Nova Terra: Liberator - A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Titan Series Book 5)

by Seth Ring

  Trying to create some distance, he dodged backward, but while the mental command to jump backwards was successfully executed, Thorn was not used to taking up so much space and he felt his butt and hind legs slam into a tree, cracking it in half. Shards of wood stabbed into his haunches, causing him to twitch his body away. Unfortunately, his quick action only made things worse as he moved his back legs and inadvertently smashed into another tree on the other side.

  [What?] Confused, Akira looked around for a second, her paw hovering above Thorn’s head. [Master? How did you transform into a giant wolf?]

  [It is a new ability I unlocked called Wolf Form. I think I turned into one of the Children of the Moon.]

  [Umm, you smell similar, but different.]

  Her animosity forgotten, Akira turned back into her small form and jumped up onto Thorn, running up and down his back as she sniffed. Finally satisfied that he was who he was claiming to be, she settled down between his ears and took out another cookie from her belt pouch.

  Bemused, Thorn stepped away from the trees that he had knocked over and sat down gingerly. His health regeneration had kicked in almost immediately, healing up his wounds and forcing the long splinters out, but as he sat down his head went up in the air and crashed into a thick branch that stretched over his head as Akira dived away with a squeak.

  Wincing, he flopped down on the ground with an earth shaking sound

  [Ugh, this is not nearly as cool as I thought it would be,] Thorn said, giving his rattled head a small shake.

  [Um, I think you might be too big for this forest, master. You need a small form like mine.] Akira scampered onto Thorn’s huge snout and stood up with her arms outstretched to show off her fluffy little body. [You should have turned into an Ailuridae, master! Then you would look almost as nice as me. You would smell nicer too. Being big is annoying unless you are trying to crush someone, so I don’t know why you bothered getting even bigger than you usually are.]

  [I didn’t mean to,] Thorn complained, [I thought I would turn into a normal-sized wolf. Not a bus-sized wolf.]

  [Oooh, what is a bus, master? Is it scary?]

  [Uh. Hmm. Do you know what a car is?]

  [A car?!] Akira’s eyes lit up and she scooched closer to Thorn’s eyes, making him go cross eyed for a second. [No! I’ve never heard of a car before!]

  [Wait, why are you so excited to have never heard of a car before?]

  [Because it's probably from your world, master. I’ve always wondered about the place you come from. I would love to see it! And then I could see cars and beat up the buses if they attack you!]

  Imagining Akira in her battle form smashing any vehicle that came close to her with her tails gave Thorn pause. It would be quite the sight to see. Unsure if it was even possible to bring battle pets into Fantasia, Thorn finally took a look at the notification that had popped up right before Akira attacked him.

  [Huh, so my agility is supposed to be way up. Why am I not feeling it?] Closing the window, Thorn stood carefully to his feet, making sure to keep his head down. His paws were absolutely huge, and as he focused on them, he found that he could feel the earth clearly beneath his feet.

  [Earth Sense]

  A subtle tremor spread from his feet, rippling through the ground around him. In his mind, he felt a flat plane appear. Surprisingly, the plane was simultaneously separate from his sight and integrated with it. As the ripple continued to spread across the flat plane, it suddenly began to shoot upward, twisting in thick rods that then split into a variety of smaller rods stabbing into space.

  As Thorn took a small step forward the image in his mind refreshed, cross referencing itself with the images his eyes were taking in. Recognizing the tree in front of him, Thorn instinctively knew that there was another tree four feet away from it to the right that had thick branches that spread over his head.

  The knowledge both startled and thrilled Thorn as he realized that what had appeared in his head was a three dimensional model of the ground and everything attached to it within ten feet of his huge body. Taking a large step forward, Thorn’s big paw landed silently on the forest floor, another tree coming into view in front of him. Another step took him past it and brought more trees into focus for Thorn. Behind him the trees that left the range of his abilities faded from the model he had in his head.

  Continuing to walk through the forest, Thorn slowly got used to both his [Earth Sense] ability and to his monstrous new body. [Earth Sense] had improved slightly since the first time he had used it in the Titan of Life, Zemtal’Feg’s, chambers. The ability’s advancement was tied to how well he had adapted to the Stone Heart, and as he increased his familiarity with it, his ability to sense the world around him would increase as well.

