Chapter 21

Hey all. First off, sorry for the delay!

I got pretty sick at the turn of the month and realized I needed to take some time to recover -- I'd been pushing myself pretty hard before and after the surgery and have some compounding problems.

If you've been following me for a while, you probably also know I have Crohn's and have trouble keeping on weight (which is harder when I can't work out easily). I had a pretty stable routine pre-injury, which involved a specific diet and exercise regimen -- which is nearly impossible to maintain when I can't cook or lift. The result? I've lost about 10-15 lbs since January... and didn't really have that much weight to lose. (I actually wrote Dom/Happy around the time I was setting up my routine, ironically)

Even after the flare up, I was feeling lightheaded and sick most days. Yeah, I know, I shouldn't have min maxed my stat points in this playthrough. It works for Jason -- not so much in real life lol.

However, I'm doing better now -- or, at least, I'm more stable. I've gained a pound or two back and my hand is doing pretty well now. I still can't lift much with it and I'm still doing ROM stretches, but 3-4 more weeks and I can start strength training (on my hand). Probably another couple months after that to start real strength again. But I can sort of cook again!

By the way, appreciate your thumbs. You don't know how good you have it lol.

Anyway, I'm going to try to get us back on a schedule from here on out.

And that starts with a new chapter!

I also, personally, think this one is pretty fun...

Chapter 21 - Confection

Nephilim Village

Jason

“Are you sure about this?” Alex asked for at least the hundredth time as the pair approached the Nephilim schoolhouse.  This time, from the main entrance.

Jason shrugged, pulling his cloak tight to ward off the searing sunlight. Even that small movement was enough to send smoke coiling away from his fingertips.  “I need bodies.  And if we play this right, we won’t even have to ruin your manicure,” he replied.

Alex didn’t take the bait, just let out a worried rumble.

“What? Are you having second thoughts?” Jason asked with a sideways glance. “I would’ve thought some light murder and grandstanding would be right up your alley.  Yet another opportunity for you to play the hero.”

The Nephilim grimaced – no doubt, recalling their exchange back in Pax, the one where they’d both died violently on livestream.  “No, I’m actually wondering if you used enough poison.”

Specifically, Eliza’s poison. She’d left Jason a dozen different concoctions beyond her refined mana and health potions.  Buffs to spellcasting, mana, and affinity.  However, he’d also made a few specific requests. You could never be too prepared. This poison was odorless, tasteless, and incredibly potent – a single drop enough to kill a traveler. At least around level 200.

It wasn’t clear how well it would work when the level tripled.

Or with the Nephilim’s natural healing abilities.

Yet his own fear faded as his dark mana slid through his veins…

As he built up the only defenses he could – humor and deflection.

Jason grinned at Alex, his expression hidden beneath the cowl of his hood. “Look who’s being cautious now. Are you afraid to die?  Even after our death run?”

“Maybe. This isn’t an undead squirrel – this plan is risky,” Alex hissed back, eyeing the nearby townsfolk uncomfortably. The pair was drawing a few curious glances from the other Nephilim – more than a few watching them with concern and suspicion. They’d already picked up on the heavy aura of Jason’s mana, disgust twisting their angelic features.

“Do you really think we can pull this off without anyone noticing?”

“This is a confidence game,” Jason shot back, eyeing his companion.  “We already know they can’t tell who you are – so just lean into.” Alex’s frown just deepened, but he kept his shoulders straight and his stride even, his armor gleaming in the sunlight.

Although, Jason noticed that the glow of his reluctant partner’s mana seemed dimmer, that scene back in that undead forest returning with a vengeance—one where Alex had faced that tiny skeletal tree rat. He’d started strong, but his spells had grown weaker as he waged a losing battle, as that haughty arrogance had slipped. Jason might have missed it before, but after the skill notification for his Awareness, well—

“Plus, I’m beginning to think the system runs deeper than we thought,” Jason offered slowly, tilting his head in thought as he watched Alex, his worry causing his wings to tremble just slightly.  “Our mana responds to emotion—our affinities are rooted in it.  And light?  It’s tied to confidence.  Maybe the more you believe… the stronger it becomes.”

