by C. M. Carney
A jet of water exploded from his right hand, like the blast from an open fire hydrant on a scorching summer day. The spider screeched in pain and shot back, punching into two of its fellows. The attack bought him enough time to see that the others would soon be overwhelmed.
Raathiel, any time now!
The audible crack of shattering crystal expanded from the middle of their defensive circle, followed by the rise of a blue-white glow. Tinkling crystal fell to the ground as the light brightened. Despite having his back to the light, it forced Gryph to squint his eyes shut to avoid being blinded. Around the room, the chaos spiders shrieked and backed away.
The glow faded and Gryph stole a moment to look down. A small, shimmering crystalline spider pushed its way through the concentrated chiton. Akashiri, Queen of the Crystal Arachnids, had been born. Raathiel hovered above her, rainbow feathered wings beating evenly.
A keening noise, like a regimented song, emanated from the new queen and all around the cave the spiders stopped. For a moment they stood unmoving, but then they began to shake. The swirling magma colored mass in the center of their heads writhed as it attempted to fight against Akashiri’s commands, but now that her mother was dead, Akashiri’s dominion over the spiders was total. With a screech and a sickening crack of chiton the spider’s heads exploded.
Forgive the lateness of my birth Lord Stone.
“Better late than never,” Lex said with a jubilant grin.
Then an agonized scream tore the joy of the two magnificent births from the room. Lex’s expression went dark and everyone turned to Errat. The large warborn screamed again and dug fingers into the ragged wound in his chest. Inside the Chaos Spore pulsed and rootlike tendrils pushed deeper into his flesh. Red-orange strands scarred the surface of his smooth skin and writhed through his body.
The Adventure Group ran to Errat’s side, but it was Lex who got there first. He sat and cradled the massive artificial man’s head. Gryph cast Minor Healing, but it barely put a dent in Errat’s lost health. Raathiel curled her serpentine body atop Errat’s midsection. A golden glow flowed outwards from her, calming the warborn.
“Can you heal him?” Gryph asked.
All I can do is soothe him, perhaps slow the rate of infection. The tendrils branching from the Chaos Spore are beyond my abilities. The chaotic expansion has ceased for the moment, but I suspect that is due more to the unpredictable nature of chaos than anything I have accomplished.
“Hello friend Lex,” Errat said through gritted teeth, pulling Gryph’s attention. Agony still painted the warborn’s face, but he became lucid enough to recognize Lex.
“Why the hell did you do that?” Lex demanded.
“I must protect Gryph,” Errat said, his voice pained.
“I knew I was a horrible influence on you,” Lex said, his tone one of true regret.
Gryph cursed himself for not being quicker, knowing it was stupid, knowing that he had no power to change the Game Mechanics. After being forced to use the Ring of Minor Air Shield to free himself from the chaos spider’s webbing, he’d had to wait out the cooldown period. To survive that three and a quarter minutes, he’d used every trick, perk and ability at his disposal. Still, they hadn’t been enough.
And Errat had paid the price.
“Can you do anything for him?” Gryph asked the spider queen.
Akashiri moved her foreleg to the wound and hissed. The corruption has already spread beyond my ability to heal. I can help to ease his pain, but then I must take my leave of you. The breach to the Realm of Chaos will not remain inactive for long. We must renew our vigil.
“We?” Lex asked.
Deeper in the cavern below, rest dozens of egg pods ready to birth the next generation of crystal arachnids. All they require is the essence of a queen and they will awaken to fight our endless war.
The burden carried by the spider queen hit Gryph like a knockout punch. Like her mother before her, Akashiri would watch as her own children sacrificed themselves to protect the mortal realms. “If we can help in any way, please do not hesitate.”
Akashiri drew her front forelegs to her eyes in a gesture Gryph now recognized as gratitude. Then she placed one on Errat’s forehead. It is time for you to sleep, brave Errat.
“But, Errat does not sleep,” the warborn said, his personality still alive and kicking through the pain. His eyes fluttered and closed. In moments he breathed easier and the pained grimace on his face faded.
“First time for everything buddy,” Lex said, stroking the warborn’s head.