  As he padded through the forest toward Moon Wolf Citadel chatting with Akira, Thorn felt something strange beneath his feet. His [Earth Sense] ability seemed to be alerting him that there was something buried there, but it was not very clear what it was. Almost by instinct, Thorn activated his [Spiritual Sense of Earth] to try and connect with the thick earth energy under his feet when the model in his mind abruptly lit up like a 120 watt bulb.

  The small tremors that gave him a jerky picture whenever he moved smoothed out and a continuous picture appeared in his mind. At the same time, the edges of the model began to expand outward, spreading until he could clearly see fifty feet in any direction. Blinking in surprise, Thorn looked down and the earth seemed to peel back, revealing a small silver deposit. As he blinked again, the earth was still there, but he instinctively understood that with a thought he could look past it again.

  [Whoa. There is silver here.] Looking around, Thorn could see nothing but trees. [Um, how do we mark this spot so that we can find it again?]

  [Master, that is easy, you just need to use scent,] Akira replied from where she sat comfortably between Thorn’s ears.

  [You mean I need to pee on it?] Thorn was not sure that he cared that much.

  [Ew, gross. That is disgusting, master. Use your scent gland.]

  [Uh, I don’t know if wolves have a scent gland, Akira. I think they just use their urine to mark stuff like dogs.]

  [Just another way that Ailuridae are way better and not nearly as gross as wolves, master. You really should have turned into an Ailuridae. I’m sure you would be a very handsome Ailuridae, though not as good looking as me.]

  [Would you mind marking this for me?]

  [But master, if I do that then it will be mine. Don’t you want the silver? How are you supposed to get it if I mark it?]

  From the tone of Akira’s voice in his head, Thorn could tell that the Royal Ailuridae was genuinely concerned about this issue so he reassured her that it would be okay.

  [How about we split it? You mark it, and I’ll bring in the crew to get it out. I’ll even buy the silver you don’t want from you.]

  [Oooh, will you pay in pastries?] Akira asked, clapping her paws together.

  [Sure, I can do that.]

  [DEAL!] As if she was afraid that Thorn would reconsider, Akira quickly patted Thorn’s back.

  Jumping down, Akira asked Thorn to turn around, which he did with some difficulty, and then marked the spot where Thorn had sensed the silver vein. Once she was done, they continued toward the citadel, covering ground quickly. As the long road leading up to the citadel’s gate came into sight, Thorn transformed back into his Titan form and finished the journey on two feet instead of four.

  Moon Wolf Citadel was bustling, with countless carts going in and out of the gates. Walking past the line of players waiting to get checked by the guards, Thorn saw many members of both Nova Luna and the Night Walker’s Association. Nodding to the guards who saluted as soon as they saw him, Thorn headed up to his throne room.

  Even before he got to the large double doors of his throne room, he could hear the bellows coming from inside. Picking up a quiet, yet firm voice that he identified as Commander Del’har, Thorn frowned. In front of the door to the throne room stood
two of the huge Legionnaires next to Thorn’s normal Wolfkin guards. From the way the Wolfkin were standing, Thorn could tell that they were on edge from whatever was going on in the throne room, causing Thorn’s frown to deepen.

  As the four guards saw him they all rushed to open the door, nearly falling over each other. After exchanging some glares the guards managed to get the door open and Thorn walked in on the tense scene playing itself out in front of the Wolf Lord’s Throne.

  On one side stood Legion Commander Kavalas, flanked by two sergeants and two Legionnaires of the Stone Legion. The Legion Commander was shouting at Commander Del’har, spittle flying from his mouth as his words echoed around the chamber. Facing the enraged Dwarf, Commander Del’har was icy cold, though no less angry. Though he stood alone his aura was more than a match for the Legion Commander.

  “How dare you…” Legion Commander Kavalas’ words cut off as he saw Thorn enter the room.

  “Welcome back, my lord.” Commander Del’har dropped to one knee as he saluted. “Congratulations on your victory against Mayari, my lord. The residents will be relieved to know the cult has been dealt with.”

