by A F Kay
Xavier held out his hands. “Stop. We shouldn’t touch it.” He pointed at the sculpture and it rose into the air, surrounded in blue energy. Slowly he lowered it into Ruwen’s Void Band. “I long to meet its creator.”
Ruwen wasn’t in any hurry to meet the Stone Carver again, but he would need to, eventually. “Then stick around.”
Why didn’t she keep that thing in her soulbound storage? She must have something like that. Ruwen asked Rami.
Maybe. Soulbound items are more costly for the gods as they constantly need to be synchronized as well. It’s a luxury few gods provide for their followers. Still, if she purposefully didn’t want Naktos to have access to it, even as a backup, that’s interesting.
Why would she do that?
I’ve read about items so special they can hold Divine power. Gods use them as touchstones for their religions. Heal, destroy, glimpse the future, they do all kinds of things.
I’ve never heard of anything like that.
That’s because on this planet, power is everywhere. Anyone here would be a god somewhere else in the Universe. A cup that can heal. A figurine that shoots lightning. No one here would care. On another planet, you could base your religion around it.
So, you think she doesn’t want her art used like that?
Who knows? You can ask when you see her.
Ruwen sighed.
Blood still trickled from the arm, and Ruwen’s armor continued to absorb it. What kind of god was Izac to make blood drinking armor? Ruwen wasn’t in a hurry to meet that guy either. He lifted the arm and removed five rings and a bracelet from the appendage. He cycled through his notifications.
Tring!
You have earned…
Name: Manacle of Acuity
Quality: Rare
Durability: 18 of 20
Weight: 0.3 lbs.
Effect (Passive): +5 Intelligence.
Effect (Passive): +5 Wisdom.
Effect (Passive): +1 Charisma.
Effect (Passive): +2 Mana Regeneration per second.
Description: Interlocking gold links. Brilliance is a prison created in your mind.
The bracelet had fantastic stats, even if the description seemed a bit dark. This would serve a Mage or Healer well. The next two notifications were the same.
Tring!
You have earned…
Name: Riptide Band
Quality: Rare
Durability: 14 of 15
Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Effect (Passive): +150 Mana.
Effect (Passive): +1 Charisma.
Description: Small white shells on a sand-colored ring. The tide comes for us all.
As Ruwen watched, the shells on the ring half disappeared, as if they’d sank into the ring. A second later they reappeared, as if invisible waves moved sand on and off them. These two rings anyone could benefit from.
That left the last three rings, which were all the same.
Tring!
You have earned…
Name: Power Loop
Quality: Rare
Durability: 20 of 20
Weight: 0.4 lbs.
Effect (Passive): +100 Energy.
Effect (Passive): +10 Energy Regeneration.
Description: Layers of black Thunder Sheep fleece wrapped around an iron core. Thunder heralds the storm.
These would make excellent upgrades to three of his five Coiled Lightning Rings.
Ruwen detailed all the items in Chat, including the Dark Portal, but no one spoke. He turned to Xavier. Do you have a need for any of this?
I do not benefit from such mundane items, Xavier replied.
Ruwen nodded and faced Lylan. We already know Sift won’t take any loot. Hamma and Lylan, what are your thoughts.
Hamma didn’t respond, and after a few seconds Lylan did. I could benefit from one of the Mana rings. I think Hamma should take the bracelet and the other Mana ring. You benefit the most from the Energy ones. But I feel guilty taking gear I didn’t earn.
Me, too, Hamma said.
We’re a team. Your gear benefits us all. Sift hasn’t deserved a single heal, and yet Hamma keeps him alive.
That only seems fair, Sift said. Her golem attacked me.
Smash probably wouldn’t kill you, Hamma said.
“Take that golem away from her,” Sift whispered to Ruwen.
Ruwen smiled at Sift and responded in Chat. Smash seems like an excellent judge of character.
Sift glared at Ruwen. “Wait until it chases you.”
