Meteor [https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcTDqxYvKrfY5mwV7S-eXlqF4Cd0UbL-B7Ud10ikUO7gMd1-RMKRKp83qroHJ5ORpmi9c-e9WUA0ivxp44sPT813q4TsZmHXOlZcy06F0ORySYzE9qi5MoDREGD8Cd601Xxa1hGyNBcg2KWwBQ7S11V=w621-h931-s-no-gm?authuser=0]
The priest of the Mender, Jacob, had been a nice gentleman and helped her relax as he made their first meeting mostly about introductions and goals for even having the sessions. She had felt much better about the whole arrangement when he explained his own goals for helping her process everything she had gone through so that it wouldn’t impact her life in a negative way but that they would go at her own pace.
To begin she would be meeting with him every Trisol, which she knew as Saturday but was trying hard to learn the names of the days here, unless she was out on a mission. She was slightly surprised when she found herself hoping to be back in time for that. Once on the road, Phoenix again found comfort in Saiya’s tranquil aura and the voxen had seemed to attach herself to the redhead’s side, linking arms or holding hands; making Phoenix feel like a small child again.
Passive Ability: Soothing Soul
Type: Aura (magical, life)
Current Caste: Crystal 6
Crystal Effect: Allies within your aura are calmed and have increased resistance to Magical Banes.
“Ya know, I always like the missions where we get to punch some monsters but these delivery jobs are a bit… I don’t know… lesser? More like a chore than a mission,” Rayna reflected, a bit aggravated from having traveled for a few hours and only running into two packs of monsters that they were able to dispatch fairly quickly.
“It may not be glorious but it is the work that is most needed. Our supplies are vital to keeping people alive. Monster’s are not the only risk to people during a blood moon,” Dazien explained with surprising conviction, “If a fortress full of people starve or their defenses can’t be powered, then we have all failed as Adventurers.”
“I know, I know… I just really want to make some music,” the pugilist replied, punctuating the word ‘music’ by slamming a fist into her palm.
The group laughed then quickly cut off as they rounded a hill and caught sight of a pack of some larger cat-like creatures that reminded Phoenix of snow leopards at first glance with their white fur and black spots but they were much larger and furrier, with longer ears and fluffy tails.
Dazien signaled to halt and hide as they assessed the threat. The creatures appeared to be sleeping in a pile together a few meters off the road and he turned to Phoenix who quirked an eyebrow in confusion and he grinned, “Ready to try out that new spell?”
Her eyes went wide then she returned his grin and gave a nod. With the severe mana cost, long incantation that she would have to focus on as the mana gathered, and the long cooldown, there weren't many opportunities for her to use the spell. She would have to pick and choose her moments which would make it harder to level it up.
Dazien and Rayna prepared to rush and finish off any survivors once the spell was done and Saiya offered to use one of her longer cooldown boosting powers but Phoenix declined this time, wanting to gauge its baseline damage but promised the Healer to try it next time to judge the difference.
Phoenix took a deep breath and began the incantation to cast [Meteor Shower] on the sleeping monsters, “From the depths of the universe I summon forth the shards of annihilation. May the wrath of the cosmos descend upon all who dare to oppose me.”
As the mana was siphoned from her, she stumbled slightly once the casting had ended and she felt the beginnings of a headache threatening her senses.
For a moment it didn’t seem like anything had happened then a bright light flashed in the sky, as though a rift tore open the very air, and a flaming ball of molten plasma and metal about five meters across appeared through it, crashing down onto the unaware creatures. When the meteor had appeared in the sky, and its massive size made apparent, the group had recalculated their positioning and retreated as fast as they could as a cacophonous explosion could be heard behind them and a force blast swept over them as the ground trembled from the impact.
When they returned to the location of the monsters, all they found was white ash drifting the air from a smoldering crater.
“Huh,” Phoenix broke the silence as her head throbbed, “With a name like Meteor Shower I was kinda expecting like a rain of meteorites… not just one big one.”
“Well… it is only Crystal Caste,” Dazien began, “Plenty more levels to see the ‘shower’ part.”
Phoenix’s eyes went wide at the implication and the others stared at her for a long moment before she added in exhaustion, “That’s a bit terrifying. It completely taps me out, though… if we use that, don’t expect any follow up contributions from me for a while.”
Then she conjured a mana potion out of her collection, “Not unless I go through our supply of consumables.”
Before she could tip the vial down her throat however, Dazien’s hand caught her arm and he said, “Now would be the time to use that Familiar power if we were still needing to fight them so you could help in the follow-up attacks.”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“I’m not sure we’ll need to follow up with anything,” Rayna responded incredulously, looking from her to where monsters used to exist. Then the bard said with a smirk, giving Phoenix a mischievous look, “I think I just figured out your Role specialization.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, you’re the crazy person that pulls off the flashy insane stunts.”
The party laughed and the Wayfarer scrunched her nose with a slight pout, “That doesn’t sound very useful or consistent,” Phoenix muttered.
The party leader patted her shoulder congenially, “It’s the most useful in times of greatest need. Now let’s keep moving, everyone. There are people still waiting on us.”
“And more monsters to explode!” Rayna cried out, punching the air in a cheer while cackling in excitement.
