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Tales of Undeath: Renegade
XXII. Master of Forbidden Knowledge

XXII. Master of Forbidden Knowledge

The trip to Ragma took several days. During their travel, Raxyas and Bazren used most of their time to train. Occasionally, they would contact Qu, anxious to know what secrets the boxes contained. Yet, most knowledge was split across multiple boxes, like a puzzle that had to be assembled piece by piece. Master Qu was having a hard time making sense of the information, due to the high volume of boxes, until one day, suddenly...

Qu (comm): BAZREN! RAXYAS! TENTORIA! Are you there?! I have news, big, big news...!

Raxyas and Bazren were in the middle of a spar when they heard Qu's voice. Immediately, they stop their clash and reply.

Raxyas: We're here.

Bazren: Yes, master! What have you uncovered?

Qu (comm): Just a moment! Tentoria? I need you to listen to this as well!

No answer from Tentoria. Raxyas had destroyed her communicator at the curse's behest...

Bazren: Tentoria...?

Qu (comm): This is... Bad news. Potentially very, very bad news.

Raxyas felt a gripping pain in his chest. A terrible feeling overcame him.

Raxyas: Master Qu... Is she in danger?

Qu lets out a worried sigh.

Qu (comm): Most likely. Bazren, do you recall when, at the end of your battle against the monsters invading Incola's fortress, you told me about how Tentoria had managed to defeat them all by herself...?

Bazren: Of course. You said that they had to know what they were doing, bringing someone like that into their ranks...

Qu (comm): Indeed... But Tentoria isn't just "someone"... She is as old as Mortmundus itself...

Raxyas and Bazren looked at one another, in surprise.

Qu (comm): In fact, according to this knowledge... Mortmundus exists thanks to her. She is the one responsible for its inception... Tentoria created this reality with her own hands, thousands of years ago.

Raxyas: She... What...?

Bazren: How can that be?!

Qu (comm): Hold on, there is more. You know the mysterious watchers that have flown in Mortmundus' skies for as long as anyone can remember...? There is a reason why Tentoria is connected to them... It is not very clear yet, but according to what I've seen, it would seem that Tentoria is somehow cursed to spend the rest of her days here, in the world she herself created... But she is not like a regular undead. It's as if she has a limited time to live here... When that time runs out, Tentoria dies, and a part of her soul is taken from her... Giving birth to a watcher. The memories contained inside that part of her soul are then locked away in that watcher... As for the rest of the soul, it eventually inhabits another vessel, and the process repeats... It would seem things have been this way for a long, long time. Certainly for hundreds of years.

Raxyas: That's why each time a watcher dies, she regains some of her memories...

Bazren: But then... All we need to do is hunt down every watcher before Tentoria dies again, right? Surely with all her memories back, she will have some chance of breaking her curse...!

Qu (comm): That may be so... I would need to read more to find out. There is still much to uncover. Either way, I believe she may be in great danger... Incola have enlisted what is practically a god in their ranks. With most of her memories lying dormant, who's to say they will not manipulate her into using her powers in some nefarious manner... Or worse, attempt to absorb her soul themselves, in an attempt to rob her of her powers. It's difficult to say, but some boxes definitely hint at Tentoria being a crucial part of some greater plan... Which is why she needs to be even more careful. I fear for her safety, especially since she is not answering...

Bazren: Have more faith in her, master. Tentoria is not as gullible as one might think, and she can surely defend herself if push comes to shove. Right, Raxyas?

Raxyas nods, anxiously.

Bazren: Moreover, if Incola's goal was to absorb her soul, wouldn't they have already done so? Why wait this long?

Qu (comm): I cannot say as of yet... Perhaps you are right, Bazren, or perhaps they are just waiting for something... I will get back to the transcriptions at once. In the meantime, the two of you do your best in Ragma... This redeemer, Xayn. We could greatly use his help, especially given his knowledge and the combat experience he has from fighting alongside Raxyas. You should prioritize finding him above all else.

Raxyas replies quicky.

Raxyas: You don't need to say that twice, master Qu. Establishing contact with Xayn is our top priority here, hands down. The rest can wait.

Qu (comm): Very well, I will leave you two to it then. I will keep you informed of further discoveries. Best of luck...

They bid the master farewell. After a brief discussion regarding the information that had been uncovered, they carried on training. Some more days passed, until finally, they reached Ragma. Except... There was practically nothing there. No citadel in sight.

[https://img.wattpad.com/1813cd95d897e60b168eec2303a9cb039e7474c5/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5450567748334e4f6e4c76326c773d3d2d313230313338313035342e3137326233626166346235623236363137393232333933333532382e706e67]

Only some type of bunker door, embedded into the ground.

Bazren: Well? What now?

Raxyas: I'm not sure... I figured someone would be at the entrance, at the very least.

Bazren: Hmm... Anybody home?!

