Is she still ahead of me in the body count? I asked, surprised at how much I cared about this.
If you count the number of enemies lying on the floor, Vessa said with a bit of an edge, then no, you have a pretty safe lead by now. But if you count the number that chose to surrender rather than fight, then she's beating you by an almost embarrassing margin. So there.
I can live with that, I said with another shrug, glancing among the bodies on the floor to make sure none were faking their injuries. But most of the ones I found were genuinely unconscious, and the few still awake whimpered and begged for mercy. She's faster than me, has more raw power than me, and is especially suited to lead or convert people to your cause. I have no problem with the way this turned out, I added, as I used a biology spell to determine how bad their damage was, and injected a bit of wood recovery qi to keep everyone from hemorrhaging or otherwise bleeding to death internally. How are you, little brother? I asked as I turned my attention to Nestor.
Safe-safe, the little mouse replied to me, giving me a sense that no more enemies were conscious around the prisoners. Bored-bored.
I can't find any more foes, I told Vessa next. Do you have another assignment for me, or do you want me to go and free the prisoners now?
Yeah, this place is pretty cleaned out, the ship-woman replied. Go ahead and gather the prisoners, then head for Nova. I was able to slip a clue to my local Beacon that the slavers might be here; she'll be down with a group in a few hours. The two of you can just slip away by then and leave her to arrest and round up the unconscious slavers.
I nodded, but then Nestor messaged me.
Wait-wait, he said urgently. Smell-smell. Bad-comes.
Jasper, Nova says the portal's starting to activate on its own, Vessa replied, you should get over there.
I reactivated my charms, and told Nestor to come join me, since all of the guards were down. If the portal was opening on its own, then that was a bad sign.
Maybe it was a scheduled arrival, another group that was supposed to collect the current captives. But my last opponent seemed to suggest that it was their own group that performed the drop-off, so this was most likely a group sent to investigate if something had gone wrong.
Which meant that they had to be at least on the same level of the man I just defeated.
I followed Vessa's directions, and rushed toward where Nova was.
I arrived next to her in time to see a large, crackling archway, a more advanced version of the one we had found on the outside of Vessa's ship-body. Nova stood before it, with both blade and baton drawn. I was about to ask why she hasn’t deactivated it until I noticed just how much violent energy was sparking along its scripts.
"It started to activate as soon as I got here," the Beacon told me, her body shimmering as she fortified it with Source powers. "Trouble should be coming soon. Get ready."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I refreshed my different Source enhancements, including my flood scale charm. Then I sent Koram's gauntlet back into my Soulscape and hefted my new red-tipped spear, sending a bit of fire qi though it to reactivate the flame my enemy had used.
I nodded to confirm that I was as prepared as possible, just as hulking shapes began to ripple through the portal.
They were far larger than the jotunkin we had just devastated, and as soon as I saw their mandibles clack I recognized them as eaters.
The first three roared immediately and charged at us, wielding axes, heavy chopping blades, and large, spiked clubs. They weren't armed with Sourceweapons, but their gear still looked to be on a higher level than Koram's minions.
"Hurry!" the largest one shouted as he swung at Nova, in the language of the Glorious State. "Kill all! No witnesses!"
"Blast it," Nova said as she dodged his ax and fired a blast from her baton into the monster's face. "They'll kill the prisoners if they get through us, Jas. We have to hold the portal."
"Got it," I said as I shot forward to intercept the other two, waving my flaming spear to hold their attention. Nestor, be sure and take care of any that make it past me.
Yes-yes! the little mouse promised from his hiding spot. Save-save!
The two in front of me hesitated at the sight of my flaming weapon, regarding it warily and trying to determine if it fully canceled their advantage in reach. While they wondered such things, I burned a short-term speed charm and pressed the attack.
The giant mutant cursed and tried to bring his massive cleaver to bear, but I stabbed his shoulder and darted back before he could complete his parry. Then I slashed my weapon across the face of the other monster that stepped to assist his friend. It wasn't a fatal strike, but the blazing gash sent the eater flinching backwards and clutching his face in pain. Just as my speed charm began to expire, I turned and stabbed into the first eater's face. This time, my flaming blow went deep and struck something vital, making the monster fall to the ground gurgling.
My speed charm was gone, but my normal enhancements were all working, and so I turned my attention back to the other eater. The blinded brute was still clutching his face and swinging his chopper randomly through the air. I fired a small blast of air qi to his right, and he turned to swing in that direction. Then I stabbed my flaming blade into his kneecap and crippled him, pulling back afterward to look at the rest of the battlefield.
Nova was battling the other eater, moving in a way that made it look as if she had spent her entire life fighting with both a sword and baton. She still hadn't activated her wings, but she jumped and dodged around the monster's greater reach until she could slip inside his guard. Then the fire on her sword flared intensely, and she began to club and hack the creature apart, her blade slicing through the monster's carapace as if it were made of cardboard.
Grandmother, I said as the archway began to shimmer again, these enemies are at least a stage beyond my last foe. Why are they so much easier to defeat?
