by A F Kay
“Impressive,” Blapy said as she took the coin. “Your presentation could use some work.”
Blapy closed her fingers over the coin for just a moment and then reopened her hand. The deformed coin now appeared as a perfect hexagon, and the Shattered Sun mark stood out in the coin’s middle. It looked beautiful.
“How many more of these can you make?” Blapy asked.
Ruwen felt reluctant to give away how much Spirit he had. With over thirty billion Spirit, he could create three million coins, but he dropped some zeros when he responded. “A few thousand.”
Blapy nodded. “Okay, pay won’t be an issue, but that won’t be enough. Very few creatures will risk death without revival for just pay.”
Ruwen already knew where this conversation was headed. “You want more land.”
The Elders were already upset that Ruwen had given land to both the Cultivators and the dungeon. He couldn’t just lightly give more land away.
Blapy handed the coin back to Ruwen, and his grin returned. He really needed to figure out how Blapy had created such a perfect shape.
“It doesn’t need to be on the surface,” Blapy said.
Ruwen tilted his head in thought. “I’m listening.”
Sift held out his hand and Ruwen passed Sift the coin. Sift held it next to his mark and studied them both. Ruwen returned his attention to Blapy.
“If Fractal expands underground, it still increases his area of control and ability to revive those who work and live here, even if they’re on the surface. All without affecting your city dwellers.”
Ruwen hadn’t considered that, and he immediately liked the idea. In fact, it might end the coming fight before it started. “How far can you expand?”
Blapy shook her head. “Even though this is Fractal’s dungeon, I’m still handling the revivals, which will be obvious to anyone with a decent Perception value. And I can’t fight your war for you without the other gods crying favoritism.”
Ruwen’s shoulders slumped.
Blapy continued. “I can make the case to the gods for protecting the portal and its immediate surroundings, as my interest in Fractal and the portal here are rooted in self-interest and not helping one side or the other.”
Ruwen narrowed his eyes. “What self-interest?”
“I would be happy to discuss this with the Dungeon Master, but not the leader of New Eiru.”
Ruwen bit his lip and considered. He trusted that Blapy, even if acting in self-interest, wouldn’t harm Fractal. He was far less sure about the safety of himself. The numbers didn’t lie. He would not have enough people to defend this area without help, and giving away a region that his people wouldn’t use seemed harmless.
“What do you consider the immediate surroundings? I’ll need to provide the War Council with specific areas we won’t need to guard.”
“Fractal will help defend a two-mile radius around the portal. In exchange, the region underground, within this radius belongs to Fractal. This is your formal notification that Fractal’s intent is to expand the core dungeon into this new area.”
Ruwen frowned. “Two miles won’t include New Eiru or the temple.”
“Maybe I could justify that much expansion if you weren’t at war. Two miles is the most I can rationalize to the gods as things stand.”
This disappointed Ruwen, but it was better than nothing. At least this way, one of his flanks would be protected. “The troops you provide will report through the same chain of command as New Eiru’s warriors and will obey our commanders.”
“As long as they receive the same tiered pay structure as your troops,” Blapy responded.
It hadn’t occurred to Ruwen that he’d need to pay people once they revived. But people needed to rebuild their lives, and that took money. Of course they would need a wage. He really hoped his parents had a lot of terium. The last thing he wanted was to convert his Spirit into money. He needed that Spirit to continue his Fortification. And what had Blapy meant when she said Fractal would expand the core dungeon. Did that mean parts of the dungeon would be located here?
“Agreed,” Ruwen said.
“There is a final requirement,” Blapy said. “It is unusual.”
The negotiation had gone well and Ruwen felt pleased, but that disappeared with Blapy’s words. With a sense of dread, he forced out a question. “What?”
“You need to take someone with you,” Blapy said.
“Take them where?”
“Everywhere you go that is dangerous, that doesn’t require you to be alone.”
Of all the things Ruwen thought Blapy would request, this hadn’t crossed his mind. “You want me to add someone to my group?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Self-interest.”