“I talk nice to it,” Ruwen said. “It likes me.”
Ruwen continued in Chat. Hamma takes the Manacle of Acuity and a Riptide Band. Lylan the other. I’ll take the Power Loops. That leaves the Dark Portal. I can’t figure out how to work them separately, so it might be better with one of you.
Everyone remained silent.
Seriously, nobody? Ruwen asked.
I don’t want items that can kill me, Lylan said.
I feel the same, Hamma said. Plus, I’d need to stack Energy gear which doesn’t help me any other way.
Okay, for now I’ll store it, Ruwen said. Maybe Bliz will know how to control two.
Ruwen removed three Coiled Lightning Rings, losing fifteen Energy Regeneration, and replaced them with the three Power Loops. The new rings increased his Energy Regeneration to one hundred twenty-one per second, a thirty-six percent increase. His total Energy had increased to two thousand three hundred nineteen, which was nineteen percent greater than before. The rings were a fantastic upgrade.
It felt wrong to throw the arm into the forest. Plus, Xavier would probably attack him for disrespecting the artist further. Not knowing what else to do, he dropped it in his Void Band.
Sift shook his head and signaled to Ruwen is Shade speak. You. Problem.
Ruwen did have a problem, a bunch of them.
Your parents have entered my area of control, Architect Starfield, Lir said.
How long until they reach the city?
One hundred twelve minutes at their current pace. They entered via the western border and are traveling through the mountains.
Ruwen wanted to make sure they made it back safely. He confirmed there were no enemies near his group, and at the pace Whiskers ran, they’d be back in New Eiru within the hour. Send the Temple Guardian currently with me to protect them.
As you wish, Architect Starfield.
Ruwen’s parents had returned, but even with more terium, time was against them.
Chapter 63
When they arrived in New Eiru, Ruwen didn’t follow his group into the temple. He still had time before his parents arrived, so he headed toward the Cultivators that had gathered between the lake and dungeon.
From the city walls, stretching a thousand feet, Workers had cleared the area of trees, preparing the area for battle. The wood also helped with the fortifications and building Ruwen had observed as he arrived. Workers stood at the tree line slicing through the pines, the saws on their batons vibrating as they fed them Energy.
A minute after entering the pine trees, Ruwen’s Perception picked up multiple creatures, all hidden from sight. They didn’t follow him, but more appeared as he walked toward the lake. He guessed these were sentries from the dungeon, there to protect New Eiru’s northern flank.
Ruwen had walked halfway to the lake when Hamma spoke to him using Chat.
Elder Gabryel is complaining about space. All the revivals have made it an issue, Hamma said.
I thought barracks were in the construction plan.
They’re building them, but space in the temple is at a premium.
Hamma sounded funny to Ruwen. Okay.
It’s just. Well. Um, they want people to double up in the rooms.
That’s a good idea.
Hamma remained silent, and Ruwen wondered if she disagreed with Elder Gabryel. It made sense to double up since the rooms they were in could easily fit two.
Yeah, Hamma finally said. Sift already moved in with Lylan.
Now Ruwen understood why Hamma sounded so unsure. He had always enjoyed being alone, but his relationship with Hamma had taught him how much better life was with someone you loved.
Ruwen hoped his Wisdom had interpreted this situation correctly. If not, he would be mortified. His heartbeat had grown so loud, he couldn’t hear his thoughts. How would you feel about us sharing a room?
Hamma didn’t respond, and Ruwen leaned against a pine tree to steady himself. Why had he just blurted that out? He should have asked a few more questions to make sure he’d read the situation correctly. He was such an idiot.
Hamma finally responded. Well, you have given me a wedding ring. So I guess this a good next step.
Relief rushed through Ruwen and he smiled at the mention of the wedding ring. During the camping trip with Big D, they had snuck out to the dungeon, and Hamma had trouble seeing. He had given her the Jaga Wedding Band since it enhanced ambient light by fifteen percent.