  “Thank you, commander.”

  Walking between the two commanders, Thorn took off his helmet and snapped his fingers, instantly changing into clothing suited to a noble of his stature. Though he had not spent much time in the capital during his last visit, it had still been sufficient to visit a tailor to buy the appropriate clothing. Turning, he ran his eyes over the two different groups and then sat down. Giving Akira a pastry from his inventory, he called to one of the Wolfkin guards at the throne room’s entrance.

  “Please inform the kitchens that I’d like to host a small banquet tonight to celebrate our victory. We’ll eat at six. You can let them know that I am quite hungry.”

  “Yes, my lord!” Saluting, the Wolfkin turned and ran down the steps to let the kitchen staff know Thorn’s request.

  As he left, Thorn caught the scornful look on the Legionnaire’s otherwise impassive faces and his eyes narrowed slightly. Tapping the wolf on his arm rest, Thorn held his silence, allowing it to grow in the room until the Legion Commander finally stepped forward and bowed.

  “Great Stone King, Lord of Earth, may your glory stand as eternal as the unbreakable rock. I have discovered a grave negligence that must be corrected as quickly as possible!”

  Waiting for a moment before responding, Thorn idly scratched Akira who had taken up position on the armrest of his throne.

  “A grave negligence, huh? And what might that be?”

  “Your Majesty, you are the true ruler of the earth, the incarnate stone. To leave you unguarded is a crime against the very code of earth itself! You yourself have seen how lax these Wolfkin are, how disrespectful. They do not respect you as they ought, even going so far as to leave you alone and unguarded! Your Majesty, this cannot be! I humbly request that you grant your servants of the Stone Legion the position as your private guard. We know the code by heart and abide by its principles unlike these...guards.” Stopping himself just before he said something nasty, Legion Commander Kavalas bowed his head as the four soldiers behind him quickly knelt.

  Looking down at the five Dwarves, Thorn’s gaze flickered as his mind spun rapidly. Seeing that Commander Del’har was still standing ram-rod straight across from the golden-armored Dwarf, Thorn’s expression eased.

  “Commander Del’har, what are you standing down there for?” As he spoke, Thorn glanced at the position beside his throne that the Wolfkin commander normally occupied.

  A flash of joy and relief crossed Commander Del’har’s eyes at Thorn’s words and he quickly walked up and took up his position next to Thorn. Though he kept his face in check, Thorn could sense the pride that was nearly bursting from him.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The sun shone into Moon Wolf Citadel’s throne room, reflecting off of the polished stone and enveloping Thorn who sat comfortably on his throne, dressed in the latest fashion of Northern Angoril’s capital city. As he stroked Akira’s fur and looked down at the kneeling Dwarves, he suddenly had an absurd feeling that he was turning into a cheesy movie villain. The similarities were striking. Suppressing his urge to laugh, Thorn watched Legion Commander Kavalas carefully, taking in every detail.

  “My guards are perfectly sufficient, Legion Commander. Why would you insist that I replace them?”

  “I would never do such a thing, my liege!” Kavalas’ face was aghast as he neatly sidestepped the trap in Thorn’s words. “My purpose is only to see to your safety. You are the Lord of Earth; you must be granted the honor and veneration that is your due.”

  “Hm. I find myself with enough honor and veneration, thank you. Instead, why don’t you tell me what you are actually useful for?”

  “Your Majesty, the Stone Legion’s place is beside you! We exist to serve and protect the Stone King. It is the duty we have gladly carried for thousands of years! We must be by your side.”

  There was something about the righteousness in the Legion Commander’s words that rubbed Thorn the wrong way. No matter what he said, the Dwarf always brought it back to this idea of serving and protecting Thorn. Curious at how far he could push, Thorn tapped his armrest and gave the commander a lazy smile.

  “But I don’t need guards. Anything that can kill me will be able to eat your whole legion for breakfast.”

  “Your Majesty, even if that was the case we would not falter for a moment!” Legion Commander Kavalas slammed his fist into his chest, the sound ringing throughout the room as he continued. “But I think you underestimate us, my liege. We are at our most powerful together. It is when we join forces that the true might of the Stone Legion is made manifest!”

