When Jasper awoke the next morning, the camp was abuzz with the news: the king had banished Lady Aphora and her kin from his realm, sending them into the west. At first, most dismissed the news as mere rumors, but when the king's formally confirmed the judgment, reading the proclamation in the ruins of Hargish's central market for all the crowd to hear, all doubt was banished.
The crowd's reaction surprised Jasper, a mixture of horror and pity predominating throughout the assembled masses.
"The penalty is too harsh," a tall man with sunken cheeks shook his head as he talked to his neighbor. "To send them all to die like that? Where were the king's troops when the city fell? Where were his troops when we were hiding in the jungle?"
Jasper eavesdropped on the discussions, his curiosity slowly transforming into concern. Exile hadn't seemed like such a harsh penalty to him, but to the crowd, it was seen as essentially a death sentence.
He had always thought that the lands beyond the river were the domain of the three fallen realms, chief among them the empire of the Gemlirians. But, if the whispered conversations among the crowd were to be believed, the true power in the west was the Sidhe, the mysterious race that had slaughtered most of the Mwyrawni and destroyed their empire. No one he talked to seemed to know much about the Sidhe, or even what they looked like, but all agreed on one aspect. The Sidhe hated elves and hunted them down for sport. While there were some who delighted in the elves getting their "comeuppance," most were unsettled, a feeling Jasper shared as he left the market.
The next day, before he was able to head out on yet another patrol through the countryside, a messenger from Aphora came to them. It was an elf he didn’t recognize, but the handwriting on the brief letter was Aphora's. Curious, he and Ihra followed the messenger through the crooked lanes of the camp before finally arriving at Aphora’s tent. Her tent was bustling with activity when they entered, Torin and Aphora besieged on all sides with people bringing all manner of requests, so they were forced to wait for a few minutes. But eventually, the others were dealt with, and the pair was left alone in the tent.
Aphora sunk into a chair, heaving an exhausted sigh, as she waved them over. “Thank you for waiting. I didn’t expect that to take so long - there's always another fire to put out. I’m sure you’ve heard the news by now?”
Jasper nodded. “Yes. Are you really going into the West?”
She nodded wearily, taking a long drink from a goblet, before responding. “I am.”
He hesitated, unsure what to say. “People are saying that the king's punishment is too harsh." He looked her in the eyes. "They're saying that going to the West is a death sentence.”
Aphora sighed. “Elves do not cross beyond the river. We may sojourn through the tundral forests, traverse through the realms of the Fey, even set sail across the eastern seas in search of shores unknown, but no elf wishes to set foot on the western banks of the river."
Her face hardened, determination sparking in her eyes. "But we seek the lands below, a realm where even elves may dwell securely, far beneath the reach of Sidhe. Whatever the people may say, I do not believe we are riding to our deaths."
The light in her eyes died, and she leaned back in her chair, taking another draught from her goblet. "But that is not why I sent for you.”
“Back in Als̆arratu, I promised that I would try to teach you runic magic. At the time, I did not think that either of you was likely to possess the ability to power the runes - few are, after all. However, it seems I was wrong." She turned to Ihra. "I strongly suspect that you, my dear, will indeed be able to power the runes.”
Ihra had been sitting to the side, her thoughts drifting as Aphora hashed out whatever business she had with Jasper. It took a moment for Aphora's words to register, the shock evident on her face. “Me? I can’t even cast spells, unless you want to count weapon arts. Don't you mean fire-boy?”
Aphora’s lips quirked in a faint smile as she watched Ihra's eyebrows disappear beneath her bangs, and shook her head gently. “The ability to use runes is not connected with the ability to cast spells; while the results may seem similar, the abilities are separate. I admit, I did not expect you to have the talent, though, until you survived Als̆arratu’s fall from the void with your mind intact - changed but not consumed.”
Ihra’s brow furrowed. “Is that relevant?”
