by TJ Reynolds
Teema spoke, filling the cave with purpose again. The place where her hand touched heated until it burned. “Like the telling of old things, your experiences will always be a source of knowledge and strength. Take these skills and use them wisely, girl. For unlike the songs you have told me this day, the experience you trade when you use either of them will be forever lost.”
A pulse of energy shot through Rhona’s body, and she panted to catch her breath. Knowledge and power, such that she couldn’t previously have imagined it, filled her mind. She knew how potent a gift this was, how it would help her in the years to come.
“Are you off then, or do you wish to stay and listen to the endlessly sighing sea?” Teema asked. Rhona could tell the woman was jesting. She knows I won’t stay longer than a day fly if I don’t have to. Why ask?
Not wanting to sound rude, Rhona replied honestly. “No, I thought I’d move on. There’s still a bit of daylight, so I might be able to get out of town and find a suitable campsite before nightfall.”
Teema nodded as sagely as… well, a sage. Then she leaned forward, her face lighting up from beneath by the meager flames. “But where, daughter, will you go?”
Rhona opened her mouth before closing it sharply. I’d been so set on finding a new master that what followed had eluded me completely. “I don’t know, actually. I… I wish to walk The Path, but I suppose I don’t know what that means at the moment. Do you know of another master nearby? Maybe I could continue to learn new skills.”
The old woman shook her head. Her eyes weren’t disappointed, but had the patient look of someone who knows more of the world. “In Brintosh?” she asked, a coy smile forming on her lips. “No such luck, my girl. What is the purpose of The Path, Rhona? Why has it called out to you?”
Considering the question a long moment, Rhona finally gave the simple version. “To protect those in need. To sacrifice myself to defend another in need of defending. Why?”
“Well, who in this great land is in the most need of defending?”
The question burned in Rhona’s heart, and the answer filled her with certainty.
Rhona stood and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master Teema. I will honor you and your gift for as long as I draw breath. I must go now. I ride to stem the tide of a futile war. I ride for Hintar.”
Teema’s satisfied laughter followed her out of the cave and ran beside her as she saddled Honor. Her mission had grown in scope and stature, and Rhona would be damned if she’d let it pass her by.
19
With Wand and Blade
Kai
Ban’s absence was tangible. The Earth Core had his head buried in a copper vein somewhere or else was making a new room or passage, most likely with the highest of tastes. Kai didn’t begrudge the dungeon his time or creativity. Every time Ban acted like this, Kai would find some amazing new discovery waiting for him. But if he had to bite his tongue now, he might gnaw through it in frustration. He had checked his Progression, using the Etheric Interface he could summon with just a few moments of concentration, now, and had nearly screamed.
His Progression sat at 291. Only 9 until he could ascend to Amber!
And Ban chose now to disappear?
Projecting his inner voice into a shout for the first time, he called to the dungeon, hoping to get its attention. SEND ME SOME MINIONS TO FIGHT! Shortly thereafter, Ban had mumbled a brief reply and two new minions formed before Kai.
The now-familiar shape of the hound solidified first, but the second was odd to look at. It looked much larger than the hound, its outline a tangle of ether threads. When it popped into existence, Kai’s blood froze. He dodged the hound’s first attack without thinking, but Kai’s horrified gaze remained fixed on the dreadful shape that writhed before him. A spider, he might call it, but twisted somehow and composed of entirely too many legs.
“Yugos guide me!” Kai cried and swung his glaive at the thing. Its legs recoiled quickly from the dragonling’s strike, but then one shot out and stabbed Kai in his foot. He yelped and stepped back, blood seeping from the wound.
He noticed that on the end of each leg was a small barb, only a couple inches in length, but apparently quite sharp.
The hound rushed in again, and Kai decided he preferred this foe.
Kai circled toward the hound, hoping to evade the spider thing for a bit longer. Then he harried the familiar beast, keeping it from getting too close. Hounds were incredibly strong, he knew, but if they couldn’t reach him, Kai found they were easily killed.
