The Fourth Secret: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 4)

by A F Kay

  Because steam did more than burn, it also expanded.

  Two minutes remained before the Cultivators below Ruwen destroyed the temple. As he thought through his idea, he realized to get past the Cultivators before they could react and stop him, he needed to wait for the water immunity to cycle around again. Which gave Valora and her companions time to catch him.

  Rami, your durability is listed as Indestructible. I just want to make sure.

  For anything you’re currently capable of, that is true.

  Good.

  Ruwen spoke to Elder Vachyl in Chat. Everyone needs to lay flat on the floor.

  Relaying now, Elder Vachyl said.

  Lir, I’m going to increase the pressure down here significantly in a minute. If you need to prepare, do it now.

  Understood, Architect Starfield.

  Ruwen spent the next forty-five seconds moving downward the bare minimum to stay ahead of Valora. As his counter hit fifty-nine seconds, the water pressure disappeared, and he funneled a hundred Energy through his Void Band. Without water resistance, he moved like lightning through the liquid, even with the small particles of sand it contained.

  Ten seconds later, Ruwen passed the temple, and the darkness disappeared. Light from a large metal ring that encircled the temple reflected through the water. Traveling at an insane speed, he only glimpsed one of the creatures powering the glowing ring.

  The twelve-foot tall creature had an elongated face, kind of like a dragon. But instead of scales, its skin looked like leather, and it had two sets of giant bat-like wings.

  Forty-four seconds remained on the counter and the Revolving Ring of Immunity cycled into earth just before Ruwen slammed into the ground going over eighty miles an hour. Instead of taking massive damage, the stone stopped him and transferred all his kinetic energy down and away from him.

  Ruwen found the tunnel that led to the distant ocean. Using Dig, he collapsed the tunnel as far back as he could reach, creating a nice seal. He didn’t want to lose any pressure. Using Dig with his remaining seconds, he pushed the stone under the temple to the side, creating an indentation. He sat in the depression and removed the Sublime Centipede of Solace and the level one Rune for Campfire Big D had given him on his Ascension Day.

  Valora and her team came into view. They spoke with one of the creatures and they all looked down at Ruwen. The Stone Sculptor smiled, and everyone moved toward him.

  The counter ticked down to twenty-nine seconds and Ruwen’s pinky warmed as the Revolving Ring of Elemental Immunity cycled into fire.

  Ruwen held the Campfire Rune up for the approaching enemies to see. Then he created a size five thousand Mana rod, touched it mentally to the centipede totem hidden in his other hand, and visualized the essence recipe for his favorite spell: two parts Fire, one part Chaos, and one part Air.

  Ruwen’s world turned white with heat.

  The water at the bottom of the perfectly smooth shaft vaporized.

  Then, with a frantic urgency to obey the laws of alchemy, the steam rushed toward the surface, carrying everything with it.

  Chapter 82

  Ruwen and the temple exited the shaft and continued to rise. Opening his Void Band, he used two blasts of air consuming a thousand Energy each and pushed himself against the temple. He immediately cast Mend Tool for twenty-five Mana, cementing himself to the temple’s side.

  Crazors lit up the battlements, and it looked like the weapon had caused catastrophic losses for Naktos. The top of the shaft had been blown apart as they’d exited, destroying all the mobile baths Naktos had placed there. With such heavy losses, and no easy way to revive, they were doomed.

  The city disappeared as they moved east through the sky and then began to drop.

  Engaging stabilizers, Lir said.

  The temple’s tip moved upward, and it traveled sideways through the air as it descended. The weak evening sun glinted off the large lake outside the city, and Ruwen guessed they’d land in the water a few hundred feet from shore.

  Large chunks of Ruwen’s Overseer armor had been vaporized or ripped away, and the air chilled his skin. As bad as it looked, he knew a few gallons of blood would make it appear brand new.

  Are you okay, Rami? Ruwen asked.

  I’m fine. That was brilliant. Although your fascination with fire worries me.

  Ruwen smiled. The greatest Fireball ever. He grew serious as the Health bars of his friends fluctuated. They were still battling the Naktos army in New Eiru. Can you go help my friends and family?