Aphora spread a blank canvas across the table as she spoke. “In the immediate aftermath of the first disaster, the community was far too shattered to make any sense of the situation. But as the centuries passed, we gradually came to a realization. Almost everyone who had survived possessed one of two talents: either they were capable of transforming into an animal form, like my commanders, Mullu-Lim and Torin, or they were capable of using runes, like me. I don’t know which talent you possess, but I would like to test you.”
“Does that mean I’ll be able to use runes too?” Jasper butted in, the excitement evident in his voice.
Aphora finished pinning down the edges of the canvas, carefully smoothing out even the tiniest of wrinkles, before replying. “It is possible but unlikely. Tes̆ha-Is̆tana told me something very strange - she said that you were summoned from another world. Is that true?”
Jasper nodded slowly. “Yes.”
Aphora clucked her tongue. “Well, then my suspicions are confirmed. Our records of summoned are obviously not complete, but as far as I am aware, none has ever manifested the ability to use runes.”
His face fell, disappointed. “So why I was not changed?”
Aphora shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but you probably have Kas̆dael to thank for that. From the start, I was intrigued by the strange seal you have on your heart, quite unlike the usual bonding marks; perhaps the unusual nature of that bond protected you. However,” she turned back to Ihra, “you bear no such mark. Do you wish to be tested?”
Ihra didn’t hesitate, her head bobbing enthusiastically. “Absolutely. The healing rituals alone would be invaluable.”
Aphora placed a tome on the table and opened it up. “Let’s try to sketch a rune of protection.”Jasper watched as, for the next hour, Aphora helped Ihra carefully duplicate the rune. The rune had to be drawn with a special silver-rich paint, which magnified the current of essence running through it. Dried herbs were then pounded into a fine powder and blown over the formation, and five drops of blood were added to the center. When Aphora finally gave her approval to Ihra’s rune, the moment of truth arrived.
He held his breath, knowing that normally Ihra was unable to channel any essence. But Aphora’s faith in her proved justified; when Ihra’s hand touched the rune, power welled up within her, as she drew on something beyond their ken. A disorderly wave of essence gushed out of her hands into the runic formation. But the formation held strong, its walls taming the chaotic wave, as a small shield sprung into life above the canvas.
Aphora smiled as she saw the look of disbelief on Ihra’s face. “It seems I was right.” She lifted a large bag from beneath the table, and placing the tome in the bag, thrust it into Ihra’s hands. “I wish I had time to properly train you to use runes, but we will soon depart for the west. With this manual, though, you should be able to figure most things out. Be very careful when you reproduce the forms; it won't kill you if you make a mistake, but, even for me, ingredients are expensive, so don't waste them.”
As they rode through the muddy lanes back to their tents, Ihra bubbled with excitement for the first time in weeks as the cloud that had hung over her head was - temporarily, at least - banished. “I can’t believe it. I can actually do magic - magic?! Just think how useful real healing spells will be - potions taste great, but they leave you so weak....” Jasper smiled as he listened to her chatter, glad to see her spirits lifted. When they arrived back at their camp, Ihra promptly disappeared into her tent, shutting herself away to examine the tome.
For the first time in weeks, Jasper was left to his own devices. It was too late in the day to join a patrol, and with Ihra busy, he was finally forced to be alone with his thoughts. It was the first time since dying that he had been alone for any real length of time, his life a constant hectic mess from the moment he had reawoken, but he had been glad of that.
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Most nights, he dreamed that he was back along the shores of the frozen, dark sea, the waves crashing dangerously close to his feet. Sometimes, he felt the wind whip the spray against his hands, horror spreading through him as he was deleted from creation. An involuntary shudder ran down his back, and he pushed the thoughts away. Steeling his will, Jasper resolved to do what he had been putting off for weeks: visit Kas̆dael. Sitting down by the fire, he closed his eyes and begin to meditate. I am the rock; all things flow around me. I am the river; I flow around all things.
