《Sorcerer…Cyborg???》


 Chapter 1 - Prologue

    A pair of curved columns framed a distorted circle in the very air itself, and loud crackling noise could be heard for a hundred meters around it. The air between the column blurry and indistinct, but then suddenly grew impossibly bright. The visors of the Sentinels guarding the gate immediately darkened, shielding their eyes from the glare.


    There was a loud clank, and a leg that was more machine than man stepped out of the gate, the Sentinels guarding the location looked on in awe of the mighty figure. This was the Commander of the Sentinels himself, the greatest hero that humanity had ever known.


    The rugged figure, whose face was the only part of him that still resembled a human, had a faint smile, he was finally home, how he had missed his home planet, The Garden. If  only he had returned home under better circumstances.


    The Garden was the most beautiful planet in the Galactic Alliance. Covered with sapphire oceans teeming with life, dense forests and spotted with beautiful lakes and rivers.


    The Garden was aptly named. It was a holiday planet, where the wealthy and powerful of the alliance came to live, and your average citizen dreamt of visiting. The planet was filled with attractions of every kind, resorts, fine restaurants and whole islands dedicated to unique creatures from far off planets.


    A young Sentinel approached Kothar, his solid Titanite Alloy helmet, and the banded star insignia proudly displayed across his dress uniform signaling him as a Captain in the Sentinels, an impressive feat for an individual his age.


    The Sentinels were the intergalactic peacekeeping force for the Alliance, which had members situated on every major inhabited planet, as well as outposts throughout the settled galaxy and outposts on the fringes of neighboring galaxies, ready to fend of any threat to humanity.


    The Sentinel snapped to attention and saluted Kothar, drawing to a halt in front of towered figure. He looked the cyborg commander up and down, scarcely believing his eyes, the stories had not done him justice. Every inch of the man was purpose built for war, and a single arm would be more than enough to take on an entire fleet of battleships.


    "Commander Kothar, we estimate contact in approximately 40 minutes." The Captain of the local Sentinel outpost gazed at Kothar with undisguised admiration  taking in the dull sheen of the interstellar grade alloy that armored Kothar, as well as the cage at the center of his chest that demonstrated humanity''s greatest achievement yet, capturing the heart of a star. Kothar was a walking testament to the triumphs of man.


    "Save your breath, soldier." Kothar smiled and tapped behind his right ear, signaling that his AI implant had filled him in. He had never grown comfortable with the reverence that so many had for him, but protecting them was his only calling.


    "Of course, Sir! Can''t be too certain Sir!" The young captain was eager to impress Kothar, as most young sentinels would be.


    Why? Kothar was Commander of the Sentinels and war hero of hundreds of battles, defending the Alliance on the front lines against a dozen different alien races and single handedly negotiating the surrender of many others. Humanity finally had their hero, and he was magnificent.


    Only his head had some remaining resemblance to the man he once was, short cropped dark hair and worn proud features. He had the look of a man who had seen the universe.


    [Silane, update estimated vector for the incoming.] Kothar spoke internally to Silane, who had become almost completely integrated with the last remaining vestige of his biology, his brain.


    [Updating... Threat appears to have adjusted course 12 degrees relative to the core of Garden, it is headed directly for our location.] Kothar heard her smooth voice respond.


    [Huh. Let''s see if we can''t draw this thing away. It might be drawn in by my neutron core.] Kothar activated his flight system, activating the thrusters located on his back and legs, rocketing up through the atmosphere. He headed towards the edge of the Garden System, hoping the threat would follow.


    [Update threat vector.]


    [Updating... Threat has adjusted course again, I suggest continuing our course to draw it away.]


    [Let''s go then.]


    Kothar continued flying outward as the timer in his visual interface ticked down, gritting his teeth. Kothar had dealt with many threats before, but this was an unknown signature, he wanted to be certain his home planet was safe. By now, Garden was a tiny dot in the distance, barely visible against its star.


    [1 minute until collision.] Silane announced, Kothar turned to the direction the threat was approaching from.


    [What in the---What is that thing!] Kothar yelled, inaudible in the vacuum of space. A massive beast approached. Bigger than the Alliance''s largest battleship, covered with interlocking deep black scales, and dark eyes that shone with specks of light like windows into the night sky. It looked like the stories he had heard of dragons, but Kothar was certain it was just some freak of alien biology.


    "Halt, you are approaching a Galactic Alliance planet, cease or you will be neutralized." Kothar broadcasted on every known communication frequency. His first instinct had always been negotiation. The beast continued to approach, propelled by a mysterious force. Kothar raised his palm, activating the dozens of star powered lasers integrated within his body.


    "I will fire! Turn back immediately!" Kothar''s lasers charged up.


    ~Do what you want. Puny mortal.~ The beast spoke directly into his mind, not speaking words, but its message was conveyed well enough. Shocked, Kothar let off his blasts, aiming at the center of the beast''s forehead. To his disappointment, the beast simply continued onward, ignoring him completely.


    [Silane, reroute 100% of power to lasers. This threat must be neutralized.]


    [Kothar. That would mean suspending life support systems and leaving you stranded out here]


    [I''m the only one who has a chance of beating this thing, it has to be done.]


    [Of course, Sir. Initiating Override.] Silane assented, and Kothar''s chest began to glow, the full power of the captured star threatening to destroy his body from the inside. His arms fused together, forming a massive cannon, aiming at the eye of the beast.


    Kothar took aim as his lasers charged up. Fwooom. Kothar was sent hurtling backward as the massive rush of energy hit the beast directly in its huge eye. Its massive jaws opened silently in anguish, a silent scream echoing from its mouth.


    ~Puny mortal, I shall destroy you!


    In harming me, you have doomed your world.


    I will devour this entire galaxy.


    Know my name before your end.


    I am the Devourer. I am inevitable.~


    The beast rushed at Kothar, jaws wide open, a twisting stream of blackish/purple rushing at him.


    [Well, we had a good run Silane. I guess this is it.]


    [We did, didn''t we.]


    Kothar closed his eyes and waited.


    The energy struck Kothar directly in the chest, bursting open the cage that held the star and triggering a massive explosion. The young Captain on Garden shielded his eyes as he looked up at the massive flash of light in the sky.. Kothar was no more, and his people had no idea of their impending doom.

