Day 36

216 Dead

Remaining Keepers: 563

Salarus was worried about his friend. Somewhere along the line he’d stopped worrying for Kade’s safety, but each day he worried more that the man was losing himself. Kade’s fifty or so disciples wouldn’t let anything happen to the one they appeared to worship, and Sal had seen more than one lay down their lives to protect Kade in the endless battles they raged across the Plains of Karavash. Even now Sal struggled to keep up as the disciples desperately charged into the rush of increasingly powerful monsters that now seemed to surge almost without end.

Salarus had taken to spending most of his energies supporting those of the squad that appeared to have completely disregarded their own safety in their zeal to keep up with Kade. Sal had grown used to spending nearly all of his mana on summoning tornadoes and gravity wells to disrupt the waves of beasts that inevitably surrounded them, as the group refused to understand a simple truth: no one kept up with Kade. Not anymore.

It had started slowly. Kade’s reputation had grown when Bandal himself had given the order to let a simple Initiate take up the role of a singular roving reinforcement unit. Salarus didn’t spend much time listening to other Keepers gossip, but he couldn’t avoid hearing the doubting reactions of so many in the camp. Nearly a third of the army was Secundus or beyond, and the idea of someone who hadn’t yet reached Primus being given such authority and trust was disturbing. That Kade proved himself so capable in the role hadn’t ended the talk, merely shifted it from surprise to open suspicion.

No one could deny that Kade was saving lives, but the manner in which he did it ranged from the difficult to believe, to the disturbing. Sal had been with the group of Keepers that had been sent into the narrow canyon only a few days after Kade’s appointment. Already he had been pushing the bounds of his assignment, as the man continued to fight and travel alone, even when the army wasn’t engaged in battle.

Sal and the hundred other Keepers hadn’t expected to find anything beyond a few stray monsters that had escaped the slaughter delivered by the main army earlier that day. They’d been sent into the canyon as the sun set to ensure that the camp would be safe for the night, and at first it had been uneventful. Many of the Keepers were nervous being in such an enclosed space, as the walls of the canyon rose up nearly fifty meters on either side, and Sal saw anxious faces darting from side to side, checking every dark corner for an ambush that never came.

The canyon looked to have been created by a river that had long since dried up, and the Keepers were nearly silent in their passing, as boots sank deeply into the sand beneath them. The plants were sparse, as the canyon had been dry for too long to support much life, and for over an hour they saw nothing but rocks as they navigated the twisting pathway. Then at last they’d heard an odd, repetitive sound echoing from up ahead.

Creak…Creak…Creak...

The night was fully upon them then, and they’d been using minimal light to guide their way, lest they announce themselves to any waiting monsters too early. They had continued forward, trepidation in their steps as the sound grew louder. Finally a scream had broken the group’s silence, and a hundred Keepers readied themselves for an attack that never came. Sal had pushed his way to the front when no word came, and found the source of the disturbance immediately.

A beast as large as two wagons had been hanging upside down around the next curve of the canyon. It was an abordon, a four armed monster that had a wide, dangerous mouth in the center of its torso, and no real head. A Keeper had nearly walked into the creature’s open hands, and let out the scream in understandable surprise. It was quickly apparent, however, that the beast was dead, as it dangled limply from above. Several Keepers sent small light spells upward to reveal the glistening black chains wrapped around one of the beast’s legs, securing it to canyon walls above.

Salarus had tried to reassure the shaken Keepers, but words weren’t enough as they continued slowly forward. They passed more and more monsters hanging from chains, most just dim shadowy shapes in the night. Occasionally a strong enough wind would pass through the canyon and some of the more anxious Keepers would duck, jump, or even yelp as the dead monsters slowly swayed above them. The repetitive sound only grew louder, though Sal now suspected he knew what to expect as they kept advancing.

Creak…Creak…Creak...

Finally the scene began to transform. As the canyon widened, their weak light revealed an elaborate and intricate web of black chains. There was enough room to continue walking, but soon they found their steps impeded by the remains of countless monsters, most ravaged beyond recognition. Despite Sal’s continued assurance that it was the work of an ally, it was impossible to ignore the disturbing reality of what they were witnessing.

