There are windows in the space stations orbiting the Earth that run our Mana Siphon, which is a bit of a surprise. They’re alien space stations with all the protections the SSA can muster using a truly incomprehensible amount of Mana and not tourist destinations. In fact, I’m the only human allowed on them. But, maybe it’s a universal thing to want to see a planet from above and so… windows.
I look down and feel great. Positive, grateful, and proud. I trigger Omnipresent and overlay what I see in my mind’s eye. Billions of points of life in a spiderweb around the planet. A struggle for survival and also the amazing potential of humanity all contained in one small little orb in the Universe.
It’s comforting to know that even without me the Earth is now likely to make it. Humanity still needs a diaspora to ensure we survive as a species, that’s not going away, but probably someone else could achieve it now with what’s been set up. Perhaps what I’ve put in place will be a blessing because it will force us to adapt, grow stronger, and stay together. Or perhaps it will encourage the worst of us and cause fighting and power struggles. As with everything, both things can be true and maybe they will be.
As long as I’m alive, though, there will be no mercy for messing with this system that gives us the ability, at least in my opinion, to thrive and survive. Absolutely none. It’s a commitment I’ve made to myself and all the people that have lost their lives on the way to this point. Robb, Mark, Kyle, Jon, and so many more.
Some of those points of light are particularly special and I keep an eye on them. They’re marked with a special color. Logan is one of them, and not just because he’s my nephew. I have no real idea what awaits me in the circles of Ascended Class Adventurers, but these little colored specks of light are the future hope of humanity, the ones powerful enough to make a difference. They’ll surpass Jeff one day and maybe even me, though I feel there’s something deep down about my Dark Mana Knight Class that is yet to reveal itself. Something that churns down in the very essence of me and connects to something out in the Universe and all around me. I feel it in a way I can’t describe or figure out yet.
I turn my attention to the Galaxy and shift Omnipresent to open up my mind’s eye to what’s out there. It’s a strain, but my newly integrated Skills along with my SMI allow me to find a shortlist of planets where humanity might be able to establish a new foothold. Bane Worlds mostly, ones that didn’t manage to achieve what we have. Some other worlds that have also been hit by an Influx less powerful than the one that hit Earth, but they need help and allies.
My task is to bring them under control and make alliances to the extent we can leverage them for combat and economic might, and spread humanity out a bit. When it comes to Bane Worlds, Tenebris is the perfect ally who specializes in Bane World expeditions and high value material recovery. It’s the root of our connection way back in Milford Sound and Queenstown through Taiwo and the tours for Adventurers on these worlds. It helps that Taiwo is also an expert in these matters.
Luck? Coincidence? If it was a storyline it might seem like plot armor, but I put it down to dealing with the cards you’re dealt with. It also plays to the strengths of my Class to spend time in high AML environments, although that need has been reduced significantly by choosing Dark Mana Knight. I’ve picked up another anchor point for Gift of Gaia, and I thought it only fitting to place it on Holgaad, where I was stranded so long ago. Now even in a low AML environment my Health and Stamina regeneration is over 13,000 a second and in a high AML environment it could easily approach 20,000.
Perhaps it’s also time to take Taiwo up on his offer to see what benefits I can extract from being a High Enforcer in the SSA, although now I don’t need Dhromea’s help to move around with whoever I choose. For the first time in a while I don’t feel a massive weight on my shoulders to carry a burden that seems overwhelming and it’s incredible.
I lock on a target with Omnipresent and open a Portal to Calgary. A good place, maybe the best place, to reconnect with before I embark on a journey. Tatiana is only too happy to welcome me for a couple of nights and days before I walk a few meters through crunching snow next door to Carter’s place and knock on the door. We’ve talked it over and Tatiana simply doesn’t have the kind of Class that could keep her alive where I’m going to inevitably go. I nudge her to make sure she enjoys herself without me, but I don’t think it’s necessary. She’s pragmatic and fearless.