 Chapter 2 - Rebirth

    ~Dammnit, the other consciousness is completely entangled.~


    ~Pass me the tweezers over there, would you?~


    ~Sire? There''s no chance we can separate the two without damaging both of them.~


    ~Well, he''s a perfect soul for the program, should we send him to Purgatory?~


    ~Sire, you could just put him through.~


    ~What, that''s completely out of order! It would violate every precedent, the others would be outraged!~


    ~Sire, he''s much too good to pass up.~


    ~Hmmm, you''re right. What''s the worst that could happen? Let''s send them on their way. ~


    The disembodied voices faded away, and now Kothar seemed to be floating in complete darkness. Suddenly, he felt a sudden surge of movement all about him. A sudden burst of bright light hit him, accompanied by a mess of garbled voices.


    [Initiating onboard translation service. Language compatible.]


    "What a beautiful baby boy, congratulations you two!" A matronly voice echoed in Kothar''s ears, he felt himself being swung through the air.


    "Hahaha, thank you. And thank you, dear; I know it''s been hard on you." This voice was rough and brash but spoke in measured tones.


    Kothar was confused, he vaguely remembered the disembodied voices but this was different, and he felt an enclosing warmth wrapped around himself. He couldn''t see very far at all, only a few blurred faces in the distance.


    Taken aback, Kothar squinted his eyes and looked down. He saw a pudgy little arm, emerging from a blanket, he had become a baby! Completely taken aback, he began to scream.


    "Oh, look at the poor thing, misses his Mother already." The matronly voice was back, once again, Kothar was swung through the air. Though he had been poked and prodded all over, after being such a mighty figure for the Alliance, this was perhaps the most ashamed he had ever felt.


    Kothar saw a huge figure loom over him, massive arms reaching towards him, what was happening now, he had fought entire armadas of alien ships, but this was far too much for him. Kothar began to yell at the top of his lungs.


    "Here you go dear, your darling boy." Kothar felt himself being enclosed in a pair of warm arms, and his whole body instinctively relaxed. He couldn''t resist, the biology of his new body took over and he fell into a deep dreamless sleep.


    The days dragged on for Kothar, he would spent most days trying to learn to move his infant body, but it would never respond in the way he expected, he had imagined he would learn to walk faster than any other child. But the fact of the matter was, he still had the body of an infant, no matter how intelligent his mind was.


    An entire year passed by in a breeze, Kothar was now a toddler, by some dumb luck or for some mysterious other reason, his new parents had named him Kothar. He now had a mess of short black curls on his head, and made for an adorable baby.


    Hints of Tam and Ophil''s features showed in his pudgy face. He resembled Tam more than Ophil, with his piercing blue eyes, and strong nose. A few of the maids found new work, scared of the solemn stare of the little baby, but Ophil always stood by her child.


    Kothar was still mute, struggling to form words, though most ordinary children would be able to speak by his age, he struggled with the unfamiliar words of his new home, straining to produce even a word.


    Fortunately, Kothar listened attentively and as such had grasped some basic information about his new world. Instead of technology, residents harnessed an unknown force, which they called magic. They utilized it for virtually everything, from heating water, illuminating their dwellings or even for transport. To this society, magic was what technology had been to his.


    Kothar often heard Silane''s smooth disembodied voice, however, she seemed to have regressed and only performed her more basic functions, translating languages he heard and documenting and translating any text he could see. Every day he called out to her.


    [Silane? Are you there?]


    [Input command]


    He got the same response he had been getting for years now, but he had not given up on trying. His father was evidently a man of means. They lived in a large stone structure, the floors were made of polished wood, with heavy rugs draping the floors. The walls of his new home were decorated with finely woven tapestries that depicted strange flowers and animals.


    Kothar often peered out from his nursery window, staring out wide eyed at the rows upon rows of buildings. He watched as strange carriages sped through the street, some with no animals pulling them, but with a massive glowing crystal embedded on the roof. Other carriages were pulled by strange beasts, huge horse-like beasts, but with vicious teeth and scaled all over.


    On one occasion, Kothar even spotted a beaked creature, with a flaming mane, pulling an ornate carriage, gilded and carved with intricate patterns.


    He had learnt his father was named Tam and his mother Ophil. His father was a tall, olive skinned man with cropped dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. He wore a short beard and Kothar often saw him in loose comfortable clothing.


    Tam had rough stubborn features, and a serious look in his eyes, he often spent his evenings out in the courtyard behind the house, but Kothar was still too short to see in any of the windows that overlooked it.


    His mother was fair skinned, with cascading brown locks and wore bright vibrant dresses. Each of them was finely embroidered as the tapestries on the walls, and she often spent evenings creating new dresses or tapestries, or adding new designs to one''s she adored.


    She looked the exact opposite of Tam, with delicate features, a tiny nose and soulful brown eyes. Ophil took every opportunity to pick Kothar up and smother him with affection, and his indignant expression at being demeaned only served to make her laugh.


    "You little old soul. "She would chuckle and pat him on the head, ruffling the curls that they both shared, hers brown and flowing.


    Kothar''s days whizzed past, and his parents appeared unsurprised at his quick grasp of language, providing him with all the story books he could ever want. Soon enough, he began to question his father incessantly.


    "Father, what is the name of our city?" Kothar piped up, in his immature voice, which still carried the serious undertone he had in his previous life.


    "Balin, son." Tam answered, always quick, to the point and abrupt.


    "Father, where are all those carriages rushing off to?," Kothar continued to badger Tam, now eager to discover what this new world held for him.


    "Those are the King''s loyal guard, they attend to disturbances in the city." Tam began to rub at his forehead, narrowing his eyes at the young boy looking at him with curious eyes.


    "Father, who is the king?" Kothar''s voice, high as it was, carried to Ophil, who left her chair in her sowing room and walked over to where father and son were seated by the fireplace.


    "He is Rotan, the leader of our nation." Tam''s voice grew terse.


    "Father, where is the king?" Kothar piped up again, Ophil began to smile, looking adoringly at the pair of them.


    "Up at the citadel, in the center of the city." Tam sunk his head into his hands, grasping at his skull.


    "Father, what is a citadel?" By now Ophil had a full on grin, and was struggling not to laugh at Kothar''s antics.


    "Ok! Enough! Ophil, I want your brother from the Institute in here tomorrow, to teach this goddamn inquisitive boy. If this keeps on I won''t have a hair left on my head. " Tam yelled out, thinking Ophil was still in the next room.


    "Of course, dear." Ophil chuckled at Tam, she had suggested the tutor weeks ago, when she had glimpsed Kothar trying to pull down a ledger of transactions that sat on Tam''s desk.


    Kothar grinned inside, he had heard Ophil persuading Tam, and knew this was the only way to get him a tutor. He had grown accustomed to his new environment, and was eager to learn more about the strange new world he had found himself in.


    Soon enough, Ophil''s brother, Simon came by the house to teach Kothar, he was much alike Ophil in appearance, except his hair was a shining gold color, and his eyes darted all about the room, as if following an invisible bird trapped inside.