Because a practitioner that can wield his Source energy effectively is far more dangerous than a Sourcebeast that relies on physical might, or in this case, a beastkin that relies on physical might. But I suspect that if you fight an eater that has been nurtured as carefully as that essence giantblood, you will be in a far more dangerous encounter.
As she said that, three more shapes barreled out of the archway.
These eaters were each a head taller, and had wraps of mail reinforcing their carapace armor. Their cleavers and axes had inscriptions on them that activated as they pointed them at us, causing them to burst into flame and allowing them to be as effective as a Sourceweapon for a short period of time, if I remembered Vessa's lessons correctly.
One each advanced toward us, but the one in the middle paused to consider us both.
"Backer," he growled, his words enunciating far more clearly than the earlier eaters had, "they have a powerful backer. Disable, then take them with us alive. Or you both talk now," he said, looking up. "And receive better treatment."
"Very well," I said, taking a moment to circulate Source energy to keep my powers active. Nova's eyes widened in confusion at my words, until I continued speaking. Then they narrowed and rolled in annoyance.
"My partner and I represent the esteemed Order of Saint Nicholas, the greatest of all the deer knights of ancient Mars. Your arrival here has disrupted the scheduled ceremonial visit of my master himself, and now you are all subject to punishment. You are all commanded to depart from here, and to each take a bag of coal with you, as well as several sturdy switches that your parents or supervisors are hereby instructed to lash you with. You are to further inform your leaders that you must all be very good boys next year, and to not interfere with the economy and freedom of any more worlds that currently mean you no harm. Compliance will likely result in toy vehicles and rocking mounts for all participants."
The eaters all cocked their heads in confusion at my announcement.
"…what?" the leader said, as if he was hoping he had somehow misheard me, and untrained to handle an answer
that made such little sense. "I don't… you are part of what order?"
"Your ignorance is shameful," I said levelly. Nova looked like she needed a free hand to cover her face, but she was still holding both her weapons. Tell her not to ruin our cover, I sent to Vessa, receiving only angry silence in response. "Our order of deer knights is famous among the households of a thousand ancient nations. I will tell my leader of your lax education, so that he can visit your own master and instruct him properly. Return from where you came from, and instruct your people to prepare refreshments and a clean fireplace."
Hate you so much right now, Vessa sent to me, but I ignored her, concentrating on protecting her secret. She did say that she didn't care what I told them, as long as I protected our true identity, I reminded myself, as the eaters continued to stare and sputter.
I think you were aware that she would likely object to this, my grandmother replied in an amused tone. You're going to have to prepare a large number of refreshments yourself if you expect to appease her, grandson.
Cookies, I thought in sudden inspiration. I actually remember how to bake them.
There you go, dear, the kind old dragon said, as my opponents finally decided how to react.
"I… ow," the leading eater said, shaking his head and clutching it. "Change of plans. Kill both, break that one's mouth first," he added, pointing to me.
"Sir Rudolph judges your response from on high, and finds it lacking," I replied as I shifted my grip on my spear. "Come at me."
"Jas, please stop," Nova groaned, as she stepped in front of one of the eaters, igniting her blade again.
The three all roared at once, coating themselves in glowing green power, and charged us both.
The leader apparently decided I was the largest, or at least the most annoying threat, because he joined the other eater in attacking me.
Their speed surprised me, and I leaped backwards as a giant flaming blade swept inches from my face, nicking and steaming the top layer of my flood barrier in the process.
They know advanced charms, my grandmother hissed in my mind. Be careful, young rider. These are the very kind of beasts I just warned you about!
Help-help, Nestor whispered to me, and I felt him engage our connection, pulling it into a deeper level.
My movements became faster, and my senses sharper. A tiny speck of lightning ran through my limbs and weapon, swirling into my flood barrier.
The second eater swung his axe, and I ducked away, striking his elbow as I withdrew. It was a clean hit, but the mail and green shroud deflected most of the blow. Still, I was able to keep up as the next one attacked, dodging his cleaver and striking another glancing blow as I paced around them.
There you go, grandson, the old dragon in my soul encouraged tensely, and for a moment, I thought I could hear my own mother's voice echoing her. Tire them out, don't over-commit to any openings they give.
I wasn't sure I could tire them out, since I was expending more energy weaving, dodging, and striking than they were doing by launching wide attacks and taking glancing blows in exchange. But then an idea appeared in my mind.
Grandmother, I asked as I ducked another swing, could you help me concentrate on another attack?
One of the eaters stumbled, giving me a change to stab at a crease in their carapace. He roared in pain, and I had to dance away to avoid a second one's possibly decapitating swing.
That may not be a good idea, dear, Mara said as I dodged and stabbed after another blow, still only causing some small burning cuts. The more I interfere in your battles, the more long-term stress I cause for the both of us. I'll do what I can if it becomes clear you are overmatched, as I did with that flood traitor, but otherwise I will do more harm than good.