People have heard, I guess everyone’s heard, what’s happening with the Mana Siphons and what my plans are. Carter, Dana, and I put that all aside sitting in their living room. The kids other than Logan are in bed; he’s out with his friends. I used to play midnight basketball or maybe even drive around the neighbourhood looking to toilet paper some houses, but they spend their nights clearing out the surrounding Dungeons or patrolling for Monsters on the outskirts of Calgary. Do I sound super old if I reflect on how times have changed?
The smell of onions and garlic lingers in the air from their dinner and I have to admit I’m a sucker for it. Always have been. Carter offers me a beer and I accept even though the concept of alcohol doing anything to me is completely laughable. It is a reminder of simpler times though, and a warm feeling of hospitality that I’m not exactly used to these days. It’s good to see them.
It’s also stressful being in my childhood home and sharing some time with them, because of the conversation I know I need to have. A strange mix. I’m not sure I’ll ever completely get used to coming back here.
“So… my little brother, saving the world,” says Carter. He’s come out of his shell a lot since we were kids and especially since Logan got his new Class. It suits him. Dana, sitting beside him on the couch, gives him a light backhand slap to the arm.
“Enough of that, Carter.”
I happen to agree.
“I need to bring something up that’s hard to talk about,” I tell them while looking around at the many notification windows they have open around the room on the walls that depict changing views of their kids. It doesn’t make this any easier.
“Breaking new ground for the Cadimus boys?” asks Dana. It’s lighthearted, but I can tell she’s concerned. If we’re talking about serious stuff, there’s something different in the air.
“You know I’m going offworld, and you know Logan’s a target. I’m watching him like a fucking hawk and you know I’d drop anything to protect any of you, but perhaps it’s best if he comes with me. I think I can protect him even more than the Academy can, although that’s still an option,” I suggest. Their expressions are both solemn and part of me immediately regrets bringing it up. I expect anything but what comes out of Dana’s mouth next.
“We agree.”
“What?” I ask. I can’t help it.
“We’ve discussed it,” continues Dana. It’s not that she makes all the decisions, although she is totally the leader of the family. I think she’s the one talking so that I know there’s no doubt this is coming from both of them. “We agreed that if you suggested something like this we’d support it fully. But we also think the Academy is a good idea, if he can attend.”
“It’s not about him being a target,” adds Carter right away. “At least, not how you think. We know he’s special, but we knew that anyway. All the kids are. The thing is… I can’t keep up with him anymore, and I’m one of the highest Level Adventurers in Calgary. He’s leading teams successfully through Dungeons the adults are worried about taking on.”
“We’re both worried, Bronwic,” says Dana as she looks me in the eye. I can see the raw emotion there. “He’s on the verge of getting his Mythic Class Skills and then continuing to build his capability and power quicker than anyone around him. We can’t teach him, Bronwic. You can or maybe some instructors at the Academy.”
I look up at the ceiling and breathe out heavily. I hadn’t thought of it from this angle, but I can totally see it now that they’ve said it. It really is turning over a new leaf in the Cadimus family to talk about real shit.
“You know anything can happen, but I swear to you on my life I will die to protect him,” I tell them. It’s absolutely certain in my mind and to my core that what I’ve told them is true.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“We know,” says Dana with tears in her eyes.
“Bronwic, we know,” adds Carter. My big brother. His oldest son has grown beyond him. Little fucker won’t grow beyond me though, will he?
I trigger Omnipresent and open up a Portal to Logan. He and two friends are taking casual potshots at low Leveled prairie dogs as target practice. It looks like they’re either new weapons or new skills based on their success rate. I manifest the Portal and am pleased to see Logan perceive it immediately.
“C’mon guys,” he says, and steps through. Two others I identify as Isaac and Arun step through with him.
“Hi Mister and Missus Cadimus,” says Arun.
“Oh shit, it’s Bronwic!” adds Isaac. “I mean, Mister Bronwic! I mean…”
“Chill, my guys, it’s just my Uncle,” interjects Logan, and I can tell he loves doing it.