Bazren summons her flail and smashes it against the gates. The blow was not powerful enough to destroy them, but it left a massive dent, the shape of the spiked ball of her flail.

Raxyas: Was that supposed to be a knock?

Bazren: It was actually supposed to be a lockpicking attempt, although I guess I need some more practice still...

From inside the gates, a voice could be heard.

[https://img.wattpad.com/ae280bc94f387a61bd09726a31c9a5027b915854/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d6a62396a6439624e4f316b78513d3d2d313230313338313035342e313732623361363535383065303132613238313935333939303539312e706e67]

Voice: HEY! What are you doing out there?! Couldn't you wait for a little while longer? I'm coming, I'm coming!

The gates open, and a small undead with copper eyes and cog-shaped pupils greeted them on the other side.

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Copper Cog: Seriously... You surface-dwellers could show a little more respect for our city! Just because we're not above ground does not make our gates any less valuable than yours. Would you try to smash in the gates of your own citadels?!

Bazren: ... No, look I'm sorry but we didn't see an-

Copper Cog: Of course you didn't see anyone, it's an UNDERGROUND city! You cannot expect there to be anything ABOVE GROUND now, can you? I saw you arrive, but I can't just magically teleport at a moment's notice to greet whoever decides to come knocking!

Bazren: Look, I'm really so-

Copper Cog: Yes yes, you are very sorry and won't do it again, and that's exactly what we need because it's not like the next time we fix it up, some other outsider is going to wreck it all over again, all because they couldn't be bothered to wait a couple extra seconds! Do you have any idea of the materials and time it takes to fix these gates?! Especially THESE gates?! Do you even know how tough it was to insert them into the ground? Well, guess what, now we have to take them out so we can repair them, and then we will have to stick them in there. AGAIN.

Raxyas: We apologize, mister...?

Copper Cog: IT'S TUGS. Tugs of Ragma, the citadel's number one redeemer. Well... The only redeemer.

Bazren: You... Are a redeemer?

Tugs (Copper Cog): Oh? What? Going to insult my SIZE now, are you? Haven't dealt enough damage already? Well bring it on miss, I may be small in size but I can take one hell of a beating -- both physical AND emotional!

Raxyas: Not at all Tugs, we just aren't accustomed to seeing redeemers bearing vessels like yours. Do you have a weapon?

Tugs: Of course I do. Though I'm not just carrying it around, I left it at home.

Bazren: You left it... at home? Can't you summon it?

Tugs: Summon it? Oh. You mean to ask if I have a fancy weapon like yours. No, I do not. I make my own weapons, as many as I need and exactly as I need them, thank you very much.

Raxyas: I see... Well Tugs, we're here to see master Nu. We were sent from Incola to assist in the recovery of more watcher boxes.

Tugs: Oh it's you two. Alright, come with me, then.

Tugs takes them to the cathedral, where they meet with Nu. As the gates open, they reveal a great workshop inside. It was as if the entire cathedral had been converted to a massive garage where experiments and prototypes decked the floors and walls. At the center was a slim figure, though taller than both Raxyas and Bazren.

Tugs: Master Nu, the mercenaries are here!

Ruby Ouroboros: Oh Tugs don't call them that... Welcome, welcome!

She stops what she was working on and comes to greet them.

[https://img.wattpad.com/442de283eaa1160591c7fc8be0515dcf19c38b0f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4a55636e48486f5a4647477850413d3d2d313230313338313035342e313732623361663138313832333432323137323035353630313634372e706e67]

Nu (Ruby Ouroboros): Firstly, let me start by saying that I greatly appreciate your assistance. Even though Ilkatorza does need to help me if he wants our alliance to continue bearing fruit, I am still thankful that the two of you have come to our aid. You see, this has proven more difficult than I could imagine...

Raxyas: Is there something... Guarding this box?

Nu: Something is right. Well, some things. We have never encountered such creatures before, and reports of my own guards are vastly different from one another. It's as if each of them saw a different beast! Incola provided me with one of their recruits, supposedly he was this big shot redeemer from Halgorth. He helped me around the workshop here for a while, but when my own men started vanishing he insisted he could help. I was foolish to send him there...

Raxyas: Is this redeemer named Xayn...?

Nu: Well, yes he was. Did Ilkatorza tell you this already?

Raxyas: No, not exactly... It's just that we have known each other for a long time, I'm a redeemer from Halgorth too. I've actually been looking for him for a good while now... Nu, I understand that this Box may be guarded by foes stronger than we've faced before, but I trust that we can handle it. Now please, just point us in the right direction. We'll take care of the rest.

Nu: Well, you certainly seem very eager... But, I am not making the same mistake again. Here, take this.

Nu throws a strange, egg-shaped device Raxyas' way. He catches it.