  Yes. Are you going to be okay?

  Yeah, I’m just going to hang out here.

  Rami crawled through a massive hole in Ruwen’s Overseer’s Cowl of Revelation and leaped into the air. Very funny.

  The temple crashed into the lake and cold water soaked him. Fresh Air allowed him to breathe, but it quickly grew dark as the temple sank. Three heartbeats later they came to a jarring stop.

  Activating landing protocols, Lir said. Securing new foundation.

  The temple vibrated and bubbles rose around Ruwen. The temple sank a few feet and then stopped.

  Lir spoke again. Current spatial values are invalid and stream coherence is lost. I require a Navigator to recalibrate.

  I could fit you into my schedule, Ruwen said. But I’m a little stuck.

  Reconfiguring, Lir said.

  The area Ruwen had attached himself to on the hull disappeared and he fell into the temple. A strip along the top of the wall provided light, and he looked around the five-by-five room. It didn’t have a door.

  Lir?

  I require the spatial coordinates from the Architect pod’s location.

  And then you’ll start reviving people again?

  Yes.

  Okay, what’s the quickest route there. This room doesn’t have a door.

  A black oval door appeared in front of Ruwen. It looked like the portals he’d used in Blapy.

  Is that a portal?

  It is a spatial link between your current location and the Architect pod. I retain full spatial awareness of the temple itself and do not require the Stream for spatial transport. Dimensional or outside locations require valid spatial coordinates.

  You can make portals to other places?

  If you authorize the terium expenditure, yes. I must caution that spatial transportation outside the temple requires significant terium.

  Ruwen stepped through the portal and into the small High Priest room he’d found with Hamma. On the left sat the High Priest’s personal revival tub. On the right, the Architect pod sat with the holy tablet standing next to it, still covered with a sheer cloth.

  Ruwen had kissed Hamma here for the first time, right before he’d died and assumed the Architect Role.

  The thoughts of Hamma made his chest tighten, and he strode to the Architect pod, opened it, and crawled inside. As his head struck the small pillow, the lid slid shut, leaving him in darkness. Like before, his senses seemed suppressed, and he felt as if he floated in a pond.

  Ruwen hadn’t slept since the first time he’d Harvested. He missed it and sometimes closed his eyes and pretended. The stress of his life since Ascendancy, and the insane pressure of almost losing everything he loved, had taken a toll on him. For the first time in months, he almost felt tired.

  “Hello, Architect Starfield,” Lir said out loud.

  Ruwen cleared his throat. “Hey. Let me get you the coordinates.”

  Ruwen opened his Profile and then his hidden Root display. The Worker and Fighter branches of the tree were highlighted and in the roots of the tree he found the Architect Role. Connected to the Architect Role were three Sub Roles: Navigator, Creator, and Annihilator.

  Ruwen focused on the Navigator icon and two new icons appeared: Dimensional and Temporal. Between the Dimensional and Temporal, another icon appeared labeled Gravitational. He’d used that on the Elders with impressive results. He concentrated on the Dimensional symbol and three new icons appeared: Pocket, Keys, and Warp.

&nbs
p; When Ruwen mentally touched the Keys icon, his Mana dropped to zero, and like before, he felt pressure on his Core as the Architect Role consumed Spirit to power the query. He knew if anyone could see him, the Scarecrow Aspect would have briefly appeared. Five gate runes hovered in his vision.

  Ruwen focused on Rami. How is everyone?

  Alive. I think the worst is over. The Crazor decimated the enemy, and they are fleeing the city.

  That’s a relief. I’m trying to get Lir restored again. Can you pass him these gate runes?

  “Keys loaded,” Lir said. “Protocol 143.26.1 is rescinded. Full functionality restored.”

  “Is any of the temple above water?”

  “Fifty-four feet, three inches, and—"

  Ruwen interrupted. “Can you reconfigure again and create an entrance and common rooms up there?”

  “I can. The changes require ninety-three seconds.”

  “Okay, please do it. We need to offload the people stuck here. I assume portals to shore are expensive?”

