Maybe an hour had passed by the time all the infants were separated into groups. A job that should have been quick and easy, but the failure of the ritual had turned such work cumbersome.
Most of the children had come out wrong, with the worst acting like living corpses. They didn’t move or react to anything, not even harsh blows to the stomach. The mistreatment didn’t even cause moans to escape them, they just laid there, eyes blank.
Most were in that condition on the other side of the room, all piled together.
It had him gripping the hand of his guide tighter. They’d been infants, innocent and clueless, now they were a mound of corpses, discarded without care. He’d yet to see anyone grieve or shed a single tear on the children’s behalf. Everyone ignored them, a meaningless sight to their eyes, that at most brought about looks of frustration.
‘What kind of realm have I been born into?’ That question plagued his mind as he waited and listened to snippets of conversation.
“Think they’re going to be of any use?” A guard near him whispered to another.
The one questioned eyed the mound. “Bait is my guess, there’s nothing else that can be done with them.” Gesturing at the bodies he added. “I mean look at them, it’s as if the cord stopped halfway through their changing.”
A clap pulled Noname’s and everyone else’s attention towards the lead guard. Who, along with the women, had made their way over to where Noname was waiting, with the rest of the functional children.
“Alright Newborns, you will follow us where we have food waiting, food.” The man emphasized as he scanned their ranks.
“Blessed, most of you understood some of what I said.” The leader spoke, then mumbled something under his breath, while motioning to his men. The guards, and his guide, moved from the wall, the latter gently tugging at him to follow.
Glancing back, he saw, counter to his soft treatment. That the thinking infants were being lightly pushed, and pulled to keep up with the procession. Unlike him, the other Newborns weren’t having an easy time walking, and given they all were in a tunnel, it was causing a slow march.
Not that those in the lead cared, they continued their rushed pace, weaving down one set of halls to the next, leaving Noname horribly disoriented. Thankfully, he had no worry of being disconnected from the group. His guide kept close, and maintained a firm grip on his hand. It was the same for the other two gifted, who at this point were being gently carried along.
It was a sobering sight, seeing the children like this. None were fighting material, that was plain, yet from the guard’s behavior, it seemed these stunted children were still going to be used anyways.
He couldn’t see any benefit, at least in turning back a threat. But if they were to be used as a bulwark? Then it was understandable.
Noname shivered at the prospect, that he and his group were likely meant to bleed and die so others could be spared. Sadly, it was the only thing he could think of that made sense in trying to organize such a rabble. And it was unfortunately consistent with how these people around him operated, given their cold disposition.
At least they were being spared that for the moment. Everyone in the group, even those in the back struggling to keep up, were treated kindly. Those with orbs in their eyes, no matter how dim, were cared for. That was doubly so for Noname and the other two gifted. His guide was never a step away from his side, the man ready to catch him the moment he tripped over his own legs.
That rarely happened, though he did struggle at times to keep pace. But his guide was there, helping him along, and aided by the guards surrounding them.
He could feel their gazes, those looks of appraisement. It got worse the longer time passed with him walking without aid. An abrupt shift to those poor souls in the back, who were growing clumsier with every passing minute.
With nothing else to spend the time on, he focused on remaining straight, and as smooth walking as those around him. A minor attempt on his part to stand out from the rest.
It wasn’t easy, he didn’t like the stares, the attention. He wasn’t used to it; the looks caused a fluttered nervousness in his chest and stomach. The sensations caused glimpses of past lives, the sights revealing why the stares troubled him so much.
He’d been farmers, servants, and at the worst of times, slaves. None of whom got much in the way of scrutiny. In fact, gaining any form of attention was a mistake, and came with risks.
Noname did his best to force down the anxiety, and act unaware of the attention being centered on him. He played aloof and kept his face neutral, which was easier than it should have been. It seemed he had a knack for it, to which he assumed came from the lives he’d lived as a servant and slave.
He hoped it was enough to keep those around him unaware of his feelings. That they only saw a composed, obedient, and useful person. And not someone troubled with concerns, questions, and something much worse. Whatever magic they had struck him with, had the most unbearable side effect.
He was starving, and the longer they walked, the worse it got. It took everything he had to keep himself from slouching forward, and caressing his stomach. It was rather unfortunate, that of all the crippling sensations there was to life. Hunger was his greatest weakness, the one pain he couldn’t ignore for long.
He knew this for a fact, even if the memories were dream like. The number of them, and the overall feeling they gave off. Let him know he’d died often trying to satisfy the agonizing urge of hunger.
Slowly it became all he could think about, causing his perception to narrow and most of his awareness focused on not making a scene. Due to this, he lost track of time, and only stirred from his forced trance when he was hit with the aroma of food. His mouth watered as the scents thickened when they entered a new room.