    "You know Kothar, you ought to study to become a scholar at the institute. I''ve never seen a student with a memory like yours, and with your talent for language, you would be a true asset to our work of deciphering ancient texts." Simon gave Kothar his regular spiel about joining the Institute. He was a scholar through and through.


    "Uncle, you know I want to become a battle mage, I love to learn, but I want to learn magic." Kothar gave his usual response.


    "A mind like yours, wasted on those pricks at the academy. I can see from that stubborn look on your face that I won''t be convinving you, shall we get back to the history of the lost civilization of Uhm-Rakesh." Simon tapped on the book between them with a slender finger, brushing away his curled golden locks with his other hand.


    "Of course, uncle." Kothar replied obediently.


    Ophil watched the two of them with a faint smile on her face, Kothar was everything that they had hoped for. He was curious, attentive and respectful. However, he was ever so serious, rarely smiling, unless he had learnt some new skill or been taught some new tidbit by Simon. Thankfully, he was out of Tam''s hair now, her husband now had more time for her and that was never a bad thing. She watched as Kothar read out to Simon from the thick tome, as Simon began to animatedly wave his arms about and tell Kothar of the marvels of Uhm-Rakesh.


    As the happy family laughed, a mysterious cloaked figure slouched on the building across the paved road. A swirling black mist surrounded the figure, any passerby who looked up would find their gaze strangely slipping by.. The figure peered at the family through a pair of opera glasses with smoky lenses, and muttered to itself as Kothar maneuvered his stocky little frame around the library.

 Chapter 3 - Road To The Academy

    "Kothar, come quickly, we need to hurry or you''ll miss this year''s aptitude screening." Simon called out from outside the pair of tall doors that led out onto the street.


    "Coming Uncle!" Kothar raced down the stairs of his home, still clutching the book that had distracted him enough to forget the test of aptitude, which would examine his magical affinity and aptitude.


    Kothar had been in this world for 12 years, and had grown quickly. He had Tam''s strong build, but also walked with the same grace that Ophil did. Kothar''s black curls now fell in loose coils around his face, and he had Tam''s olive skin and piercing blue eyes. He looked much more like Tam than he did Ophil, with his well defined features and pointed nose.


    Anyone could apply and study at the Academy, but the Academy recommended an aptitude screening, as a mage without sufficient aptitude would spend years mastering a basic spell, while others could master the same spell in weeks. There was still a place for everyone in the Academy, with mages of low aptitude becoming great scholars of magical theory and even teaching at the Academy.


    However, Trinquile Academy, the local academy that Kothar would attend was unique in this. King Rotan''s father had been the first to allow all to study magic, and Ursten''s advances in magic had reflected the benefits. Thanks to this, Kothar had no worries about his aptitude, but was eager to discover what it was and which elements he had an affinity for.


    They climbed into the waiting carriage, which was powered by a large mana crystal, and rolled off smoothly as the driver placed his hand on the rune inscribed orb fixed in front of his seat.


    They rolled on towards the local offices of the Academy in the center of Balin, the capital of Ursten. Trinquile Academy was only loosely associated with Ursten, as mages were capable of establishing independent nations of their own due to their vast social standing and military might.


    But most mages preferred the heat of battle or the cool interior of libraries, reluctant to enter the quagmire that was politics. As a result, most Academies associated themselves with a nearby nation, one with similar ideals and sufficient military prowess. This meant the battlemages got their fill of war and the researchers had the quiet they desired.


    The carriage rolled to a stop outside the offices, Kothar and Simon hopped out and saw parents from all corners of the kingdom, some wearing elaborate clothing, others dressed in rustic farm wear, there was even an enormous man, dressed in heavy furs.


    They joined the throng of young teens and their guardians gathered outside the Trinquile offices, all hoping for a high enough affinity which would allow them to bypass the grueling entry examinations that all Academies administered.


    The tall doors, covered in fine gold inlay, slowly opened inwards. A short, bald man stood in the entrance with his arms behind his back. He wore heavy leather clothing covered in fine designs, and was extremely old, his face an old dried up prune.


    [Detecting novel energy circuit. Initiating analysis. Estimated processing time: 10 years]


    Silane had obviously recognized the markings for what they were, runes inscribed on the old battlemages clothing to enhance it. Kothar was shocked, and also glad that Silane appeared to be recovering some of her functions. The old man''s eyes narrowed as he saw Kothar gazing at the runes, and he furrowed his brow.


    "I am Krieg, I will be supervising today''s assessment." Krieg had a surprisingly mellow voice for his age and a kindly smile added to his mellow atmosphere. Krieg stroked his thin, wispy beard as he beckoned to the crowd.


    "Follow me please." He marched into the ornate building. The young hopefuls marveling at the numerous light crystals on the walls and ceiling, the multicolored lights flickering to create beautiful patterns reminiscent of flowers in full bloom.


    Coming to another set of doors, Krieg raised his hand slightly, the doors swinging open in response. Inside was a row of desks with clerks sat at each one.


    "Please line up to register and receive a waiting slip, myself or one of my associates will be waiting in separate rooms to keep your results private." Krieg said as he took a seat behind one of the desks.


    Keeping the results secret was necessary to prevent rival academies from kidnapping talented young mages, which was still all too common if one bragged too loudly.


    "Number 54!" Krieg called out, standing at the entrance of one of the doors on the far side of the waiting room. Simon tapped Kothar on the shoulder, he had become immersed in the alchemical tome he had brought with him. They both started up and headed to the testing room.


    "We have two orbs here, the first shall test your aptitude, which primarily tests your analytical capability as well as your potential to grow. The second shall test your elemental affinities. Please place both hands on the first orb and relax, shift your attention towards the orb, try looking to its center." Krieg gestured to the two orbs, set out on low tables within the dim room.


    Kothar stared into the orb, focusing on the swirling mist within, the mist slowly started to brighten under his palms, becoming brighter and brighter and beginning to revolve like a cyclone. Soon, the orb began to shine with a blinding light that pulsed twice then disappeared.


    "Very impressive, a prime grade mana potential. You should be very pleased with yourself young man. But remember, hard work along with talent will bring rewards." Krieg looked at Kothar with a genuine glint of admiration in his eyes.


    Simon struggled to contain his joy, his young pupil was guaranteed to become an impressive mage, even though he might not become a scholar, he would still be successful on his chosen path. Kothar maintained his usual serious expression, but was elated internally, studying the mysteries of magic just might help him find a way back to his home.


