Divine Apostasy Book 12 - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Ruwen studied the small stone that nestled in the roots of the avocado tree that loomed above him. He cycled between normal vision, Harmonic Sight, and Harmonic Knowledge. Using the insights Xavier had provided, Ruwen worked out the calculations that made this dense dimensional warping possible. He didn’t know the construction process for this pocket world, but he understood the math and how it structurally held together. Xavier probably deserved a thank you when Ruwen returned.

A Notification summary appeared.

Shing!

You have advanced a skill!

Skill: Dimensional Manipulation

Level: 50 to 60

Effect: Dimensional wakes decreased by 30%.

Ruwen dismissed the text and stood staring at the stone. His nervousness increased. Why was it so hard to just enter the pocket world? His intense stare triggered Identify and the stone’s details appeared.

Name: Creek of Plenty

Type: Pocket Dimension (small)

Quality: Legendary

Owner: Clarysa Starfield

Description: Palm-sized dark sedimentary rock with intricate banding in vibrant concentric patterns of red, orange, yellow, and white. Protects a dry creek bed full of treasure.

Effect (Triggered): Rock Licker – Transfer ownership of pocket dimension.

Effect (Triggered): Stash – Lock pocket dimension to a single geographical point.

Restriction: 800% Perception required to pierce invisibility.

Restriction: Passphrase required.

Eight hundred percent Perception was an immense value. Ruwen had a ton of multipliers because of his Mental Domain, Knowledge, and Cleverness and he had just over one thousand three hundred percent. He guessed no one had noticed this rock in a very long time.

It made sense that the pocket dimension had a passphrase—a key that would open and close the entrance. Ruwen had planned on just forcing the doorway open since he could see the dimensional seam. On second thought though, that might damage the pocket dimension. If anything, he should at least try a few passphrases before taking a mental hammer to it.

Ruwen narrowed his eyes, glaring at the rock. What would his mom have used to open the door to that pocket world.

Hey Lir, does this description mean anything to you: palm-sized dark sedimentary rock with intricate banding in vibrant concentric patterns of red, orange, yellow, and white.

I am ninety-nine-point nine seven percent certain you described a Fairburn agate. A geographically rare rock found in the great plains one thousand eight hundred seventy miles north of our current location. They are formed—

Ruwen interrupted, not needing any more details. Thanks, Lir.

Of course.

Two more Notifications appeared.

Shing!

You have advanced a skill!

Skill: Prospecting

Level: 629

Effect: Increase chance of discovering plants, gems, ores, minerals, and other collectibles by 629%.

Shing!

You have advanced a skill!

Skill: Taxonomy

Level: 1,112

Effect: Increase identification of plants, gems, ores, minerals, and other collectibles by 1,112%.

Ruwen waved the Notifications away and knelt to touch the stone. In a clear but soft voice he spoke. “Fairburn.”

Nothing happened.

The Goddess Uru must have given the rock to Ruwen’s mother so he tried that. “Uru.”

Again nothing.

Ruwen frowned. Maybe it was his mother’s famous breakfast. Despite being full from Pine’s cooking, Ruwen’s mouth watered. He spoke clearly. “Survivor’s Guilt.”

Still nothing.

Uruziel spoke to Ruwen. It’s your mom’s passphrase, not yours. What would your mom use?

Ugh, right. Thanks.

Ruwen leaned down and said his dad’s name. “Colyn.”

Nothing.

Maybe Ruwen’s mom used her own name, that would be easy to remember. “Clarysa?”

The rock remained inert.

Ruwen thought for a few seconds. Would his mom use his name? He paused, not wanting to try it. What did that mean if it didn’t work. Did it mean she didn’t care about him? Shaking his head he scolded himself for both overthinking this and being emotionally fragile at the same time.

Still, when Ruwen spoke it came out more as a whisper. “Ruwen.”