I’ll move your stuff into my room, Hamma said, sounding much happier than before.
Thanks, I’ll be back as soon as I’m done with the Cultivators. Can you organize a meeting with the City and War Councils? Maybe in forty minutes.
Sure.
Ruwen pushed off from the pine tree, his gloves sticky from sap. He channeled Scrub and the sap disappeared, the scent of pine briefly overpowering him. Striding forward, he grinned. The world wasn’t all bad.
The Cultivators had set up camp between the dungeon and the lake. He kept Stone Echo off, remembering Thistle’s displeased reaction to the spell the first time they’d met. Three Cultivators streaked through the air, heading toward the mountains, and Ruwen longed to use his own Spirit.
As Ruwen neared the camp, two women approached, and he stopped. As they drew near, he bowed, placing a palm over his fist. Both women moved with a grace that telegraphed their Step training.
“That armor oozes Dark Essence,” the taller woman said. “Is it an Aspect?”
Before Ruwen could respond, the shorter woman spoke.
“There are no Dark Clan here, but you are welcome.”
Ruwen removed the hood, realizing he should have done that sooner. The two women stiffened.
“You’re Ruwen,” the tall woman said.
“I am,” Ruwen said with nod. “May I please speak with your leaders?”
“Follow us,” the short woman said, and they strode into camp.
This camp reminded Ruwen a lot of the one in the Spirt Realm. Only the colors here were more vibrant. In the camp’s center stood a larger tent, and the three of them entered. Phoenix, Willow, and Thistle were there, along with four others, all sitting around a large tub of sand that displayed the surrounding area like a three-dimensional map.
Phoenix stood from his chair and bowed to the women in thanks before facing Ruwen. “Greetings Child of Uru.”
“Well met, Phoenix, and welcome to you all,” Ruwen said, bowing with a palm over his fist.
“You said you had a city,” Thistle said. “Ruins are more accurate.”
“We are working hard to rectify that,” Ruwen said.
Phoenix nodded to the east. “You need to work faster. The army has increased its pace and not stopped moving for days. If they march through the night again, we might see them tomorrow.”
That was news to Ruwen, and he wondered if Elder Drivyd and Vachyl knew as well. “You are welcome to join our War Council as we find a solution.”
Phoenix shook his head. “Life is too valuable to waste on war. Ascendancy has made death irrelevant, and by extension, life. You have lost sight of what is precious in this universe.”
“That might be true,” Ruwen said. “But your philosophy will not shield you from the enemy.”
“Unfortunately, we have experienced that truth,” Phoenix said. “Which is why we will help how we can. Healing, fortification of your city, and enchantments are what we can offer.”
Ruwen had hoped that the Cultivators would fight with them. Their Spirit based magic would be devastating. But he respected their beliefs and wouldn’t force them to offer more. “Your help is valued and appreciated.”
Willow stepped up and whispered to Phoenix. “The mountains.”
Phoenix nodded. “When we last met, you spoke of a home for us.”
“I did,” Ruwen said.
“Have you decided where?” Phoenix asked.
“I have not. The Shattered Sun owns a two-mile radius around its portal, including the insides of the mountains behind the dungeon. This protects New Eiru’s northern flank.”
“That explains all the creatures we’ve seen patrolling the area,” Phoenix said. “The lake consumes most of your eastern side, and your followers will resent us if we take the prime farming area that stretches from the lake to the sea. The foothills and dense forest of your southern side will also be competitive. What we want more than anything is isolation. Which is why we have found a network of valleys in the mountains of your western flank that would suit us.”
“You will protect the western flank then?” Ruwen asked.
“Yes,” Phoenix said. “We will defend what is ours.”
Ruwen pointed to the box of sand. “Show me.”
Phoenix nodded at a woman sitting next to Thistle, and the map reappeared, only smaller, as if viewed from thousands of feet in the sky. Fire encased Phoenix’s right hand as he pointed at the map. Red lines of flame carved out an area that started west of New Eiru and expanded outward like a triangle.
