Echoes of War, Ch 22: Departure

When he reappeared, it was near Krana and Ayala’s house. They lived on the First Layer a short distance away. Since they were childhood friends, they’d settled in together once Ayala came to the relic, just before Sam left for the Void. Back then, Ayala had been depressed after running away from her home, and had asked for his help to heal her father.

Her father, Helimar, was a World Knight at the Second Evolution, one of the possible upgrade paths for Paladin. He’d nearly died fighting Outsiders at a Flaw and then suffered under the questionable healing experiment of an alchemist who was part of the Cabal. His personality had changed as a result, making him more similar to the creatures he’d been fighting with a thirst for fresh blood and a cold, predatory nature.

Serpent-like.

Interestingly, the creatures were similar to nagas in some ways. They were called Nespati and were not quite as tall, but they had a lower body like a snake and an upper body that was humanoid. The main difference was they only had two arms and instead of human features, they had a hooded serpent head with glowing orange eyes.

There was a record of Nespati in the Moonlight Relic’s archive that warned about the danger of their venom. It was a potent mixture of true venom and magical curses designed to cripple their enemies and prevent healing, and a main feature of their fighting style. Anyone who faced them had to be very cautious of it, with quick curse removal magic and detoxification spells.

Even more interesting was what the Cabal alchemist had done to heal Helimar from near death. That needed to be investigated. The change in his personality didn’t bode well. Ayala had left before she’d seen any more, but it was enough to lay out the basics.

Before, Sam hadn’t been confident in his ability to restore Helimar, but he was willing to try now. It sounded like the man’s aura had been fused with something from the Nespati.

“We’ll be right out!” Krana called through the door as Sam knocked lightly on it. “We’re almost ready.”

He refrained from scanning the interior, but he could hear the two girls rustling around, probably still packing their gear for the journey. Since he had a moment, he turned his attention to the Titan Star to check on the notifications from the World Core again.

You have several recent notifications from the World Core, the Titan Star announced. Do you want me to read them?

“Show me,” Sam said. He hadn’t been paying much attention to the World Core’s notifications ever since it buried him in the things. He’d just told the Titan Star to deal with it while he focused on the relic.

The points of the star flickered with rainbow light as a series of notifications appeared in his mind. Most were condensed from the original for faster analysis, but the first few were more detailed.

Welcome home, High Artificer of Aster Fall. Your efforts to guard the world and repair the Seal are Acknowledged.

For constructing a Legendary-tier forge on a mountain of Aster Fall, an astral hall with the necessary power to reforge elements of the Seal, you are awarded one Level of Class experience and 10 Marks.

The forge will be recorded as your domain on Aster Fall. No one will be allowed to transgress it without penalty. Henceforth, it will be called the “Hall of the High Artificer.”

For restarting greenstone production in the Moonlight Relic’s Chamber of Silvas, an act which supports the stability of the Seal, you are awarded two Levels of Class experience and 25 Marks.

For restarting golem production in the Chamber of Caelus, you are awarded two Levels of Class experience and 25 Marks.

For recreating the Earth Elemental Focus on the Third Layer, you are awarded one Level of Class experience and 10 Marks.

For forging the Bracelet of the Moonlit Night, a Legendary-tier artifact, you are granted 1,000,000 Class experience.

For commanding an army that eliminated 21 active Flaws, you are awarded 21 Marks and the Trait: “Commander of Many.”

[Charisma +10. This is a Charisma-based Trait. The higher your Charisma, the more clearly your followers will understand your orders and the intent behind them, making your forces more effective in battle.]

One by one, the notifications dealt with the things that happened since he returned home. They were also a surprise. It had been so long since he received crafting experience that even though he knew it would happen again on Aster Fall, he hadn’t been thinking about it. He also hadn’t been sure it would recognize his work on the relic.

When he had completed the initial repair in the past, the World Core had granted him a favor to use that he still had. Now, it looked like it had decided to grant him bonus experience for his repairs as a way to encourage him to keep at it. The thought sent a wave of grim understanding rolling through him.

After all, what else could it do? It could reward him and support his work, but otherwise it was fairly helpless. If it could have repaired the Seal itself, it would have done it long ago. Right now, it was barely hanging on, throwing energy at the Seal to try to patch the damage from the Flaws that were slowly tearing it apart.

He waved the thought away as he looked at the rest of the notifications, but those were the only significant ones. There were a few others for crafting, but they weren’t as large. Compared to the repairs to the relic, they barely counted.