Alex glanced at him in surprise, then incredulity.

“Are you fucking with me again?  How could you possibly know how my mana works?”

Oh, just time traveling shenanigans and a few fourth walls breaks, he thought to himself, even as his eyes slid down to Alfred where the AI matched their stride.

Jason shrugged.  “Just a theory.  Have a little faith,” he shot back, smiling at his own joke.  This was really helping his own nerves. “After all, the Empress protects.”

Alex breathed out a frustrated sigh. “I didn’t teach you that line so you could throw it back in my —” he snapped back.

“Too late, it’s show time,” Jason chirped happily as he rapped his bony knuckles against the heavy wooden door of the schoolhouse. “Remember, confidence.  I want to see you sparkle.

“Also, try not to die or we’ll have to start all over again,” he added quickly.

“I think I hate you,” Alex muttered under his breath.

The door slid open with a creak to reveal the face of the Nephilim instructor. Up close, she was even more beautiful. Her skin was flawless, smooth pale ivory. Her eyes were radiant and sparkled in the sunlight. Angelic features that didn’t fit the sour expression that pinched her lips as she surveyed her “guests” – possibly because, behind her, the many students filling the schoolhouse craned their necks to catch a view of the pair, buzzing with excitement.

“How may I help you?” The instructor asked, her expression warping into disgust as her eyes slid to Jason’s dark form, noting the telltale wisps of smoke coiling out from under his cloak.

Alex hesitated and Jason nudged him with his elbow.

“H-hail sister in the light,” Alex intoned, stumbling only slightly over his words as he bowed his head in greeting. “My apologies for interrupting your instruction. My name is Alexion, and I have come at the Empress’s order to spread her teachings regarding the travelers and the threat they pose to our kingdom.”

The instructor’s brow furrowed. “We have already received instructions from the Crystal Reach.  In fact, the acolytes just received a lesson today on how to identify travelers—”

“Which is exactly why we’re here,” Alex interjected smoothly, his hesitation fading as he got into character. Apparently, he excelled at being a duplicitous asshole. Who knew?

“In her infinite wisdom, the Empress has decreed that the teachings alone are insufficient to instill this lesson,” Alex continued. “Our new enemies – these heathens – are too clever. Words are no substitute for experience. Not with the threat they pose.”

The instructor mulled on his words before responding, “The Empress’ wisdom shines bright. However, sightings of the travelers here in Asphodel are rare, and, thankfully, our community has not yet experienced their blight.”

“For now,” Alexion intoned, raising a finger. “However, that peace may not last forever.  Which is why the Empress tasked me with visiting distant communities such as yours – to bring a traveler to test your students’ training and to provide real-world experience.”

At these words, Alexion pulled away Jason’s cloak to reveal his skeletal frame. A collar now wrapped his neck, the surface dotted with a glowing orange gemstone.  A “slave collar,” one meant to suppress the subject’s mana. Jason had encountered them during his time traveling escapades with Cady.  Apparently, the Crystal Reach had begun using them on the travelers, which made it easy to recreate a replica using the images and videos online.

Also, the bones of Jason’s forearm…

It was still aching from repeatedly “harvesting” new materials.

The instructor’s eyes flared brightly in recognition and her nose wrinkled in distaste, as though she’d smelled something repugnant.  Which was weird.  Technically, bone didn’t smell.

“Of course, their kind would carry stench of the undead.”

Rude.  Also, a bit racist.  Or speciest?

Whew, why were his hands shaking—

“Very well, let me introduce you,” the instructor announced abruptly.

As she turned and strode back into the schoolhouse, Jason pulled his cloak closed again—and definitely not because she’d just body shamed him. “Not bad,” he murmured for Alex’s benefit.  “You have a knack for roleplay, did you know that?”