Rami can you please show Lir this map.
Sure.
Lir, do you recognize the area this map represents?
I do, Lir responded.
In the past, did the city or its people have any interest in the region outlined?
Twenty-three mines, none profitable, and some summer grazing. Recreational hiking, fishing, and hunting. Nothing of any economic significance.
There were still hundreds of miles of mountains that his people could use for all those activities.
Ruwen held out his arm. “I agree.”
Phoenix gripped his arm, and for a moment he looked startled, but it passed in a blink. “We will move camp immediately and secure the western section. I will send help as soon as I can.”
“Excellent,” Ruwen said and replaced his hood.
Thistle frowned, Willow looked happy, and Phoenix studied Ruwen.
Ruwen bowed and used the Cultivator farewell. “May the True God light your path.” Then he turned, left the tent, and headed for New Eiru.
The city walls were covered with people as they worked hard to refortify the stone before the attack. As Ruwen entered the city he saw thousands more, all frantically building. He spotted his parents, Bliz, and Tremine nearing the temple, and immediately took off his hood, yelling to stop them. Channeling two Energy per second into Dash, he sprinted toward the group.
The four of them looked tired and Bliz seemed more subdued than normal, but everyone appeared safe. He gave each of them a hug. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Tremine rubbed his forehead. “Us too.”
“Glad we beat that army,” Clarysa said.
“That would have been awkward,” Colyn added.
Bliz remained quiet.
“Were you successful?” Ruwen asked, his stomach turning in anxiety. If they’d failed, it would complicate everything.
Tremine glanced at Bliz. “Eventually.”
“Can we please unload?” Bliz asked.
Bliz’s comment gave Ruwen a good idea what had happened. Once Bliz had seen the payload he’d been brought to transport, he would have put it all together. Including the murders. They had obviously convinced him to help, but he couldn’t hide his displeasure.
> “We need Niall,” Clarysa said. “He’s part of the quest.”
“Follow me,” Ruwen said. “He’s with everyone else at the Council meeting. You should all come.”
They still used the same dining room for their meetings, and Ruwen strode there, anxious to get the terium into the temple. When he arrived, Hamma, the Elders, and Niall were already there. Niall stood as they entered.
“We have it,” Colyn said to Niall. “We can finally complete our quests.”
Niall nodded.
“I thought you’d be happier,” Clarysa said. “You must be eager to get home. You’ve been gone from your family far longer than us.”
Niall looked confused.
Hamma jumped up, her chair tipping backward. She took three long steps toward Niall and slapped him. Niall touched his cheek, his confusion now painful to see.
“I knew you were lying!” Hamma screamed at him. “How could you do that to Mom? To me!”
The room remained silent as everyone stared in shock.
Ruwen didn’t believe Niall was lying. He gently grabbed Hamma before she could strike the Priest again. He faced his mom. “Why do you think he has a family?”
Clarysa looked confused as well now. “Niall was the Priest who revived us. We spent some time with him until we adjusted to this time. He’d just had a baby girl and he couldn’t stop talking about her.”
Hamma screamed and pulled against Ruwen’s grip, but he didn’t let her go. He looked at Niall, who still wore the bewildered expression.
“I don’t have a family,” Niall whispered.
Cold shards slowly moved through Ruwen’s mind as his Cleverness attempted to trigger. Hamma struggled against him, but he held firm. Ruwen thought about what he knew.
How could Niall have a family he couldn’t remember?
Niall had come to this remote and dangerous location to pave the way for Ruwen.
The quest was so important Niall had left his family to do it.
A quest Uru had given Niall. The same quest Ruwen’s parents were trying to complete right now.
Ruwen squeezed his eyes closed as the pain in his head increased.
“Let me go!” Hamma yelled.
A memory surfaced from earlier that week. They had just returned from the Spirit Realm and stood with Uru in her Divine Realm. Ruwen replayed the memory as his mind turned to ice…