It was domed like the previous one, it surfaces covered in runes like everything else he’d passed so far. The place was filled with tables made of stone, with similar carved chairs to sit on. Looking at them, it probably would have been more comfortable to stand and eat, rather than sitting on those, but his legs didn’t really care.
From entrances on the other side of the room, women occasionally appeared carrying trays of food to the largest stone slab situated at the center. At least he hoped it was food, it smelled wonderful, though that may have been because of his warped sense of smell due to hunger.
Eyeing the plates, he saw most held steaming morsels with the appearance of large mushrooms. He also saw what appeared to be cooked meat. Though the color was different, rather than red, it had a bluish tint. But most things on the trays seemed to be varying sized and colored mushrooms. He prayed they didn’t actually have the same taste as that particular crop. If so, he gave a second prayer, that the society had the proper spices to resolve the problem.
“Outer seating for the Newborns,” the leader of the group said, while he and the women went towards the mountain of cuisine. Noname was about to comply, but his guide tugged him forward. It was the same for the other gifted, as they were led and settled down around a table near the leaders of the group.
As instructed the other Newborns were placed at the outskirts of the room, most requiring aid to sit. Some had even fallen over, either from balance issues, or their legs giving out halfway through the act. When that happened, Newborns yelped, drawing the attention of the room’s occupants. Who in turn, centered their gazes on the abashed guards that hurried to help the fallen.
‘I’m going to die if I end up in a formation with them.’ Noname thought as the grip around his hand ceased.
“I’ll be right back worthy,” his guide said.
“Alright.” Noname replied with a smile on his muzzled face, one which his guide returned before embarking. The other gifted Newborn didn’t react at all when his guide left, both heading towards the central table.
No, the other gifted just stared at the walls around him, mouth slightly parted, giving the look of one in awe. Noname couldn’t really fault him for that, the runes around them were beautiful, a collage of patterned art that seemed to be keeping them safe. Often Noname noticed guards glancing at the walls too, their eyes tracing over the surfaces, looking for signs of change.
The Newborns however, all looked to be on the verge of falling asleep. Most had their top half’s leaning heavily over tables, a few already resting their heads on the cold slabs.
The walk seemed to have taken a lot out of them, as he watched multiple Newborns rub their legs. It didn’t bold well for them, if, or when, they were thrown into a fight.
'How is this going to work? How are these children going to be of any help to the guards?’ It was hard not to wonder such things, even in a state plagued by cramps.
It pertained to him after all, even if he was treated differently than the rest, he was still expected to face something. And those he was going to be relying on were tired, and mostly clueless infants. The thought had him praying, begging inwardly, that all of them would be given proper time to prepare. But part of him already accepted the possibility that they were not. There was a feeling in the air, people were on edge, moving swiftly, acting rushed.
The feeling brought about a memory. He was in a small fort for some minor noble. A force had appeared without warning, the size of which made resistance almost pointless. The noble had people do so anyways, and the warriors hurried about the same way Noname was seeing now in the present. They were trying to prepare for something which they didn’t think could be stopped.
The clatter of a stone plate against the table woke him from his memory. His guide had returned and moved a mound full of food towards him, followed with a stone utensil shaped like a fork. His stomach grumbled, and his hands acted on their own. He plucked a red tinted mushroom, and crammed it into his mouth, not a thought given to the possibility it might taste foul.
Thankfully, his tongue registered a mild saltiness, joined with a grainy texture. Both of which his starved body decided he needed more of.
The pang of hunger worsened when he swallowed, his body demanding additional offerings. He didn’t even bother with the utensil provided him; his claws were enough. They allowed him to pick up the steaming delicacies without burning his fingers.
It wasn’t long before he tried the strips of meat, and savored the taste. They’d been coated in spices, given the slices an extra flare of sweetened salt. It was a wonderous addition to the meal, with the only downside that the meat itself was stringy, causing it to get stuck in his teeth. Still, he didn’t hesitate to eat more, even with its blue tint. He could have sworn he’d only blinked, and found the plate bare, the stab of hunger lessening, and his body relaxing. Another plate appeared before him, filled to the same heights as the one before.
He was in control of himself the second time, so he didn’t lunge at the plate. No, he instead inspected it for the bits he wanted to savor first. Then a foreign hand appeared, grabbed one of the mushrooms, and pressed it gently against his muzzle. His gaze followed the hand back to its source, his guide, who remained in his fixed stance.
Noname slowly opened and took in the bit of food offered to him. The instant he swallowed another piece was pressed against his lips. Noname took that one in as well, and moved his gaze over to the other gifted.
He too was getting the same treatment. Seeing this, Noname broadened his sight, and witnessed the women being equally pampered. Most of the Newborns were as well, who out of the lot, were the only ones that really needed the help.
The minutes that followed were silent, save for the chewing of food and the clanging of dishes.