    "Ok, now the second orb, please. Same as before." Krieg gestured to the other orb, which was identical, except it lacked any mist swirling inside. Kothar placed his hands on the orb and relaxed, focusing on the center. Dark spots began to appear within the orb, forming clumps as they aggregated.


    Krieg''s eyes widened as he leant forward to get a better look. The clumps grew larger and small white sparks began to appear, jumping between the clumps of dark material. As the sparks grew in number and the clumps increased in size, arcs of lighting began to arc within the orb, illuminating the room.


    "Amazing, a prime spatial affinity alongside a prime lightning affinity. You sure are an extremely gifted young man." Krieg''s voice dropped to a whisper.


    "Be sure to keep this to yourselves, tell nobody, or you could put your charge in grave danger." Krieg commanded Simon.


    Simon nodded, gulping nervously.


    Krieg set his hand on Kothar''s shoulder, leaning towards him.


    "Child, if you would like to truly learn spatial magic, come find me after your first year examinations, preform well and you could become my personal apprentice." Krieg said softly.


    "Krieg is a great spatial battle mage Kothar, this is a great opportunity for you." Simon chimed in.


    "I have one condition, to ensure you learn the perfect basics of spatial magic from me, you can only use lightning affinity spells until you become my pupil." Krieg looked at Kothar, his face stoic.


    Kothar looked straight ahead, deep in thought, then he bowed deeply towards Krieg.


    "I shall not disappoint you, teacher."


    "Hahahaha, how cocky, it''s good you have some spirit." Krieg clapped Kothar on the shoulder.


    "See you at the Academy, boy."


    Simon and Kothar hopped in their carriage, excitedly discussing the future. A mysterious figure was perched on a nearby rooftop.


    "Bloody Academy Mages, always obsessed with cloaking spells." The figure pulled some of the mist from around itself, and began to shape it into a bird.


    Finally, the figure had formed a remarkable approximation of a blackbird, then the figure leaned down and began to whisper into its ear, letting it fly free once it had received its instructions.

 Chapter 4 - Preparation

    Upon returning home, Simon excitedly broke the news of Kothar''s newly discovered talents to Tam and Ophil.


    "Didn''t I tell you honey, our boy is something special." Ophil grinned from ear to ear, wrapping Kothar in a warm hug.


    "He sure is!" Tam rushed over to the two of them, laughing and picking Kothar up and swinging him about.


    "Come now, dear, he''s almost a young man, you can''t be picking him up like that." Ophil protested.


    "Hahahaha, he''s still my son, I''ll be picking him up and swinging him about for as long as I live." Kothar''s heart warmed hearing Tam, he had never been able to experience a family, spending his early years in labs and experimental facilities on the Garden, his only excursions to the micro climates scattered around the planet, to familiarize him with alien biologies.


    "Well, son; I guess it''s time for you to start having lessons with me. We''ll start tomorrow, see you bright and early, right after dawn." Tam set Kothar down, and ruffled his hair. Kothar stepped away awkwardly, confused as how to respond to his family''s affection. The closest thing to that he had known in his previous life was Silane''s constant companionship, from when he was very young.


    The next day Kothar yawned as he made his way down to the courtyard behind their home, where Tam waited for him. Tam was dressed in a loose pair of white cotton clothes. He sat with his legs crossed, under one of the large trees in the courtyard, his eyes closed and his breathing relaxed.


    "Have a seat." Tam opened his eyes and gestured for Kothar to join him on the ground.


    "Son, I''m sure you''re aware from your studies, our world is permeated by a formless energy. The ancients named it mana. Everything, living or non-living, contains mana. Harnessing mana has allowed us light at all hours, to have clean, hot water in our cities, to travel long distances without needing horses and every luxury we take for granted." Kothar nodded, Simon had been very thorough in his education.


    "But what does it have to do with training, Father?" Tam smiled and continued.


    "We are all beings of mana, and because of this, we can draw mana into ourselves and utilize it to perform what you would call magic. Let me demonstrate." Tam stood and stretched, taking a low stance he thrust out his palm toward the tree, letting out a grunt as he did so.


    Thud. To Kothar''s surprise, the tree shook and a palm print had appeared in the bark of the tree.


    "This is the Basic Warrior Magic: Force Emission. It allows warriors to strike from a distance, allowing us to fight on par with any battle mage. All disciplines have their own magics, but remember all magics stem from mana." Kothar started up, eager to try it out for himself. Tam smiled and pulled him back down, settling down next to him.


    "Settle down son, a single basic spell as you are now would leave you comatose for weeks. First, you''ll be learning how to gather and retain mana. To start off, I want you to relax completely, like you did during the test for the academy. Now, instead of directing your attention to something, I want you to direct it outwards, without focusing on anything in particular." Kothar followed Tam''s instructions, directing his attention out.


    "Now it can take some time to get a feel for the mana, it isn''t intuitive for everyone." Kothar continued to relax, slowing his breathing and continuing to shift his attention out. He began to feel a strange sensation, like he was being completely submerged in a pool of warm water, but rather than a warmth on his skin, it was as if the warmth was inside him. The warm feeling continued to increase.


    "Father, I feel something, what should I do now?" Tam''s eyes flicked open in surprise, he gazed proudly at Kothar. Tam continued his instruction.


    "Now I want you to shift your attention directly on to the sensation you feel, this will hold the mana there as your body absorbs the mana and it becomes a part of you."


    Kothar felt the warmth fade away as he held the mana in place. He felt rejuvenated afterwards, as if he had rested for a full night.


    "Continue that process son, and you''ll have enough mana to cast a basic spell in a week." Tam headed out of the courtyard, leaving Kothar to continue his training. Kothar diligently continued to gather and hold mana, losing himself in the process, enjoying the cycle of warming and cooling that followed the process.


    Kothar opened his eyes to the dim light of dusk, he had been sitting under the tree all day! Kothar stood, to his surprise, he didn''t feel cramped or sore from sitting on the ground all day, rather he felt refreshed and renewed.


    [Energy levels 0.01%. 1% required to restore basic AI functionality.]


    [Silane! You''re still there.]


    Kothar realized that the mana he had been gathering could passively power Silane, just as the captured star had done in his previous life. He was now even more determined to learn magic, with enough mana he would once again have Silane by his side, and together they would unravel the mysteries of magic.


    "I hear you''ve begun to gather mana, Kothar." Simon had been waiting for him indoors, the empty plate and pile of books by his side indicating he had been sitting for some time.


    "Teacher, sorry I-" Kothar began to apologize, but Simon cut him short.


    "It''s only normal to lose yourself in your first meditation session, your mother made me a delicious sandwich while I waited." Simon lifted one of the books from the pile, a thin book with silver inlay on the navy blue cover.