Ruwen glanced over at Fractal, who peered at Ruwen through a flawless jade gemstone. Fractal, do you understand what Blapy wants of you and me?
Yes, yes, yes. Thrill quakes me. Fractal so special. Change everything.
The desire to understand everything happening here warred with the unhealthy need to control the situation. Fractal was in expert hands and didn’t need Ruwen’s input right now, while New Eiru sat on the brink of a second destruction and required his full attention. If he had to pick right now, logic dictated he stayed focused on New Eiru.
But Ruwen would worry every moment about Fractal’s well-being if he didn’t at least check some things. He owed it to the dungeon to make sure he wasn’t being taken advantage of. Rami, can you talk to your mom so one of knows what is happening. I just want to make sure Fractal understands what is occurring and I don’t have to worry about him.
Sure.
Half a minute later, Rami finally responded. It’s true this benefits Mom, but it makes Fractal invaluable if they succeed. You don’t need to worry.
Should I know what they’re doing?
Maybe later, if they make progress. It is worth taking the son with us.
Son? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Thanks, Rami.
“I agree,” Ruwen said to Blapy.
The sphere disappeared, and Ruwen immediately noticed they were no longer alone. A being stood twenty-five feet from them. It looked like a column of sparkly dust with two white-blue slits for eyes. It wavered as if seen through a heat mirage, and vague arms and legs sometimes appeared. Wavy lines of energy rose from the oval head like static charged hair, and Ruwen’s skin prickled from the energy it gave off.
Ruwen’s Perception triggered.
Name: Celestial Remnant (Junior)
Deity: Not aligned
Class Type: Mage
Level: 26
Health: 0
Mana: 0
Energy: 9,811
Spirit: 0
Armor Class: 0
How could something not have any Health Points? And the Energy value seemed ridiculous for a level twenty-six Mage. A Mage with no Mana. Maybe his Perception had broken. Hidden gear under that weird form might explain the Energy, but not all the zeros. And what was a Celestial Remnant?
Ruwen triggered Analyze.
Target: Celestial Remnant (Junior)
Type: Energy
Strengths: Diffuse Structure, Energy Manipulation, Oxygen Independent, Pressure Resistant
Weaknesses: Moisture, High Wind, Turbulence
Disposition: Hostile
“It’s rude to Analyze someone without permission,” the Celestial Remnant said. A ball of what looked like molten lightning shot outward, directly at Ruwen.
Last Breath triggered and time slowed. Ruwen could likely dodge the magic spell, but it was large enough that it might hurt Fractal when it exploded. Ruwen couldn’t be one hundred percent sure Blapy would protect Fractal, and he couldn’t risk the Dungeon Keeper getting hurt.
Ruwen remembered the conversation Big D had with Slib in the cave when they’d first gotten their Divine Amulets during the camping trip. She had made it sound like Void Band users could launch spells of fire and ice and chaos. Workers did
n’t get those types of spells, so that meant they could only come from one place. His Void Band.
With a thought, Ruwen expanded his Void Band, turning it to face the oncoming spell. It struck his Void Band and dropped into his Inventory. With another thought, he launched the spell back at the Celestial Remnant, pushing it with one hundred Energy.
The spell, propelled by Ruwen’s Energy, shot back at the caster twice as fast. The Mage’s white-blue eyes grew large and then the room shook with an explosion as the spell struck the Celestial Remnant in the head.
Chapter 49
The room grew bright as the spell’s energy arced through the crystals like a lightning storm. The aired had the burned smell of a bad alchemy experiment.
The top half of the Celestial Remnant had disappeared, and Ruwen wondered if he’d killed the creature. Then, like a miniature storm, the air swirled and glittered in the cave’s light. With a rush, the sparkling drops in the air coalesced back on the remnant and it was whole again.
If the blue-white eyes had been slits before, now Ruwen could barely see them. The creature pulsed and Ruwen prepared himself for another attack.
“Xavier,” Blapy said in a neutral tone.
