Chapter 75

Counter to my previous expectations, the trip back to the Tower from Climber’s Rest was faster than the trip there. This was in no part due to anything Alax or I did. Instead, it was solely due to the efforts of the mysterious Climber Alexandra had assigned to the job. Jade Silver, Rank A Climber.

Immediately after Alexandra had told her about the job, the strange red glow had surrounded us again, this time including the seven-feet tall woman. Then, just as before, we were teleported to the bottom floor of Climber’s Rest. Alexandra made a quick note in her book, introduced us to Jade, and then, gave the muscled woman a nod. The next thing I knew, I was under one of her arms, and Alax was under the other.

Without any warning, we were moving, the door to Climber’s Rest opening, as if moving itself out of the way of Jade, who was charging it like a battering ram. The moment she was outside, she flexed her legs, and the next thing I knew, we were leaping and bounding towards the Tower, covering large swathes of land, the wind buffeting my face, a scream frozen in my throat purely by shock.

And the swift journey didn’t stop there. She didn’t speak as she carried us through town, up the hill, and to the base of the Tower. We didn’t have time to speak as she pushed through the entrance of the Tower, teleporting us to the first floor. Nor was there time for idle chatter as she carried us, almost with increased speed and reckless abandon now that she wasn’t in town, to the portal for the second floor. Only after we reached the second, did she finally pause. And that was purely because we’d reached our location. Pren, Quill, Lyn, Nyle, and all the other Hunters were gathered around the portal.

“Well, that was quicker than expected.” Pren said as we arrived, Jade unceremoniously dropped us on the ground. Neither Alax, nor I, had the sense about us catching ourselves, and we hit the grass hard. “Good job you two.”

“Long time no see Pren,” Jade said, acknowledging the Master Hunter. Pren bowed her head in respect towards Jade, a smile spread across her face.

“We really need to stop meeting under such circumstances.” Pren said, a light laugh to her tone, “though I must admit I’m relieved to see you were able to answer the call this time.”

“It happened to be my day off,” Jade replied as Pren lifted her gaze to look at the tall woman. “And it seems I’ve worked hard enough to earn enough of the Tower’s favor, or luck, to be rewarded today.”

She looked over the Hunters. None seemed injured, though I noticed a few of the Climber’s were missing. “Were there any casualties this time?’

“Not this time, no,” Pren replied, “though a few of your kin earned their way today keeping mine safe. And, unfortunately,” she held up her whistle. The once golden object was now a dull black, “I had to sacrifice Astra to buy more time.”

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“If the Tower wills it, I’ll collect an eye for you to give her as a treat the next time you call for her,” Jade said, eliciting a smile from Pren. “Now then, I believe I’ve a job to do.” she looked towards the jungle. From above the massive canopy, smoke was billowing outwards, though the massive trees themselves, and the shadows within, made it seem nothing was amiss. At least, if you could discount the loud crashes and roars. As well as the occasional rhythmic beating that I now knew was the Jungle Titan’s massive fists drumming on its chest.

“The jungle’s cleared of my Hunters, and we were the only group of non-climbers assigned to this floor today,” Pren stated. “If you’re looking to make a spectacle again.” She shared a smile with Jade, and I had to wonder how often these two interacted. Was this a common occurrence? Did every floor have a Titan that could appear when the Tower was displeased? Were they a whole new threat to worry about, outside of the mobs and secret bosses? And if so, I really wanted to know why we hadn’t been warned of such things.

“Good to hear,” Jade began walking towards the jungle, and as she did two weapons appeared in her hands. One in each, they were easily ten feet in length, halberds by the look of them, though larger and longer than any we had trained with. She held the weapons easily, low on their shaft, resting them against either of her shoulders. The spike atop each shaft had a wicked curve, within which a golden gem glowed. The axe heads on each halberd, both as wide and large as my chest, had the mark of the tower etched into with gold filigree.

“Can she really handle this?” I whispered as I stepped closer to Pren. “We faced the Jungle Titan, that thing a monster.”

“First off,” Pren replied, “its not a monster. If it were, it would reward Climber’s with essence.” She laughed then, “second, this will serve as a good opportunity for you to see, firsthand, what Climber’s really are. To see why we treat your kind with such respect, and why we think so highly of your kind.” She glanced past me, to Alax, who was watching Jade’s confident walk towards the jungle, not a single faltering movement or ounce of fear, with a look of admiration on his face. “Right now, as Coals, you are like cubs, freshly let out into the woods from your family. You know enough to flounder, to survive, maybe, but not much more.” She pointed at Jade, “but as you grow, as you mature, you become apex predators, the top of the food chain. You become Titans that fear no one, and nothing.” Her voice was filled with respect, awe, and something more. “You become the types of legends that fill the dreams of those around you. You become pinnacles of power, that demand to be worshipped.”

Before I could say anything, Jade’s body began to glow. It shone brightly with the golden light of the Tower. Holy magic flowed around her body, into her weapons, which blazed brighter than any light I’d ever seen. Then she swung both weapons, suddenly, across her body. A massive wave of golden, holy power cut outwards from the weapons, flying rapidly towards the jungle, parallel to the ground. The power covered the hundred or so feet that existed between Jade and the trees in the span of seconds, growing larger with ever moment. I watched, dumbstruck, as the power washed into the jungle, and completely bisected a swathe of trees, fifty feet wide and just as deep in the jungle.

“Behold,” Pren whispered reverently, “the power of the Titan Slayer.”