  “Oh? So your fight against Commander Del’har was not the extent of your abilities? Hm. I’m curious.”

  Standing, Thorn lifted Akira to his shoulder and strode down from the dais, Commander Del’har following him closely. When Thorn walked by the startled Legion Commander, he paused and patted him on the shoulder.

  “Come, the rest of your legion should have arrived. Let's go down to the temple practice grounds and see if you are actually able to protect me.”

  Without waiting for a response he strode out of the room and down the steps, forcing the Dwarves to scurry after him. By the time they got to the bottom of the staircase, the legionnaires had caught up, and as they walked toward the Temple of the Moon, Thorn acted as a tour guide, pointing out the various parts of Moon Wolf Citadel that they passed by.

  “The Citadel is designed for defensive ability, with only one clear path into the valley. Behind us you’ll see that the road passes under the center of the fortress. There are over six gates within the tunnel as well as numerous defensive features designed to prevent an army from being able to get through. As you can see, the majority of the citadel is actually three levels. The lowest level is underground. That is where all the storage is. Goods are lowered and retrieved by crane from that level.

  “Above that, we have the majority of the housing and the paths that allow for goods and service personnel to move around the citadel. All business takes place on the upper level. That is where we’ll be heading. When we moved to the pass from the old Greymane Keep across the valley we thought it would make sense to relocate the Temple of the Moon. After all, we serve Hati, the Moon Wolf. So it made sense that we would dedicate a place to him.”

  Realizing that Legion Commander Kavalas and the rest of the Dwarves had stopped in their tracks, Thorn turned to look at him.

  “Is something the matter, Legion Commander?”

  “Your Majesty, it is not my place to correct you, but you are the Stone King. It is blasphemy for you to worship a mere god like Hati.”

  Kavalas’ voice carried clearly through the entrance of the Temple of the Moon, instantly drawing the ire of the disciples within earshot. Undeterred by the ugly looks that he was getting, the Dwarf continued.

  “You are the Lord of Earth; your position
is above that of a mere wolf of the moon.”

  “Heh. Better watch what you say, Legion Commander.” A smile of genuine humor crossed Thorn’s face. “Hati might not take kindly to those sorts of words. Plus, why would I ever put myself on the same level as a god? I don’t know what fantasy you are living in, but even Hati’s kids could probably swat me to death with a single paw.”

  “But you slew Courdum and took the Stone Crown. How can you say that you are inferior?”

  “First of all, I didn’t kill Courdum. Terminal velocity and a massive rock monster killed Courdum. Eh, I guess my punch helped. But Hati is on a whole different level, believe me.” Turning his head, Thorn saw Mina hurrying over with the other eight dwarves. “Looks like the gang's all here, so let's get this show on the road.”

  After meeting up with Mina and the rest of the Legionnaires, Thorn brought them all to one of the many practice grounds where numerous disciples were practicing their forms. Wielding all sorts of weapons, both players and natives alike were sweating in the sun as they followed their teacher’s guidance. Pausing at the edge of the field, Thorn waited for one of the nearby teachers to finish before approaching her.

  “My lord!” The teacher brought her fist to her chest in a warrior’s salute, trying to drop to one knee, only to have Thorn reach over to keep her up.

  “None of that now. Ehem. Hi. I was wondering if you would mind if we borrowed some space for a bit of a demonstration.”

  “Of course, my lord.”

  Nodding her head vigorously, the teacher began to shoo her students into a large circle. Seeing what was going on, the other disciples quickly finished their practices and began to crowd around. The training ground quickly became packed with disciples, but eventually the teachers were able to move them back to the edge, leaving the majority of the field open for Thorn and the Stone Legion to use.

  “Alright, Legion Commander. I’m excited to see what you can do.” Stepping back, Thorn gestured for the Stone Legion to begin their demonstration.

  “Your Majesty, we can only properly showcase our skill with an opponent.” While Kavalas kept his tone even, Thorn could sense the pride leaking from the large Dwarf as he looked with disdain at the surrounding Wolfkin disciples. “Without an opponent, we cannot unleash our true power.”