The Enchanter (Project Stellar Book 2): LitRPG Series

by Roman Prokofiev

  “Come quick, commander! Need your help.”

  Let’s get going!

  The thick carpet of pine needles rebounded underfoot. After a few minutes of desperate running, the system reported weak levels of A-radiation which kept getting stronger with every step I took. Finally, I made out Kai’s figure amid the trees. I could see him quite well in the twilight: he was looking up at the source of a weak pale-blue glow trapped amid the branches high overhead.

  The egg! There it was! I breathed a sigh of relief. Perfectly intact, it dangled off its own chute straps entangled with the branches. I’d done well strapping it down in the seat, hadn’t I? And Kai must have ejected the entire cockpit section on purpose. The drop from the sky hadn’t damaged it in the slightest – and in any case, I doubted something so mundane could damage the egg’s impervious shell. You needed something much stronger than that. The only thing I worried about was that the hatchling might wake up and once again try to arrive in this world.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  Kai nodded. “I’m fine. Broke a few bones but that’s nothing. That’s what I like about Incarnation. It’ll resurrect you from the dead if needs be. Holy shit man, we’ve lost the airmobile!”

  “At least the egg seems to be in one piece,” I said. “How are we gonna get it down?”

  “I’m more interested in who’s gonna carry it,” he grumbled.

  The blue shurikens flitted up into the air from his forearm. In a few precise swirls, they sliced through the harness keeping the egg in place. It crashed down only to freeze in the air a couple feet above the ground as if caught by an invisible hand.

  Kai made a gesture like a circus magician, motioning it to approach. The egg floated toward us, rocking in the air. Kai promptly wrapped it in his Chameleon cape, concealing the source of blue light.

  “That’s telekinesis, right?” I asked. “Think you could transport it like that all the way?”

  Kai grinned. “Normally, no. It’s an active ability. But the egg leaks more Azure than I can spend. So the answer is yes, I can.”

  “In that case, let’s get the hell out of here.”

  The thunderous screams of the two parent birds looking for their baby sounded quite close. I tried not to even think what might happen if they noticed us.

  But it looked like we’d exhausted our share of bad luck for the day. The evening twilight and the low clouds became our reluctant allies. Very soon you couldn’t see anything further than an arm’s length as the night gloom had fallen over the woods.

  Trying to keep to the shadows and moving under the cover of ravines and creek banks, we cautiously advanced north west, hurrying to get to the safety of the thicker woods and ancient ruins. We’d already spent the night there once, so it was no problem for Miko to lay a return course. The ruins were discreet enough – and they were also a good landmark for Alice to reunite with us: she was now a hundred miles to the east from our meeting point.

  Wandering off into the open meant sure death. A few times, the giant winged shadow floated over the woods, forcing us to drop to the ground and freeze, reluctant to move for a long time. Gradually the two Rocs’ squawking began to distance until finally I realized we seemed to have escaped.

  Trekking through a wood at night is a difficult task. Kai and I found a secluded spot in one of the ravines – an abandoned burrow, most likely – and holed up for the night. Even for Incarnators like ourselves, the last twenty-four hours had been quite exhausting.

  I fell asleep instantly. I just closed my eyes, then reopened them straight away, without realizing I’d been asleep for several hours.

  The dawn was breaking. Alice was already back, huddling wearily over the small fire. Kai was sitting opposite her. The two seemed to be having a friendly conversation. Who would have thought?

  Alice noticed I was awake and raised her head. “You got it. Good.”

  The egg lay peacefully by the fire, bundled up in the camo cape and leaking almost 40 Azure per minute. My stocks were more than refilled. At some point last night, Miko had built another neurosphere, so now my Azure counter showed 16200/33000.

  Not bad! A quick calculation showed me that I received over 2000 Azure per hour, almost 50,000 every twenty-four hours. Kai must have done his math too, judging by the blissful smile on his face.

  “That’s excellent stuff, commander! How’s this for an A-field? I wouldn’t mind hanging around it for a few days. Listen, when we get back to the Monolith, what if we give ourselves a break for a couple of days? Just to stock up on some Azure, enough for the first Evolution?”

  I nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Indeed, using the egg as a source of Azure would allow us to level up a lot in a short period of time. I still had a lot of upgrades to receive in order to become a full-fledged Enchanter.

  I opened my interface and checked my stats.

  Name: Grey

  Rank: Allarch

  Combat group: Amnesia (commendations: 0, Orders of Merit: 2)

  Total Azure count: 16200/33000

  Source: Energy Type Ra

  Special Abilities : Speck of Light (1), Reinforcements with Light (3), Flash of Light (3)

  Physical modifications: Source Upgrade (7); Bone Structure Upgrade (1), Muscle Tissue Upgrade (2), Metabolic Upgrade (2), Nervous System Upgrade (5), Neocortex Upgrade (2), thalamus Upgrade (2), Blood Circulation Upgrade (2)

  Genetic Modifications: Binocular Vision (Ptar Genome), Impermeability (Bottom Crab Genome), Leader of the Pack (Rat King Genome), Molecular Regeneration (Hydra Genome)

  Available Neurospheres : 1

  Available Genomes : Ice Anubis Genome, ??? (unidentified genetic material)

  “When we get back, I’m gonna check Lion Face’s stuff,” Kai said dreamily. “I have a funny feeling we might find lots of interesting things in his cryptor.”