----------------------------------------
“You summoned me?” Paul asked with a pointed look at the duke as he entered the study they had met in previously. He was dressed casually in his usual white tunic and cream pants but was surprised to find the duke also dressed down this time, in a simple yet expensive red shirt and long grey sarong wrapped around his waist.
“Don’t give me that look, Wayland,” Victor Tul retorted, pouring two glasses of a blue liquor this time, “I requested a meeting. As the duke, I can do that.”
The paladin took the proffered glass and sat in the chair he had before and asked, “So why the sudden request? Do you have news about the investigation into House Ruwena?”
The cinderen grimaced and sat opposite of him, “Yes and no. It seems that they want to fight back, making arguments of illegal invasions of privacy and favoritism towards both House Teras and Wayland.”
Paul scoffed, “Of course they are.”
Victor gave him an awkward look then added, “We also received word this morning that Noble Murinah was killed during a scouting mission out on the tundra.”
He met the duke’s ember gaze unflinchingly, “It’s a blood moon. Every mission is a danger one might not return from.”
Tul grimaced and nodded, “While I agree in general, the timing of her death with your accusations has left some wondering if perhaps it wasn’t entirely an accident of a mission gone wrong.”
“Mere coincidence,” the Adventurer responded, taking a sip of the sweet drink that was too syrupy for his tastes, then added, “Too bad there’s no evidence of foul play to pursue.”
“That doesn’t mean you take justice into your own hands, Wayland!” the man bit back, leaning forward in hushed anger.
“I didn’t,” Paul said, taking another sip before giving up and setting the drink further away from him, “I left justice to you, remember? It sounds like you’re not making much progress, though. How many more lives might be lost while you continue to push through red tape and slow government procedures?”
“And how many innocent might suffer because you pounce without thought or proof of their crimes?!” Victor shot back, “We have laws for a reason! You used to understand that! I never thought I would be telling a former Paladin of the Purifier that the rules should be followed to avoid anarchy!”
Golden eyes narrowed on the duke, “I told you last time that people can change. Perhaps, I’m done with letting others stab me from behind because I’m trying to follow the rules and maintain order.”
“Paul,” the cinderen said with more pleading in his voice than he had ever heard from the man before, “We can’t have our strongest protector murdering the people he’s meant to protect,” the man leaned forward, clutching the glass between his hands, “I know I argued about your position, and I meant what I said last time about recognizing it as more of a boon now… and I know that I do not have the personal power to stop you, so I am asking. Please, do not just go off on your own whims to kill people just because you think it’s right.”
He watched the duke for a long moment knowing full well how painful it was for the nobleman to be put into this position where the social rank was higher but without the power to back it. It was why most rulers were the strongest Casters or at least had the loyal support of them. During this blood moon and in this remote area of Pyrin, both men knew that the Queen wouldn’t be sending anyone else to help Victor or challenge Paul.
“Despite what you might believe,” he began, “I did not hurt anyone based on just my whims, as you put it.”
“But the Noble-”
“I knew it!” a new voice yelled as the duke’s words were cut off, the door slamming open. An irate cinderen man wearing garish robes stomped into the study causing both men to stand at the perceived threat. The newcomer didn’t stop walking as he pointed a finger between the two, “I knew there was favoritism at work here! I bet you ordered my daughter’s death as punishment for refusing to hand over my research!”
“Lord Ruwena,” Victor said, holding his palms up in a defensive manner, “I assure you I was meeting with Lord Wayland to inquire if he knew of anything that might have befallen your daughter but that, in all appearances, she was simply caught off guard by the miserlings-”
“Lies! My sweet shadow would never have been caught by such weak creatures,” the Sapphire Caster cried out, “This wasn’t the first time she had scouted them and never before had-”
“It only takes one mistake to fall,” Paul interjected as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the man who was causing so much strife in his own life.
“She was perfect!” the father retorted, “She would never make such a mistake! Just because your Protégé made a mistake and fell in the battle with the Berg Sirens doesn’t mean my daughter would!”
The two Sapphire Casters froze as the force of an Emerald aura washed over them and seemed to drown their own in the anger permeating his as the Wrath Blade asked much too calmly, “Who told you my Protégé died?”
Ohsen Ruwena’s eyes narrowed at him, “My niece saw her get impaled by one of the sirens and fall dead into the sea. Don’t try to pretend that you didn’t take revenge by targeting my daughter!”
Paul gave a slightly twisted smirk as he said, “I’m not pretending anything.”
The mourning lord was about to shout back when he began to tremble at the sight of the obsidian armor and crimson cape the newly rededicated paladin conjured to emphasis his next words, “Believe me when I say that Murinah Ruwena got exactly what she deserved and that the rest of your family will as well.”
Victor Tul whispered in both awe and terror as Paul dropped his arms and their eyes fell upon the sigil of a crow with spiked talons upon his chest, “A Paladin of the Avenger.”
“I have found my faith once more,” he stated resolutely, “If anyone falls to my blade, it is in retribution for their crimes.”
“You are the one who will see retribution, Wayland!” the fear-filled father shouted and turned to leave as abruptly as he had entered.
After silence fell upon the room and Paul turned to look at the duke, Victor asked him, “Your Protégé died?”
“Almost,” he replied, “She still lives; though I’m certain she will be targeted again. If Ohsen starts looking into me, he’ll find her.”
“Then I hope the gods will help keep her safe,” the duke muttered, “For all our sakes.”