After the children were given their share, the guards went about getting their own. By the time most were done, after their second or third plate, the trays left on the central table were meager. Small conversation began to crop up among the separated tables, the words spoken too low for him to pick up on. Not that he cared, with his stomach satisfied he began to feel a growing fatigue, one that made the stone chair oddly comfortable. His posture bent as he leaned over the table, arms supporting him. Before he even thought of resisting the pull of sleep, his eyes had already closed.
Instantly he was laying in an oversized bed, overflowing with different sized pillows and covered in silk sheets. All around him were women he’d either married or were un-paralleled beauties he had seen. All were asleep with content looks on their faces, a ghost of which began to mark his own. Then it all fell away as the sounds of bells rang through the air. The whole scene vanished as he was jolted awake by his guide softly shaking his shoulder.
“Apologies worthy.” His guide said to him swiftly, looking genuinely troubled. “But there’s still tasks to be done, but soon, you will be provided the rest you deserve.” The guide finished and rose from his seat, then helped Noname do the same.
He wasn’t the only one to have fallen asleep. Many of the Newborns had, though they weren’t getting the same kind treatment he had. Guards were a little rougher waking, and pulling them up from their chairs.
A loud clap sounded out, and the attention of the room was pulled to the left side of the circular chamber.
There stood the guard leader.
“Alright Newborns, you will follow us, so you all can be assessed, and assigned your proper tasks. After, the sleep you all crave will be provided.” A quick hand motion followed, and the guards went to work getting the Newborns back into a loose line towards the exit.
He was placed near the front as before, his guide holding his hand and sticking close for support. In quick order they began marching down another hall that matched all the others he’d seen before.
The march went about as well as the last one. The head of the group began to leave the larger part behind as the Newborns struggled to keep up. It didn’t help their stroll through the halls was lasting far longer than before. That however was not his concern. When they came upon an intersection, Noname found himself being separated from the group. As was the other gifted, the woman included. One of the women from the lead guard entourage went with her, becoming her guide.
This woman took point, and without speaking a word, led them down a separate path. It went on for a while, and was full of turns, and other intersections that made him horribly lost. But at the end of this walk, they entered yet another circular room, one that appeared to be a dead end, since no other tunnels connected with it.
Noname also noticed the runes covering the surfaces were more intricate, and the room had decorations. The surrounding walls were half covered by large banners suspended by polls, and the floor was ordained with a thick soft fabric. The chairs that surrounded small tables were cushioned, and the tables themselves were artistically carved. Surrounded in all this décor was a single man reclining in a chair, his hands fiddling with small crystals. He was garbed like a prince, silk clothing, ringed fingers, and his fur of silver, speckled with gold, trimmed and combed neatly.
This groomed individual turned his attention to them, allowing Noname to see the glowing orbs within his night-colored eyes. He was far superior to any of those within the group who’d been caring for them. But the madman still reigned supreme; while the prince had impressive eyes, the rest of him didn’t glow the same way the raving lunatic had.
The prince looked at them surprised, his eyes glancing behind them. “Is this really all?” the prince asked, his attention focused solely on the woman who’d guided them here.
“Yes mentor,” the woman said, her head bowed. “A curse seems to have befallen the cord, the Newborns came out more… stunted than expected.” She motioned to Noname and the other two gifted. “These three are the only one’s worthy enough for your attention, the rest are still being decided upon.”
The easy-going aura that was coming off the prince, a man who seemed accustomed to always being in a relaxed state, fell away. His face was blank as his gaze swept over the group again. His eyes studied the Newborns, then Noname himself. When their eyes met, they remained fixed, to Noname’s discomfort. The prince’s blank demeanor slowly withdrew, returning his calmness from before, this time accompanied with a pleased smile.
“That is cursed to hear,” the prince said rising from his seat, and pocketing crystals in the folds of his robes. “But not all of it, the Giver blest us with three fine chanters as recompense.” The prince announced to the group, yet his eyes never left Noname. “And I will make certain these gifts aren’t wasted.” The prince said, before removing his gaze.
“Inform your betters the worthy are in capable hands.” The prince spoke and gestured for the guides to leave. The guard guides bowed instantly, moving away without any reluctance, unlike the woman who was less enthused to depart. But she left soon enough when the prince focused on her. In short order, Noname, and the other two were left with a new stranger, one who gave them a beaming smile.
“Alright then,” said the prince with an overly enthusiastic tone as he stepped closer. “My three new trainees I, well, we have high expectations for you.” He paused giving them an all to broad smile: “Don’t let worry deceive you, you’re in capable hands, unlike those before.” The prince added, circling them as he spoke.
They were being inspected; he’d seen and been through the experience enough times to tell. Not that the prince was being subtle about it. “I’ll get you trained up into proper chanters,” the prince spoke, the words seeming to be more focused on Noname than anyone else. “You’ll have the soulless shrieking the calls of fear by the time I’m done.”