Occasionally the chains were close enough to the ground to reveal their nature, covered in vicious spikes and razor blades, and in time with the rhythmic sound now echoing all around them the chains would slowly move, as if alive. They walked for nearly half an hour through the nightmarish scene before Sal–now leading them–finally called for a halt. He looked back to see the Keepers huddling together like children, rather than the warriors he knew them to be.

This part of the canyon was bathed in a dim, blue-green light, revealing the towering silver form of Drake. The Aspect was facing away from them, and the enormous knight didn’t acknowledge their presence as it methodically reached up with one hand to grip a handle on a massive upright wheel that glowed with familiar energy, then mechanically cranked it downward.

Creak, an arm of steel and silver reaches up…Creak, the wheel slowly turns...Creak, the endless web of chains is wound even tighter…Creak, severed parts of monsters rain down from above.

Salarus tried to ignore the macabre nature of the scene as he looked around. Light burst to life from his staff, at last revealing the shadowy form of Kade, just past the wheel, and staring at the wall of the cavern, unmoving. Sal inwardly thanked the Gods that the man wasn’t lost in one of his laughing fits, as he thought that might be too much for the huddled mass of Keepers behind him. Sal slowly approached, not sure what to expect.

Once he reached his friend’s side, he saw that Kade had one hand against the wall, and his head was tilted as if he were confused by something. “Kade?” Sal’s whispered voice sounded loud in the darkness. His friend’s eyes turned to meet his own.

“Do you hear him, Sal?” Salarus tried to understand the odd question, and even reached out with his own hand to feel the stone of the wall.

“I hear nothing.”

Kade didn’t acknowledge the answer, instead looking back at the gathered Keepers. “We should go,” he said, and Drake released the wheel immediately. All at once thousands of chains fell to the ground, racing toward their master from every conceivable direction. The Keepers tensed, but the chains avoided them easily as Kade strode back toward camp, not saying another word as the glistening metal trailed behind him like a cloak in the wind.

Kade’s disciples had started with a small group from those who’d unknowingly followed him into the canyon. The next day, six Keepers had simply been standing near their campsite, and watched Kade with blank faces as he left his tent. Salarus had been ready to question them, but his friend had merely looked the group over, then spoke a single word: “Come,” and the command was clear as he walked off toward the assembling battlelines. The group had likewise said nothing, but nevertheless followed Kade not just to the lines, but into every battle the man fought.

The next day, there were ten Keepers waiting.

Salarus had asked Kade about the unusual following when they were once more sitting by their customary campfire, but the man seemed confused by the question. “We fight together,” he’d whispered, clearly not understanding, then gone back to staring into the night. The man had done that more and more the deeper they moved into the plains. Gone were the jokes, gone was the camaraderie, Kade had begun to only seem alive when he was fighting, and Sal didn’t know what to do.

As Kade’s following grew, Sal had been convinced some mid-level commander or another would put an end to it, but when he’d finally grown frustrated and asked, he was told High Keeper Bandal himself had given his permission. Evidently the floating group of reinforcements was becoming instrumental in keeping the army alive and moving forward, and no one seemed interested in questioning why so many followed an Initiate any longer.

Now, as Sal tossed spell after spell, he had to admit that the group had found an extremely unorthodox kind of effectiveness. Kade himself was only occasionally visible as he darted in and out of groups of monsters, often being physically hurled by his enormous metal companion, but his presence was undeniable. Each Keeper that followed him had a length of chain wrapped around their midsection, and Salarus could only think of puppets on strings as he watched how their de facto commander utilized them.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

A dozen Keepers were grouped together as they were flung around in the air above the battlefield on taught chains. These were the ranged fighters, and they obediently fired continuous blasts of power downward wherever Kade pointed them. The ground troops were far more chaotic, as they were whisked back and forth through the masses of monsters, both to keep them safe and position them for key strikes. Sal had stopped guessing how Kade managed to coordinate the battle in such a fashion, as he had quickly been forced to acknowledge that his friend used the forces well.