“Logan’s got some business with me,” I tell Arun and Isaac, looking at them in turn. “Where can I get you to?”
“They’ve got it, Uncle B,” says Logan. I raise my eyebrow at him, but he just gives me a cheeky smile that informs me I’m on notice that he’s not going to follow along with whatever I say blindly.
“See you soon, boys,” says Dana while she stands and helps them through the door.
“I’ll be back in a while,” I tell Logan, knowing his parents will pack him up with stuff and say their goodbyes. “You’re headed to the Academy. I’ve got you a spot.”
Logan pumps his fist and looks excited, whereas his parents look a bit stunned, so I shrug at them.
“You’ve convinced me.”
I’ve got two more stops before I leave Earth, so I trigger Omnipresent and manifest a Portal then step through to the Queenstown MIS Hub, knowing it will be deserted. Once I close the Portal behind me I open up another one and look through. It’s nighttime in Ireland and Alana is by herself in a cave roasting Trolls like she’s got a serious grudge. I manifest a Portal and step through then close it behind me.
Intense, superheated flame washes over me, but I shrug it off and even trigger Dimensional Forge to create armor so that what I’m wearing doesn’t disintegrate. Alana realizes it’s me and turns her attention back to the Trolls. I trigger Resonant Strike and with an impressive display of control explode the Trolls into a fine mist that’s not going to regenerate while leaving the surroundings and Alana untouched.
Beautiful, intense, hot as hell, my original crush and the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, even considering some truly awesome ones I’ve encountered. Alana turns her focus entirely to me, and as always my heart skips a beat. Right from the first time at the Queenstown Ice Arena Dungeon.
“Going to be tough to Loot them now,” she accuses me with a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. I nod in agreement and think about saying nothing, just staring at her, but it’s me that showed up and so I’m committed to this path now.
“So… I’m heading offworld,” I say.
“I heard,” she replies. My ears are straining for the most miniscule hint about what she feels in those two syllables, and all I can come up with is… acknowledgement. Fucking Irish girls.
“You want to come?” I ask. It’s the biggest gambit I’ve ever played. So big I’ve stuffed it down under a million miles of denial and Cadimus compartmentalization. But I’m here now and it’s like I dropped a nuclear bomb right on top of my own head.
“I’m with Finn,” she says, tilting her head. “And being around you is pretty hazardous to anyone’s health.”
“I know,” I say.
I look her in those amazing, incredible eyes and absorb her beauty and strength and resourcefulness and resilience. And for once, I don’t look away or wait for another time. I’m here. I’m solid. I’m the fucking Dark Mana Knight.
There’s a long pause and I wait, impressing myself. I thought my emotions would be all over the place, but I’m calm and certain. Accepting of the outcome, whichever way this falls. How do you court a goddess except with courage and clarity?
“Where are we going?” she asks, and I can’t even begin to describe the turmoil that churns through my guts, my heart, and my mind. I’ve had a lifetime of ignoring emotions, though, and potentially this is the first real time it’s paid off.
“Wherever the fuck we want,” I tell her. Is this the right move? Time seems to stand still.
“Sounds good,” she says, and she steps toward me. Her curves and lips and everything about her is insane. “But you know why I’ve said no before, even though I’m tempted. What do you say sometimes…? The best ability is availability? And… you’ll definitely get me killed by accident. We both know that.”
My heart and mind is racing and crushed at the same time. Partly because I don’t want this to be the answer, and partly because I know she’s right. Alana is so close to me I can feel the heat radiating off her and she stares deeply into my eyes.
“Go save humanity. I’ll save you a spot for when you get back,” she says softly, and puts a hand on my chest then pushes me away with a sultry grin.
I take a deep breath and let her push me away. I know it’s the right move. It sucks and drains some of the excitement about my next adventure. I now realize it was naive to think she would come and I didn’t think it through properly.
“Take care of yourself,” I tell her. It feels inadequate, but I mean it, and I’m not the best with words.