    "This is a little gift for you, it contains everything you need to master the Basic Spell: Bolt. With the theory of magic I''ve taught you. I trust you''ll be more than capable of deciphering the magical constructs required to cast it." Simon explained.


    "Thank you Uncle, I won''t let you down." Kothar took the book from Simon, marveling at the delicate inlay and the fine leather of the cover.


    Meanwhile, Ophil and Tam were in Tam''s study, talking in hushed but forceful voices.


    "I told you love, we should''ve left the Kingdom after the last campaign, the King is asking too much of you this time." Ophil implored Tam.


    "I know. But you know he doesn''t ask lightly. And since when did he become ''the King''?" Tam laid a hand on Ophil''s shoulder.


    "Since he started acting like damn pr*ck!" Ophil''s voice grew heated, a fierce anger in her voice.


    "Come now, you know he''s always depended on me, on all of us." Tam''s spoke in his usual tone, walking around to where she was seated, opposite his large wooden desk.


    "You''re right husband. But what of Kothar?" Ophil leant back in her chair, and sighed.


    "We''ll have a talk with Simon tonight.." Tam reassured her, wrapping his arm around her.

 Chapter 5 - Basic Spell: Bolt

    The interlocking rings of the spell construct swam before Kothar''s eyes. He had been staring at the page for what felt like hours, engraving the image into his brain. A mage''s first spell construct allowed for the conversion of pure mana into the more specialized elemental forms, however, one''s constitution determined if their body could endure the much more volatile elemental mana.


    Pfffzt. The construct flickered out again, as Kothar misaligned one of the anchoring runes. His head pounded, he had fought off great armies, but creating a purely imaginary structure to convert a strange energy, that was new to him. Frustrated, he slumped forward, leaning his head on the desk. Tired, Kothar began to drift off to sleep.


    In the narrow space between dream and reality, the mind gains the freedom to do extraordinary things. For the past day, his mind had been in a fixed routine of attempting to create the construct and it continued to create the construct as he drifted off. The final rune clicked into place as he shaped it with ease, no longer forcing the construct to mesh together.


    Mana surged toward the construct, and the rings began to spin. A spark formed in the center, with more sparks joining it, creating a swirling ball of lightning in Kothar''s chest. Unaware, Kothar had created the construct that he had struggled with for the whole day. Click. The door opened, and Ophil glided in, smiling at the sight of Kothar''s face on his desk, drooling over his papers. She lifted him up with remarkable ease and placed him on his bed, gently covering him with a blanket.


    Kothar awoke with a start, he immediately noticed the swirling ball of energy that had formed overnight. He leapt out of bed and rushed to the courtyard eager to cast his first spell. Tam was sat in the courtyard, in his usual spot by the tree.


    "Well, you look excited, I assume you''re ready to cast?" Tam stood up, walking over to Kothar.


    Kothar nodded and took on a wide stance, while his outstretched arms cupped an empty circle of air. Kothar pushed strands of the lightning through his arms, the surging, tingling feeling was strange, almost painful. A small ball of lightning formed between his hands, it was faint and barely visible.


    "That''s it Son! Fire at the tree when you''re ready." Tam crossed his arms and waited.


    Kothar pushed his arms forward, sending a lightning bolt toward the tree they usually sat under. A loud crack echoed through the courtyard, the bolt struck the tree, sending up a flash of flame.


    "Alright. We''re getting some practice targets in here, if this tree takes any more punishment from the two of us it''ll be done for." Tam said as he brushed the soot off the tree.


    "Well done Son. Now, I''d like for you to get some more training before you go on that excursion you''ve been telling Simon all about. That Skysteel isn''t going to be found by anyone anytime soon, Janul Forest is a massive place." Tam explained to Kothar.


    "I''d like for you to teach me some sword arts then, Father." Kothar replied, a smile spreading across his face.


    "Hmm, that''s very unorthodox, but I do know the Southern Mages are virtually indistinguishable from warriors. As they say, all paths lead to One." Tam ran his hand along the hilt of his sword, deep in thought.


    Tam cut a branch from the already battered tree. He tossed it to Kothar.


    "You''ll only be learning the very basics, clouding your head with swordplay is a good way for you to waste that magical gift of yours." Kothar watched as Tam demonstrated the basic forms that he knew, slicing, stabbing and cutting with the branch. He tossed the branch to Kothar.


    "Do these forms before and after you meditate, once they become habit, you should be able to deal with anything that gets too close for you to cast in time. Most mages learn defensive spells early, but I guess the best defense is offense huh?" Tam said, laughing. Tam began to demonstrate the basic sword forms, drawing his thin steel sword and slowly moving through the motions.


    They light faded from the sky as Kothar watched Tam, doing his best to emulate his sword forms, he grasped them surprisingly quickly, thanks to his entire lifetime of combat experience.


    The next day, Simon and Kothar were sat at the long dining table, enjoying a light meal of fruit and candied nuts.


    "Why do you want this Skysteel so bad anyway?" asked Simon. They had just finished a lengthy study session on the intricacies of utilizing runes in metal work.


    "Well, it''s used by lightning mages to create wands and staffs." Kothar said plainly, peeling an purple colored fruit with a small knife.


    "I know that, but weren''t you asking me about smithing a sword?" Simon had a curious look on his face.


    "Hahaha, take a look at this." Kothar pulled out blueprint of an elegant blade, curved and bladed on only one edge it was about 1.2 meters long. The spine of the blade had a long groove within it, either side of the groove was linked by strands of metal that formed intricate runes.


    Simon peered down at the blueprint for a few minutes, a look of understanding slowly dawning across his face.


    "Absolutely amazing, you''re incorporating the elemental mana storing properties of a staff into the sword." Simon exclaimed.


    "I can''t take all the credit, I adapted it from a design I found after Father told me about the Southern Warriors." Kothar explained, showing Simon the many reference designs he had collected.


    "Nevertheless, this could be revolutionary for battle mages!" Simon said excitedly.


    "I''d prefer to keep it to myself for now, it''ll be a useful trump card." Kothar dampened SImon''s excitement.


    "Absolutely, a hidden advantage in battle can turn the entire tide. Come on now, shall we cover the unique flora and fauna of Janul forest." Simon said as he left the living room.


    After a week of intensive training and lessons from Simon, Simon and Tam felt he was ready.


    Kothar returned to his room from a productive trip to the markets with Simon, they had purchased some rations, a few healing balms and some other useful odds and ends for his trip. Kothar spotted a wooden case on his bed, within lay a short blade, slightly longer than his forearm, useful as both a tool and a weapon.