The spider hissed and skittered forward. Have to be quick. Come on, Kai! he encouraged himself and lunged. The tip of his glaive punched through the side of the hound’s neck and he spun it to the side.
With a spray of blood and a squeal, it died.
Just one more to go, Kai thought, and held his weapon out before him. The hard part, he soon realized, was that if he got close enough to strike the spider, it could strike him. Testing this theory, Kai inched forward and stabbed out.
The tip of his glaive nicked one of the thicker, more stable legs beneath the monster. As soon as it did so, two of the longer, thinner legs zipped toward him. He ducked one that was aimed at his head, but the other sank into his shoulder.
When he pulled back, he felt tendon and muscle tear. The pain weakened his knees, but Kai fought the dizziness that swept over him. He could manage this, but only if he concentrated.
A few more passes like this left the spider with a few gouges to its legs and Kai bleeding profusely. Although the injuries were comparable, the beast was bigger and seemed less bothered by the wounds Kai gave it. Okay, Kai. You’re losing. Now, think!
Kai’s mind flicked through the techniques he’d learned in the skill book.
It was only just a list of attacks and blocks though. Hoping defense might be the answer, Kai held his ground but refused to attack.
The spider registered the change and approached within striking distance. This time, three of the legs flew at Kai. Spinning his glaive, he knocked one away and slashed at another.
The third landed, however, and Kai had to leap back, the barb tearing a chunk of flesh from his thigh. Another defensive experiment proved even more fruitless. This time, the spider shot four legs out, and no matter how hard he tried, Kai could only block two of the legs.
Bleeding now from over a dozen places, Kai knew he had a few minutes until he simply passed out. If that happened, he’d be spider food. He steeled himself, buying time by back pedaling, leading the spider around the room.
When he’d pumped himself up enough, Kai charged. Ignoring the stinging attacks that pelted his body, Kai thrust the glaive deep into the spider’s body. He couldn’t see any eyes on the creature but identified a potential weakness—a soft gray membrane that sat dead center of its face, if it had a face. Kai aimed for that, and his glaive sunk into the beast.
A clink sounded, as if the spearhead had struck metal or stone, and the spider’s whole body shuddered.
Kai jumped back, feeling four more of the barbs pull free from his injury-riddled body. Thankfully, whatever he’d done stunned the spider, and rather than retaliate again, it wobbled in place, its lead legs feeling around before it, almost as if it’s blind! Kai rejoiced. The membrane had been some kind of eye, then.
Vigor renewed, Kai slashed out at a few of the lead legs, cutting off their barbs. The spider tried to stab out, but its aim was off. Kai dodged the counter attacks, then lunged forward once more, sinking his glaive into the same wound in the spider’s membranous eye.
This time, a crack resounded, and the spider fell to the ground and curled in upon itself. The monster died within seconds. It oozed, of course, as all creepy beasts seemed to do, and Kai leaned on the shaft of his glaive to catch his breath.
A cloud of ether flew up from the fallen minion and filled Kai’s chest. Once again, he felt the same uncomfortable pressure in his core that he’d felt before he ascended to Crimson.
Kai limped toward the exit and Ban’s
core chamber. He saw that a portion of the ether that the spider had divulged remained hovering in the air. This confused Kai a moment until he figured that if he had reached 300 Progression, he mustn’t be able to contain any more until he ascended.
The young dragon stood trembling, his body throbbing with pain. He knew he should wrap his wounds, clean them at least a little, and rest. But the added urgency of his impending ascension was just too painful.
He fell to a knee and dropped his weapon. With a mental shout, he called to his friend for aid. Ban! I’m hurt… I don’t think I can—
His request fell short as a wave of dizziness swept over him and he nearly fell to the ground. Catching himself on hands and knees, he breathed deep and steady.
Kai! Oh! What sort of host dungeon am I to keep abandoning you, and... Ban’s voice cut off a moment. When he continued, more than a little shame was evident in his tone. The Chitterling. I’m so sorry, Kai. You shouldn’t have had to face such a foe at your level. Well done anyhow, and here, let’s see about those wounds.