Noname was reluctant to believe that, unless they were going to be given a proper amount of time to be trained. That all the nervous vibes he’d been picking up on were caused solely from the spell half failing.
“Now follow me,” the prince commanded cheerfully. “Oh, and the name is Aethin.” Holding up a hand as if to stop some question that was about to appear. “Don’t fret over introductions, I’m aware none of you have names yet. But don’t let worry try to alarm you about that. Once you three have been trained I’ll provide you your names.” Aethin added with another large grin.
Noname returned the gesture, though his smile was more restrained. “That’s blessed to hear.” he said, lowering his head as the guards had done when talking to someone with higher standing. “This training?” Noname asked slowly. “How long do you think it will take?”
Aethin didn’t answer instantly, instead Noname watched as the prince’s eyes inspected him, the smile Aethin carried broadening till it began to show teeth. “Not long at all, a Round at most.” Pausing, “do you know what a Round is?”
“Yes.” Noname answered, “why wouldn’t I?” He asked quizzically, the word Round instantly registering in his mind as a measure of time, specifically an hour.
“Well,” Aethin drawled, motioning to the other two gifted. He glanced back, and saw the man-child staring at the walls unaware of the conversation taking place. While the woman was gazing at them with a look of concentration.
A pair of hands fell upon Noname’s shoulders, Aethin’s hands, which brought his attention back to the princely figure. “You see, the cord that changed you is a delicate chant. It’s not supposed to be rushed.” Aethin said massaging his shoulders. “It’s supposed to be done in stages with an Arc’s worth of time in between.
The word Arc sounded out as a month in his head as Aethin continued. “So, there was always going to be complications with your group, just not as many that apparently happened. But that’s the price when messing with chants from above.”
Aethin’s hands moved up to Noname’s neck, brushing through his mane, which felt horribly intimate and discomforting. “Yet,” Aethin spoke sweetly. “You, my dear pupil, appear to have come out perfect. Fully grown, a worthy soul, a stable quizzical mind.” Aethin leaned closer to him, “naturally submissive to your betters.” Aethin chuckled as he leaned away. “I was just wondering if it was being feigned, that maybe you have a more subtle flaw, but no.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Thank you?” Noname said hesitantly keeping his head angled down.
“Your most welcome,” Aethin said still rubbing his mane. “I take it no one has offered you employment yet?” Noname softly shook his head, and hoped the word employment meant the same thing as he was thinking. “Blessed,” Aethin hummed. “Then would you like to be my acolyte?”
“I, I don’t know what that entails.” Noname admitted, his mind blank on what was taking place.
Aethin laughed. “Of course, silly me. You would have only been bestowed the most basic of knowledge needed to serve. We’ll save this conversation for later then, after your training is done.” Removing his hands, Aethin motioned to them, “now come along, we have much to do.”
Noname was quick to follow behind, even though Aethin was walking towards a wall. The other two gifted did not.
Noticing the lack of extra footfalls, Noname looked back and saw the other gifted motionless. The man was still staring at the walls, while the woman was watching Noname and Aethin with unblinking eyes. Truth be told, it was rather unnerving, still he pushed down his discomfort, and hurried back over to them.
He grabbed the hand of the man child, who didn’t react at all to his touch, then slowly reached out and offered a hand to the woman. She only gave him a brief glance before accepting his offer, then refixed her gaze back on Aethin. Who by now, had reached the wall and was pressing runes, the act making them glow brighter for a passing moment.
By the time he guided the two adult infants over to where Aethin stood, the section of wall in front of Aethin lifted, revealing a hidden passage beyond.
Aethin, still smiling as he glanced at them, waved them on. “We’re worthy,” he said proud, while Noname stared down the length of the new tunnel. “We don’t travel through lowly passages unless necessary.”
“Blessed to hear,” Noname commented as he guided the two gifted into the tunnel.
“Truly is,” Aethin said, as he pressed a rune causing the moveable wall to slide back down into place. He turned, and strode quickly down the passage. Noname hurried to follow, forcing the other gifted to do the same, as he tugged on their arms.
As they walked Noname found his eyes constantly pulled to the runes all around them. Like the room they’d just left, the runes were of a better quality. It made him feel safe, or safer, and this hidden tunnel was brightly lit too. The runes charged to a far higher degree than those they’d been walking through previously.
‘I see why the madman was so eager to leave.’ Noname thought as his vision shifted from one surface to the next. ‘After being in a tunnel like this, even for a short bit, I don’t want to go back to the lesser tunnels either.’
Like the previous network, this hidden one was also full of turns and intersections. An ever-present reminder to him of how easily he could get lost if he found himself alone.