Alex’s hand clenched, his eyes determined.  “The hard part comes next.”

“Acolytes, please find peace and tranquility,” the instructor called out, raising her voice.  “Today we are… blessed by two unexpected guests, sent by the Empress herself.”

The chatter of the students took on an excited buzz as the instructor motioned Jason and Alex to enter the schoolhouse.  Although, it took another nudge from Jason to get Alex moving. Probably because they were willingly walking into a trap, the pair soon surrounded by enemies. Angelic children, their eyes literally shining with curiosity as they stared down at them.  Each one capable of ripping their bodies apart with their bare hands.

Alex gestured at Jason – it was his turn.

He took a deep breath, centering himself.

“Greetings Acolytes,” he began, bowing his head, “may the Empress’ light shine upon you all.”  As he spoke, Jason pulled back his hood once more to reveal his skeletal visage, the light shining down from the hole in the ceiling already eroding the bone. He’d removed his Skeletal Illusion in order to better impersonate the undead, leaving a barren skull, its eye sockets filled with slithering, unholy energy as smoke coiled around him like a veil.

The students gasped in alarm. Apparently, the undead were unusual visitors.  According to Cady, there was little love lost between the two nations even before her meddling and the introduction of the travelers. Probably the racism and impossible beauty standards. Also, it probably didn’t help that the undead melted in the sun...

“As you can see,” Jason continued, “I’m undead – a resident of the Twilight Throne. We have come here today to offer greetings and foster community between our two nations in these trying times. With the threat posed by these travelers, we have sought to shore up our alliance with the Crystal Reach.” 

Logical, but the children still seemed wary, shuffling uncomfortably in their seats.

“Ahh, I forgot,” Jason said, smacking his head theatrically.  He reached beneath his cloak, the instructor tensing and bright pinpoints of mana condensing along her fingertips.  “I understand it is a custom of the Nephilim to exchange sugary treats when they meet.”

Jason owed Alex for that one too, his companion’s watching anxiously.

Although, there was a 33.23% chance it was bullshit according to Alfred…

It certainly sounded like bullshit.

However, the students’ reaction was electric as Jason pulled out a plate piled high with cookies.  They were still steaming, courtesy of a few fire mana gems embedded in the plate to keep them warm. Yes, it was also a skeleton.  It was completely sanitary.

The students leaned forward in anticipation, their mouths watering and eyes glinting with light mana.  Even the instructor was suddenly focused on that plate.

How did he have cookies?  That was a good question.  Alex had been confused too, but Jason didn’t understand why. Hadn’t he already told him?  He’d brought a lot of supplies.

Including a few basic baking ingredients.

And it had been simple enough to build a small oven in the back of the courtyard using his undead.  Underground, of course.  They couldn’t have anyone notice the smoke… or the smell.

The students’ wings flapped in excitement. A few fluttered down, hesitant at first—glancing at their instructor for reassurance.

She didn’t say no. Didn’t move to stop them.

That was all the permission they needed.

The instructor mostly looked uncomfortable, her eyes blazing.

Not that he blamed her. This looked bad – Jason knew that. A stranger offering sweets to a bunch of unsuspecting angelic children. Oh, uh, and then there was the poison, of course.

In his defense, each one of those so-called “children” was more than 50 years old. At least according to Alex – who turned out to be a wealth of information regarding Nephilim society. Weirdly enough, the goddess of light – the Lady herself – despised children. Which was odd, wasn’t it? Why did her race’s adolescence last so long then? Perhaps another god had been involved with their creation?  Almost like they were trolling her?

That deduction was interesting for many reasons—

Ahh, some of the children were still hesitating and Jason was getting sidetracked.

“Please don’t be shy. They taste even better than they smell,” Jason urged as he handed out cookies, the rest enticed to join those first few. “And there is plenty of loot to go around.”

One of the students froze, cookie halfway to her lips.