A surge of ether poured into Kai’s body, focusing on the many wounds. The icy points forced his flesh to knit back together, and as the pain eased up, he breathed in relief.
Thank you, Ban. I did kill the beast, but yeah, it was a good deal stronger than the others had been. What happened anyhow? Where were you?
Ban’s thoughts were miserable, completely lacking all of his normal cheer. I have many projects, Kai. But I must remember my first and more dire task. I’ve failed you, Kai. Will you please forgive me?
The dragonling shook his head, sitting back on his haunches and relaxing. It was a mistake, Ban. Maybe we can devise a system where I can battle minions without you constantly having to summon them for me as we’ve done in the past. I’m sure it must be dull. For now though, I have an ascension to attend to.
Yes! I can see that. Great news, Kai. Perhaps a bit of water first? You still look awful, um… drawn, I should say.
Kai’s echoing laughter worked to break the spell that had befallen his friend, for the strain of guilt that passed through their bond eased at last. Water, yes. That sounds perfect.
Kai’s body ached for rest, and his mind was foggy with blood loss, yet the pressure behind his sternum urged him on.
Finding his feet, Kai made his way upstairs slowly, and spent several long minutes sipping from his waterskin and replenishing his body. When he felt somewhat recovered and could no longer ignore the urgency of his situation, he sat again before the hearth. Too impatient to start a fire, Kai used the calming trickle of the fountain to center his thoughts.
Are you well, Kai? Really, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. The sheer indignity of my oversight! Ban lamented.
If Kai could reach out and hug the Earth Core, he would. It’s fine, Ban. I just need to focus. Let me focus, and when I am finished, we can have a celebration. Okay? And no, I’m not upset.
The dungeon muttered a few more apologies, then seemed to take the hint, fading into the background of Kai’s mind once more as he began the process of ascension.
Pulling up the image of his core, Kai saw the same red circle he’d grown used to, but now it surged and spilled about within him, no longer efficiently contained within the pattern. Kai focused on bringing order to his flow, and tussled with the river of ether until he felt exhaustion threaten to subdue him.
He wondered why Briga hadn’t come this time. Perhaps he had done something wrong. He tried calling out to her, and after a long moment of silence, he thought she wouldn’t respond. But then the same voice as before called out to him. Kai, it’s good to see you’ve grown in strength.
Thank you, Briga. But what do I do? The ether inside of me is all turning in a circle. It is ordered but there’s too much of it now.
Kai couldn’t see the goddess, but he felt her presence and heard her voice all around him as she answered. A circle turned over on itself becomes infinitely more complex. You must twist the course of your ether and form the shape of the snake consuming itself. Good luck, Kai. This ascension will be as challenging or even more so than the last. Do not give up. Time flows but one way, Kai … And you’re running out of time.
The presence faded from his mind and Kai found himself alone again, with only the trickle of water in the back of his mind and the vortex of ether churning in his core.
There were too many particles for him to manipulate them individually like he’d done before. Instead, he focused on trying to do as the goddess had instructed, to turn the circle in on itself. The task felt impossible as the raging torrent resisted his every attempt. After what felt like hours of struggle, Kai weakened a seam at the top and bottom of the circle and found he could bend the stream there.
As he tried to twist his core, the circle suddenly buckled and collapsed again, forming into two circles, side by side, connected at their center. This new configuration sped up the flow of ether, pulling in the excess ether that pressed at him from within, bringing it all into the new pattern.
As the last of the raging particles aligned, the color changed once more, just as it had when he first ascended. The deep red of his core brightened to a vibrant amber. It shone like a mug of ale lit up with sunlight.
Strength flooded his body.
After indulging in the physical relief and elation at his increased power, the ether pulsed outward, tearing at his mind. Kai clenched down on the throbbing in his skull, but as the pain compounded, screaming became his only recourse.
The torment lasted an eternity, but he would not succumb. Kai felt the pain rise to a blistering crescendo, flaying his brain layer by layer, before slowly abating.
