[Book II Chapter 118] DYLAN: Technicolered Mothsilk
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The approaching clouds were ripped from the sky, sucked down through wind funnels and absorbed into the Twisted Land’s warped network of air currents. The resulting fog ranged from non-existent to impenetrable depending on where you travelled.
The region’s ample moisture was a boon to the savage mangrove trees, and their snaking roots tied the winding strands of earth together. These naturally-formed nets excelled at ensnaring drifting airships, a frequent occurrence here. Isolated in the middle of the Blue Abyss between Tulven and the Veillerdin Peninsulla, the Shattering Rocks were home to dozens of pirate clans. The vessels of their victims littered the region. These husks are what we aim to claim.
Dylan watched Free manipulate the mangrove roots to drag a battered yacht towards the makeshift docks their expedition had set up. There, Sarah Godspeed stood anxiously waiting.
Through a feat of willpower and labor, the saint had brought the engines of few broken vessels back to life. Apparently, if they weren’t too far gone, she could ‘fate’ them to work again. He’d witnessed the process, and it appeared exhausting. Despite this, she started anew on each ship they brought in.
“It’s somewhat unnerving.” He muttered.
<
Dylan frowned. He’d resolved to play the hero until the last possible moment, but if the worse came to pass he’d save himself.
However it wasn’t the dire outlook which caused him concern. It was the impact it’d have on his youngest teammate. How would Free’s confident optimism handle the shock? Would she retreat with him? …Or would she commit to a doomed cause?
A dark figure shot out of the mist. Carried by the raging gale, the man-sized lizard glided like flying-squirrel, its legs spread. Nearing the docks, it dove at one of the workers. A second shadow moved, and the threat was cleaved in two. A cheer rang out as Darius landed on a mangrove branch. Without the shinobi’s lightning reflexes, there would’ve been several casualties already. Most hostile creatures shy away from human gatherings of this size, but not kiters.
“Dylan,” Free shouted. “Can you check on Nang? One of my bugs reported her using some serious magic. I need to finish moving this, and Darius is on lizard duty.”
“They can fly in this wind?” Dylan asked, impressed.
“Barely,” Free answered, pointing. “Anyway, she’s that way.”
No long explanation about the insects? She must be worried. “Alright, I’ll have a look.” He said.
Dylan traveled in the general direction, keeping his senses sharp. If Nang was channeling hard, he should be able to sense it. Eventually, he spotted a mothsilk thread fluttering in the mist. That makes this easier.
Following the trail through the dense fog, he reached an enclave with good visibility. Against a cliff, anchored by chains and roots, was a massive vessel. A civilian cruise ship, Pirates brought it back to properly loot it. It’s in pristine condition. Sarah, will be thrilled.
He noticed the mothsilk disappearing into a nearby cave. Did she run into trouble exploring an old pirate hideout? Was it not abandoned?
Hurrying inside, he hadn’t taken ten steps before the ground under him exploded, lifting him into the air. He found himself wrap up in a web of the finest of threads.
Damn, one of Nang’s snares. Dylan immediately brought out Resplendent Delusion to cut himself free, but was stunned when his weapon bounced off his bindings. Frowning, he embraced the the Greater mystery of Magma, leveraging an explosive strength to try again, yet he couldn’t saw through a single strand. In frustration, he summoned fire, turning the cavern into an inferno. This effort proved fruitless too. Around him, the webbing glistened vividly in the flames, unyielding.
“It’s technicolored mothsilk, resistant to all the elements and the sharpest of blades.” A voice echoed cheerfully. “It’s too complex for battle, so I must prepare it beforehand. Most immortals would struggle to break free. For you, it’s impossible.”
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Dylan located Nang in the darkness. “I understand you’re proud.” He said angrily. “Now get me out of this.”
“Why did you set up this trap anyway?” He added.
“I set it up to catch you.” Nang said simply.
Annoyance turned to apprehension. He carefully appraised the young woman walking towards him. She’d used an ultimate technique to immobilize him and was clearly showing hostile intention. Yet, try as he might, he failed to think of her as an enemy. Nang was naive and good-natured. Her idealism and concern for Tulven’s people was genuine. This made no sense.
<
Dylan grimaced. “I don’t want to hurt you.” This was the truth, although he wasn’t certain what he could do in this situation.
“That’s a wonderful sword you have there.” Nang observed. “It’s the work of Zhong Cai, isn’t it?”
“So what if it is?” Dylan demanded testily, in no mood for games.