    A handwritten note lay on the black lacquered sheath, "For the unexpected, be vigilant and remember your lessons.-Your loving Father, Tam." Kothar sat down smiling, he slowly drew the blade from the sheath by the cord wrapped handle, revealing a robust double edged blade of fine blue steel. Kothar packed the rations into a leather satchel, throwing in a few books on alchemy and smithing. He looped the sword belt around his waist and headed out into the evening glow.


    Ophil watched as Kothar left from her rooftop greenhouse, a sad smile on her face.


    "They grow up so fast." She whispered to herself. Raising her hand up to her face, she blew on the handful of seeds on her palm, a green glow suffusing them as they floated down from the roof and lodged themselves all about Kothar''s clothes and belongings.


    "Stay safe my child."

 Chapter 6 - Janul Forest

    The dim glow under the thick canopy obscured most creatures, some hid to hunt while others hid from said hunters. A dark green cloak added Kothar to the list of creatures, a necessary purchase for any traveler who did not want to be easy pickings for denizens of Janul. Long vines slithered down most branches, some disguised venomous snakes, others equally dangerous carnivorous plants. The low tunnels formed by the roots of the larger trees hid territorial boars and curious rabbits.


    All the while, the Janul Panther stalked through the trees. Kothar had read much about the panther, its deep green fur, characteristic of most mammals in Janul, concealed it in the deep shadows of the trees. It had large paws, perfectly suited for climbing and balancing amongst the lower branches, its favorite tactic was to sit on a branch above the exit of a boar tunnel, and await its meal.


    Kothar would be mimicking the panther''s strategy today, while he had sufficient rations, he knew it was best to save them for a rainy day.


    Kothar crouched on the broad bough that curved over the boar tunnels. The clearing it led to was filled with mushrooms that were found throughout the forest. Many were edible, and delicious, but without a trained dog or pig to distinguish them, they would be fatal.


    Kothar watched as a large group of boars snuffled their way through the clearing, digging up tasty roots with their large tusks and chomping up thick mushrooms. He took note of the mushrooms they ate and which ones they avoided. However, he did not strike, such a large group of Janul Boar could be fatal to even an experienced woodsman, let alone a Novice Mage.


    The boar gradually made their way out of the clearing, the aftermath of their buffet left behind. Large holes cratered the clearing, fragments of mushrooms littered the ground, and a large pile of droppings marked their territory.


    This was what Kothar had been waiting for. He peered down as a pair of green ears poked out from a small tunnel on the edge of the clearing, a rabbit emerged, looking around for danger. Another rabbit followed, and another, then another.


    The rabbits hopped about the clearing, making the most of the exposed roots and remaining mushrooms that the boars had left for them. The rabbits could feed safely, as even the Janul Panther would steer clear of a large group of boars. Unfortunately for them, a new predator was hunting them, Kothar.


    A light crackle filled the air, immediately the rabbits'' ears shot up, and their eyes darted around the clearing. Seeing no obvious danger they continued to eat. His Bolt fully charged, he took careful aim and blasted at a rabbit. A loud crack filled the air lancing a fat rabbit through its chest. A sudden flurry filled the clearing as the rabbits fled into their burrows. He hopped down into the clearing and picked up the smoking carcass. Stowing the rabbit in his pack, he disappeared into the forest.


    A small pile of wood shavings lay at the center of the small clearing, Kothar carefully shot a small spark into the pile, immediately igniting the bone dry wood. Kothar built up the fire and reminisced of many similar nights on foreign planets, hunting fugitives from the Galactic Alliance.


    With the rabbit skinned, and cut into 4 roughly equal pieces, he set the skewered rabbit over the fire, and a delicious aroma filled the air. While the rabbit cooked, Kothar took a thin string from his pack, evenly spaced across the sting were many small bells. Winding the string around his small camp, Kothar thought of the first time he had used the same trick, on a particularly nasty microbiome on the Garden, before the days when he had inbuilt sensors to warn him of any and all dangers. Now confident of his safety, Kothar sat down to eat.


    -----


    Kothar sped through the pillars of the forest, he had felt a deep thrumming in his chest as he had made his way through the forest. It had to be the Skysteel. The thrumming grew stronger as he instinctively ran deeper into the forest, he had yet to see any other searchers, but since the Skysteel was only valuable to Beginner mages or lower he would likely be safe. Since most mages of that rank would be found at an Academy.


    Kothar began to see broken trees and gaps in the canopy, allowing beams of sunlight to shine down into the cathedral that was Janul. Coming to a large clearing Kothar spotted the Skysteel. It was absolutely magnificent, a dark lump of metal surrounded by a crater, its surface crackling with raw lightning.


    The clearing was empty of tree cover, which meant one was safe from ambush, but would also be visible to any others surrounding the clearing. Kothar decided to wait till nightfall to make his move. Meanwhile, an off looking blackbird cocked its head, perched in the trees around the clearing, peering down at Kothar.


    A hunched figure spidered across the clearing, dressed in loose hooded black clothing. As the figure closed in on the Skysteel, Kothar stood, ready to fight for the prize. Crack! A blue blur shot across the clearing, slamming into the man''s chest. He flew back, his hood flying back to reveal a squat bald head, dotted with tattoos.


    The man cried out in pain, drawing a few hollow glass balls from his clothing. He threw these at the growling beast, which was now standing over him, the noxious yellow cloud that subsequently spread around the two of them concealing them from Kothar''s sight.


    Kothar watched as the man emerged, a cloth clutched over his mouth, wincing as he walked toward the Skysteel. Suddenly a blue blur shot out from the cloud of smoke, slamming into his back and sending him flying back to the ground. The beast lunged viciously at the man, who had procured a dagger from seemingly nowhere and thrust up at the beast, stabbing it''s underbelly. The two were locked in a fatal embrace, the beast with its jaws clasped about the man''s throat, as he stabbed at the beast with the last of his energy.. A blackbird cocked its head, perched in the trees around the clearing, peering down at Kothar.

 Chapter 7 - Skysteel

    The noxious yellow cloud cleared, and Kothar approached the intertwined pair. Now that he could see the beast clearly he was able to identify it, a long snout and long limbs clearly identified if as a wolf. The blue fur meant that it was likely the Fidour Wolf, often found in the high reaches north of Balin.


    It had been attracted to the Skysteel for the same reason as Kothar, they both shared a lightning attribute. Kothar veered around the bodies, cautious of the yellow cloud that weakened the wolf.


    The man, who appeared to be a Beginner Thief, should not have been able to kill the Fidour Wolf let alone pierce its hide. Kothar approached the lump of Skysteel at the center of the crater, he reached out skin tingling with anticipation, the sparks dancing across the surface mesmerizing him. Feeling a tingle on the back of his neck, he jumped aside. SNAP.