  “Yes. In addition, transferring so many people would consume an exorbitant number of cycles. It would require pausing all revivals, lowering—"

  “No, don’t do that. Just reconfigure. I have another idea on how to get out of here.” Ruwen didn’t want Hamma to wait any longer than necessary.

  Ruwen reached out to Elder Vachyl in Chat. The temple is safe, and the enemy army is retreating. Begin moving your troops to the top floors of the temple. There’s a new entrance and we need every Fighter with five levels in Move On to create bridges to the shoreline.

  Understood, Warlord Starfield. Leave it to me.

  Ruwen spoke out loud to Lir. “Has Hamma started her revival?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you show me where, please?”

  Ruwen closed his displays and pushed the lid of the Architect pod open. Hamma’s revival bath wasn’t far, and he quickly made his way there. He wanted to feel joy at defeating Naktos and Haffa, but only a numb sadness filled him.

  And for the first time, Ruwen truly understood the Cultivators and their deep respect for life. He thought about losing Sift every time they got in danger, and he planned his strategy around keeping his friend safe. The thought of losing Hamma permanently had never really occurred to him. Now, having come so close to that very thing, he glimpsed the terrible pain losing a loved one caused.

  It was how the Cultivators lived every moment of their lives.

  People filled the hallways, but they moved aside as Ruwen walked silently past them. He realized too late that he probably should have changed. His armor looked shredded and charred.

  The closer he came to the revival room, the more Priests he encountered, most helping the newly revived to the transition rooms as they came to grips with being restored in a different age.

  The Priest at the door to the revival room crossed his arms over his chest and bowed as Ruwen approached. “Uru’s blessing on you, Overlord.”

  Ruwen returned the bow. “Her blessings on you, Brother.”

  A revival bath against the far wall pulsed yellow as Ruwen strode into the room. When he reached it, he looked through the top and saw Hamma’s face. Her eyes were closed, and she looked peaceful.

  How much longer for Hamma, Lir? Ruwen asked.

  Imprinting is complete. Running final checks now.

  Thank you.

  Thank you, Architect Starfield. Your actions saved many lives today. Including mine.

  Ruwen wondered about Lir’s origins, and if the temple was something like a Celestial Remnant. The temple’s speech generally lacked emotion, but Ruwen heard the sincerity this time.

  You’re welcome, Lir.

  The liquid in the revival bath partially drained, and Hamma’s eyes fluttered open. With a click, the top opened and Ruwen pushed it up.

  Hamma focused on Ruwen, and she smiled. “The lengths you go to, Ruwen Starfield, just to see me naked.”

  Ruwen laughed, bent down, and hugged her.

  And for the first time since Hamma’s death, he felt whole.

  Chapter 83

  Ruwen exited the kitchen in Bliz’s bar, Pour Judgement, carrying a plate of donuts. He worked his way toward the table his friends were at in the back of the bar.

  A young Clapping Brawler, wearing an apron and carrying three bins of dirty dishes, held out his empty fourth hand. “Can I carry that for you, Mr. Overlord?”

  “Chancey, I keep telling you, Ruwen is fine. And no, this is something I must do myself. But thanks.”

  Chancey, the son of Knuckles, one of the Shelvers in Ruwen’s library back in the Black Pyramid, nodded. “As you wish, Mr. Overlord. Let me know if there is anything I can do.”

  Ruwen sighed as Chancey went to clean another table. Nobody wanted to call him just Ruwen anymore. He made his way to the table and placed the plate of donuts in front of Sift.

  Sift rubbed his stomach, then looked up at Ruwen and narrowed his eyes. “This is the third day you’ve brought me breakfast. Are you poisoning me?” Sift bent down and smelled the pastries.

  It took all Ruwen’s self-restraint to not push Sift’s face into the cream filled donuts. “If I was going to poison you, why would I pick one you could smell?”

  Sift rose back up. “Good point.” He picked up the smallest donut and handed it to Lylan. “How does this taste?”

  “Are you seriously using me to test for poison?” Lylan asked.

  “Well you have abilities and stuff,” Sift said.

  Hamma shook her head. “Sift, you’ve got to start thinking before you talk.”

  “And my abilities have little to do with poison,” Lylan said and held up Io.

