“..Adreenaleene” Benjamin raised an eyebrow at Vilora’s pronunciation, but straight up to sit a little more comfortably. “I.. I can try.” He began, “Adrenaline, is something my body produces and releases during severe stress. Life or death situations, extreme excitement, fear, or anticipation.”

Vilora nodded along thinking carefully before speaking, “What does it… do..” Benjamin hummed for a minute, “I guess, at its core, it is a stimulant. From what I remember from school, It speeds up my reflexes, dulls pain to an extent. In extreme cases, some humans have lifted or pushed or fought through things that would normally kill or incapacitate them.” Benjamin thought for a second and gulped, “Do you remember that feeling from my memories? When I…. died, or rather right before… during the gunfight. How it felt like everything was moving in slow motion, how I didn’t feel the pain of being shot until after it was over… That was Adrenaline.”

Vilora’s eyes widened in memory before slowly nodding, “It was… different, it was like you perceived your surroundings so much faster than the moments before, when you were… happy.” The Vin was silent for several moments but finally looked Benjamin in the eyes, “I need some of this… Adrenaline, give some to me.” Benjamin froze, recognizing the lack of compromise in Vilora’s statement, but there was one problem. “I…. can’t” Vilora actually blinked for a moment before giving him a stoically serious gaze, “Benjamin, I’m not asking…” Benjamin nodded, but held her gaze, “I know, but That is not how the human body works, I can’t give any because my conscious mind does not control it. For a human, whether or not it releases adrenaline is no different than the reason you do not have to tell your heart to beat, or your lungs to breath, or the hair on your skin to rise with a stiff cold breeze.”

Vilora shook her head, “But I watched you purge it from your system,” Benjamin nodded, “Of course, when my body calms down, my liver automatically purges adrenaline from my system, it is why I got very very tired after the fight, and still am. I can't tell my body when to do that. It is a part of my fight or flight instincts. In fact, for a Human, it can be dangerous to maintain high levels of adrenaline in their body for long periods. That is why it is purged.” Vilora held his gaze for a long moment, then finally relented leaning back against the opposite side of the trundling wagon, “I see… It cannot be helped then, but tell me this. Why did your body process the H’mure venom. There isn’t a being on this orb that can take a dose that large and live, how are you still with us?”

Benjamin lowered his head, rubbing the site of the bite mark that had already been healed, “I… I don’t know… what are you going to do?” Vilora gave him a mildly hurt look that was ringed with understanding, “Nothing, for the moment. You must say nothing until I can discover some answers. If it were discovered that you both bleed red, and are immune to H’mure venom….” Benjamin felt Vi and Val tighten their grip on his arms. “Ok… ok, but I want you to come back in a day or so to make sure that I am, in fact, truly immune.”

Vilora only nodded before climbing up to the driver's bench of the wagon to speak with Jukha in whispered tones. Benjamin leaned back until his head rested on the canvas, closing his eyes as a deep fatigue blanketed his being. His body started shivering violently, causing Vilora to rush back to him again to ensure he was not, in fact dying. Vi and Val wrapped him in a blanket before lending their own body heat to keep him warm. Ben’s brain roared between his ears as a monster of a migraine rampaged through his head. ‘fuck… this..’ hurt to think. This reality had no concept of painkillers. Vilora checked on him once more, and told him that she could not see anything wrong with him. Benjamin draped one arm over his eyes, trying to darken the sensory input to his eyes and lie as still as possible.

The jolting wagon, along with the lack of any pain medication proved the next few days to be torturous. Benjamin didn’t leave the wagon that evening to help with camp, and barely ate before finally achieving something akin to sleep after three days of torture. The next morning felt like a light switch of relief. Benjamin rose just as the first rays of amber crested the sky, and slipped from his wagon. The air was brisk, thick with fog, and it made slipping from the camp all the easier. Soon, Benjamin found himself well away from the convoy, stopping eventually at a small clearing. He ignored the early morning dew-covered grass as he knelt, placing both hands on the ground in closed-eyed concentration. He was not sure if his hope was even possible, but if it was, he needed to complete his search whilst inside Madina Pass itself. The deep-cut passage gouged into the mountain range and offered the possibility of reaching deeper into the risen bedrock than would normally be possible, even for him.

Benjamin dropped to a second knee, sitting back on his heels, taking his time in this delicate search. Almost a full hour elapsed, with Ben holding motionless until he found the subterranean veins he was searching for. It took half an hour to find the perfect sections of those veins to extract before carefully drawing the materials from the earth. He felt the materials press up against his hands as his fingers wrapped around their prize. Benjamin stood, shaking out his numb ankles, “This will do nicely”

“What, exactly, will do nicely.” A familiar throaty soprano growled, startling Benjamin, and causing him to whirl on the speaker with drawn revolver, acutely aware that he was all alone. Ben Glared at the titan of a four-armed Warrior elf. “Come to have another go?” Yilarran only raised an eyebrow, “If I had wanted you dead, I would have killed you on your knees. No, you bask under Victoria’s protection. Suspicion and observation, however, is an odd thing… Exceedingly hard a stench to eradicate, even for one so favored.” Yilarran stood from where she leaned against a massive oak, “Now, what will do nicely?”