  “”What do you think happened to him?”

  “If our cogitors didn’t issue us any missions, it means he’s not on the Missing In Action list,” Kai said with conviction. “So it’s either he’s officially dead, or... or he’s still alive. We really should submit an inquiry to the Archives but Legates’ personal records are restricted-access.”

  “Had he been alive, he surely would have come back to retrieve his airmobile and the egg.”

  “Most likely,” Kai agreed.

  Still, even despite the crashed airmobile, things weren’t that bad. We were only another twenty-four hours away from the Monolith.

  Interlude. The Possessed

  “IT’S ALL READY, teacher,” Evelynn Mail whispered. “They’re all here, I think.”

  Gnarl looked around, checking the holographic images of the Possessed crowding Avenger’s bridge. Lots of them had answered his summons, even some of those he hadn’t at all expected to see. Scientists, Technomancers, Warriors and Enchanters – those who, involuntarily or not, had swapped the silver star of Stellar for the black robes of the Possessed. Many of them had long been considered dead; others had spent decades roaming the wilderness, lost and forgotten.

  Tyrea Mun, the legendary Enchantress and the head of the Night Striders, an ex-Legate of the First Legion – now best known as Witch.

  Erling Winter, one of Phoenix’ apprentices, whom the City had dubbed a bloodthirsty Cannibal.

  Morgoth, who represented the Black Brotherhood which once used to terrorize the entire coast of the American Archipelago.

  The pensive Ether and his partner Kaira, the last survivors of the Roncesvalles expedition which had perished on the Black Moon.

  Sniper, Grendel, Arachne, Morrigan, Br’er Fox, Vampire...

  And still they were too few. Lamentably so. Out of the two thousand Incas that had once come back from the Black Moon, barely a few dozen had survived. And Gnarl couldn’t even say they were the best ones.

  “Greetings to all of you,” he said, opening a Council of the Possessed – the first one in a long while. “I’m happy to see—”

  “Would you cut the cra
p, Ice?” Witch interrupted him. “Let’s just not pretend we’re pleased to see each other. What happened? Why did you want to see us?”

  “I have some important tidings to impart.”

  “Like what?” she sniffed sarcastically. “According to my sources, you’re still stuck at Fort Angelo, you and those Convoys of yours! Those Angels are a tough nut to crack, aren’t they?”

  Instead of replying, Gnarl turned on the video. Its screen flickered to life, showing the fort’s giant diaphragm gaping with huge fire-licked ragged holes. The camera pointed down, showing the still-smoking ruins and the skeletal remains of the buildings gutted by fires and pockmarked with bullets. It then paused on Angel’s blackened statue chipped by stray shells.

  “We’ve gained the top level of the fort,” Gnarl said through clenched teeth. “Still, my Rogues have sustained heavy losses. The Angels put up a desperate fight. They escaped underground into the subterranean city. They’ve blocked the elevator shafts, collapsed the stairways to the lower levels and boobytrapped everything as they retreated. Smoking them out might be a problem. Those tunnels are easy to defend. The Rogues refuse point blank to go down there. Had we had the rats, we’d have already mopped the whole place up.”

  “But rats you don’t have anymore, do you? Once their King was gone, they just left. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! You can’t rely on A-monsters!”

  “Let me finish, Tyrea! I’m not going to remind you that one of the reasons our plan failed was because of Zac disobeying my orders! Had we had Avenger’s support during our first attack, the fort would have been ours by now.”

  “Don’t you mention his name!” Morgoth warned him gravely. “Don’t you dare! Otherwise—”

  “Just cool it, will you? I’ve got his Umbra locked up in my animarium,” Gnarl replied calmly. “Let’s put it this way: I temporarily relieved him of his duty. I’m fully prepared to release him when the time is right.”

  “And what about Cherub?” Arachne asked sarcastically. Her hologram showed her sitting in what appeared to be a punishment cell, behind the square outline of the force field and the crisscrossed mesh of laser lines. “You can’t release him anymore, can you?”

  “That was an accidental death, a freak casualty. It shouldn’t have happened,” Gnarl replied, unperturbed. “I accept full responsibility for this unfortunate accident.”

  “Never mind. We’ll come to that later,” Witch’s voice rang with threat. “So what’s with Fort Angelo?”

  “As I said, currently our losses fall between ‘heavy’ and ‘unacceptable’. I’ve had those Convoy leaders up to here!” Gnarl clenched a fist. “But Rogues aren’t soldiers. They’re loyal as long as there’s loot to be had. Or as long as they pursue the same goal. But—”

  Witch frowned. “Will you just keep to the point, please? Save your sob stories for some other time. You want to ask us to help you, is that it?”