I am sorry I cannot do more, Akashiri sent and then her eyes went to Raathiel. And thank you for your aid Raathiel. It has been an honor to be in your presence.
Raathiel’s body shuddered in joy. The honor has been mine Your Majesty.
Without another word, the newborn queen skittered towards a tunnel entrance at the far end of the chamber and disappeared. Gryph turned back to Errat. Pain, desperation and hopelessness battled within him. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I do,” Lex said, looking at Gryph, his voice cold. “But you’re not going to like it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s rash, dangerous and potentially stupid.”
“At least you’re staying true to you,” Vonn said. Lex cast a quick, irritated glance at Vonn before his eyes went back to Errat.
“Lex, tell me how?”
Lex turned his gaze to Sziilloth’s crushed head. The pool of blue ichor continued to expand. “You need to Assimilate Chaos Magic from this bitch.”
Gryph stared at his NPC, shock mixing with anger on his face. They’d just spilled blood fighting to prevent the spread of chaos and now Lex was suggesting he use his Divine Perk to become an adept in the sphere?
“You’re right,” Vonn said with no hint of jest in his voice. “That is rash, dangerous and just about the stupidest thing you’ve ever said. And you’ve provided no end of competition in that contest.”
“Were you not listening when Grimliir warned us about the dangers of Chaos Magic,” Ovrym asked. He held up his amputated arm, his face pained. “Do you not remember what it did to me, and that was just a corrupted bite. Errat has an active Chaos Spore inside him.”
“Yes, I remember,” Lex said and began to recite Grimliir’s words, even adopting the dwarf’s accent and tone. “Chaos is the most malignant force in all the Realms. There is a reason that every kingdom across Korynn punishes the practice of Chaos Magic with a death sentence. A single chaos sorcerer practicing that foul sphere could tip the balance and allow the Princes of Chaos tae wreak havoc on the Realms. Even the chthonic demons of the abyss fear chaos.”
Had he not been so disturbed, Gryph would have been impressed by his NPC’s impression of the Steward. “And yet you want me to use it,” Gryph said. “Sziilloth thought she could tame chaos and look where it got her.”
“That’s different,” Lex said. “She absorbed raw chaos to stall the breach’s advance. You won’t be casting spells, or powering rune-forms or acting all chaos-y. All you’ll need is the skill’s Apprentice Tier Ability.”
Lex shared his Analyze window.
Apprentice Tier Ability Phage Dominion.
Phage Dominion enables the user to sense and manipulate the Phage within a Phage infected victim. This can give the user control over the victim, enable them to increase the rate of the infection, cause the Phage to go dormant to create chaos infected sleeper agents, and other effects.
Gryph’s eyes widened as he read the prompt and hope surged inside him. Could this work? he sent to Raathiel.
It has potential, but it comes with incredible risks.
“It’s the only way to save him,” Lex said as if sensing the private conversation.
“It is too risky,” Vonn said, barely contained fear boiling at the edges of his normally jesting voice.
“Do you have a better plan?” Lex asked, anger filling him. “Should we let the chaos infection spread, let him die? Or worse let him
become some insane chaos thrall bent on murdering us all. Why not finish him off right now? Keep the Realms safe.” Lex extended his maul to Vonn, daring him to take the weapon. “Go ahead, smash away.”
“That isn't fair,” Vonn said, his voice cold. “I want to save him just as much as you. We all do.” Vonn breathed in deep. “I’m just asking you to consider everything. What happens if Gryph is corrupted by chaos? Worse yet, imagine if a Prince of Chaos possessed him? You saw the carnage one wreaked using Sziilloth, and Gryph contains far more potential power than the crystal arachnid queen.”
The vision the Prince of Chaos had forced on him flashed through Gryph’s mind. Is this how that happens? His rational mind told him assimilating Chaos Magic was too great a risk. That even if he knew doing so would save Errat, the potential for disaster was too high.
I cannot lose another one, Gryph said to himself, failing to smother the emotion under a blanket of responsibility. With Wick there had been nothing he could do, but if there was even the smallest chance to save Errat didn’t he have to try?
