To say that my squad was displeased with the revelation would have been an understatement. It was a trend that was growing disturbingly common. Nevertheless, they knew what had to be done. Daniela grumbled the whole time about unrealistic expectations of modern flamethrowers, but she cooked the most delicious meal we'd ever had. Probably thanks to a thorough bit of marinating in fear with a seasoned touch of existentialism. It was seared chicken, wrapped in bacon, and served with a side of blackened rainbow chard salad topped with perfectly toasted sourdough bread. Where she'd managed to get the ingredients, I didn't know, even if I suspected she'd been holding out on us for emergencies. If the plan we had didn't work, then what was the point of leaving a lavish meal uneaten?
Despite everything it was a quiet affair, and everyone retired early. Samuel and Billy played a game of cards until late into the night despite their initial attempts at sleep. Daniela fell asleep telling Joe and the Tendril siblings some of the more fantastical tales of our adventures since coming to the surface, as well as what the Bunker was like. Hec spent the night refining the pattern of the table in the lobby with slow methodical movements. I laid heavily in bed, funneling mana into my Totems as quickly as it regenerated while keeping a lookout beyond the walls with vibrosense, my feet planted against the wall instead of the floor thanks to the fact I didn't quite fit in my cot. I hadn't wanted to bother Sam for a bigger one, what with the size of the fish we were already frying.
Blobby squirmed his way into my room, trailing a passenger with a grave expression. Sitting up on my bed, I stared as Jolene stood off of Blobby. I'd sensed their approach, but my Trait wasn't strong enough to give me a view of the high leveled mermaid's expression. "Everything okay?"
The woman looked to the floor before looking up in my eyes. "Would it be alright if I stayed here? Just for tonight?"
The simple question froze my Ichor faster than any facet of the Trait could have. For all the processing speed that my Refinement gave me, my thoughts were moving with the speed of molasses. Apparently Jolene found my lack of cognitive function funny because she giggled. The melodious sound broke me out of the useless thought loop. "Yes, of course. Uh... space is a little tight unfortunately."
"I'm sure Blobby would love to lend a hand," Jolene said, patting my slime companion's side. It jiggled happily before subsuming my cot and using it as scaffolding to expand on the surface of the bed. Instead of the hard stone I knew the slime could form out of its body for fighting, or the shifting gel that normally made up its body, Blobby made a bed of softest sand. Awed by the new display, I ran my fingers through the supremely fine grains and watched them trickle through my fingers with barely a whisper despite my rough skin. Jolene took a seat and patted the space beside her for me to sit down. When I did, she rested her head gently against my side and I took hold of her hand.
"If this is going to work you need to promise me that you will finish the mission," the woman said.
"Of course I--"
"No matter what happens," Jolene added.
My heart clenched as I realized what she was asking me. Despite my hesitance regarding her stay in my room, there wasn't any in my response. "I'm not going to promise that."
"Ronan, you--"
"No," I said evenly. "I am going to pull all the stops. Dig deep. Cheat if I need to. I promised myself that I wasn't going to lose anyone else while I still lived. So, do your best so that I don't have to kick the bucket before we get a chance to go on a proper date."
"You rock brain," Jolly huffed, shaking her head without moving from her spot. "Sounds like a plan."
"I make the best ones, right?"
"You wish!" Jolene laughed full out, flopping back onto the sand bed. She pulled me with her. I could have fought it, but why would I? My eyes drifted shut not long after that, the burdens I carried just a bit lighter with someone to share them.
-- + --
When morning came, Ponzio and Teion found me alone in the shadow of Hec's light. The two heirs looked confused for a moment, Teion in particular, but Ponzio must have read something in my posture or expression. Diffracting Tissue told me of a mirroring of determination in the elf. "Let's get this busy day started."
The walk to the Tuscawilla fort was silent for the most part. Cloth Muscles, Mercs, Nash Circles, civilians and even several of the extravagantly dressed Breakers scurried about the city clearing up the bits of damage that had been done. Life and Earth Attuned plied their magics to rebuild, while Fire and Water Attuned scoured the inevitable signs of death that remained after the battle. Death and Air Attuned helped transport and mulch the biggest bits of debris. It was a reminder that factions were just labels. Humanity pulled together when it needed itself.
My resolve firmed. These people didn't know about their leader's hesitation. They didn't know about the insidious dangers of our world. It wasn't fair, but life never was. It was filled with injustices that we needed to confront every moment of our life. That the ones we needed to face had a little bit of magic didn't make them immune. Shouldn't make them immune.
The guards at the door took one glance at me and immediately called to open the portcullis. As we walked through I could feel their stares boring into my back. It didn't matter from what Faction they came from, awe radiated from them all. The situation within was no different. While there were less groups of defenders organized within the fort, the tension was palpable. Even the more rigid group leaders paused to watch as we crossed to the conference hall.