He prayed the training they were about to start, would reveal to him how these people were able to navigate the passages. If not, it didn’t matter how much smarter he was compared to the next Newborn. He would still come out looking like a fool to all, once they found him bumbling around lost.
When they finally arrived at their destination, a double door, covered in similar runes as the rest of the surfaces, blocked their way forward. Aethin strolled up to it calmly, a hand sifting through his cloak before pulling out a small object. It turned out to be some sort of crystal hued token, which Aethin placed upon the door. The token shined when it made contact, and the doors opened smoothly.
After seeing one circular room after the next, Noname was slightly taken aback when the room was instead pyramid shaped.
There was a large gold-tinged crystal in the center, encased within a pedestal. Though it wasn’t equal to the one used to grow them.
Still the sight of it had him feeling uneased. The experience from his forced growth, that twisting dance of pain and bliss, was still very vivid in his mind. And like any sane person, he had no desire to relive that, or any varying versions of it.
Even the other two appeared to have enough sense to be concerned, pain was a hard thing to forget, even for the empty-headed. Aethin, however, waved off their concerns when he finally turned around to notice their looks. “No need to follow worry’s advice worthy,” he paused looking almost embarrassed. “It won’t be like last time.” He turned back touching and performing odd hand movements on the crystal. “There won’t be any mistakes here, I assure you. I’m well versed in the use of this type of Animastone.”
Gesturing them over, “now come closer, physical contact is needed for the transfer to work.”
Noname reluctantly approached, the other two worthy one step behind him, as they used him as a makeshift shield.
Aethin didn’t appear mad at their slow approach, but he did roll his eyes and complain. “It’s not going to kill you,” he uttered before adding, “we’re not worthy enough for those.” His eyes went distant, lost in thought or fantasy. “But maybe one Rotation I – we will live in a Sanctum that is.”
When they were close enough to touch the crystal, Aethin stirred from his thoughts. “Alright, place a hand on the Animastone, it doesn’t matter where, and we’ll get this underway." The two children stared at Noname, well the woman did, imploring him with her eyes to act first. He slowly complied, but not because of her. He seemed to be the only one who had the sense not to annoy, or anger, the one person in the room who could perform magic.
Still, he hesitated as his heart sped up and his mind filled with prayers. He begged to the gods that whatever pain that was to follow would end quickly, then pressed his hand against the surface of the warm crystal.
Contrary to his expectations, and his tensed body, nothing happened. No pain, or flash of agony so great that it would render him wailing like a child.
So, the other two gifted, content that no pain was to follow, placed their hands on the crystal as well. All the while Aethin carried a false smile, one Noname could easily read as, ‘hurry along please’. When Aethin seemed to think things were in place, and they appeared ready for another course of torture. He placed his own hand on the stone.
The moment Aethin did, the light emitting from the crystal bloomed to new heights, causing Noname to close his eyes.
Instantly knowledge poured in, all the things deemed relevant for someone to function as a Chanter.
It was a moment of absolute wonder. A switch from being clueless, to all knowing. The runes, once mysterious, now made logical. He understood the purpose of the symbols, and their arranged patterns. He also became aware of the glyphs painted over the Wards. Which told him where he was, and what tunnels to take to get to his destination. But what really grabbed his attention, and not in a good way. Was the knowledge let him see that the Wards on the walls, were full of flaws. That they were of novice make, and if, when their enemy attacked outright, the outer tunnels would not hold them off for very long.
He only had a few seconds to worry about that, before a new wave of knowledge washed over him. This time he felt discomfort, a growing pressure in the center of his skull.
This was all new, information that should have taken him weeks or more to understand fully. It was not hard to guess, or conceive, that the process was taking its toll on his mind. But as the knowledge sank in, he couldn’t find himself caring all that much, distractions upon distractions clouded his thoughts.
The songs, melodies that he heard the women sing or hum, turned into known casts and phrases. Steps to focus one's soul into willing a certain effect on the material plane using Anima. Then the hand movements, which helped the flow of this power out of the body.
Power that flowed through Channels. Noname recalled the glowing veins the madman had; and saw why he was so feared. Channels were needed, their role both to store Anima and force it out when prompted. The glowing lines were a mark of worth. For it determined if a person, in general, had the body that could cast deadly chants.
This was why everyone treated him so differently, why they made sure he was cared for and kept content. Why Aethin looked at him with want, and offered him some sort of position by his side. He felt joy, he was above the rest, important, needed.
He was needed.
‘Oh, gods.’ His joy crumbled as the pressures of reality sunk in. The Cord had failed to give what the people around him had desired; a new group of Chanters. Instead, the Newborns had been made into witless stumbling buffoons.
Only he had come out right.
‘I’m doomed,’ Noname thought numbly. He was the best candidate out of the list of cripples made today. And with people acting as though there was a threat close. Who better to send, than someone able to use magic?