“Ah, I see. In that case, this is a personal matter. One I hope will prove its worth in time.” Benjamin replied, pocketing his findings and reholstering his pistol. “How much further until we reach our destination?” Yilarran glowered at him for a long moment before giving up, “We will reach the border crossing town within the next day. When we arrive, word will be sent to the capital, and we shall await a response.” The giant Elf turned to leave, then paused with a sadistic smile, “You best have made your decision by then… The border town will undoubtedly render extra scrutiny upon any foreign Aereesen entering the Ascendency. You best decide whether or not your bedfellows are your property, and do so quickly.” Her smile broadened at the redness flashing across Benjamin's sour expression. He said nothing, and she turned her back on him in disgust, disappearing into the fog.

Benjamin was just returning when camp awakened fully, Vi and Val were just beginning to pack up the wagon. Val noticed him first and gave him a mildly annoyed expression, “I know, I know.” Ben raised his hands in surrender, “I just needed to grab a couple of things.” His placating expression was almost ruined by the almost unrelenting need to laugh at the incredulity of him describing the last couple of hours as just a quick trip to the store. Viola just gave him a complicated expression but returned to packing up camp. Benjamin dove into the work, quickening the process until the convoy was once again on the move toward the outer reaches of Hirakan Ascendency.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

To Ben’s surprise, the climate did not warm as they exited the mountain range. Despite their departure from the towering stone cathedrals, the weather had continued to creep ever colder against his skin. The Hard-packed permanent snow of the pass gave way to fluffy powder like drifts, and it slowed the convoy’s progress. Yilarran’s prediction was foiled, but only slightly, The Convoy dragged itself into the small border crossing town just as the sun fell from the horizon in totality. Benjamin was just finished tinkering with his recently acquired materials when they arrived, and his casual observations quickly peeled away to utter awe and shock. The entire town was made of…. Ice… The buildings were few, but they were dominated by a massive triple-story blue crystalline structure. The temperature was dropping quickly outside as the convoy pulled up, and Benjamin was still gawking at the gargantuan frozen structure, when the abominable snowman stepped out the massive doors to greet them, and He jumped visibly at the sight, only to realize that “abominable snowman” wasn’t quite an accurate statement. A second being exited, and approached the wagon driven by Jukha and himself. “You have arrived at Siku, welcome to the Hirakan Ascendency.” They spoke in Orcish, and Benjamin assumed that it was because of Jukha. The strange being seemed to look through the back of the wagon for a moment before returning, “Have all appropriate paperwork available for any and all declarable items and property. The Immigration office will open in the morning, and you are expected to submit the appropriate paperwork by the end of day tomorrow.”

With that, the being walked away. Benjamin examined a few more of these new beings as they went about their business. They stood somewhere between 6ft and and 7ft tall, and proved to be more elegant than sinister. Their long flowing fur seemed a pure white mixed with an iridescent blue that seemed to flicker and flow with their gate, and Benjamin suspected that it would blend in well against a snowy backdrop or in a dense frozen jungle. Their face’s fir shortened to reveal slightly wide-set eyes that seemed both to be oriented for Binocular vision, and incredibly large for their placement. The rest of their facial features were occupied by a short wide snout that hid a wide mouth that housed several rows of terrifyingly serrated teeth. “They are the Aquilar” Jukha spoke, shaking Benjamin from his stunned stare, “Come, let us retire for the night. Vilora has already arranged for our accommodations.” Benjamin raised an eyebrow at that, only to find 5-6 more ‘Aquilar’ round the courner to take care of the wagons and pick up luggage. Benjamin managed to snag his rifle from deft paws before the wagon was scalped clean, and their belongings were whisked into the towering ice structure. Benjamin reached out a hand, making a point to aid his “servants” out of the wagon individually. The sisters did not need it, but He insisted on making a point to the skeptically curious still watching the newly arrived wagons. Benjamin noticed a few shocked faces as Viola’s armor flashed under her heavy coat, and a few more appeared when Val helfted her own shield and spear. While she had regained much of what she lost from her injury, she had elected not to wear her armor, and it was currently with the rest of the baggage being couriered up into the ice hotel. Benjamin paused before entering the building, “Jukha, can you and Vilora come to meet us after everything is settled for the night? I need to do something, and I need to make the outcome unquestionable.” Jukha turned eyeing up Benjamin for a moment before nodding, “I… see, It will be done.”