“Chaos is the closest thing to true evil in all the Realms,” Ovrym said.
“I thought you said that was the Prime,” Lex retorted, the fire in his gaze an unwise challenge to the powerful adjudicator. Ovrym’s already stoic expression became stone hard, and he stared unblinking at the small Ordonian. To his credit, Lex returned his stare with equal assurance.
“Chaos itself is not evil,” Lex insisted. “It is a primal force of reality, with no more moral overtones than water or the air. Yes, chaos is transformative, unpredictable and dangerous, but it is not inherently evil. It is the Princes of Chaos that bend chaos to evil.”
The intensity in Lex’s tone paused all arguments.
“Evil lies in the soul of the user, not in the power itself. Take Soul Magic. Is Soul Magic evil? Morrigan and Ouzeriuo used its power to consume souls. That is by all measures evil.” He put a hand on Gryph. “But Gryph used it to defeat the Scourge and free more than fifty trapped souls. That was possible because Gryph chose to use Soul Magic for good. Good and evil are choices. Choices that we make. We must make one now.”
Errat moaned as the Chaos Spore extruded several more tendrils into his body. Lex didn't even try to hide the pain he felt. Gryph noted that the rest of the Adventure Group bore the same expression.
Is he right Raathiel? Gryph sent privately.
His theory has merits. While it is rare for an empyrean being to commit an evil act, for it is not in our nature, evil has been done with Empyrean Magic. However, chaos is unlike other spheres in one key way, it is corrosive. The sentient mind cannot exist without some order, a set of rules that allow it to categorize information. Chaos breaks down this order. If you use chaos, it can become addictive. You will discover you want to use it more and more, until it corrupts your mind, eliminating all order. If that happens you will lose all that you are to the madness.
What if I never cast a spell? What if this is the only time I use Chaos Magic?
There was a lengthy pause in the link, but finally Raathiel spoke again. I have faith in you Menaaire.
Gryph sighed at her less than helpful comment, prompting Lex to make his final plea.
“We must choose now. Do we let Errat die, or worse, let him become a thrall to the Princes? Or do we take a risk and try to save him?” Lex stared at the members of the Adventure Group waiting for them to argue, but Lex’s words had moved them all. “I have faith in Gryph. I vote it is worth the risk. I vote we save Errat.”
“What if you are wrong?” Gryph asked, his voice low, his eyes on Errat. “What if the chaos takes me?”
“Easy,” Lex said with a casual shoulder shrug. “Vonn will hold me back while Ovrym kills you again.”
17
Gryph glared at Lex, who shrugged. A small chuckle burst past his lips at his NPC’s laissez-faire attitude towards murder. A moment later more wry chuckles spread through the group.
“I guess being able to claim that I’ve killed a god not once, but twice, would be a nice boost to my reputation,” Ovrym stated flatly. He drew his Bleed Metal Saber and held it point down, his feet in a wide and ready stance. For a man ready to kill him at a moment’s notice, the posture seemed benign, or perhaps casual.
A droll laugh pushed past Gryph’s lips, providing an odd release. He gave one last look to Lex, who bowed his head in solidarity, and then knelt next to Sziilloth’s corpse. He hovered a hand over her. “Be ready,” he said and then closed his eyes.
Raathiel, I could use your aid.
Always, she sent, and her mind wrapped about his like a warm blanket on a cold night. He sensed her beauty, her surety, her goodness fill him. He opened Assimilation and moved Chaos Magic into the selection window.
Assimilation Opportunity.
Do you wish to use your Divine Perk Assimilation to assimilate Chaos Magic from the spider queen Sziilloth?
YES?/NO?
Gryph clenched his fist so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palm, drawing blood. A barely audible whisper passed his lips. “Yes.”
His body swarmed with the tumultuous energies of chaos, and somewhere just beyond the limit of hearing, a malevolent laugh rose. Insanity licked at the edges of his soul as his consciousness fractured into a random assortment of memories and feelings. He focused on his breathing, forcing it to become an even in and out, and eventually the tsunami of disorder sunk deep into the recesses of his mind.
You have learned CHAOS MAGIC.