  Sift’s eyes widened, and he half stood, patting his hip. “How did you get him?”

  Lylan waved her hands. “Abilities and stuff.”

  Lylan placed Io in front of Xavier, who sat looking up at the sun, visible through the sky lights.

  Xavier looked down at Io, and the buzzing sound Ruwen knew passed for laughter came from the hooded Celestial Remnant. “I noticed as well,” Xavier said to Io.

  Ruwen sat down next to Hamma. “I’m not poisoning you. I’m just being nice.”

  Sift sat back down and placed the tip of his tongue on the donut he’d offered to Lylan. “It tastes funny.”

  Ruwen relaxed. Now that Sift had tasted the food, it counted for Ruwen’s quest, You’re Bacon Me Crazy. When incapacitated in the Spirit Realm after absorbing the essence storm over Stone Harbor, Sift had carried Ruwen’s unconscious body until he’d recovered. Ruwen had accidentally triggered this quest after telling Sift he’d make it up to him. The breakfasts needed to be consecutive though, and Ruwen worried Sift would break the streak by not eating, and then Ruwen would have to start the five days all over.

  Rami jumped out from behind Ruwen’s ear and floated down to the table. She walked over to Sift’s plate, pulled the biggest donut off, and took a bite. Sift narrowed his eyes but didn’t stop her.

  “Are we visiting Fractal this morning?” Lylan asked.

  Ruwen frowned and pointed a thumb at Hamma. “We can’t. The Councils are finalizing the resettlement plan this morning. When our people return from finishing off all the enemy stragglers, they’ll be anxious to revive their families.”

  “Your job is so boring,” Sift said.

  “I know,” Ruwen said.

  “Sounds like you could use a vacation,” Kysandra said from the chair next to Sift.

  Ky took a donut from Sift’s plate as everyone stared at her in surprised shock. “I’m just saying, some beach time might do you all some good.”

  Sift put his arms around his plate. “Why are you really here?”

  “Terrible manners, Sift,” Ky said. She shook her head. “Not even a hi for an old friend.” She sniffed the donut and put it back on the plate. “That’s poisoned.”

  Sift’s eyes widened, and he sniffed the donut again. “I knew it!”

  Ruwen shook his head. “It’s not poisoned.
She’s been sitting here the whole time.”

  “When did you notice?” Ky asked.

  “About five seconds after I sat down,” Ruwen said.

  Ky winced. “Well, you’d be dead.”

  “I know,” Ruwen said.

  Ky turned to Sift. “And you never thought anything felt off?”

  “I thought it was the poison,” Sift said. “I feel dizzy.”

  Ky shook her head and looked at Lylan. “And you?”

  Lylan sighed. “I never noticed you. But Ruwen’s body language basically shouted something had surprised him, so I knew something was up.”

  Ky frowned. “You all need to pick up your game if we want to make this work.”

  “Make what work?” Sift asked.

  “Our vacation, of course,” Ky said.

  “You’re coming on vacation with us?” Hamma asked.

  “Well, of course, I keep my promises after all,” Ky said and looked at Lylan.

  “Malth?” Lylan asked.

  Ky nodded.

  “When?” Lylan asked.

  “Three weeks, maybe a month,” Ky said. “Our people are still gathering intel.”

  Lylan bowed her head and Sift looked concerned.

  “What are you two talking about?” Sift asked.

  “My brother,” Lylan whispered. “The Legion’s Vault in Malth. They’re going to execute him.”

  “Won’t he just queue back at his bind point?” Hamma asked.

  Lylan shook her head. “If you die too far from your bind point, the notification of your death never reaches the temple.”

  “By too far, you mean they’ll throw him through a portal somewhere,” Ruwen said.

  Lylan nodded.

  Ky clapped her hands. “None of that. This is a vacation, and none of my people are going to die. Including your brother.”

  Lylan looked up at Ky. “Thank you.”

  Sift turned to Io. “You’re right! The Step Championship is starting there this week.” Sift looked at the ceiling. “Finally, I’ll get to see something fun.”

  “Oh, you’ll see it all right,” Ky said. “It’s our cover as we work to free Lylan’s brother.”