Divine Apostasy Book 12 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Ruwen appeared next to Echo, and she jumped in surprise.

“Stop appearing like—”

Ruwen interrupted Echo. “Need to go!”

Ruwen used Soul power to etch a temporary doorway and five gate runes in the air. A high-pitched scream, like the air was being ripped apart came from behind them, and Echo turned to see what caused the awful sound. He already knew.

Wrapping Echo in a blanket of Harmony Ruwen pulled her along as he jumped through the gate rune door a moment before it dissipated.

A single arc of plasma made it through the gateway, scorching Ruwen’s back. The energy lit the cavern they’d arrived in briefly, revealing the cloaked figure sitting nearby.

“What the actual hell,” Echo said, as she created a glowing ball of light above them. “What was that?”

Ruwen grinned. “Nothing. Just catching up with a friend.”

Echo looked like she wanted to ask another question, but she just shook her head instead. “You are so weird.”

Ruwen turned to the sitting figure. “Hey Lir, sorry for the sudden appearance. Xavier got a little excited. Remind me to ask Tremine how to create dimensional blocks. Xavier is going to be a nightmare when he learns to follow me.”

“I will add it to the list Architect Starfield,” Lir responded as he stood.

Lir still wore the cloak Ruwen had given him. The hood was pulled forward but the silver mask covering Lir’s face remained half-visible. Actually, it wasn’t a mask, Lir’s whole body was made of the silver substance.

“Echo meet Lir. Lir—Echo.”

“A pleasure,” Lir said with a small bow.

Echo returned the bow out of habit, her expression clearly confused. “Well met, Lir.” She turned to Ruwen. “Where are we?” She punched him in the shoulder. “And don’t carry me around. I’m not a bag of potatoes.”

“Sorry,” Ruwen replied. “That was an emergency. Plasma burns hurt and they take longer to heal. I hate them.”

“Why would we need to worry about plasma burns? Wasn’t that your camp?”

“Yes, but the sentry is jumpy. Very emotional and prone to outbursts. Plasma outbursts specifically.”

Echo waited for a better explanation, but when Ruwen just grinned at her she gave up. “Where are we?”

“Hydra place,” Ruwen said.

Lir responded more helpfully. “The locals refer to it as la tierra.”

“Earth,” Echo said. She turned to Ruwen. “How did you make that gate rune door? It was so fast and you didn’t use chalk.”

“You can use Soul energy to power the runes. I can show you later if you want.”

Ruwen felt the connection form between himself and Lir.

Echo is Lalquinrial’s daughter, correct? Lir asked over the mental bond.

Yep.

Is it wise to reveal our presence here?

A lot has happened, Ruwen replied. Her dad is dead, and I don’t want to leave her alone. The Infernal Realm isn’t going to be an issue anymore.

I understand.

Are my parents still here guarding Pen’s experiment?

Yes.

Ruwen turned to Echo. “Can you take us to Pine?”

Echo stared at Ruwen for a few seconds and then strode to the cavern wall. She removed some rune chalk and began creating the doorway.

Ruwen focused back on Lir. You have the bandwidth to hangout while I’m here?

Yes, I would greatly appreciate returning to your mind. I have some things I would like to discuss with Overlord, Uruziel, and Sivart while you are here on Earth.

Come on over. I’ve redecorated in here and there’s even a new guest from the Outerverse.

The Outerverse? How is that possible?

I’ll let the crew in there explain it all. The short story is that she was the boss-lady of the Destruction Realm, was assassinated, and then trapped in my Scarecrow Aspect. Then she got me killed and ended up in my head.

Ah yes, the Saraph body you had when you visited me on Grave. It is good that you have regained your human form. You seemed stressed before.

A lot happened.

Ruwen felt a mental pressure against his mind, and instead of placing Lir in Purgatory, Ruwen sent Lir directly to the inner platform. Overlord could show Lir Purgatory if the Temple entity was interested. It was good to have Lir back and available to talk with.

Echo finished and Ruwen memorized the gate runes. He recognized the planet rune so knew he’d end up somewhere nearby if the other four were wrong. With a wave to Lir, Ruwen stepped through.