To his surprise, Kas̆dael was not seated by the fire. Her black dice lay on the ground, their shiny faces reflecting the flickering flames. She stood a few feet away, her back turned to the fire, as she searched the darkness. He slowly walked over to her, cautiously clearing his throat as he drew near. “Kas̆dael.”
She held out a hand, shushing him, and he fell silent. She stood there for a long time, searching the inky depths while he waited, uncertain if he should be alarmed by whatever she was searching for. Whatever it was, she did not share it, but eventually turned back with a sigh, a troubled look on her face, as she stared down at her newest devotee. “I am glad you have come, Jasper of Earth. You have been avoiding me,” she accused.
He shifted uncomfortably. “Well…” he searched for an excuse, but standing before the goddess, they were all stripped away. “I have," he admitted. "I keep dreaming about the Sea, about these waves. If just one of them had touched me, I would have been lost. I just...” he trailed off, "I didn't want to come back here."
Kas̆dael's face softened. “I know. All life fears its end - you are not alone in this, Jasper. However, while I have allowed you to take your time, my enemies have not ceased their actions. We cannot afford to wait forever. Harden your will, Jasper; the road ahead will not be easy but you have the strength to walk it.” The goddess held out her hand to him, the fire creating the illusion of color on her deathly-pale flesh. “Level up first, and then we will talk.”
Reluctantly, he took her hand and frowned as he scanned the table. He had gained several levels in Acolyte of the Secret Flame, finally getting past level 60, but, for some reason, he hadn’t gained even a single level in Hand of Kas̆dael. What the hell? Didn’t killing all those undead, and helping kill the queen count for something?
Jasper Welles
Exp: 2875/3000
Health 1340
Stamina 2140
Essence 2600
Heritage(s)
Greater Djinn
Acolyte of the Secret Flame
Level: 59
Level up: x12
Hand of Kas̆dael
Level: 1
Titles
The Blood Runs True
Betrothed of Kas̆dael
Survivor
Stats
Racial Traits
Class Abilities
Class Abilities
Weapon Skills
Strength 30
Scion of Flames
Sacred Star II
Scales of Justice
Improvised Weaponry I
Endurance 47
Uplifted
Purge
Scourge of Despair
Sling V
Vision 20
Locked
Eternal Night II
Hand of Judgment
Glaive V→VI
Inspiration 60
Locked
Fiery Shackles II
Dagger III
Willpower 60
Seraph Burst
Charisma 20
Heart Stopper (Undead)
Disgruntled, he broached the question. “Kas̆dael, why hasn’t my subclass leveled up?”
The goddess had resumed her seat by the fire pit, casting her dice at her feet. They skittered across the ground, and she examined them for a moment, before gathering them again. “Your subclass is an extension of my power. In order to level up, you must either complete missions for me, or kill those I consider to be evil.”
He scratched his head, confused. “Wouldn’t the undead count? The qebrū?”
She shook her head. “Evil, Jasper, is not merely an act; it is a choice. The undead were the victims of tragic circumstances: the destruction of a city, dead left unburied and dishonored. They are mindless creatures, capable of causing great harm if left unchecked, but not capable of evil. Would you call the tiger that hunts the deer in the jungle a murderer?” She smiled. “Fear not - you will have plenty of opportunities to advance soon enough.”
Grumbling slightly, he returned to the screen. The battle with the queen’s forces had been a wake-up call. While he had more than enough essence for short duels with other people or monsters, on the battlefield he had very quickly found himself running dry. He dumped the vast majority of his points into inspiration and willpower, saving only a few, which he put into charisma, which was falling uncomfortably far behind the rest of his stats.
Then, he eagerly turned to the reward box he’d earned for passing level 60. Last time, he had been able to upgrade a spell and choose a new one, but he was surprised to find something different waiting for him.
Please select a racial trait to unlock (Note: these traits can influence future evolutions and may not be available to choose in the future).
He scanned the options quickly.