“Wait.” Her brow furrowed. “Did you just say ‘loot’?”

The room fell silent.

The others froze, glancing between their cookies and Jason – his skeletal features giving away nothing as he stared back with dark, soulless eyes. To be fair, he looked suspicious. Some watched their instructor, but she gave away nothing, only crossing her arms.

“Are you a traveler?” another student asked cautiously.

“How could he be?  He’s undead.  A Keeper – a weak one based on his appearance and the strength of his mana,” one student observed clinically – showing an uncanny and unusually judgement intelligence despite his childlike appearance. They’d found the class nerd already.  “Surely even the travelers haven’t managed to attain that rank among the undead.  You heard what the instructor said, rare classes and races are uncommon among their kind.”

“And he’s being escorted by another Nephilim,” a student added.

Another child’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps we could grant him a quest in exchange for these cookies.  Would you like that?” he asked Jason. Clever little shit.

Jason’s dark eyes pulsed ominously as he leaned forward. “Indeed, I would.”

Now no one was eating his cookies. In fact, the children all dropped the offending treats in a pile and began backing away slowly, mana condensing along their hands and forming thick panels of light in the air between themselves and Jason. More proof that their experience and spellcasting abilities far exceeded their infantile appearance.

“Traveler!” someone gasped. The word spread like wildfire.

“He’s lying,” a girl whispered, eyes wide.

“What do we do?” another murmured.

A pause. Then—

“Purge the heathen?” a boy suggested hesitantly.

“Or enslave him,” another added. “Make him tell us where the others are.”

“He likely won’t offer that information freely. Our best strategy is to pull him apart so he offers no threat, and torture him for his secrets for the good of the kingdom!” That last one was the class nerd again.

Their voices were gaining confidence, the whispers becoming shouts.

Wow, they’d jumped to war crimes awfully fast. Jason was suddenly feeling less guilty.

Mana was already condensing around their palms as they prepared to fire and Jason was starting to get nervous. What was Alex doing? Why hadn’t he intervened yet?

The answer was obvious. He seemed to be enjoying this – maybe too much. A broad, please smile lingered on his lips, all of his fear and doubt fleeing now that he was fully in character.

Was Alex really going to let these angelic children murder him?

“Indeed, he is a traveler,” Alexion mercifully spoke up, stepping between Jason and the children before they could torture him. “There is no need to be alarmed. The heathen has been restrained and is unable to harm you. See?”

As he spoke, Alexion ripped away Jason’s cloak to reveal his slave collar. “This device prevents the Travelers from harming our kind, making them submissive – weak.  No longer a threat, but a useful tool,” he continued before back handing Jason across the face and sending him crashing to the floor, his bony knees cutting into the hardwood floor of the schoolhouse and the bones of his cheek cracking under the force.  “See? Docile.”

Apparently, Alex was really committed to this role.

Jason resisted the urge to punch a few holes in his story. Literally. The Soul Blades he’d instinctively summoned disappeared and his half-staves rotated slowly back into his forearms.

“That is actually why we’re here today,” Alexion announced. “The Empress sent us to test your training – to determine whether you paid attention to your instructor’s lessons. I am glad to say that you all passed with flying colors!”

Light mana condensed along Alex’s palm before stabbing forward. The beam collided with the pile of cookies lying along the floor and swiftly ignited them, burning away the fat and sugar and leaving only a charred, smoky mess. However, even more intriguing, coils of purple smoke wafted away from the cookies as they burned, giving off an acrid odor that had the angelic children covering their noses and mouths.

“Poisoned!” Alex exclaimed.  “Those cookies were poisoned.  Only enough to give you all a stomachache if you had chosen poorly,” he amended, gesturing at their instructor where she looked on in discomfort.  “However, under other circumstances, if this traveler were not restrained and if you had chosen poorly, you may very well have lost your lives.”

The children let out a fearful murmur, more than a few glaring at Jason now.