Before it becomes really uncomfortable I trigger another Portal, this time to Jeff, and step through into his training area. Jeff takes one look at me and Inventories his weapons then gives me an all-encompassing hug that I find myself returning with thanks.
“Finn’s going to be pissed when he finds out. Where are we going?”
How the fuck did he know? Was it my expression? Did he see Alana in the background when I stepped through the Portal?
“If you’re up for it, it’s time to find some more places humanity can call home,” I tell him, but I can already feel from deep inside me it’s the wrong thing to say, just like with Alana.
“You know nobody can keep up with you, dude. Not even me,” he says with a grin. Maybe it’s true, but it stings. Do I choose my friends or my duty?
“That’s what everyone says about me too,” says a sultry voice from the corner of the room. It’s low and resonant, with an edge of wicked amusement that would send shivers down my spine if I was a few Levels lower. Jeff and I whirl around with shock, but my Foresight and Danger Sense are both silent and Jeff has learned to follow my lead in these kinds of situations, so he holds any attacks in reserve.
What we see is a smoldering hot demonic woman. Raw power and a dangerous sense of threat radiate off her, along with a magnetic attractiveness. The air around her seems heavier, charged with something I can’t quite quantify and shadows twist in flowing patterns around her body as if searching for something. She’s dressed in stereotypical tight red and black leather with sleek black forearm guards and long boots to her knees.
“Tenebris asked me to guide you for a time, Bronwic. I eagerly agreed,” she says, her voice deliberate and expectant. Every motion she makes and even her expression suggests she is in complete control of her surroundings.
Lirathel Khaltheris, Infernal Ascendant, Ember Sovereign, Dread Empress, Breaker of Chains, Warden of Ash and Shadow, Slayer of Ash Hydra, Nether Stalkers, Charred Revenants, more… (Level 19 Dreadflame Inquisitor) (Ascended)
[Ashwalkers] [Infernal Concord] [Scorchbound Legion] [Mark of Tenebris]
Health: 10690/10690
Mana: 12420/12420
Conditions: Hellfire Manipulation, Crimson Pact, Erupting Shadows, Souflame, Internal Resilience, Demonic Dominion, Cindervale Cloak, Hellborn, more…
When Tenebris said he would find a guide for me now that I’ve reached an Ascended Class, this is not what I expected.
Striking doesn’t begin to describe Lirathel; in many ways she rivals even Alana. Her skin gleams and her hair cascades down her back in waves of almost living flame, each strand flickering and waving as if caught in the breeze. Her eyes glow a deep, molten orange that burns with a piercing intensity. She watches us with interest.
“Almost all Ascended must leave their pasts behind for a time,” she informs me. I can tell she views this as a statement of simple fact and not something to be concerned about.
Jeff looks at me and smacks me on the arm.
“Could be a hell of a lot worse, Bronwic. At least she seems equipped to deal with the messy shit you get yourself into.”
I glance back and forth between them. Maybe they’re both right. I need to leave things on Earth behind for a time and I need someone with me who’s going to be able to hold their own, maybe even help me with what I want to achieve.
‘Ok,” I agree. Now that I’ve made the decision I find myself looking forward to chasing this mission down. And… the prospect of spending time with Lirathel is intriguing. Perhaps Tenebris picked better than I would have picked myself.
“Stay in touch, dude,” Jeff says with uncharacteristic seriousness.
“Always,” I say.
Lirathel glides forward toward us like she has all the time in the world, her motions graceful and mesmerizing.
“How about you give me a tour of Earth to start off with, so I can understand a bit better where you’re coming from?” she suggests.
I’m surprised, that’s not what I expected. It makes a lot of sense though.
“Mind if we kick a bit of ass while we tour around?” I ask, eyebrow raised. While we’re still here, we might as well do some good and I’d like to see Lirathel in combat action before the situation is dire. “Could be a chance to get to know each other inside and outside of combat.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says with a knockout smile and the kind of direct eye contact that occasionally leads somewhere.
I open a Portal and find I’m looking forward to it already.