  “No, I don’t. I already made the decision. We’ve cemented all the exits and blocked all the airways. Let’s see how long they’re gonna last without energy and without access to food, air and water.”

  Silence fell.

  Standing behind his back, Evyl knew very well that the battle for Fort Angelo had proven unexpectedly heavy and bloody – mainly because they’d failed to take the fort at the first strike. The mysterious Incarnator had upset their plans by activating Angel’s old wingsuit, giving hope and new strength to the defenders. After that, the “Angels” had fought fiercely and desperately for every inch of their ground. It was as if all of them – men as well as women – would rather die than surrender. Or even better, die by taking as many enemies with them as they could. The Rogues had paid with their lives for every square foot they’d taken, and the defenders’ fierce determination scared even the most hardened and audacious of them.

  Witch squinted at him. “Very well. I’ll give you that. I really don’t approve of your barbaric methods, but what’s that got to do with us?”

  “Everything. The City got wind about our raid. They’ve sounded Blue Alert.”

  “Have they really?” Witch didn’t sound at all surprised. “The Legion’s boys want to pay us a visit? Who’s in charge of them now?”

  “Gung Furius!” Morgoth boomed. “That scumbag!”

  Witch chuckled. “Good luck to him. So what’s on your agenda, Ice? You’re gonna leg it?”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Gnarl said meaningfully. “I know exactly when they’re gonna come, where to, and how many of them will be there. I suggest we give them a warm welcome.”

  An ill-boding little smile formed on Tyrea Mun’s lips. “You mean a Hot Date?”

  “That’s right,” Gnarl confirmed. “A Hot Date.”

  “It’s about time the Legion got a good hiding!” Cannibal joined in the conversation. “Count me in.”

  “Me too,” Vampire said curtly.

  “Now that’s a thought,” Witch said pensively. “Are you sure we have enough time to organize a party? Do we have enough yummy treats to offer them?”

  “You’d be surprised,” Gnarl replied. “It wasn’t for nothing I wanted to take Fort Angelo. I heard some dark rumors at the time – apparently, they had what was left of an old airspace defense system. Well – we’ve got it now. Six launching silos and three more surface-to-space Paris-class missiles in mint condition.”

  Witch nodded. “So I heard. Oh well! In that case, count my group in too. When’s the party starting?”

  “In a short while. And I’ve got something else to show you. Take a look. “

  With a wave of his hand, he materialized a virtual screen. A quick sequence of images flashed through it: several bright flashes in the evening sky; a small grayish-green airmobile and a giant bird chasing after it; then a fat pillar of smoke rising into the sky.

  “What’s that? That looked like one of Legion’s recon craft.”

  “I thought the Legion might start surveilling the area, so I programmed Pilgrim to monitor all unusual activity. Anyone recognize its cozy little crew?”

  The picture zoomed in on three figures: hiking through the woods, then sitting on the rocks peering anxiously up at the sky. The camera zeroed in on their faces...

  “Yes! Holy shit, that’s Vixen!” Evyl hissed. “And what’s his name, Grey! But who’s the third one with them? How did they get out of the A-zone? Where did they get the airmobile and all that gear?”

  “Search me,” Gnarl snapped. “At least now we know who raised Blue Alert. We’ve got a group of enemy saboteurs acting behind our backs!”

  “Okay. So what do you suggest? Eliminate them?”

  “Well, what do you think? Do we need hostiles in our rear? Judging by their movements, they seem to be heading for the Monolith. I suggest we intercept and smoke them right there. Any volunteers?”

  “I think this is something your own group is quite capable of,” Tyria snapped. “Call me when you have the Hot Date all lined up. Over and out!”

  “Likewise,” Cannibal said with a dismissive chuckle. “Stalking loners isn’t my forte. But you can count me in to ruffle the City's feathers. Over and out!”

  Their two holographic beams expired in unison.

  The rest of the Possessed replied in the same vein, then disconnected. Everyone was willing to settle old scores with the Legion – but no one wanted to join in the hunt for the three saboteurs.

  Soon there was only one hologram left on the bridge next to Gnarl and Evyl: Arachne’s.

  “Would you like to prove your loyalty to the cause?” Gnarl asked with a sarcastic grin. “Fancy bringing us the heads of those three Incas?”

  “No, I don’t,” Arachne replied. “But I’ve got something to tell you. About the one called Grey.”

  “Very well. Speak up.”

  “When Zac beamed him up, he asked me to collect his samples for a DNA test. Zac thought he might be Angel in a new host body, so he wanted to make sure.”

  “No points for guessing how
you collected his samples, you little slut,” Evyl quipped.

  Arachne stuck up a defying chin. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Gnarl said. “What DNA tests are you talking about? They can’t confirm anything, can they? Only the presence of the genomes and the phenotype and all that shit.”