The pulsing stopped immediately, and the Celestial Remnant faced Blapy. “This bag of mundane elements deserves punishment.”
“I do not doubt it,” Blapy said. “But analyzing others is a common occurrence here. It is one of many things you will need to tolerate.”
“How barbaric,” Xavier said.
“You must refrain from vaporizing those who displease you,” Blapy said.
“That is unacceptable,” Xavier replied.
“And yet the fact remains,” Blapy said.
Xavier stared at Blapy for a few seconds and then pulsed a red-orange color. “If you insist.”
Blapy nodded. “Xavier, meet Ruwen. He will give you many opportunities to test your restraint. Although, as you can see, he is not the easiest to kill. I’ve tried it myself many times and only succeeded once.”
Ruwen had accidentally Harvested on the first floor of the Black Pyramid, shortly after finding the Harvesting room. His death had been a mere moment as his Health Regen ticked before the lightening had left his body. A fact he knew Blapy had planned. If she’d wanted him permanently dead, he couldn’t have prevented it.
Ruwen bowed. “Well met, Xavier.”
After a moment, Xavier gave such a small nod, Ruwen wondered if he’d imagined it. This guy definitely needed points in Charisma.
Xavier turned to Blapy. “Is this truly the vector I must traverse?”
A stuffed centipede appeared out of thin air and Blapy hugged it. After a second, she faced Xavier. “That choice is yours. If you desire the birthright of your people, he is the closest anvil.”
Xavier strobed from blue-grey to yellow-orange, and Ruwen squinted to prevent a headache.
Ruwen looked at Blapy. “This is a terrible idea. Xavier strikes me as a more solo type. I’m not sure he fits with our group dynamic.”
“What dynamic is that?” Sift asked. “Confusion, panic, and pain?”
“That’s not helpful, Sift,” Ruwen muttered.
What is a Celestial Remnant? Ruwen asked Rami.
Only one of the most amazing things in the universe. I’m so excited to study one up-close.
What makes them so special?
Their species live inside stars, kind of like tadpoles. When the star explodes, the energy released raises a fraction of them into sentience. It’s like the star giving birth as it dies.
And here I thought it would be something dramatic. Ruwen said sarcastically.
Despite the comment, Ruwen had to admit that sounded impressive. Well, he’s kind of a jerk.
Well, maybe don’t look so serious and sour all the time.
How is this my fault? He shot liquid lightning at me!
I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding. He is so shiny. He’s glowing in every spectrum I can see.
Ruwen tilted his head and tried to keep the jealousy out of his inner voice. Do you like this guy?
I don’t like, like him. You know, I just, well, like the way he shines.
Ruwen tightened his jaw and let the conversation go. It was only making him more upset. He refocused on the room and found Blapy staring at him.
“I wonder how many times you’ll die because you can’t stay focused?” Blapy asked.
“I was listening?” Ruwen lied.
Blapy rolled her eyes. “I said, it is your choice. You don’t have to accept Xavier.”
Blapy let the rest go unsaid. If Ruwen didn’t take this pompous candle, then he would lose the protection of his northern flank. For the sake of New Eiru, he had to take Xavier.
“I made an agreement, and I stand by it,” Ruwen said.
“Good,” Blapy said, and then turned to Xavier. “Do you need to say goodbye to your parents?”
“They can oscillate in loneliness for subjecting me to this trajectory,” Xavier said.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Blapy said. “Say goodbye, Fractal.”
Fractal had not stopped staring at Xavier, which also made Ruwen a bit jealous. What was wrong with him? Why had he turned into an insecure twelve-year-old?
Bye, Fractal.
Fractal remained transfixed by Xavier. Ruwen had never seen the small gem creature stand still for so long. A little louder, he spoke to Fractal again. Bye, Fractal.
Slowly, Fractal turned toward Ruwen. Gleaming rod stay Fractal?
Ruwen bit the inside of his cheek. Not now. But I promise to bring him back as soon as possible.
Fractal jumped up and down and turned his attention back to Xavier. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Ruwen figured that was as close to a goodbye as he would get.