Nu: As you are well aware by now, these boxes have allowed us to gain knowledge that no one in Mortmundus ever possessed. Among them, some taught the basics of vessel crafting. There was one master who was especially keen on learning more about it, although he has been quiet for quite some time now... Anyway, we worked together for a while to better understand these secrets. We created an artificial vessel that functioned in much the same way any other vessel you can find in Mortmundus does, but with a catch. We could only create small vessels that were very fragile. He was not pleased with these results and set out on his own to perform his own experiments, but I kept refining that vessel. The device I just gave you is the last iteration. Channel some energy into it, please.

Raxyas channels energy into the device, and it grows out legs like a spider.

Raxyas channels energy into the device, and it grows out legs like a spider [https://img.wattpad.com/0de2c495549fd3c8c8d5905d3c9688a6154d8328/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f734f775232776677333971717a513d3d2d313230313338313035342e313732623230383034616139396233613235393031303639333337362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

A suction force could be felt, akin to that of an activated soul sphere.

Nu: Can you feel that? If a soul finds its way inside, it can gain control of it. Moreover, even though it is small and fragile, it is very fast. It is the ideal vessel to extract lost souls, which is exactly what I need you to do. While we were able to recover some of the souls of our men, my strongest warriors are far too deep inside to be rescued without causing an overwhelming number of casualties trying to do so. But, the two of you should be able to hold your own inside. That is your main mission right now: to rescue my soldiers. The box can wait.

Bazren: Are you sure? Ilka didn't mention this.

Nu: Ilkatorza and I do not agree on a lot of topics... I did not bring this up with him because I knew he would pay little mind to it. You may already have realized this, but Ilkatorza prioritizes results above everything else.

Raxyas: Yeah... We had an inkling.

Nu: Anyway, get those soldiers back. Then, we can discuss the box.

Raxyas: Wait, but what about Xayn?

Nu: I... do not know. He could still be inside, with his vessel intact, or his soul could be blindly wandering with nowhere to go. The only way you will know is by finding him, I am afraid.

Bazren: How do we even do that? What kind of place is this citadel that we're going to?

Nu's eyes widen.

Nu: Ah, right! You see, while Ragma is one of the very few underground citadels remaining, it was not so in the past. Before, it was quite common for citadels to be built beneath the surface. It always fascinated me to unearth the secrets of these lost citadels, so you can imagine my surprise when we first discovered those artifacts within. I have been studying lost citadels for a while now, yet only relatively recently did we find the first purple box. They seem to have been quite well concealed...

Raxyas: And where are the entrances to these citadels located?

Nu: In their prime, they used to have outer gates much like our own. Speaking of which, Bazren... I trust you will offer some sort of compensation for the repair of our gates...?

Bazren: Oh, master Nu, I'm very sorry, if I knew I really woul-

Nu lets out a small laugh.

Nu: I jest, I jest! It's quite alright, we're more than used to it. As I was saying, they used to have gates connected to the surface. Over time, these gates got covered up by the naturally occurring formations of Mortmundus, and have become all but inaccessible. So, we took to digging underground tunnels through Mortmundus to find them. All underground citadels had maps that contained the locations of all other underground citadels, so we used them to conduct our explorations. I am proud to say that, currently, Ragma is the only way to access other underground citadels!

Raxyas: Then... Does this mean that all forbidden knowledge came from Ragma?

Nu: Not all of it, although a considerable amount of it has come through Ragma before reaching anybody else's hands. Make no mistake, however. It was thanks to us documenting the existence of these boxes and how one should go about seeking them that others were able to finally start uncovering boxes that were hidden on the surface long ago!

Raxyas: I understand. I'm sorry, but I have to ask... Did the Thirteen ask you for boxes, too?

Nu smiles.

Nu: The Thirteen are the least of your problems now, Raxyas... But I really should not be the one to tell you this. Ilkatorza should be the one to answer all your questions about them.

Raxyas: He does not... Every time he tries to avoid the subject, barely giving me time to even make any questions about it.

Nu: Well... I am sorry, but Incola and Ragma have a strict partnership. I cannot go into further detail regarding that matter... I hope you understand.

Raxyas: Understood. I think that is all we would like to know, then. Are we ready to depart?

Bazren: Ready. Let's go.

Nu: Follow me, then. Tugs, see to it that you continue working on the prototype! We need to get the energy consumption far lower, or else there's no way anyone will ever be able to fly that thing...

Tugs: Yes, ma'am!

Tugs seemed to be working on some sort of flying contraption. It had large wings, and resembled an oversized watcher in shape. The redeemers paid it little mind, as they followed Nu. She guided them through some tunnels deep inside the city. There was the main tunnel forward, with many branching tunnels to the sides. This citadel they were going to was at the end of the main tunnel.

Nu: This is it... If you keep heading through here, you will arrive at the citadel. I bid you farewell, Raxyas and Bazren, and I hope that the next time we meet, my soldiers are with you.

Raxyas: We'll do our best, master Nu.

Nu leaves, and Raxyas and Bazren press onward.