails.
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Ezekiel found himself holed up in his small cabin for the majority of the trip. The only times he stepped out were to acquire some food and to use the toilet. When the odd Hunter here and there asked who he was, the Island Hoppers just mentioned that he was an unaffiliated Hunter that had caught a ride on the Satellite Island.
Given that there were a handful of unaffiliated Hunters on the ship, this wasn’t something that drew a lot of attention. The fact that all the other unaffiliated Hunters stayed to themselves as well meant that Ezekiel didn’t stand out for staying away from people. He considered this to be a fortunate coincidence.
Eventually, after a bit more than a week on the water, the Gust Lord’s lookout rang the bell in the crow’s nest. Land had been spotted, and Tarquessa was now in sight.
“Well, we might as well see what’s what. Shall we head up?” Ezekiel asked Shine. “It might be a good idea to see what exactly we’re dealing with.”
“Sounds good to me. I know we’re entering the fringes of a warzone, but a part of me is looking forward to seeing a new land.” Shine replied. “I’ve never seen anything outside the Archipelago. Are deserts really as terrible as they sound?”
Ezekiel packed up his stuff, knowing he likely wasn’t going to be returning here anytime soon. It was still the morning, so the odds were high that they’d be docking today. He’d get a room at whatever acted as an inn wherever they first docked.
“I haven’t truly spent any significant periods of time in a desert either. But apparently the temperatures can vary from scorching heat, to well below freezing.” Ezekiel said. “The sun is a major contributing factor in how much heat is built up.”
“Huh... I guess that makes sense. Does that mean that it’s safer to travel at night?” Shine asked.
“I think so? It’d probably still be dangerous, since all the beasts and Spirits that can’t take the heat would be more likely to come out at those times.” Ezekiel said. “Not that we’re necessarily going to be in the middle of the desert for long periods of time. So long as things work out, we should be within a regular and safe distance of an oasis at all times.”
“But when has anything worked out for us? At least according to the plans that we’ve made.” Shine inquired.
“Rarely. Which is why I packed several desert survival journals, and have been reading through them in between our meditations. The first things we’ll be getting when we make land will be proper desert garments, and portable shelters that can provide shade and cooling when possible.” Ezekiel explained. “Thank the Ancients for Void Pouches. I can’t imagine the horror of having to do this without them.”
Ezekiel once again reminded himself of how lucky he was to have magic now. Dealing with desert travel without it would’ve been a nightmare. It was obviously still going to be difficult, but the main issues, like food, water, and shelter, were mostly taken care of thanks to magic.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Can I...” Shine trailed off.
“Here.” Ezekiel replied. Barely even thinking about it, he immediately shared all the information he’d gleaned from the books he’d been reading.
As Shine mentally digested the information, Ezekiel stepped out onto the deck. Several dozen other Hunters had made their way here as well. There was a mix of Adepts and Apprentices. None of them were Legendaries. All of them were looking into the distance. Many had grimaces and other dark and disturbed looks on their faces.
Channeling mana into his eyes as he hid them under his hood, Ezekiel could clearly see why. As his vision zoomed into the distance, he could clearly see that there were stacks of smoke rising into the sky. Right in the direction that they were heading in.
It seemed like landfall would take a while longer if they wanted to avoid a conflict.
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Several hours later, a little bit after the sun had set, the Gust Lord was making port in one of the various waypoint towns that sat along the coast.
“Apologies to all of you. If we could, we’d take you all to one of the established port cities, but the closest ones are all still a distance away.” The current captain of the Gust Lord stated as the various Hunters that had come to help the Church of Ten disembarked. “Due to our contract, we must return to Sanafalls as soon as possible, but there’s a major city with a Cathedral in it roughly a day's journey Northeast of here. With a little help from the locals, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to make your way there. Though you might wish to leave in the afternoon tomorrow, rather than in the morning.”
Ezekiel couldn’t help but nod along with the Captain’s words. He wasn’t one of the Adepts that Ezekiel was familiar with, but he could tell that the man knew his stuff. However, as he looked around, he could tell that there were more than a few Hunters that had no intention of following the Captain’s advice.