Ruwen stood in front of a small house. Echo appeared beside him and a moment later the gateway disappeared as Lir cleaned the gate runes from the cavern wall.

Lir spoke to Ruwen. Sorry to disturb you immediately, but I am curious to how you are subverting the satellites the humans here have altered to detect spiritual energy.

Since Ruwen wasn’t actively trying to suppress anything, it only took a moment to guess two likely passive sources. Maybe it’s this passive.

Ruwen pushed an item description to Lir.

Name: Scarecrow Aspect Pants of Reaping

Effect (Passive): Winged Embrace: obscures the fortification, aura, soul, and Spirit network.

Lir responded immediately. That would explain how you remain masked, but everyone in that area is now invisible.

That meant it was the second passive. I gained a Specialization for my Class in the Destruction Realm called Avatar of Cycles. It puts out some type of field that helped me survive the Void. It must still be working. Its description is terrible, but this is what it says.

Name: Avatar of Cycles

Description: Wields the forgotten harmonies of the past to balance the present and preserve the future.

I agree that the description is very vague. Lir said. I will study this field while I am here.

Echo had stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Ruwen always kept his Divine Domain around himself, but his Mental Domain wasn’t as automatic. He pushed it out now, and everything within five hundred feet became crystal clear. Even the smallest items revealed themselves like a pebble in his boot. He detected the spatial rift that likely hid his parents’ living space. He couldn’t wait to go see them.

At least ten fighters hid in the grove. They faced outward, alert for anyone approaching the house. Ruwen wondered why these uniformed men were here, but it was obvious they were protecting Pine and Ash so Ruwen didn’t dwell on them. The Mental Domain confirmed what his Perception had already discovered—Grandpa Pine was alone in the house.

Ruwen glanced around while he waited patiently. The midday sun that reminded him of Grave’s, cast short shadows beneath the surrounding trees. Small fruits hung from the trees and their broad leaves rustled in a sluggish breeze. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and ripening fruit.

The house, a small, single-story structure with sun-faded walls, sat nestled among the trees, its tin roof radiating heat. Behind Ruwen, a battered vehicle leaned slightly to one side, rust coloring its wheel wells a reddish orange. Past the vehicle a large metal shed loomed, its corrugated walls streaked with dust, more rust, and age.

Master Pine opened the house’s inner door. The old man was clearly visible through the outer door’s dirty window. He beamed a smile when he saw Echo and to Ruwen’s relief, she returned it. Coming here had been a good idea.

Master Pine quickly opened the door. “My apologies Grandmaster, I wasn’t expecting you.” He bowed while holding the door open.

“It was a last-minute decision,” Echo replied with more warmth than Ruwen had ever heard. “Please don’t worry yourself.”

Pine glanced at Ruwen and the old man froze. Pine’s hand holding the door trembled, causing the thin metal door to creak from the vibration.

Ruwen raised his fist and placed his other hand atop it, palm down. He bowed. “Greetings Grandpa Pine. It is good to see you again.”

Echo spoke. “Master Pine, please welcome Grandmaster Ruwen.”

Grandpa Pine’s eyes glistened and then tears slowly dripped down his cheeks. He didn’t bother to wipe them away. Instead, his gaze remained locked on Ruwen. Pine stumbled out of the door and dropped to his knees. He clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

“My eternal gratitude, Grandmaster Ruwen, for saving my grandson. I can’t express the depth of my thankfulness. He’s all I have left, and I would’ve died from heartache had he not returned.”

Embarrassment filled Ruwen and he stopped his cheeks from flushing. He stepped forward and lifted Master Pine to his feet.

“There’s no need for that,” Ruwen said. “You’re my Step Clan brothers. It was my pleasure to help.”

Pine shook his head. “Ash told me what happened. I could hear the hopelessness in his voice. He would have died there without you. I wish he was here, he’d go nuts.”

Echo frowned. “Ash isn’t here?”

“No Grandmaster Echo,” Pine said. “Let’s get out of this sun, and I can explain everything.”