The conclusion stayed with him, even as the stream of knowledge being forced into his skull slowed. Then all to abruptly it stopped, and he was struck with a wave of fatigue that knocked him to his knees. A haze fell over his mind, and for a time he couldn’t think.
He didn’t know how long he stayed that way, but when he came to, he found himself in an uncomfortable sitting position. His sight aimed at the floor, where a growing amount of drool was pooling together from his mouth. Not the most profound appearance he wanted others to see, especially someone who was interested in hiring him. But that concern was pushed aside, as he became painfully aware of his throbbing skull. The sensation grew worse with each beat of his heart.
Groaning, and looking for Aethin to render aid, he made the mistake of moving his head. His vision swam, and he collapsed onto his side. He remained there, curled on the floor, waiting for the room to stop spinning.
Again, he didn’t know how long that took, as the passage of time was only marked by the continued assaults on his mind. But eventually the spinning ceased, enough anyway to prop himself back up and carefully survey the room.
He quickly noticed that Aethin was missing, and he was alone with the other two Chanters. Both of whom were still in a half-conscious state. There was also a new passage opened to the chamber. He stared at it, his mind still sluggish, and came to terms with the fact that Aethin had left them unsupervised.
‘We were asleep,’ Noname told himself. ‘It’s not like we’re going to wander off anywhere.’ Still, he didn’t like that he was alone with two Newborns, who had no business being unattended. Especially when they were suffering ill effects from a spell, yet again. Effects that were getting worse as his headache intensified. But hopefully, if everything worked out, he would not have to suffer through it for much longer.
Half whimpering, he slowly rose from his sitting position into a standing one, cradling his throbbing head the whole time.
Aethin had bestowed him a great deal of knowledge, and right now the most important one involved a certain soothing spell. It was the one the women had sung to him, and the other Newborns whenever they got rowdy. It was surprisingly simple, and didn’t take much Mana, or Anima as they called it, to perform.
Still, even simple, it was his first time performing, and not under the best of conditions, with the headache and all. It was however, an extremely good motivator.
Composing himself, or the closest equivalent he could manage. Noname closed his eyes and began going over the spell in his mind. It required him to match the right musical notes, and thankfully nothing else. The spell was mundane enough that it didn’t need him to perform hand movements. Just sing, which he had some skill at. Not a master vocalist of course, who spent their time on stage singing to royalty.
No, the audience he could recall had been his children, the lot begging for a lullaby before drifting to sleep.
Noname focused on that, imagining he was singing to his kids.
At first his hymn stayed even with the notes in his mind, but not even halfway through, his throat caught. He coughed, and the Mana stirring inside him simmered back down.
Noname moaned, his hands pressing against his aching head. The humming had made it worse, especially the cough. So, he stood there, massaging his temples as he willed himself to try again. When he did, he split the spell into pieces. Mastering one section at a time, before moving on to the next. It was slow, and with every passing moment his headache worsened.
‘Why did you leave Aethin?’ He thought as his mind felt like it was being stabbed by a hot poker. ‘It would have taken you a second to sing this spell and bring relief.’ For a Mentor he was being rather neglecting. One would have thought the prince would have sung to them while they slept. Instead of leaving them to suffer alone.
‘No time for this,’ Noname told himself, shaking his mind free of needless thoughts. He focused on the chant, rubbed his throat, and this time performed the spell all at once. His head and heart were pounding as he focused his whole awareness on matching the rhythm of the song in his mind.
At first nothing changed, save for the intensity of his headache. But halfway through, he felt the Mana within react, it moved faster and faster. Then at the apex of the chant, Noname was embraced by multiple sensations.
Relief for starters, as his voice echoed in the room, soothing away all the pain that had been torturing him. Followed with the feeling of loss, as the Mana within him withered. The last sensation to come, after his humming died out, and he was left standing in wonderous contentment. Was best put as mental fatigue. The pain was gone, but his mind itself was still exhausted, and that feeling transferred to the rest of his body. Eyelids growing heavy, and the act of standing growing wearisome, Noname found himself relaxing back down onto the floor, his awareness fading.
It left him feeling distant, unfocused, and numb to the happenings of the realm. As he laid upon his back, the stone surface under him unnaturally comfortable. His body began tingling with the telltale signs of approaching sleep.
Sleep which swiftly receded when he heard someone near, and then hover over him.
It wasn’t a situation he was all that fond of. Often, what followed was a beating that ran the risk of death.
With a great push of will, Noname forced open his eyes, his mind already prepared to see some sort of assailant above him, ready to strike.
He let out a soft sigh when instead he peered up at the woman Newborn. She was gazing back at him, her eyes fixed on his as she lowered herself to her knees and then all fours.