Ezekiel left the group with a shrug. He figured that he might as well just find some lodgings for now. Then he’d spend some time in the town tomorrow, before heading out around evening.
Making way towards one of the locals, he asked for directions to where he could get some cheap lodgings. As he headed in the direction that was pointed out to him, he noticed that there were several Hunters that seemed to have no intention of staying the night.
It appeared to him that roughly a third of the Hunters that had disembarked were going to be leaving the town tonight. Even though it had already been several hours since sunset.
“Those poor saps are going to be stuck in the middle of the desert just as the sun is rising.” Ezekiel mentally muttered in disapproval. “They don’t even have clothing or other supplies that would be more appropriate for desert travel.”
Looking at the mostly jungle-based equipment that they all had, Ezekiel couldn’t help but wonder how many of them would still be in good condition by the time they reached the larger city. If all of them even did, as he saw several Apprentices in the group that didn’t look totally confident in their senior’s plans to leave right this second.
“Well, hopefully things turn out well for them.” Shine said.
As they arrived at the relatively large inn, Ezekiel was surprised to see that it was in such good condition. Especially since he didn’t think the past few months would have been good for them. He couldn’t have imagined that a war would be something that an inn could make good business from.
“Greetings. Room for one?” The lady standing behind the desk at the entrance asked. She looked to be around Ezekiel’s age. Maybe a little bit older, but it was hard to tell if that was from age or hard-working environment. She looked like the kind of girl that tended to do a number of hands-on jobs.
“Yeah. Cheapest one you have.” Ezekiel said. He saw no point in going for a larger room since it would only be for one night. “Just one night, though I’d like to keep it until at least noon tomorrow.”
The lady’s eyebrows rose in interest. Apparently, he had asked for something that no one else had so far. Ezekiel hoped that he hadn’t asked for something stupid, but as the lady smiled, his worries faded.
“You’re the first person to ask for that. Planning to leave a bit before nightfall tomorrow?” The lady asked. “If you are, I’d be careful. While that would usually be the best choice to take, given the current state of things, there’s more than a few wretches and scumbags that will try to take advantage of such planning.”
“... Damn... I hadn’t thought of that.” Ezekiel muttered. “Thank you for the warning, but I’ll keep to my request for now.”
The lady shrugged. Her glittering brown eyes showed disinterest at his words.
“As you wish. Here’s your key.” She handed him a small key with a numbered tag attached to it. “For what it’s worth, I hope things work out for you. Those damned Cultists have been causing plenty of trouble that needs to be dealt with.”
“Oh? Don’t suppose you could tell me more?” Ezekiel asked. “Perhaps over drinks and food?”
“At this time of night? No thanks. Ask me again tomorrow and maybe we can get lunch.” The lady said.
“Sounds like a plan. I guess I’ll see you here?” Ezekiel asked. “Also, what might I call you by?”
“Of course. And my name is Cinder. Yes, my parents assumed my element.” Cinder said, her voice exasperated as she explained her name for the umpteenth time in her life.
“The name’s Zeke.” Ezekiel said as he smiled and paid for his room. Turning away and heading straight for the stairs, Shine started throwing questions his way.
“Were you flirting with her?” Shine asked.
“Not intentionally. Though I can see why you would think that.” Ezekiel said. “The drinks and food are mostly to pay for any information she might have to spare. The fact that she thinks I want to get into her pants will hopefully throw her off from our actual intentions. There’s also no reason to be rude, and politeness can come off as flirting if it seems a bit pushy.”
Ezekiel’s face was somewhat red as he explained this to Shine. He hadn’t been meaning to, but he realized that he’d essentially asked Cinder out on a date. He really hated how much his new life’s hormones were changing him. In his old life, he’d have never behaved or thought of something like that.
“Do you think our plan will need to change? Given what she said about people taking advantage of the conflict and making things dangerous?” Shine asked.
Happy to have a change in topic, Ezekiel focused on what they had been told.
“I doubt it. While it’ll be difficult due to the sand leaving footprints, we have our Shroud, and our Jumps. We shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting past whatever brigands or bandits might be in our way.” Ezekiel replied. “We can hopefully find out more after we get some sleep.”