The core had given him full Class levels as rewards, something it only did for significant achievements. Given that it took about eleven million experience to reach the next level, it was offering a huge amount, something that could take him days or weeks of hunting to obtain, depending on what he found in the Void.

Even as he heard the notifications, the familiar hurricane of silver experience was building in the air as the World Core channeled the energy toward him. It had been holding off until he received the notifications. It had been a long time since he’d seen the World Core’s manipulation of experience and this time he studied it with an entirely different perspective.

The core’s ability to control the energy around the Nexus, including on Aster Fall, was its primary purpose. That was why it could deny experience to anyone at Level 399 within its range, preventing it from reaching them, and why it could grant different degrees of experience depending on the location and achievement. It drew energy away from every kill and took some of it for the Seal, while it saved another portion for crafting experience.

In that way, Aster Fall was the only place he knew of where crafters could level without having to fight. In the Borderlands, they would need to hire escorts to help them defeat beasts, or create items that allowed them to hunt, but this world was a true haven for crafters. It fostered them more than any other place he had seen. The Astral Titans who built the core had been trying to create a better place. It was too bad their curiosity in creating the Nexus had ended in a war.

With his current control, he could have refused the experience, but instead he reached out and pulled it toward him. It was a humming stream of energy like music vibrating against space and time. It roared through his body in a flash, sinking into his muscles and bones, bringing with it a drive to move.

Congratulations, Lord of Silver Stars. You have gained six Class and General Levels.

You are now Level 335.

You gain 60 Strength, 60 Constitution, 30 Agility, 30 Wisdom, 300 Intelligence, 300 Aura, 120 Charisma, and have 12 free attribute points to assign.

You now have 91 Marks to spend.

Without delay, he added the free points to Charisma, bringing that attribute to 2,293, since the trait had also added 10. The 142 points there added half that to everything else due to his Blessing of Silver Stars, for an extra 71 in the other attributes. He looked over the result with a nod.

STR: 11,920

CON: 13,438

AGI: 4,306

WIS: 2,427

INT: 21,129

AUR: 21,129

CHA: 2,293

The attribute gain from levels wasn’t as intense as essence, but it was still good, and the Marks were useful too. He wasn’t concerned about his Evolution options on Aster Fall any longer, since for him those were overseen by the Path, but Aster Fall was unique in how it assigned traits and allowed Marks to be used to grant or upgrade abilities. He might be able to get something useful with them.

It wouldn’t be too long until his Level 350 Class Ability now either, and he was curious what the options would be. With his High Artificer title, he might be able to spend those Marks even if it wasn’t during an Evolution, but it would take some effort. The main reason it was limited to those events was that Evolution happened in a separate dimension that the World Core oversaw, and it was easier for it to manage things there.

“Let through current notifications that seem appropriate from now,” he told the Titan Star, which flashed silver in acknowledgement. With the notifications complete, he sensed his connection to the relic and then brought up a description of its overall progress so far.

Integrity of Relic: 37%

Stored Energy: 32.1%

Auric Charge: 2,734,116 / 500,000,000.

Sufficient reserve energy to maintain core operations: 30% requirement.

Repairing the top two layers and a good part of the third had added a few percent to the overall integrity, but they were a lot smaller than the lower layers, so the overall integrity hadn’t jumped too much. The actual progress was much better than the percentage indicated, and with the repairs he’d done already, it would continue to increase.

He rubbed his chin as he studied the stored energy and the auric charge. He needed to find a way to charge the relic if he wanted it to anchor the dimensional space nearby and stop the dimensional convergence. At the current pace of repairs, however, it would take a few more years until it was operational, and then it would need the Alignment of the Three Moons to fully charge it. Only then would it be able to return to full strength.

The auric charge was the strength of the dimensional anchor effect. Right now, it was enough to prevent Flaws from forming on the top three layers, but not anywhere else.

If he focused, he could sense the shifting dimensional forces that were causing the convergence, like boiling magma pressing up against the structure of reality nearby. They were far more clear in his senses now than they’d been before he left. He wasn’t sure how long it would last, but if it took long enough, the relic would eventually be able to stop it.

In the short term, he needed to find another solution.

For now, the default option of destroying every Flaw that appeared would have to work to delay the convergence. Hopefully, it relieved some of the pressure.

“Sleset,” he sent to the naga commander via a message spell as he made a decision. “Set your three captains to defend the valley and then come to find me. We’re going on a journey.”