Only a single vision came to him this time.
It was night, and wind roared about him like a raging storm. And then the distant glow of fire moved ahead and… and far below.
Only as the ground came closer did Kai realize he was flying. He saw taloned and scaled feet spread before him as his… wings buffeted the air to slow his descent. Crashing down, Kai strode forward on the four legs of a mighty beast. The full scope of its nature and form were confirmed as he saw the other three beings arranged around the fire.
Yorick. We’ve waited long for your arrival. Are you resigned to our task, or do you still harbor doubts? a voice called in his mind. Though the dragon before him, its scales a deep and glimmering blue, hadn’t moved, Kai knew this was the creature who’d spoken.
Yes, Havrim. I will go, and I will… do my duty. I only wanted to say goodbye to a dear friend.
The next voice that spoke came from the mind of the red dragon to the left of the fire. Its hide was so dark, it seemed almost black, but the light of the fire exposed the crimson undertones. The luxury you’ve taken so selfishly might have cost us much. Did you tell your Earth Core what we’re about?
A rumbling emanated from Kai’s long throat. He realized, the beast he was within, Yorick, was growling. I have not! I simply warned him to protect himself, and that I may not return.
The dragon to the right bobbed his head, viridian scales shining as bright and vibrant as summer-grown grass. We believe you, the dragon said, sparing a long glance for the crimson beast who hunched opposite his position. And we haven’t time to waste. Our mates are waiting. Let’s go at once. We’ve a hundred miles to fly tonight and a sacred task to perform once we arrive. If you’re done squabbling, I say we fly at once.
Well spoken, Shirdone. We fly to the Sunken Keep, and then when sun rises, to meet our doom at the hands of Hintar. Focusing on Kai once more, on Yorick, the blue dragon finished his speech. We’ve none of us asked to be treated in such a fashion. Yet who are we to doubt the gods. Come, young Yorick, and know that having been chosen, you’ve received an incomparable blessing.
As the green dragon took wing, the red followed shortly after. The greatest of them, the azure beast named Havrim, slammed his tail down upon the flames of their small fire until it was extinguished.
The world faded away as Kai returned to his body agai
n, confused beyond anything, and awed to have seen the majesty of a dragon’s true form.
His body was covered in sweat and filth once more, but he couldn’t find the will to care.
Time for another bath, my good friend? Congratulations by the way. You only ascend to Amber once you know, Ban said in Kai’s mind.
Yes, I believe another bath will do nicely. Will you manage my clothing, please?
Ban agreed amicably as Kai stripped in front of the hearth and walked down to the icy pool in the training room. For some reason, the frigid water soothed his body. The same shocking cold assaulted his skin as before, but after the biting chill, came a numbness that calmed his nerves and eased the tension from his muscles. Most of all, it brought clarity to how he might approach the difficult conversation he must now have with his closest and dearest friend.
After scrubbing himself clean, he lay in the pool until he couldn’t feel a thing. The pain from his wounds, the soreness of his muscles, all dissolved in the frigid water.
After he dressed, Kai sat down in the center of the room; there was no reason to delay the conversation any longer.
Ban, we need to talk, Kai said.
Of course! I would love to help you consider how to place your attribute points. Intelligence is always a good bet. Now, considering the glaive—
Kai interrupted his friend’s enthusiasm as nicely as he could. No. Not about that. I… had another vision, Ban.
The Earth Core seemed to note the gravity in Kai’s tone. Oh, I see. What is it, Kai? You can tell me anything. Something more about your father?
I saw Yorick. Ban, I was Yorick, in my vision.
My Yorick? That’s wonderful! What did you see?
Kai felt a lump form in his throat, but he recounted the vision with as much detail as he could manage. When he finished, Ban had matched his melancholy.
He knew. He knew he’d die, yet he left anyway! How dare he? How— Ban stopped short, then excused himself. Kai felt his attention move elsewhere in the dungeon, and Kai gave him the space he needed.