Making his way into a room with the same number as the one on his key, Ezekiel stepped into an utterly tiny room. The only thing there was a small cot and a stool. There were also some hooks to hang up clothing if needed.
Giving a sigh at the room, Ezekiel forced himself to shrug as he did his best to get ready for bed. He had a long day ahead of him after all.
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“So, other than bandit attacks, there’s no definitive proof that the Cult is involved with the current problems happening in this town?” Ezekiel asked as he sat across a table from Cinder as they ate a hefty lunch prepared by the inns kitchen.
“Indeed. The Cult has primarily been very open about its members. They’ve been claiming that the secrets kept by the Church have been revealed to them. Thus, they now have the path to defeating the Cruor revealed to them.” Cinder said as she drank her iced tea.
Ezekiel had slept well into the morning, not bothering to get up all that early. He and Shine had ended up staying in their room until nearly noon. Shine had also swapped back to their sword. The statuette golem body had been stored in Ezekiel’s Void Pouch again for safe keeping.
After heading downstairs and settling into a corner in the tavern area of the inn, he waited until the lunch rush rolled around. Though he was surprised that there were so few people there. He was almost certain that there would be a good number of the remaining Hunters that understood that leaving to travel during the days was a bad idea.
Seeing that Cinder was going on her break, he waved her down and they began discussing information regarding the surrounding areas. Cinder was surprisingly well informed. She even knew a few things from the areas to the north of the desert.
Apparently, the Cult had been smart in their plans. They infiltrated both the south and north most areas of the desert, with a line of connections going straight down the middle of the desert. With this, l the already disjointed desert towns and cities would find it difficult to receive direct outside support. While they would also have difficulties sending aid back and forth from east to west.
The Church’s forces had essentially been isolated from one another and were stuck doing their best to hold what territory they still had. While the Cult could receive external aid without issue.
After discussing the layout of forces, they eventually moved to the topic of how the Cult was doing as well as they were. Cinder described the Cult’s usual propaganda and zealotry that Ezekiel was familiar with. Something he was somewhat thankful for. As it meant they hadn’t made to many changes to their usual methods and operations. Something he hoped he could take advantage of later.
“I’m guessing that this path requires a certain ‘blessing’ from their Radiant Lord?” Ezekiel asked. He knew that Cult was good at making empty promises, with hidden costs regarding their help. But it didn’t hurt to confirm in this situation.
Cinder looked surprised but nodded her head in confirmation. Though she seemed somewhat surprised that Ezekiel knew that much.
“You seem greatly informed for a foreign Hunter.” Cinder said. “Have you had experience with the Cult of Light before?”
“... There was an incident in the Archipelago several years ago. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. But there was a great deal of information that was spread around after a few survivors made it back to the civilized islands.” Ezekiel explained.
“I see. Well, that means that things might turn out well for the Hunters that arrived last night.” Cinder said. “Though, the fact that there’s only a handful still left in the town makes that unlikely.”
She gave Ezekiel a knowing look as she finished her drink. It wasn’t hard for her to understand that Ezekiel knew more than he was implying, but she knew better than to pry in these situations. Especially when he was there to provide aid. Even more so when he was the smartest person that she’d seen coming from the Archipelago so far.
“Well, that sucks for them.” Ezekiel muttered as he finished off the last of his food. “Thank you for the information. I’ll be sure to pay for the meal, but I need to get going. There are some supplies that I need to get before setting out. Any advice you might have regarding that?”
“Hmm... Head to Sunny’s Supplier. They should have everything you need for desert travel. Just ask for the full desert set. He’ll get you set up. So long as you can pay” Cinder told him.
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Ezekiel paid for the food and drinks before setting out.
Cinder stayed silent as she watched him head out. She was somewhat surprised that he hadn’t tried to hit on her, given his words the previous night. But figured that, given what little she knew about him, he was professional enough to not want to push things at this point.
“It’s a shame he won’t be sticking around.” She muttered under her breath. “It’s hard to find people worth my attention in this town.”
Getting up, she made her way to the back, rather than to the front desk. Gesturing to another girl as she walked by, the other girl moved quickly to fill Cinder’s place in the reception desk. Deferring to her in a respectful fashion the whole time.