    The jaws of the Fidour Wolf closed where his head had been mere moments ago. Blade in hand, Kothar stared down the wolf, on its last legs.


    It stared back, its intelligent gaze showing determination even as it rasped and drooled blood. Kothar lunged forward as the wolf did, he slashed at the wolf''s eyes, hoping to blind it. Sword play was his only option, a Fidour Wolf would be unfazed from his Basic Bolt, it might even become more energetic.


    Kothar rained a flurry of blows onto the wolf''s head even as he narrowly evaded its snapping jaws. He narrowly caught it across one eye and the wolf began to yelp, it slumped down, head low and haunches in the air, waiting for Kothar to finish it.


    Kothar had lived among rare species his entire youth on Garden, not willing to end the life of this brave beast he sheathed his sword. The Fidour Wolf raised its head, slinking out of the clearing as it side eyed Kothar.


    Now free to approach the Skysteel, Kothar went to pick it up. The thrumming in his chest grew in magnitude, and as he touched the ore, a massive bolt of energy shot out from the Skysteel and shot toward his chest, joining the swirling lightning core.


    [Energy levels 0.1%. 1% required to restore basic AI functionality]


    The residual energy in the Skysteel had greatly increased his elemental lightning reserves, which meant that he would have the company of Silane all the sooner. Wrapping the Skysteel in a large piece of leather, Kothar placed it in his pack, ready to return home.


    The journey back had been uneventful, Kothar had come across others searching for the Skysteel but stayed clear of them, most would have some way of detecting the ore, he hoped the energy he had absorbed would prevent the other searchers from descending on him like a swarm of flies, greedy for a juicy morsel.


    Luckily for him, he reached Balin without any major incident, making his way to his family''s large stone townhouse. Ophil was sitting in one of the tall chairs in the foyer, a book on exotic plants in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.


    "Welcome back Son." She greeted him with her usual sweet smile.


    "Tell me all about it." Ophil patted the chair next to her, signalling he should join her. Kothar greeted her, and began to tell her of his recent adventure in the Janul Forest.


    A few hours later, Simon flung the doors of the house open, his curls bouncing wildly as he searched for Kothar.


    "I want to see it! Kothar!" His mellow voice echoed through the building.


    "Here Uncle." Kothar called out, emerging from his room, the leather wrapped ore in his arms. Simon eagerly unwrapped the ore, yelping and pulling his arm back as a small spark shocked him.


    "Amazing, it carries residual Lightning Mana, not to mention it''s mana channeling properties, no wonder it''s a favorite material to craft staffs and wands." Simon peered at the Skysteel, a telescopic monocle now perched over one eye.


    "Hmm, I guess it''s time you met Jotun."


    Simon escorted Kothar and his prize to massive building near the center of the city, smoke billowed from multiple chimneys that rose from the back of the behemoth, and a red glow emanated from its doors. The pair entered, and Simon immediately approached a young boy wearing the typical gloves and overalls of a blacksmith.


    "Please tell Jotun I''m here, it''s about the favor I asked of him."


    "Of course, sir." The boy nodded, disappearing into the bowels of the massive smithing complex. Kothar gazed about in wonder, the massive structure and bustling workers reminiscent of the weapons factories that he had often visited.


    An ox of a man emerged from the depths of the building, his massive build and the thick braids of his hair backlit by the fires of the forges evoking the image of the mythical Minotaur. He stomped towards them, wearing the typical apron of a blacksmith, but he was also adorned with a multitude of intricate tattoos, some of which Kothar could identify as runes.


    [Detecting novel energy circuit. Initiating analysis. Estimated processing time: 1000 years]


    [Abort task, record visible sections and store record] Kothar couldn''t have Silane attempting to analyze every runic complex they came across, rather he had begun to catalog them, hoping they would be of some use in the future.


    "This is the rumored nephew aye? I hear there''s a fine head on those shoulders lad." Jotun''s voice boomed over the clanking of anvil and steel, the roaring of fires and the clamor of many voices.


    "Nice to meet you Mr. Jotun." Kothar said politely, maintaining the image of a polite young teen.


    "Well met lad, no need for that Mr. business, Jotun was good enough for my ma and it''ll always be good enough for me!" He clapped Kothar on the shoulder.


    "Lets see this Skysteel then Kothar." Kothar unwrapped the Skysteel, placing it on a workbench, Simon laid down the blueprint next to it, smoothing it out. Jotun sighed with the satisfaction of a craftsman who sees something novel.


    "This''ll craft a fine blade young Kothar."

 Chapter 8 - Smithing?

    Jotun pored over the blueprint, the low rumble of his hum filling the air around him. He called Kothar over, and pointed at the network of runes over the spine of the blade.


    "See this, difficult to make if blade is to be strong, we shall have to mold the back of the blade and only forge the edge." Jotun obviously wasn''t familiar with the language of Ursten, but spoke with confidence nonetheless.


    Kothar nodded his head in agreement, amazed at how quickly Jotun had found a solution. Simon darted about the smithy, occasionally returning to the workbench to examine their progress, but focusing more on conversing with the workers who spoke faraway tongues, which would be essential to his research on the Ancients.


    A wax block was brought to the workbench and Jotun began to carve the intricate network of runes. Kothar looked on as the master craftsman deftly revealed the shape of his sword from the wax block. Jotun then placed the facsimile of the sword in a tray filled with sand, which would allow them to pour the molten metal into the wax, melting the wax and replacing it with metal.


    Jotun picked up the lump of Skysteel, marching over to a large brick forge. He placed the ore into a large crucible which he then picked up and placed into the forge.


    Jotun then placed his hands together in front of his face and began to blow onto the fire in the forge. The runes tattooed over his arms glowed with a dull red light, as Jotun''s breath stoked the flames. Once the crucible heated up, Jotun handed Kothar a hammer.


    "Your blade should have some of your blows." Jotun then turned back to the forge, reaching into the flames bare handed, he picked up the glowing crucible and poured the molten metal into the mold they had prepared earlier. The wax hissed out of the holes in the sand, vaporized by the heated metal.


    After waiting for some time to let the sword set in its shape, Jotun shook it free of the sand and carried it over to the anvil. He pointed at the edge of the blade and gestured for Kothar to begin hammering. Kothar knew from his own manufacturing that the forging would grant the edge much greater hardness than the back of the blade.


    After some time Jotun took over the forging, sending up great showers of sparks with every blow. After he had forged the blade to his satisfaction, Jotun took the blade and quenched it in a great vat filled with a murky black liquid. Allowing the blade to cool, he came and sat with Kothar and Simon on the bench, which they had been observing him from.