An eight-foot dimensional oval appeared, invisible to the naked eye. Ruwen stood, brushed the leaves and dirt from his knees and pushed down his nervousness. Not knowing how long the doorway would remain, he didn’t let himself procrastinate and stepped through.

Ruwen stood in the middle of a dry creek bed that disappeared into the distance like a faded scar. Smooth stones in shades of gray, brown, and rust made his footing uneven. Scattered cottonwoods appeared like lonely watchers, their sparse branches creaking in the light breeze. Knee high brown grass covered the rolling hills that rose and fell across the prairie. A cloudless blue sky held a bright yellow sun that quickly warmed his skin.

A hundred feet to Ruwen’s left a cone shaped structure made of animal hides sat next to a grove of willows. The breeze ruffled his hair and the long grass swayed, the sound like a thousand whispers. All the tension drained from his muscles. The dry air made his nose itch, and he took a deep breath.

A buff appeared.

Name: Blessing of the Great Spirit

Effect (Passive): All regeneration increased by a factor of 10

Ruwen took another deep breath of clean air and focused on the wind passing through the grass. The sound seeped into his thoughts like liquid tranquility.

So much had changed since Ruwen’s parents had left to guard Pine and Ash. He’d experienced a lifetime of events since then, and he wondered what they’d see when they looked at him now.

The buff and the environment conspired to make worry nearly impossible. So it was with a light heart and confident steps that he strode toward the only structure.

When fifty feet remained Ruwen called out. “Mom? Dad? It’s Ruwen.”

Clarysa emerged first, a cup in her hand, followed by Colyn who gripped a map.

Ruwen stopped at the sight of them.

Clarysa’s dark hair was pulled back, making her expression easy to see. “Ruwen?” she asked, her voice soft and uncertain. The cup landed with a soft thump in the grass, as her hand covered her mouth.

Ruwen nodded, unable to speak at first. The words came out on the second try. “It’s me.”

Clarysa sprinted toward Ruwen, reaching him in moments. She threw her arms around him, her embrace fierce and trembling. He hugged her back, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender from her hair. Colyn joined them a heartbeat later, his broad arms encircling them both.

For five seconds they stood there, a tangle of arms, the weight of two years slowly melting away.

“You’re really here,” Clarysa murmured, pulling back to cup his face. Her thumbs brushed his cheeks as she studied him, her hazel eyes glistening. “You’ve grown taller. And your face—it’s sharper. I didn’t think you could get any more handsome.”

That made Ruwen blush and he didn’t bother hiding it.

Colyn rested a hand on Ruwen’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “You feel solid, and radiate the power of a mountain.”

Ruwen smiled, a little embarrassed. “Fortification, mostly. And a lot of training.”

“Come, let’s go inside,” Clarysa said, guiding him back to the structure. “We need to hear everything.”

The inside of the cone shaped tent looked nothing like the outside. For one it was far larger. It smelled of fresh bread and dried herbs. Floating orbs provided a cozy glow. Wooden furniture lined the walls—a sturdy table, four chairs, and multiple bookshelves. Six dark doorways led to other rooms and woven rugs softened the stone floor. The far side of the room held the kitchen, and shelves held jars of preserves and bundles of plants, giving the space a lived-in feel. It reminded him of home back in Deepwell.

Ruwen and Colyn settled around the table, and Clarysa grabbed items from the kitchen. She returned with the freshly baked bread Ruwen had smelled, a wedge of cheese, and a bowl of sliced apples. His parents watched him, their expressions a blend of relief, joy, and curiosity.

“So,” Colyn began, leaning forward onto the table, “what’s happened since we left?”

Ruwen swallowed, not sure where to start. He ripped off a piece of bread, but instead of eating it he nervously tapped the table with it.

Clarysa gently placed a hand over Ruwen’s. “It’s okay. There’s no hurry. Take your time.”