“This is exactly why we must be cautious!” Alex continued. “The travelers may take any form, they may know our customs, and they are adept at hiding their nature.  They may also prey on acolytes like you – mistaking you for human children with little experience.  In short, you must be wary of strangers, as well as gifts or treats that you are offered.”

For their part, the children looked conflicted – their eyes darting between the charred remains of the cookies and Jason’s face. Like they couldn’t decide whether to celebrate catching Jason in a lie… or mourn the loss of those delicious-looking treats. Burning the pile had only helped the sickly sweet smell permeate the room.

Alex glanced at Jason for just a moment – searching for something. 

The light in the room briefly dimmed, as though a cloud had passed across the sun.  It lasted only a second – going unnoticed as the children mourned the loss of their cookies and the instructor glared at Jason. No doubt, thinking of inventive ways to shame his skeletal body.

Those shadows were all Jason had been waiting for. He gave Alex the nod.

His companion swallowed hard before turning back to the students.

“Do not despair!” Alex announced. “Since you have all passed this test, I brought you more treats as a reward – these safe for your consumption.”  He pulled another plate from his bag, piled high with the same molten, gooey, delicious cookies.

In their excitement and flushed with pride, the children rushed forward, each of them snatching one of the cookies from the plate before munching down happily.  However, the instructor looked a bit… disappointed?  A fact that didn’t go unnoticed by Alex.  After making sure each child received a cookie, he presented the two remaining treats to her with a short bow. 

“Of course, I have not forgotten you,” he offered graciously.  “You should also be rewarded for instructing your students so well.” She protested feebly before eventually snatching both cookies, one in each hand.

It seemed that Alex hadn’t been full of shit, after all.

These uptight angels sure loved sugar – possibly to help maintain their childlike metabolisms and the energy demands required for flight.

Like self-righteous, racist hummingbirds.

Either way, the cookies didn’t last long.

The children bathed in their post-sugar glow, chattering excitedly with each other and comparing their “notes” – aka, torture ideas.  Alex also invited them to test the limits of the slave collar.  Which involved kicking and cutting and piercing Jason’s body with beams of molten light, riddling his chest with holes.  The little sociopaths seemed to be having a grand old time.

As the seconds and then minutes passed, Jason began growing worried – not just because his mana was dropping precariously – but because they all seemed perfectly healthy.

Had their plan failed?  Were their bodies too resistant?  Their mana shielding them?

The first cough was a welcome relief – the second a blessing.

And the third?  Well, Jason could help but smile.

“I… uh, I don’t feel good,” one student moaned, holding their stomach.

“Me either,” another piped up.

“This is what comes from eating to excess—” the instructor began, stepping out into the crowd of students. Her hand glowed bright white and she murmured an incantation under her breath, preparing to heal the students.

Yet she never finished the spell, only mouthed the words as her brow furrowed in confusion. Her hand went to her throat but found no issue with her vocal cords.

Many of the children were groaning in pain now and were beginning to cast their own healing spells… only to find they’d lost their voices as well.

The instructor’s eyes dropped to a thin, dark needle puncturing her arm before snapping to Jason’s prone form. To the only person capable of casting that spell – Curse of Silence.  To the collar at his neck – that gem still gleaming – even as he retook his feet, his mana cascading around him in a fresh cloak of darkness as he chugged a mana potion and his body repaired itself.

Although he couldn’t hear her, Jason still understood the words the instructor mouthed.  “How?  How is this possible?” she asked, her hand now grasping her own stomach in pain.

“Ahh, are you wondering about this?” Jason asked, his fingers plucking at that metal band at his neck.  It snapped easily between his fingers. “It’s a fake.  Sorry about that.  But we did warn you… anyone can be a traveler.”

The instructor’s eyes darted back to Alexion but he refused to meet her gaze.

“Even the Nephilim,” Jason intoned, his grin widening wickedly.