The wall had been patched --poorly-- where I'd opened up the way out of the room. A team of dwarves and a lone satyr were working to restore the grounds to their previous state. They glared as we walked past them, until they saw me at the fore and immediately looked away. I shook my head, reading the twinge of fear in their posture. While my capabilities had grown exponentially thanks to Fievil, I would have been able to peel the side off the Reilly Arts Center before I'd even hit Q7.
Unlike on the first day, the attendant at the front of the building didn't even meet my eyes except to accept my tower shield. The guard entourages that were stationed in the building refused to look my way also, where they'd been watching me like a hawk the second day of the conference. It was a contrast to how quickly things could change. For some, might did make right. It made me feel dirty to wield my power like that, but having a reputation had its uses.
When I walked into the conference hall, all the Faction Leaders were arrayed at the table. Every eye glanced in my direction and I met them with a flat stare. While I trusted Radolfo and Sharon, I knew they had to look out for their people. I doubted they would act against me, but their cooperation would be a bigger stretch. Reaching out individually would be the key for my plan.
Since no one spoke until I made it to the table, I flexed my magic to shape a chair for me with
"Right," Radolfo said, glancing briefly at Ponzio before continuing. "We were in the process of addressing the repairs for the city. The monster wave right after the hurricane has strained some of our supply chains."
"Makes sense, makes sense," I said, nodding. "Go ahead. As I've been reminded on more than one occasion, I am just an observer here."
"You are putting words in my mouth," Horace growled.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"No. I am paraphrasing. It's an important language skill, I recommend it. Now, please go on."
Horace ground his heels into the ground hard but didn't outwardly respond. Sargon took the lull to lean forward and meet my eyes. "You seek recompense for your actions."
The swagger the Fire Elemental carried himself with had been toned down to more moderate levels. And, while I was sure he could torch a mean flame, I now knew he was all smoke. The elemental's behavior during the attack on the Ward told me he was an actor good enough to fool my eyes and my Trait, or he wasn't involved with what happened. Alternatively, he wasn't connected with what had happened, which would have explained the confusion, but was still associated. It was a subtle distinction, but one that meant I could potentially avoid stomping out a flame that looked out for people the Aberrants had wronged. Even if he came across as an entitled tool.
"Are you asking me a question or telling me something?" I finally replied.
"You wanted a seat at this table," the elemental continued. "That's been what you've been angling for since the beginning. Perhaps more than that. Just because you swung your blade in this city, it does not make you a part of it."
"You are completely right. Again, I am just an observer that had something to present to the leaders of the city," I said, opening my hands helplessly. "I wouldn't deign to assume I knew better."
"Is this mocking necessary?" Horace huffed. "We know you are the strongest person here. That does not mean we could not oppose you."
At the mention of strength Sargon glared at the Clansmen leader. He didn't dispute the claim, however, once more confirming my evaluation of the leader of the Breakers. It seems your assessment of him was right, Sharon. Perhaps you were right that I needn't have worried about him. You still owe me a conversation, though!
"Let me cut through the bullshit," Sharon said, stamping her staff from the wheelchair she'd returned to. "This isn't how you are Ronan. Speak clearly, like you have, so that we can act as we need to."
Radolfo nodded slightly, marking his agreement with the Shaman. Horace and Sargon remained silent, but that was as much of a concession as the two Faction Leaders would condone. I sighed, psyching myself up for the ball I was getting ready to roll down hill.
"I am offering the city an ultimatum," I said, crossing my arms. "Allow itself to be scoured of the poisonous elements that mingle within it with full cooperation from its leaders, or suffer the withdrawing of the Metier Crystal Entity that calls it home."
"What!?" Horace jumped to his feet. Similarly, all the people that had been sitting on the outer row were half out of their seats. Most had been hanging on the edges of them, waiting to see what I would say, so it wasn't a long move.
"Ronan, I am sure you understand that that might be an unreasonable request," Radolfo said, placating. "I am entirely on your side with getting these atrocities explored, but that does not mean the city should be threatened."
"You don't have the power to threaten us in this way. If the Entity could have withdrawn its protection then--"
"THEN NOTHING!" I shouted, releasing every bit of force I'd been holding stored since the morning. Daniela had been more than happy to load me up with punches. The volume of my voice, directed by my Tremor Frame and Diffracting Tissue, caused everyone at the table to flinch. Sharon had her staff white-knuckled, Radolfo's eyes were burning pinpricks as his body tensed, embers curled angrily off Sargon, and a visual distortion covered Horace's arms. When I saw that none of them had attacked, I continued. "Don't speak to me about power. Not after I stood face to face against the declaration of war that the Aberrants made."