Bye, Fractal, Rami said.
Fractal faced Ruwen again and then ran in a tight circle. Fractal cracks you leave.
Ruwen shook his head. What was he? Appah drool?
“Xavier, keep our previous discussion in close orbit,” Blapy said. “You must adapt. Remember, their kind, as a whole, are not tolerant of the abnormal.”
“They are abnormal,” Xavier said.
Blapy sighed, shook her head, and looked up at Ruwen. “Good luck.”
Then, with no sense of movement, they stood outside the portal, two miles north of New Eiru. Sift looked around and shouted in joy.
Sift held his hands up to the moon. “Yes! And it isn’t even my fault.”
It took Ruwen a moment to understand that they’d avoided seeing Sift’s parents. That made Ruwen smile, too. His smile disappeared when Xavier floated up next to him.
“It’s a two-mile walk back,” Ruwen said.
“Walking is for lower forms,” Xavier said.
Ruwen nodded and strode toward the distant temple that glowed in the moonlight like a giant version of Xavier. He pushed the creature from his thoughts and focused on his success with the spell. It thrilled him he could store spells in his Void Band and use Energy to fire them out. Now he just needed to find some Mages to shoot a bunch at him.
Not only that, but Ruwen had verified his theory on converting Spirit into terium. Despite Xavier, the trip to Fractal had resulted in the confirmation of two amazing abilities. It had been a great success, and it soothed his battered ego that he’d been clever enough to realize both were possible.
Sift whistled a happy tune and used his thumb to flick the terium coin to Ruwen. He snatched it out of the air, the heavy weight comforting in the palm of his hand. They entered the forest, the scent of pine filling the air, and the coin reflected the moonlight like a tiny beacon. He opened his Void Band and dropped the coin into his Inventory.
By morning, they would have enough people revived to scout the enemy, and he wanted to join them. Which meant he needed his group.
Ruwen focused on Rami. You told me earlier that Lalquinrial must be very careful. That he has survived because he stayed away from this planet and doesn’t ab
use his freedom from the Pact. You said if he did, the gods would band together and destroy him. Because the rules only work when everyone abides by them.
I don’t like where this is headed.
I’m just wondering if I broke them a tiny bit, would anyone notice?
Like what?
I don’t want to wait a week for Hamma to get her Sub Class or Lylan a month to get her Specialization.
Rami remained quiet. Ruwen took another ten steps before bugging her. Rami?
Rami sighed. I’m reluctant to answer because I don’t want to encourage dumb and dangerous behavior.
Ruwen didn’t respond, not even to joke. He had made a habit of dumb and dangerous behavior. Why bother asking Rami’s opinion if he never listened or learned from his mistakes.
Near the halfway point to New Eiru, Rami spoke.
Honestly, I think triggering their Class advancements early is safe. It doesn’t shift any significant power to you. If you removed the requirement from all your followers, you would have problems. The danger is precedent. Breaking the rules gets easier the more often you do it, and you are in enough danger already.
I understand and won’t make it a habit. Thanks.
Ruwen glanced behind him. Xavier floated across the pine needles, as silent as Lylan. The Celestial Remnant didn’t really have a head, but the eyes were staring up at the moon. Sift spun in a circle and moved his arms across his body as he sidestepped away. Ruwen didn’t recognize the Step, and it didn’t look very effective.
“What was that?” Ruwen asked.
Sift looked surprised and dropped his arms, striding forward. Ruwen quickened his pace to catch up and tried again. “Come on.”
“Fine, it’s a dance Lylan showed me. She said when this is all over, she’ll take me to some concerts.”
It was hard to remember that two months ago, Ruwen had thought about things like that. All the big Bards were in Stone Harbor, but Deepwell had a few good ones, including his favorite, Bad Alchemy.
Before Ascension, Ruwen couldn’t afford any crystals of the Bard’s music, but had heard him live enough to memorize many of the songs. Ruwen whistled his favorite, a song called Energy Drain, and used his thighs like a drum.