There she hanged over him, her eyes unblinking as they slowly moved over his features. A smile spread across her face as the moments passed, and he became more alert. To his eyes she was attractive, and this attention was causing excitement. But for Noname personally, he found what was taking place uncomfortable.
The way she was looking at him. He could see, and feel he was being measured up as some sort of prized catch.
“Are you claimed?” The woman asked suddenly.
“I don’t know wh-
the rest was cut off as the woman sat on his lap. Her smile spreading enough that the skin of her muzzle pulled back revealing teeth.
“Then no,” the woman said pleased. “Then you’re mine,” she added, her hands quickly removing and discarding pieces of clothing she wore.
Noname’s eyes widened, his confusion falling away in time with the woman’s upper garments. His fatigue vanished as his body primed itself for what it instinctively knew came next, even as Noname himself, was still catching up with the situation.
He wasn’t opposed to the oddity taking place, though he preferred privacy, and not to be disturbed, both of which he didn’t really have. True the other gifted was curled up in a ball and appeared to be fast asleep. But that wasn’t enough, he preferred some sort of barrier to keep prying eyes away. Not to mention there was no telling when Aethin would show back up.
His current partner didn’t care about any of this however, as she puffed out her chest, leaned closer to him, and went about removing his own clothing. He tried rising to help, but with a firm hand, she pressed him back down. “I lead,” she said in a commanding tone. “You obey, provide seed, help make a house.” She said in a factual manner, as her eyes left his, and gazed upward looking at some sort of mental list.
It was all very optimistic on her part. ‘A house?’ He thought. They were being prepared to face a threat, and she was planning to start a family.
“We’ll have lots of litters.” The woman said, leaning forward and pressing her chest against his. Her hands combing through his mane, and muzzle sliding across his own, kisses given randomly. With each act Noname felt his heart race, his body tense, and reluctant thoughts falling away. His own hands moved, sliding down her back and onto her rump; he began removing the last parts of her clothing, as she did to him.
His breath grew heavy, lust coursing through him, and by the time all obstructions were removed, his member was straight and inflexible as any spear. The woman giggled in his ear as she felt it, and with desired filled movements of her own, aligned his tool and pressed her hips down. Both of them gasped as the deed was done. If he’d been on top, he would have begun rutting with abandon, his mind taken.
But he was not, the woman was, and she was taking things slowly, to his grief.
That didn’t stop him from flexing his legs and hips, trying to bounce her, and speed things along. She gasped again after one well timed thrust, followed by a moaning growl. Noname, what thinking part of his mind remained, felt a bit of pride. That feeling died however, as he let out a yelp, and a hiss when his partner decided to use her claws.
His eyes went wide from the shock of it, while she glared down at him. “I lead,” she said sternly, and sank her claws deeper into his shoulders. They easily broke the skin, and though he couldn’t see in his pinned position, he felt blood begin to ooze out.
Noname began breathing heavily for different reasons now, as the pain increased. The lust that had taken him retreated rapidly, leaving him aware of his predicament.
“I’m highest,” the woman said, her gaze cold as his eyes met hers. “Say it to me.” She demanded, her claws digging in deeper, causing more hisses to escape him.
“Say it to me!” She screamed, her claws moving downward, slowly cutting. He let out his own screams as his body and mind had enough.
All erotic feelings were gone, replaced with doubling pain and worsening worry. His hands shot upward; claws flexed as they wrapped around her wrists. They sunk deep into her flesh as he pulled her hands out of his shoulders. She let out wails of her own, the sound ear piercing.
He moved his hips, flexed his legs, twisted his body, and pushed her off. After, he let go of her hands, then rose and put distance between themselves. It was poorly done however, his leggings hadn’t been completely off, most of it wrapped around his feet. It had caused him to stumble about, and by the time he was upright, so was she. Her body was tense, enough he could see major muscle groups even under her skin and fur. Her muzzle was drawn back, teeth on full display. Her fingers, stained red, were primed to start clawing.
He was much the same way, besides the snarling muzzle part. But his body was ready for a fight, one that came rushing towards him as the woman growled and charged. It was at this moment he realized how meaningless all the knowledge bestowed to him really was. Especially as she began swiping at him wildly with her hands.
It took time to cast a spell, to sing the right notes and perform the hand movements, none of which one could do in a fight.
Due to this, he was left in a state of dodging and trying to keep his distance. But his deranged partner kept coming at him with no intent of stopping. With each missed strike she grew more frantic, clawing, and biting when she was close. There was only so much he could do with an adversary that just kept coming, before contact was made.
It came in the form of a full body lunge.
While tackling him, her face rapidly snapped forward trying to bite at his own. He kept it back with a hand while his other wrestled with one of her own. Which left one of hers open, she used it without hesitation, began clawing at his hand holding her muzzle back.