Ruwen gave his mom a smile, and placed his free hand over hers. “So much has happened. After the war with Naktos and Lalquinrial, everything accelerated. Sift and I fought in the Step Championship but had to leave after making it to the semi-finals. We rescued Lylan’s brother, and the System tossed me across the Universe. I worked on my Architect Role, my Bamboo Viper Steps, and explored some mental boundaries.”

Colyn frowned. “Across the Universe? How long were you gone? Was it dangerous? How did you get back?”

Ruwen waved his dad’s worried questions away. “It wasn’t bad. Looking back, I kind of enjoyed the quiet. Sift bonded to this turtle that turned out could also be a vessel to travel space.”

“Hamma and Rami must have been so upset,” Clarysa said.

Ruwen hadn’t spent that much time thinking about that, but he knew his mom’s words were true. “Yeah, they were.”

“So you’re still seeing Hamma?” Clarysa confirmed.

“So far so good.”

Clarysa smiled and ran a hand through Ruwen’s hair. “She is lucky to have you.”

Ruwen marveled at how every mother seemed to feel the same way about their sons.

“Are your friends here?” Colyn asked.

“No, they’re busy. I’ll get to that near the end.”

Colyn nodded and Ruwen continued, although he skipped some important facts regarding Miranda and Pen’s Divine Realm.

“I visited the Infernal Realm but didn’t leave on friendly terms. From their I made my way to the Bamboo Viper Master’s trial.” Ruwen’s mouth went dry and he swallowed hard a couple of times. “I lost good friends during that trial and learned some hard lessons.”

Clarysa scooted her chair back and came around the table to hug Ruwen. He held her tightly for five seconds before separating. “Hamma helped me deal with all that. And some good has come from it.”

Colyn nodded as Clarysa returned to her chair. “It’s nearly impossible to know if something is good or bad at the time, no matter how obvious it seems.”

“That really sums up my experience,” Ruwen responded. “I’ve been making the best of every situation, and it has benefited me a lot.”

“I know, son. Your work ethic is only second to your brains. I can see the effort you’ve put into yourself and considering that heart of yours, you likely did the same for your friends.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“So, you were at the Step trial,” Clarysa prodded.

“Right, well I passed that and learned some new magic because of it. Thankfully those new ability kept me safe when Uru’s lands were attacked again.”

“Again!” Colyn echoed.

Ruwen skipped over the part where eight gods tried to kill him. “We won again and now our neighbors are too weak to pose any threat. I fiddled with the Classes and the System the Temples used to give everyone more choices. That seems to be working out like I intended.”

“That sounds exciting,” Clarysa said. “I can’t wait to get back home and see for myself.” She ruffled his hair again. “You were always too smart for your own good. I’m glad you found a way to make everyone’s lives better.”

Ruwen decided to leave out all the Outerverse stuff for this first meeting. Same for the Destruction Realm specifics like his Saraph identity. “I learned some alchemy and spent time exploring the Destruction Realm. Well, you call it the Shadow Realm.”

Clarysa shook her head. “I can’t imagine how much danger you’ve just skipped over. Why has the Universe taken such an interest in you? Is it because you’re an Axiom?”

Ruwen pursed his lips and blew out in exasperation. “I wish I knew. Probably. But it forced me to grow, and I’m thankful for that.”

“I’m so proud of you, Ruwen,” Clarysa said. “I want to know all the details you left out, but that can wait.”

“I agree,” Colyn added. “My heart feels like bursting, I’m so proud of you.”

Clarysa gave Colyn a wry look. “The only thing near bursting is your belt.”

“Ouch,” Colyn replied. “That is closer to the truth than I’m comfortable with. Your mom has spent our time here leveling her Cooking and you know how I hate wasting food.” He leaned forward and whispered. “My Resilience has climbed three hundred percent choking her creations down.”

“You devil,” Clarysa hissed as she punched Colyn’s shoulder.

Ruwen laughed, and just like that, he felt fourteen again.