Level(s): 1-26 - Tier: - Apprentice - Skill Type: Active
You can now wield the power of Chaos Magic. Chaos Magic is an addictive and virulent force in the Realms, but also one of vast power. It allows the user to re-write (some would say tear down) reality. Chaos Magic makes use of spells of all kinds and its power is limited only by the imagination and personality of the user, which is likely to grow more erratic, creative, violent and quirky. Be warned the use of Chaos Magic in most cultures is punishable by death.
Right on the heels of that pleasantly worded prompt, another opened, filling his mind with equal doses of hope and fear. He now possessed the Tier Ability Phage Dominion.
You have reached Apprentice Tier in Chaos Magic.
With that Tier boost, the skill has gained the Apprentice Level Tier Ability Phage Domination.
Once per day, Phage Dominion enables the user to sense and manipulate the Phage within a Phage infected victim. This can give the user control over the victim, enable them to increase the rate of the infection, cause the Phage to go dormant to create chaos infected sleeper agents, and other effects.
Phage Domination requires a battle of wills between the user and the malevolent fury and hate that is the mind of the Phage. Success is not assured and those of weaker will risk being co-opted by the Phage.
Mana Cost: 100 + 5/sec until the domination succeeds.
His eyes snapped open and the corners of his mouth turned up in a mad sneer. An other-worldly cackle escaped his lips. He fought against the madness. Vonn gripped Lex by the arms, arresting any potential rush by the NPC. Ovrym danced from foot to foot and raised his blade arm.
Gryph tossed a hand up, telling them he was still him, still in control. Now, he just needed to bring truth to that claim. Long interred meditative habits took over and the mania swirling inside him abated, fleeing to the darkest recesses of his being. A moment later he opened his eyes.
“I’m fine.” Gryph stood. “For better or worse, I am now a chaos mage.”
“Holy shit, I’m so happy that worked,” Lex sputtered.
“You sound surprised,” Gryph said, accepting the flush of irritation moving through him.
“You sound surprised that he sounds surprised,” Vonn said. “Who is the bigger fool in that scenario?”
Gryph found he enjoyed Vonn’s no bullshit approach to life, but then he felt Ovrym’s gaze upon him. The xydai regarded Gryph for several long heartbeats, his blade still at the ready. Something must have abated his
concerns, because a moment later he snapped his saber back into its sheath. “Let’s get to work.”
As if punctuating the comment, Errat moaned again, drawing all eyes to him. Gryph rushed to his side and reached a tentative hand out to touch the huge warborn. He laid his hand on his friend’s brow. Without even activating Phage Domination, Gryph could almost taste the writhing foulness coursing through Errat’s veins.
Warborn were resistant to disease, but the Phage was something else entirely. It was part energy, part organism, and wholly evil. The foul organism sensed his presence and writhed desperately away from Gryph’s touch, drawing another moan from Errat.
“It is consuming him alive.” Gryph’s hand snapped back like a toddler who’d touched a hot stove. Lex may have been right in his belief that no power was inherently evil, but the consciousness empowering the Phage knew nothing but hate and hunger.
When he’d defeated the Scourge, the vile stain of consumed soul remnants had nearly drowned him under a morass of vileness. The Phage was different. It burned the edges of his mind, trying to find a weakness, a point of access. It lashed out from a thousand different angles, unpredictable and random.
Gryph grunted and grew dizzy, when a comforting chorus of voices filled his mind. We are here Gryph, Raathiel sent. He sensed them all; Lex and Raathiel, Ovrym and Vonn and even the distant voice of Errat. Hello friend Gryph, the voice said.
His determination bolstered, Gryph returned his hand to Errat’s wound and pushed his will into the Phage, forcing himself to remain when all his instincts screamed for him to get away. An otherworldly keening rose as the tendrils worming through Errat retracted from Gryph’s touch, trying to burrow deeper into the warborn’s flesh.
Errat awoke and screamed. The warborn’s thick arms flailed. A solid blow hit Gryph in the side of the neck, nearly knocking his hand away from the wound. Gryph’s connection with the Phage fluttered, and he struggled to maintain the link.