They struggled with each other on the floor. Both of them in a loose stalemate, given he wasn’t much stronger than her. The situation, accompanied with the harm she was doing to him, which sent searing waves of pain coursing through his body. Had the final specks of his restraint dissolving away. It wasn’t like she had any, her eyes wide, blood shot, and filled with rage. This was not a mere scuffle, but a life-or-death situation.
The sight of it had old memories overlapping with the present. He’d been in struggles like this before, a person either trying to strangle him to death, or bash his skull in. And as the woman continually snapped her mouth open and closed, he recalled what normally ended the fight.
Swiftly as he could, Noname placed both of his hands on her snarling face, as her own went about clawing at him. With no hesitation, and his adversary clueless of what was to come, Noname thrusted his thumbs straight into her large eyes.
The scream that came from her was deafening, and Noname swore that his eardrums were bleeding from the assault of animalistic wails.
It was warranted, after all, his thumbs were clawed. They ruptured her eyes, and all the strength left the raging woman as she frantically pulled away from him. He helped in that regard, roughly pushing her away as she pressed her hands over her bleeding eyes. Wailing, she curled up into a shivering ball.
Noname, sprawled on his back, and breathing heavily as most of his body felt like it was on fire. Let out cries of his own, same for an increasing amount of blood. His wounds were deep, his mind and body both telling him to act. His life was at risk if he didn’t stop the loss of blood. That got him moving, even though he wanted to stay perfectly still. He wiped the tears from his eyes, clearing his vision, and froze in place.
Thanks to being on his back, he had a clear view of the pyramid shape ceiling. At the top of the structure, Wards began to change color. Green at first, spreading out more and more, followed slowly by yellow. With his new knowledge, he understood what this change meant. A force outside was striking at the walls, and with the continuous change taking place, it was both repeating, and fierce.
His instinct pressed at him, danger mounting.
His gaze snapped down to the wailing woman, her cries still deafeningly loud, then to the new tunnel.
Slower than he liked, he forced his body to stand, the entirety of it protesting the act. Even with the new threat spreading above, Noname could feel strength leaving him. The loss of blood was taking its toll, causing instinct to press upon him more, to act.
Among the pool of knowledge given to him, were healing spells, ones that could undo any damage, even regrow limbs. But those were costly and well beyond him. The lesser spells however, were something he could manage. They would be enough to close his wounds.
It would be the same for the shrieking wretch on the floor, except for her eyes, those were more complicated. It required guidance so the body would heal them properly, which only the greater spells provided. At best, her wounded eyes would close and remove any chance of further damage. She would be blind of course, a boon for him.
He was already in a weakened state, singing another chant would only worsen his situation. Perhaps even knock him unconscious, at the woman’s mercy if she came for him. He preferred to keep her wounded, but the screams were luring in a threat, nor was he willing to finish her off.
There was Aethin to think about, and how he would react to finding a Newborn dead.
So, leaning against a wall at the entrance of the hidden tunnel. Noname poured over the notes of the spell and practiced humming it out. It went much smoother with the headache gone, even if the rest of his body was screaming. He still failed numerous times, even when cutting it into sections like before. Lesser or not, the healing spell was well beyond the soothing song of the Maids.
Minutes passed; his instinct prodding him to work faster. The threat above deepening as the woman continued to wail.
Taking a deep breath, and standing straight, he began the chant and blocked out the realm around him. His whole awareness focused solely on the notes in his mind, and the movements of his body. His voice echoed alongside the cries and rose higher as the chant carried forth.
Halfway through he felt its effects, his skin tingled and moved on its own as it sealed shut. The pain plaguing him fell away, replaced with a sensation like the soothing spell. The feeling of loss was many times greater than before. Yet the full consequence didn’t take affect till the spell was done and he opened his eyes to see his work.
The wailing was gone, and when he gazed upon his assaulter, he found her wounds healed. Though she was still distressed. Her hands were waving in the air and her head swiveling to and fro. He caught sight of her eyes, they were deflated, with a wild mix of black, red and the glow of white Mana within.
“I can’t see,” she said frightened. “Why can’t I see?”
He said nothing as he slowly walked into the tunnel, wary of making any sound. An impossible feat after a few steps, fatigue crashing into him.
The only reason he didn’t fall face first into the stone floor, was because he was leaning most of his weight against the wall as he shuffled forward. Even that was arduous, his mind began to slip in and out of awareness. Every part of him whispered to just stop.
His great desire to put distance between him and the woman, allowed him to ignore it for a time. Since that deranged Newborn would surely inflict acts of vengeance, if she got the chance. But that fact, that danger, only lent him so much strength. His limbs tingled, then turned numb, he crashed to the floor roughly, but didn’t feel the impact. All he felt was a weariness he couldn’t fight, his vision blurring, eyelids closing shut against his will. Then, the sweet peace of nothingness as his mind faded.