Benjamin stepped into the ice-forged hotel, following the rest of the group into a reception area who’s wall patterns proved to be ornately carved directly into the ice itself. To his surprise, light wood planking seemed to be similarly inlayed into the icy foundation; and it allowing for secure purchase of foot when inside. A perfectly groomed Aquilar, Benjamin still couldn’t tell if male or female appeared in front of them, “This way, my lords”. The tall white-furred being guided them to an open-faced platform that proved to be a manual elevator of some ilk, powered by a quartet of hoisters and what Benjamin assumed was some pretty severe pully advantage. An excruciatingly long time after, they stepped off a level above and were led to a pair of rooms. Benjamin Vi, and Val were directed to the room on the right, and the three of them were surprised to see a room made of solid hardwood, with thick rugs upon the floor and a proper bed in the corner, if a bit small for three. “This is a surprise”

The Aquilar behind him let out a deep chuckle, “We have long understood the needs of those from the… softer… climates, you are safe from freezing to death in your quarters… mostly.” Benjamin eyed the being for a moment, deciding the comment was in good faith, “Well, we appreciate it.” He reached into his pocket, withdrawing a piece of the material he had left over from his tinkerings. “I do not know what your kind take as currency, but I hope this will suffice.” With that, Benjamin’s eyes glowed for a moment, ignoring the shuffled step back and an exclamation in another language from his guide. He handed the surprised, white-furred creature a small glittering item. The Aquilar looked down into the palm of his paw in confusion, then in something else entirely. Benjamin noticed the webbing between his clawed fingers as he clenched his hand around Ben’s gift, “Are you… sure, My lord?” Ben raised an eyebrow, “Please, I’m no noble. In truth, it was left over from a recent project.”

The Aquilar butler froze for a moment before bowing, “Either way, my gratitude…” Benjamin just raised a hand, “Just Benjamin will do.” “Thank you… Benjamin.” The Aquilar finished, then departed swiftly. Benjamin just chuckled, closing the door and turning around to find Vi and Val beginning to change out of their travel clothes and into warm-looking night attire. Viola was giving him that same complicated expression but It was Val who spoke, “Benjamin, what is… the matter.” Benjamin gave her a confused look, but Vi began before he could answer, “My Ben, you’ve been… distant… keeping secrets. You’ve been acting strangely since you stopped going out into the FeralWood. It… It isn’t like you. Benjamin, talk to us, please.”

Benjamin sighed, stepping over to the two women with a mixture of apprehension and fear on his features. He sat on the edge of the bed, letting them join him, “It’s been hard for me… to watch you put yourselves in danger, for real, not just in practice. I grew up knowing I would likely go to war, but in my world, that war was far away from home. I watched You,” he turned to Val, “nearly get killed trying to protect me… Then there is what is coming…” Benjamin took a deep breath, “I was visited by, Suelin. It was the last day in the woods… the day you showed me your armor.”

Vi let Benjamin be silent for a moment, “Benjamin, it is ok, we are strong now.” Benjamin mustered up a weak smile but continued, “There is a war coming, one that is going to be fought here… close to home… Sol, Suelin” Ben corrected himself, “She revealed that I was not, in fact, free. That my real body died in my reality. That to save me, she had to take responsibility for me…” Ben took a deep breath, “possession… of me… as her ‘Champion’.” Val let out a small gasp at the admission, but reached out to take Ben’s hand, “Ben, not… free?” Ben shook his head, quoting the avatar of the Sun, “Stakes are simply too high to be ignored for such a noble thing as freedom.” He shivered slightly, “There is more… This war, She told me that your lives are in danger… That you will die, if I fail… that even success cannot ensure your survival, but I suspect that I cannot succeed without you… I don’t want to drag you two into a war, even as I pushed you to prepare for one.”

A knock at the door brought their conversation to a close, and Benjamin stood to let Vilora and Jukha in, “Thanks for coming. Did you bring it?” He said solemnly, before turning back to the Aereesen sisters. “There is one more thing.” He stated, taking a leather pouch from Jukha and opening it to reveal their ownership papers… “I promised you, that I would never force you to do anything you do not wish to.” He stared at the Girls who only watched him with confusion, then horror when Benjamin summoned a spark, setting the parchment alight. He incinerated the paperwork proving them his property before stepping up to them and taking a knee in front of both of them. “I asked Jukha and Viola here as witnesses, so that there may be no question of the outcome,” Benjamin pulled a pair of small golden rings, each with a massive pristinely inlaid Diamonds set upon them. The flawless clear gems were surrounded by ring of Emeralds to complete the fixture. “I cannot own someone I wish to be my equal, for life. I’m sorry, I don’t know the name for it in your culture, or the Orcish way.”

“Life-Bound” Viola answered, taking one of the rings with a shaking hand, “I…” Her words failed her for a moment, tears falling as she nodded her head. “I… we… Yes”.