Hard-Boiled (unlocked by the trait Scion of Flame): Your skin, already toughened by fire immunity, will become highly resistant to all but the strongest of slashing attacks, although you will remain vulnerable to blunt force. Warning: feeling in your skin will be heavily desensitized.
It was a strong choice, but he was a little worried about the warning. Depending on how much his skin was desensitized it could be no big deal or a real problem. Would it desensitize me down there, too? Perhaps he was thinking with the wrong brain, but he wasn’t sure that was a risk he was willing to take.
Ruby-Skinned (unlocked by the trait Scion of Flame): Your skin will darken to the deep ruby glow that is regarded by most Djinn as the pinnacle of beauty. Due to your beauty, your charisma will achieve a percentage bonus of 10%.
Jasper was already not too thrilled with his new red skin, so the last thing he wanted was to become even redder. He had to admit, though, that if he had a different class, like a bard, the charisma bonus would be a powerful incentive indeed.
The Wings of Gavu’el (unlocked by the trait Uplifted): Unlocks your first set of basic wings, allowing you to take flight into the sky. Wings require strength and endurance of 100. Due to your Seraph affiliation, this trait will remain permanently available.
His heart sank as he read the stat requirements. The idea of flying through the heavens was amazing - who hadn’t dreamed of flying as a kid? - but those stats were a real obstacle. Strength wasn’t an important stat for his class, and he’d need another seventy points in it. Reluctantly, he set it aside for the time, but he promised himself that someday he would unlock those wings, optimal stats be damned.
The Horned Lord (unlocked by the class Hand of Kas̆dael and your association with the Queen of Als̆arratu) - You have learned much from observing the queen’s forces, and gained an affinity with the dead. Once per day, you may summon the spirit of a mortal deceased for less than two days and ask them three questions. Warning: may cause changes in physical appearance.
It was an intriguing ability. It had an obvious synergy with his inquisitorial skills, so he could definitely see its usefulness. However, judging from the name, he had a sneaking suspicion that it might cause him to grow horns. He was already unhappy with his red skin - did he really want to add horns into the mix? However, the ability seemed too good to dismiss, so, reluctantly, he filed it away as a real possibility. Just two more options were left now.
Moon-Kissed (offered by Selene) - Most of the Djinn revere their father, Shamsha, but some turn to his consort. Embrace the blessing of Selene. Warning: this trait will dramatically affect all future evolutions, and your magical affinity will change from fire to lunar. This trait will remain available in the future.
Jasper frowned. Truthfully, he had always preferred the moon to the sun - or at least, cool autumn nights to hot summer days - but the description was aggravatingly vague. He was pretty sure that Aphora’s spells were lunar-based, and they were certainly quite impressive, but changing your affinity seemed like a really big deal. Plus, he wasn’t sure how Kas̆dael would feel about him accepting the blessing of another goddess.
Kas̆dael must have read his mind, as she replied before he could even get the words out. “You are welcome to select the trait if you wish, Jasper of Earth. There is no war between Selene and I. But I would suggest you wait until you are stronger. There are a number of political factions in the Harei Miqlat, of which the Moon-kissed are one and the Seraphs are another; your task will be easier if you do not let yourself get dragged into petty political quarrels. Once you've completed my mission there, however, the trait is certainly worth considering.”
Jasper put it into the maybe category and turned to the last option.
The Broken Chain (unlocked by Tes̆ha-Is̆tana) - The Seraphs were once enslaved by the Fey until they broke their chains. Trait greatly enhances resistance to all forms of mental manipulation. Will remain available as long as you have the charm of the Child of St. Martin.
As soon as he saw it, he wanted it. But he hesitated, unsure if it was the right decision. The trait would remain available as long as he had the charm while the other trait he had been interested in, the Horned Lord, had no such disclaimer, so he had to assume this was his only chance. He ran his fingers through his long shaggy hair as he weighed his options. What the hell do I do?