"We haven't even spoken with any of them," Horace ground out, the visual distortion that came with his magic crawled up to his shoulders before expanding to his chest. Ah, force armor. Very science fiction. Useless because I am not actually going to attack him, but an interesting application of his magic.
"Let me ask you a question," I said, turning to Sargon. "Where are the Tendrils in your ranks? Where is Clayton right now?"
"I--" Sargon sputtered for a second. He glanced behind himself, where his two Partial assistants stood. The Life Partial, which had bark and flowers in place of hair, shook her head as he sent her a questioning look.
"I'll answer. The bulk of them are gone. My guess is that all those within the city are those that have managed to ignore the insidious whispers of the Aberrants or were lucky enough to be in range of a Ward. I walked through the city, as I am sure you all did. All of your Factions are working, even to this moment, to return to normalcy. Except for one particular group."
Radolfo glanced over his shoulder, seeing his grandson nod in confirmation, before snapping to me. "What does this mean?"
"It means what I told you. Uproot your rats, or your city is doomed. The opening salvo has been made."
"Perhaps that is true," Sargon said, the flaming orbs he had for eyes flicking between me and Hec's avatar behind me. "But that does not mean we are at risk of losing the Ward's protection."
I stood, causing everyone at the table to flinch except for Sharon. The Shaman was staring at me with an intense look, one that I had seen on her face when she'd thanked me for helping her and left Amelia in my care. When I met her eyes evenly, she nodded firmly. Her entire posture relaxed, and she turned her gaze to her staff.
"You still don't see it, do you?" I asked, shaking my head. "You are talking about Hec as if they weren't a living thing. They have their own goals, every Metier Crystal bigger than me does, and they have feelings. They are not tools for you to command and they are not your 'subjects' because this is not a kingdom. As a matter of fact, Hec is the double edged sword that holds this city together.
"Should two more Wards be destroyed before Hec can finish unifying their influence, they will die. Should this Entity die, their repulsion will banish and might even invert. Hec cannot be allowed to fall. The Entity Clusters cannot be allowed to fall to corruption. While you sit here arguing about how many bad apples you can afford to keep in the bunch, the basket is falling apart!"
With a stomp, I liquified my chair and the round table. "Act, or force me to act for you."
I didn't wait for their response. I walked through the muddy remains of the table, between Sargon and a shivering Cindy, and out of the door. The moment I crossed the threshold, shouting erupted in the room behind me. It wasn't the most considerate bomb to drop on the city, and it risked instigating any other planned attacks from getting triggered, but I hoped it drew the attention we needed. That it spread whatever assets the Aberrants had at their disposal thinner than they were.
"Ponzio," I said through the comm-plant while recovering my shield from the very flustered attendant.
"Ronan. I would have appreciated the slightest warning about this shitstorm you planned to stir up. Where are our adventurous friends?" the ever perceptive elf replied.
"Right where they need to be," I said. "Hoping that a certain blipping ally will gather every Water Infusion they can scam off their friend that runs the Condensers."
"Huck is still working on sorting the loot for--"
"All. Of. Them. If you want, tell him I'll pay it back with whatever interest he wants me to pay him back with."
Ponzio didn't respond for several minutes. I left the conference hall and walked right out of the portcullis. The guards were too stunned to say anything to me while I headed west towards McMoney. When Ponzio eventually replied, I could practically hear the old-man-weary sigh that had preceded his response. "Where would I drop these things?"
"Go to the Outpost. Find us, if not, find your sister," I said.
"My sister? What's she got to--" I closed to connection as I arrived at the Ward closest to the Taste of Old. A disguised draconian waited impatiently with her back against the tower. She waved her fingers in a mockery of daintiness.
"Hello, Filomena. It's been a minute," I said. The woman was armed to the teeth, and considering one of her Traits allowed her to transform into a pretty good imitation of Joe Kelly that was probably literal.
"You betcha, boulder man! Now, I've got what your mud-haired friend wanted and I've been working my ass off since the crack of dawn. Do you have what I wanted?" the woman huffed.
"Daniela did explain that this is a commitment type thing, right? Not exactly a commercial transaction."
"I'm not an idiot. Your goals align with mine. Ponziolino might cling to Grandfather's coattails, but I roar to the beat of my own drum. No one gets frisky with my city and walks away with all their teeth," Filomena growled.
"That's... a colorful analogy. It works, and I get it, but colorful nonetheless. Very well, let's get to it. We're burning daylight," I replied with a shake of my head.
"Exactly. It should be our enemies that burn!" The last thing I saw before we walked into the tower housing the Crystal Ward was a mouthful of too-pointy teeth.
The things I deal with for the greater good.