“Yes, my lord!” The naga’s response was almost instant, his eagerness obvious as he hissed with delight over the message spell. “Shall I bring the Ice Drake?”

“Yes, bring it along,” Sam decided. “It should make an impression if we have to visit anyone. You can bring a handful of nagas to help fly it, but leave the rest here.”

“We shall be there in mere moments, my lord!” Sleset’s voice faded away as he rushed off to gather the ship and the small crew that would be coming along.

Sam dismissed the runes from the message spell with a wave of his hand, letting them disintegrate into the breeze. He wanted Sleset along to examine Ayala’s father, just in case there was a connection between the Nespati and the nagas. The naga’s ability with venom, both the natural version and through his spells, might be useful.

The Ice Drake and a small crew wouldn’t hurt either. If he really wanted to make an impression, he also had some golems with him.

With the Silver Army and the golems supporting the relics’ defenses, the valley should be safe enough for a while. The Ice Sylphs also had their fortress. It would be enough to protect the area unless something dire happened.

Or until the dimensional convergence became worse.

His gaze darkened as he looked across the mountain peaks into the distance, sensing the dimensional energy nearby. He could feel the pressure like a weight that was slowly increasing. The last few days had given him enough familiarity that he could predict what would happen when it fully broke out. There should be several months or a year before it reached a peak, but when it did, it would tear apart the dimensional space around Highfold.

Then it wouldn’t be a handful of Flaws opening up every day.

The space nearby would fully overlap with multiple sub-dimensions at once. The forces involved would tear open massive gashes in space, turning the entire region around the valley into a dangerous and unstable zone, similar to some areas of dimensional flux in the Chaos Wild.

The monsters inside those dimensions and everything else trapped inside by the Seal would pour out across the mountains, flooding the area with enemies that had multiplied inside the dimensions, invaders that had been trapped in time, even random Outsiders or Terrors that had been banished by the Church of the World Law in the past. With the way the sub-dimensions constantly shifted, even things that had been sealed half the world away could appear.

That was why the Harbinger of War had rung so long ago, warning them about the convergence approaching. It was a calamity for the region, one that could destroy everything nearby. His expression turned grim as he studied the slope and then looked at the peak of Sun’s Rest, where the control plateau was hidden.

It was deceptively calm, surrounded by serene clouds and warm sunlight.

His return had brought temporary peace and stability to the valley, but it wouldn’t last for long. Even his power as an Astral Titan wasn’t enough to stop the convergence directly. Perhaps if he were at the Fifth or Sixth Evolution he could do something to balance the dimensional pressure, but right now all he could do was witness it.

When the convergence broke out in full force, they would need their strength to fight the invasion. Otherwise, their home would be destroyed. Even the relic might even be damaged again, depending on what came through the dimensional rifts. Its defenses and the greenstone structures were strong, but they had been broken before. Each time it suffered a hit, its stored energy would be depleted. It didn’t have much of a buffer to maintain its operation.

Getting stronger was always on his mind, and he had a plan to reach the Third Star soon, but it was also important that he look into other avenues to defuse the convergence. Hopefully, these other ruins that were activating would give him an idea.

The image of the gate that his mother had shared came back to him as well, including the dimensional energy that was warping space around it. If there was a link to that gate, or to one of the other ruins, he planned to find it.

It wasn’t that far-fetched of an idea. If the new ruins were outposts, they’d been built to aid with transfer across the Seal, either from the far side of the Nexus or to one of the nearby dimensions, so the Outsiders could bring forces across. That meant they were all built with dimensional enchantments, ones targeted directly at the Seal.

His skill in Outsider Runes was only Advanced, but if he could harness those enchantments or one of the outposts that supported them, he might be able to figure out a way to release the dimensional pressure in the convergence. Perhaps it could be rerouted into one of the subdimensions or into the World Core.

That way, he wouldn’t have to rely completely on the relic. He didn’t have a good way to charge it except trying to bring in loads of lunar rocks. Even if he spent all of his time on that, it might not be effective. He let the thoughts settle in as they hardened his resolve, letting out a slow breath as he centered himself.

Then he glanced toward the house where Krana and Ayala were still getting ready. Fortunately, it didn’t take much longer before the two girls came out.

Krana was first, equipped in a layer of dwarven scale mail that Sam hadn’t seen before. She must have acquired it recently. The small scales had a light blue-green sheen as they covered her upper body, rippling in the sunlight. Her silver-toned warhammer was on her belt, which was broadly slung across her hips, and her shield was across her back. Even as a Seer, she was ready to fight hand to hand.