No, not like that, I said as I managed to isolate one of my attackers long enough to give a vicious stab in the foot. Then I danced away again, because the surviving eater from the first group, the one I had blinded and crippled, had sensed my presence and was trying to get involved in the fight. I meant that you could help me plan out techniques in advance, work with me on crafting new attacks. Like you do when Vessa trains me, only during fights as well.
That would be bad for you, dear, the ancient dragon said as I tricked the maimed eater to get in the way of the two armored ones, then stabbed it in its unarmored shoulder. If you get used to my assistance in fights, you will be disadvantaged when I leave.
Let me explain, I said as the two more powerful eaters just trampled directly over their weaker, maimed cousin. They both swung their blazing green weapons at me from opposite directions, but I ducked under them and sent a blow into one's arms just strong enough to make him tangle his cleaver into the other's ax. I want to craft an attack that will spray molten metal over these two, when they least expect it. Can you help me craft it right now, so that I have time to concentrate on evading them? I'm worried that even stronger monsters will soon come through the portal.
Alright, dear, she said as I stepped forward to strike my entangled enemies all over their armored bodies with my flaming spear, before darting away again. But you have to promise to use this manner of attack in the future, and to stop talking so much during fights. It's a bad habit, and absolutely terrible manners.
I agreed, and paced around my opponents, who were growing more and more frustrated with failing to land a blow on me. But then the one who had spoken earlier raised his clawed hand, commanding his ally to stop attacking.
"Just so you know," the hyena-headed creature growl-clacked, "this is already costing us far more resources than our masters were willing to spare. There will be further consequences for your allies and family, even after we kill you."
He pointed to the archway, and a small spark of green fire spun from his clawed hand and into it. Shapes began to ripple as three more similarly armored eaters stepped out, each just as large as the two I was battling now. The one in the middle looked at the one fighting me.
"You called backup, for this?" he said as he pointed at me and Nova. "A single silver mana practitioner, and some wailing stage whelp?"
"They've been augmented," the first leader snapped. "You'll see why as soon as—blast it!"
He shouted, as the eater fighting and blocking my view of Nova suddenly began to sway. He toppled over the next moment in a jumble of smoking pieces, and Nova leaped over him and into view.
"You two, engage her!" the second eater leader snapped to his cohorts. "Wear down her mana and then wait for us to help slaughter or restrain her!" He turned his head to the group that had been struggling to catch me. "I'll help you finish off the whelp," the hyena-roach man growled, "and then we can keep this embarrassment from getting any worse."
The first leader growled some insult in reply, and then I was suddenly dealing with three eaters trying to encircle me.
That conversation had actually doomed them, but I needed to wait for the right moment, when all three had committed to the attack.
My new opponent activated a charm that made the green fire shrouding him intensify for a moment and then coalesce to shoot out at me from his free hand. I used Nestor's instincts to dodge out of the way as quickly as possible, letting the bolt of green fire steam across my flood barrier. As the burning dart landed behind me it seemed to ignite along the ground, turning into a blazing wall behind me that prevented me from backing away further.
"Next time just do that from the start!" he snapped at his comrades, who both growled something about needing to save power for something else.
Then he closed in with me, and all three of them had finally come within range.
I feinted to make the rightmost one swing his machete and step closer to the other two, and then I opened my mouth and activated the new technique Grandmother Mara had quietly helped me construct. My fire qi and metal swirled about in the bottom depths of my unfinished qi pool, then were pressurized by my earth qi, and given momentum by my air qi. They were then given purpose by my war qi, and directed along wispy paths constructed b
y my mathematics, physics, and thermodynamics mana, the wisps calculating the necessary area, the method of travel, and the proper allocation of heat that would allow my attack to hit all three enemies. The wisps of mana carried the qi into my essence mosaic, where the depicted creature fueled it with the power of its roaring heart and expelled it outward with the force of its breath essence.
My new attack, the roar of molten might, erupted as a shout that propelled a deluge of superheated liquid metal over all three of the armored eaterlings. It sizzled into the unprotected parts of their flesh, burrowing and eating away at their carapaces. The mail covering their limbs heated in response, until it had become molten metal as well. The green fire covering their bodies did nothing to protect them, and may have even raised the temperature of my attack.
My enemies all began screaming, except for the one on the far left who had made the mistake of opening his mouth right before my attack. That one made one or two choking noises before he felt to the ground, clutching his stomach uselessly, and leaking Source energy a few moments later.
The other two, the leader-class eaters, screamed and writhed as they tried to scrape the molten metal off their bodies, but I had designed my spell to have metal persist against my opponents' bodies despite the attempts to remove it, and to retain its temperature for over a minute. They could probably use other Source energy to survive the attack, and judging by their new, controlled, movements, they were attempting exactly that.
But it was taking all of their concentration to focus through the pain, and I would be a fool not to make use of that. I ducked low and stabbed my flaming weapon into the first leader's knee, twisting the weapon and moving the searing spearhead through as much flesh as possible, before ripping it back out, and at a different angle than I had used to enter the wound. The giant mutant's leg immediately buckled, and as he dropped his machete to brace his fall I stabbed him again through the mouth.
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