“My cousin had one too, a masterpiece of Sanwue’s immortal smith…” Nang continued. “It was called Starlight.”
<
Dylan said nothing, waiting for Nang to reveal what she knew.
“You must have seen her at the godly herb garden. She was a real beauty, hard to miss. Sadly, she disappeared on the way back to the sect. Simply vanished off the face of Enera. We feared the worse.”
“Imagine my surprise,” Nang stared off into the distance. “when her will-o'-the-wisps appeared in the skies above Livra. Of course, I quickly realized they belonged to Jordan Seers, but they were so similar. I had to investigate.”
Eyes devoid of compassion turned to him. “My shock only grew once I learned who had given him the blade: my own teammate and Sanwue’s hero.”
Dowart shook his head. <
Dylan’s heart sank. It’d be difficult to talk his way out of this, but he had to try. “About Startlight——”
“There is no way Bao Pan would have let that sword go, not while she was alive.” Nang cut in. “You murdered her didn’t you?”
Dylan was at a loss on how to respond. This reluctance caused Nang to sneer. “Fine, keep silent if you want. I’m not looking for your confession. What I desire to know is your motive. It wasn’t greed, else you would’ve never given away her sword. From our time together, you don’t seem someone who commits odious acts. This is the one mystery I can’t puzzle out. Why did you do it?”
How could I possibly explain? And even if I did, how could she believe me? Dylan’s mind raced in desperation.
Nang grabbed her webbing. “Technicolored mothsilk’s other name is the assassin’s thread. As more power is channeled into it, it shrinks it size and length, while its tensile strength soars. There is no neck it can’t sever.”
The strands holding him tightened and sharped, biting into his flesh and drawing blood. Dylan clawed at his throat, struggling for breath.
“If you won’t answer, there’s nothing left but to carry out your sentence.” Nang said.
The cavern rumbled as the mangrove root in its wall came to life, springing out from all direction. Both Dylan and Nang were snatched up in their grip. Thankfully, this caused the mothsilk to loosen.
“I knew you were wielding powerful magic.” Free said from the entrance. “But never imagined it was against each other.”
“What is going on?” She demanded.
“Dylan killed my cousin.” Nang said. “I’m taking revenge.”
Free frowned. “Where did this come from?”
“This morning I tracked down Jordan Seers and confronted him about his ‘staff’.” Nang explained. “It’s actually a catalyst which belonged to my cousin, who has been missing for weeks. Dylan was the one who gave it to him. His guilt is plain.”
Free pivoted to him. “Explain.” She said curtly.
Since Nang has already seen the sword, there’s no point in denying it. “It’s complicated…” Dylan Sighed. Unable to come up with a lie convincing enough to gamble his life on, he revealed the whole, convoluted truth. He prayed that Free would understand.
“So while I fought and defeated a woman named Bao Pan, Nang’s cousin was already long gone by that point.” He finished.
“Bodysnatchers?” Nang said with venom. “You expect us to believe such absurdity?”
“It is a bit far-fetched, especially this Hoshindai soul-sealing rock.” Free agreed. “Do you have any evidence to back up your claims?”
“Yaozu Gao, the leader of the Ghost Corrosion Sect, has taken the oath.” Dylan answered, relieved at the question. “If we contact him, he will confirm my story.”
Nang was shocked. “You’re not entertaining the possibility he is telling the truth?”
“He is our teammate, who has fought by our side.” Free said firmly. “We’re going to give him a chance to prove himself.”
Nang shook her head slowly. “No… He’s already admitted to the deed. I’m not giving him the chance to weasel out. He’s too strong. I’ll never have another opportunity if I let him go.” She reached out and grabbed a strand of her web. “I’ll avenge Gao now.”
The mothsilk squeezed Dylan, biting deep into his flesh. The noose around his neck cut off the flow of blood to his brain. He heard Free screaming as his consciousness faded.
He woke up later, all his wounds healed and his bindings gone. Free was leaning against the rock wall nearby, tired.
“You better not have lied or I’ll slay you myself.” She said bitterly.
Dylan spotted Nang lying motionless. “Is she…?”
“She’s sleeping.” Free said. “I used a rare, precious poison on her. It will rob her of her memories of the last few days. As long as we keep her away from Jordan Seer, it should fine.”
That seemed like ticking time-bomb, but he was in no position to object. “What now?” He asked.
“We confirm your story as soon as possible.” Free replied. “And figure out the rest afterwards.”