Ayala was wearing a set of close-fitting pale leather armor underneath her usual white cloak. The hood of the cloak was pushed back around her shoulders, and a belt of spatial pouches was slung around her waist. Her expression was distant, but she looked more stable than the last time he’d seen her, when she’d been shaken by what happened to her father. The last year in Highfold had helped her to mature and given her a new sense of identity.

He’d spoken a bit with the two of them since his return, but not much, and more Krana than Ayala. The dwarf’s old promise to help him prevent a Breaking was still as much on her mind as ever and she’d accepted his return easily. She was just glad he was back.

Ayala was a bit more difficult, but her experiences since leaving Osera had changed her and she was no longer the petulant girl who had run away. Instead, she was withdrawn most of the time and kept her own counsel. When she looked at him, however, it was with a trace of hope, especially now that he had the World Core on his side. For a priestess, that was an important point and she was fully able to sense it.

“We’re ready,” Krana announced as she gave Sam a grin. Her usual good humor was present, but there was a sense of deep seriousness about her as well, especially when she glanced at Ayala to make sure that she was alright. “Are we heading directly to Osera or stopping along the way?”

“Osera first,” Sam agreed as he greeted them with a smile. “We’ll find Helimar and try to help. Perhaps we can bring him back here, if things go well.” He turned to Ayala and his tone became softer. “I’ll do my best for him. Let’s hope that things can still be changed.”

“That’s all I can ask,” Ayala said with a determined nod. “If it’s truly impossible, all we can do is pray to the World Core for assistance and hope for a miracle.”
“Let’s try to create the miracle first,” Sam said decisively, although he refrained from commenting on the World Core. He was fully aware of just how badly it was damaged. Hope was fine, but it wasn’t something that would give her a result.

“How are we going to travel?” Krana asked as she looked around the area for a clue. There was nothing present, however, so she returned her gaze to Sam. “Are we taking horses or teleporting, the way that you always do?”

“Neither of those,” Sam said with a grin as he pointed off to the east. “Look over there.”

Just over the horizon where the edge of the First Layer met the air, the blue-white form of the Ice Drake was rising in the sky. It was still a couple miles away, but it was swiftly closing the distance. The ship’s crystalline wings were spread wide as it left a trail of icy mana in its wake.

“Flying on that? That’s going to get attention from everyone,” Krana said as she stared at it with wide eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

“It’s past time to hide,” Sam said in agreement, his words full of conviction after his last meeting with the Bloodline Clan elders. “Keeping a low profile was useful once, but it only results in misunderstandings now. This will make sure that we’re seen and that people recognize us. It would be hard anyway to hide my appearance from everyone, not to mention the nagas. It’s not worth the trouble.”

“Yes, your fame has been spreading,” Ayala said suddenly in agreement. “I heard this morning that the church has formally recognized you as an ally. I haven’t had much contact with others, but I have kept in touch with the bishop in Highfold and with others in Osera. I’ve already been asked about you several times.” She paused for a moment before continuing, her gaze on the Ice Drake and the nagas who were approaching.

“The attack on the valley is being described as a war that you won single-handedly with your return. The history of the Ice Sylphs hasn’t been spreading in the same way, but everyone seems to have heard of the Horned Hunter of the Moons who crushed a dozen Third Evolution opponents who dared to challenge him on his territory. Some have been saying that you’re a rogue World Spirit, but the church is working to reassure everyone that you stand with the World Core.”

“Let’s hope that Osera has heard the news,” Sam said with a nod of approval. He’d worried that the church would hunt him once, when he first transformed to look like a demon, but things had changed. Now, he was only interested in how useful they were. “It will make it easier to help your father.”

A moment later, the Ice Drake settled down with a wave of chilly mana that washed across the greenstone of the plaza in front of Krana and Ayala’s house. Its wings folded up vertically above the deck, like two sails waiting for the wind. On board, Sleset and a small crew of six nagas saluted Sam eagerly, with grins that were hard to hide.

“Let’s head out,” Sam said as he indicated the ship. “We’ll be Osera in an hour.”

A few minutes later, the wings fanned out to the sides as the ship rose into the air, its wake sparkling with ice crystals. Sam stood at the prow with his gaze set to the north. If he hadn’t made the promise to Ayala, he would have ignored Helimar in favor of larger concerns, but he wasn’t disappointed by the idea of finding him.

Everything the Cabal did was targeted at escaping Aster Fall, so he was sure that whatever had happened to the man, it wouldn’t be simple.