Lives weren’t spent needlessly, instead the chains yanked the Keepers to safety more often than into battle. While Sal didn’t approve of entire groups of people being used as extensions of a single man’s will–barely more than living weapons themselves–their effectiveness was undeniable. Countless beasts fell before the flailing, insane assault, and Sal had even seen several Elder’s overwhelmed by the perfectly coordinated attacks.

Still, as a single chain somehow managed to respectfully pull Salarus away from a particularly determined group of ravenous monsters, he wondered for the thousandth time, what was this madness leading to?

Day 47

242 Dead

Remaining Keepers: 537

Disciples of Kadeus: 72

First Bringer Heletta was dead. She’d been killed earlier that day when the reinforcements she’d been promised hadn’t arrived. Two rank four Elders had destroyed her utterly, vaporizing her with twin expulsions of deadly power as the army could only watch helplessly. Bandal himself had arrived to finish the Elders off, both having been severely injured by the Bringer before she’d finally been brought down. Could I have saved her? Kade asked himself, as he looked down at the bracer.

Objective (1): Assassinate High Keeper Bandal!

Reward: Become High Keeper!

The High Keeper had engaged in a startlingly public argument with Heletta the night before, and only the calming influence of Lothros had prevented the army from dividing right there. As it was, the Bringers had largely isolated themselves from the camp, and their fury was undisguised. The First Bringer had clearly been highly respected, and it was well known that it had been Bandal who had ordered her reinforcements deployed to a separate front during the battle.

Kade had even considered trying to intercede himself when the brave woman had been struggling alone, but he had a responsibility to his followers and knew that most, if not all would have been lost in the attempt. Now for the first time in days he found himself thinking of something other than the deep pulse that echoed endlessly in his ears, his mind, his Soul. Was he really meant to kill Bandal? Was that even possible?

He knew that he had secrets and tricks, and that he was far more powerful than he should be at his stage of development, but High Keeper Bandal was a Quartus, and far from newly raised to that level. With a gesture Kade switched the display to examine his own growing power.

Name: Kadeus (House unknown)

Race: Child of Korthos (Variant)

Soul Core: Chains of Fate

Rank: Ascended Awakened (Dual-Path)

Lifeforce: 100%

Mana: 436/436

Chaos: 782/782

Strength: 39

Speed: 33

Endurance: 24

Magic: 31

Energy: 47

Ancestral Totem 1: (Name and House Unknown)

Class: Chaos Energist

Creed: Mine is the will that shapes worlds. Mine is the power that ends them.

Ability 1: Chaos Energy Blast (Rank 9, 12%)

Ability 2: Energy Construct (Rank 7, 65%)

Ability 3: Sealed

Augmentations: Mentor’s Amulet (Integrated!)

Ancestral Totem 2: (Name and House Unknown)

Class: Vanguard

Creed: Ever moving, ever forward, ever fighting.

Ability 1: Relentless Pursuit (Rank 8, 23%)

Ability 2: Challenger’s Might (Rank 6, 49%)

Ability 3: (Tier 2) Aspect of Metallurgy (Rank 3, 25%)

Augmentations: None

Ancestral Totem 3: None

The gains from the endless fighting were impressive, and Kade suspected that the Chaos within him growing separately from the mana that was present in every Awakened was the reason for his unusual strength. Being able to draw from two sources of energy, and one so destructive and volatile made him at least the equal of any true Primus, and he suspected that classification would be his soon enough anyway. His attribute growth had been slowing recently, and he felt that his body would need to change soon to adapt to his increasingly powerful Soul Core.

Still, what chance would he have against someone like Bandal? The frustrating nature of the question soon pushed his mind back to the pulse he could never ignore for long. He didn’t understand how no one else could hear it, or feel it, perhaps he should say. It seemed to vibrate through him more the further they went, and he was increasingly convinced that the mountain range in the distance held the answers to his questions.