Realization and horror shone in the instructor’s eyes as several of the children began to collapse, foam beading at the corners of their mouths. Their limbs twitched spasmodically and their hands flexed into rigid claws. Even more interesting, their eyes turned red as the blood vessels burst, crimson tears streaking down their cheeks.  It was pretty grim.

Jason felt his resolve waver for a moment—doubt rearing its ugly head.  Guilt.  However, he tamped down on those unwanted emotions. These little sociopaths had beaten him; had threatened to torture him. They would have gladly taken his life.

The instructor summoned her mana then, wrapping herself in that bright light – the best she could do without being able to recite an incantation. Her wings snapped open and gave a mighty flap which sent her careening toward an open doorway—

Only to slam headfirst into an invisible barrier with a painful crunch, sending her careening into the floor.  That impact had created a massive crack that radiated across open air – something impossible, unnerving.  The few students still standing stared in wide-eyed shock as the illusion dropped completely, revealing a skeletal monster looming across the doorway.

A new creation of Jason’s.  Its body formed by a few dozen of his arms, the bone layered and compressed into a solid panel and infused with metals to harden the surface.  He’d modeled these creatures off of flat-bodied beetles.  Moving barriers that blocked each doorway, their feet ending in sharp spikes that had slowly burrowed into the stone like tiny drills, anchoring them in place along the inside of each frame.

The illusion was a product of the many light mana gems Jason had fused into their bodies.  They offered protection from the Sunscourge effect, enough to blunt the damage – at least, this far from the Crystal Reach. That had been his original goal, but a bit of experimentation had revealed that using a combination of light mana gems allowed light to pass through their bodies.  Not an illusion, but a form of limited invisibility.  They covered every opening, having used the students’ commotion and excitement to slowly skitter up the walls without being noticed.

Now?  Now, the students and instructor were poisoned, silenced, and trapped.

Realization shone in their eyes. A mixture of dread and horror that forced a cruel grin across Jason’s face. The students who hadn’t already collapsed tried to flee. They dipped and weaved as they flew toward the lower terraces – to those bright windows promising escape. Only to find their way blocked by the same invisible force. They clawed and scratched, those blows shattering his minions’ invisibility but offering no escape.

One of them darted upward, wings beating furiously—only for his limbs to fail him.  He fell, landing with a sickening crack, his body crumpled and limp. Yet that didn’t stop the others from trying, it only seemed to whip them into a panicked frenzy.

Others scratched at those skeletal barriers until they carved furrows in the surface, until their fingernails bled – unable to heal the wounds or the poison seeping through their body.

The instructor staggered forward, her breathing ragged, her wings spreading as if to shield the injured children groaning and twitching along the ground.  A futile effort as the rest began to fall from the air, succumbing to the poison.

Thud, thud, thud and a flutter of bloody feathers.

A grim, unholy rain that no architect had planned for—

Which soon left just Jason, Alex, and the instructor.  She was the only one still standing, her size, level, and superior Vitality allowing her to outlast the poison – even after downing two cookies; even with bloody tears staining her cheeks and one hand cradling her stomach.  Still, she didn’t submit, weaving in place as she faced off against the pair.

“I am sorry it came to this,” Alex intoned, his eyes on the bodies of those children twitching and squirming along the ground.  He almost sounded like he meant it yet.

Yet his regret had limits.  He still marched forward with his blade in hand. “We had no choice. However, your death will be swift.  We can give you that, at least.”

In that split second before his blade struck, the instructor glared back defiantly – unable to act; unable to move. Only to process the horror of what they’d done. Layers and layers of lies piled on top of one another. Deceit built upon a foundation of empathy and understanding. Using their own customs against them, their own fear and pride and confidence.

And in that split second – that final moment before death – realization.

That the travelers were far more dangerous than they’d assumed.

That they might even mean the death of their civilization.

That expression was still frozen across her face as her head rolled to a stop at Jason’s feet, staring up at him with an unspoken accusation.  That this was unfair.  Cruel.  Inhumane.

And she was right.  This was war.