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Ezekiel and Shine were walking through the town in silence as they searched for Sunny’s Supplier. However, there was a sense of tension as they moved throughout the area.
“Hey, Ezekiel.” Shine spoke up. “I’m not the only one who realized that she knew far too much for a regular inn receptionist, right?”
“For all we know, this is the standard for Tarquessa. Especially since Com-Slates are becoming more widespread nowadays.” Ezekiel replied. “Though, information like that would likely be spread via the Church, more than anyone else.”
“So how does she know?” Shine asked.
“She might be a relative of someone in the Church, or if we want to stretch our assumptions, then she might be tied to the Church in some way. Hunters aren’t the only affiliates, after all.” Ezekiel explained. “I doubt we’ll get in any trouble though. She clearly had no idea who we were. Even if she did have her own assumptions.”
Coming to a stop in front of a well taken care of store front, Ezekiel made his way into the supply shop he was referred to.
“If you say so. Though it might actually be nice to get some assistance from our friends.” Shine muttered.
“Agreed. But I don’t know if that’s likely to happen. Our contract has already been broken, after all.” Ezekiel said as he rubbed his wrist, where a spiritual band had previously been wrapped around.
It snapped sometime last night. Meaning that the Church had tried to call on him for duties, that the Church was trying to see just how far from under their thumb he had gotten. Although, the fact that he hadn’t been woken up by it meant that they hadn’t applied any of the punishments that they could have when it broke. So, he hadn’t been excommunicated or otherwise despised by the Grand Scholars.
Making his way through the supply store, Ezekiel could only hope that his coin purse wouldn’t be completely drained by the time he walked out. Given the time of the day, he wanted to get in and out as soon as possible. So, he could make his final preparations and leave by sunset.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to leave sooner, rather than later.
----------------------------------------
It was a few hours after sunset when Cinder was beginning to wrap up things at the inn. She had returned just a little bit after Ezekiel had finished his shopping. She waited for a while, to see if he would try to chat her up before he headed out. But he just relaxed as he read through a book for several hours until he left a little bit before sunset.
Now, just as she was closing up the inn for the night, she was interrupted as the front doors opened. Knowing that she couldn’t just turn them away, since the inn wasn’t officially closed, she turned to look at who had arrived.
She was incredibly surprised to see that it was a group of people dressed in garbs she was familiar with. Wearing white robes with differently colored patterns to denote their elemental affinities, red, green, and grown, the group of three Scholars made their way towards her.
“Hello there. We were hoping to get a few rooms for the night.” The female Flame Scholar said as she approached. “Also, if it’s not too much trouble, we’d like to ask you a few questions regarding the Hunters that would’ve passed through here yesterday. Specifically, a young man, a few years younger than you, using a sword that looks like this.”
The Scholar held out a picture of a sword. A sword that was identical in appearance to Shine’s current body. Something that Ezekiel apparently hadn’t thought of changing.
A flash of realization crossed Cinder’s face. Something that all three Scholars managed to catch. All of them leaned in curiously, expecting the young receptionist to answer their unspoken questions.
“... I don’t suppose I could get some names before I answer.” Cinder said. “This town is still allied with the Church of Ten, but it doesn’t hurt to make some confirmations.”
The three Scholars nodded in understanding.
“My name is Fiana.”
“You may refer to me as George. I’m sure you’ve heard of me, what with my contributions to-”
“Ignore him. Please call me Marc.”
As three of Ezekiel’s previous research team members introduced themselves to Cinder, she couldn’t help but feel like she had stumbled onto something that would complicate her life. More so than the current conflicts already were.
“I‘m Cinder. I don’t suppose this talk could wait until tomorrow?” She asked with hope in her eyes.
Those hopes were dashed as Fiana shook her head. Sighing despondently, she locked the doors to the inn and made her way to a table. One of the ones that had a hidden privacy enchantment etched into it. She knew that tonight was going to be a long one. But she desperately prayed that things would settle back down in the morning. It wasn’t like there would be any reason for these Scholars to drag her along with them on their mission. Right?