He didn’t know how long he’d been staring into the darkness when a voice broke through the pulse. “Kade, may I join you?” He turned to see Cerano, the red haired man already finding a place to sit by their fire. “The Sorcerer isn’t here?” he asked, clearly not caring that Kade hadn’t answered his first question.

“Sal is speaking with other Keepers. He’s been trying to find information on the plains of Karavash. He’s been looking for you, in fact,” the man nodded as he removed his heavy cloak. The deep purple armor he wore showed considerable damage–Cerano wasn’t one to avoid combat, and Kade had seen him occasionally on the front, tremendous displays of lightning blasting into Elders that Sal would no doubt envy.

“I doubt I know much more than he’s already learned. The plains–and the mountain range as well–are both named after some Ancient. Most places are if you look back far enough.” He gazed toward the mountain range in the distance, as if considering. “In fairness, this Ancient has something of a reputation, though only because of the Priesthood of Karthas.” Kade cocked an eyebrow at that.

“So you do know more?” he asked with impatience.

Cerano held up his hands defensively, “I likely know less than any priest your friend might ask. The only thing we know about Karavash is that Karthas was somehow aware of him, but the Priests could never figure out how or why. The name has come up in some Trials, but nothing more.” He paused, clearly thinking. “He was likely a big one, though. Probably an older generation.”

“How do you figure?”

“Places are typically named after the most powerful Elder in the area, and this area is immense. We’re incredibly far from the Calm, so maybe no one ever cared to spend enough time here to discover other Elders here, but I doubt it.” He looked into Kade’s eyes for a moment before speaking again. “Will you help us kill High Keeper Bandal?”

Kade nearly choked, not believing what he’d just heard. The pulse was forgotten, the plains were forgotten, and he could only stare at the Bringer in disbelief. “No one can hear us, if that’s what you’re worried about,” the man replied casually. “Bringers need to know how to operate quietly. And if you tell anyone what I just said, you’ll just be one more rumor monger among dozens tonight.” He gestured back toward where the Bringers had camped separately from the rest of the army. “If you haven’t been paying attention, the factions have been close to bloodshed for weeks.”

Kade’s mind raced, and it was a long moment before he finally replied. “What could you possibly need my help for? I’m only an Initiate.”

“An Initiate with an increasingly large following, one that appears to answer to you and not the High Keeper.” Cerano stood up, and walked to Kade’s size, his tone no longer light. “Let me ask you this. If you decided to join us, would your people follow you?”

“Of course,” Kade answered immediately, still unsure of how he knew, but absolutely confident that he did. I’m their King, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind, but he didn’t acknowledge it.

“Then you understand why we want your help. Bandal is bringing us to ruin. Many in the army rightly believe our casualties have only slowed because of you. If that man keeps driving us forward with no rest, and no plan, there will be no one left.” He paused, searching Kade’s eyes for a moment. “You understand that, don’t you? The man’s zeal is beyond sanity. Did you hear what he argued with Heletta about yesterday?” Kade shook his head slowly.

“He told her this was the end of the world. And it was our duty to be a part of it,” Cerano shook his head, and his clenched fists rose up with fury. “The fool has lost his mind! We have no idea what’s waiting for us out there, and at this rate no one will live long enough to see it.” He turned away at that, appearing to be trying to master his emotions. When he spoke again, his tone was even.

“Can we count on you? Will you help us save us the Keepers, save us all?” Kade turned away, overwhelmed by what he was hearing. A couple of lines on the bracer were one thing, but open talk of assassination in the middle of the Keeper army was something entirely different. He wished Sal was here, the Sorcerer would be able to break the problem down logically, but Kade’s mind…everything was just so loud. This was too big a decision, too important, too destructive, too maddening, too–

“Well, it looks like I’ve finally found you,” came a deep voice from the darkness. Kade whirled around as recognition struck him. A man slowly walked into the light of the campfire, his deep green leather armor creaking in a surprisingly familiar way. Cerano looked at the newcomer in surprise, but nothing close to what Kade was feeling. This man would know what to do, this man could make everything simple again, this man would save them.

“Edwin…” Kade said with utter relief.