    "You would like the handle and scabbard to be like your drawing?" Kothar nodded in response, evidently exhausted by the intense hammering required to forge the blade. Jotun laughed a big booming laugh that rumbled through the smithy.


    "Go get some rest lad. You shall have your sword in a week." Jotun said, ushering the pair of them out of the smithy and returning to his work.


    Kothar and Simon both trudged home, exhausted and sweating from the dry heat of the smithy.


    Over the next week Kothar maintained his routine of dawn meditation to increase his mana reserves, followed by practicing his Bolt spell and swordplay. Simon would arrive for their studies in the morning, and they would spend the day on the books, with Ophil occasionally joining them.


    Tam had yet to return from his journey, and Ophil had been very evasive when Kothar had asked her when he might return. Kothar mulled over where Tam might be, but his father had rarely spoken about his work and where it might take him.


    Eventually a cloth wrapped package arrived from Jotun. Unwrapping the package revealed a deep blue scabbard made of thick dyed leather, Jotun had wrapped the handle in copper wire, evidently aware of Kothar''s intentions to use the sword as a tool for casting lightning spells.


    He drew the blade from its scabbard and it whispered through the air. Sending mana through his arm down into the blade, it began to emit a low buzzing sound as the groove in the spine of the blade began to fill with condensed lightning mana. Pointing the blade at on the practice targets that had been erected in the courtyard, he attempted to cast his Bolt spell. The bolt cracked toward the target, the stored mana shortening his cast time.


    Pleased with the blade Kothar slashed at the target. To his surprise the blade passed cleanly through the target, like a hot knife through butter. The blade was to be sharp, but not to such a high degree. Examining it more closely, Kothar realized that the vibration caused by the stored lightning mana was causing the edge to vibrate rapidly, enhancing the cutting edge. Kothar sheathed the blade with a smile, happy with the results of his first project.


    "Kothar! Kothar! Get up, we must leave now!" Kothar blearily opened his eyes to reveal Simon leaning over him, his usually well kept curls disheveled, with a multitude of bags and scroll cases slung over his shoulder.


    Kothar leapt out of bed, shrugging on the loose training clothes that he kept by his bed. He picked up his sword belt and pack, following Simon through the house.


    They emerged out into the street, where they could see the glow of distant torchlight and fires in the city and hear the clashing of weapons. Ophil rounded the corner, wearing the heavy leather robes of a battle mage.


    "Good, you have him. Simon, take him to the academy. Son, you''ll be safe at the academy, Simon will explain everything. Both of you, be safe." Ophil raised her arms, a green glow surrounded her as the paving stones behind her erupted, a mass of roots erupting from the ground, the tangle of roots created an impenetrable wall, blocking Simon and Kothar off from Ophil and the battle that was ensuing in the streets of Balin.


    Kothar watched as glowing torchlight rounded the corner, and Ophil rose up on a tangled mass of vines, she yelled fiercely at the approaching attackers, shocking Kothar, who had only heard her speak in her soft mellow tone. Sweeping her arms forward, the vines became lances that arced toward the attackers, however Kothar was not to see the rest of the battle, as Simon pulled him by the arm to hurry them towards safe haven.


    The air was filled with the screams of the attackers, and the mysterious figure watched as Ophil decimated their ranks.. Suddenly, the figure spun around, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, in the direction that Simon and Kothar had gone.

 Chapter 9 - Road To The Academy (2)

    The pair hurried through the wide roads of Balin, the usually bright streets now dark and gloomy. Simon led Kothar towards the East gate, which would take them directly away from the fighting in the city while still allowing them to travel close to the Academy, which was situated north east of Balin, in the foothills of the Fidour mountains.


    Simon handed Kothar the dark green cloak that he had worn to the Janul forest, evidently he had been somewhat prepared to make their getaway.


    "We''ll make our way to the Academy on foot, it''ll make us less conspicuous to any pursuers." Simon pulled his own hood low over his head, nudging Kothar to do the same.


    "What''s going on?" Kothar asked.


    "Your father was tasked with invading the lands of Duke Kultas, as he was plotting against King Rotan, however, some of Kultas'' allies seemed to be unhappy about the invasion, hence the retaliation" Simon said in a surprisingly light tone. This was definitely not his first midnight getaway.


    "Father was tasked with doing what?" A hint of surprise edged into Kothar''s usually monotone voice.


    "Hahaha, most of the Kingdom knows your father as General Tam, but he doesn''t like to bring his work home." Simon chuckled, leading in and out of narrow alleyways and even taking a shortcut through a dilapidated house.


    Kothar strode alongside Simon silently, in his typical stoic manner. The pair emerged from the wide open gates on to the grasslands east of the castle. The guards were nowhere to be seen, either they lay unconscious in their barracks or some had been paid off. The Fidour mountains towered to the north, visible by the faint moonlight that flowed over the landscape.


    Suddenly, the clatter of hoofbeats sounded out in the distance, rising in volume as they grew closer.


    "Get down." Simon hissed, grabbing Kothar and pulling him off the side of the paved road, and into the tall grasses of the plains. They held their breaths, motionless, as the hoofbeats grew closer and closer. Thankfully, the horsemen continued galloping onwards, not realizing their quarry lay only a few meters away in the grasses.


    After the hoofbeats had faded well into the distance, Simon and Kothar decided to avoid the road. They cut through the plains, walking through the monotonous landscape.


    As the moon set and the night grew darker, they camped under one of few trees found in the grasslands. Simon yelled out, clapping and hooting to flush out any wild beasts that might be sharing their shelter.


    They ate cold rations, fearing that the light of a fire would expose them to their pursuers.


    Over the following days the pair fell into a routine, they would spend most of the day walking without a break. During their rare rests, Kothar would meditate and Simon would peruse his scrolls by the light of a small magic crystal he had brought along with them.


    Often, then they would walk while the moon lit the plains, giving a silver sheen to the rolling grasslands that stretched out far to the north, rising up into the Fidour mountains in the distance.


    The days blended together, their monotone routine dragging on, until finally the grasslands began to give way to the rolling foothills of Fidour. They were nearing the halfway point of their journey. Now that the rolling hills would obscure nighttime fires, their journey was less grueling, and they enjoyed hot meals of wild game that Simon captured easily with snares he lay before sleeping. They now followed the hills east, for further in the mountains lay dangerous terrain and powerful beasts.


    On a particularly cold night, they had trekked far closer to the mountains than earlier in their journey, avoiding a travelling merchant''s caravan. It was Simon''s turn to keep watch and Kothar fell into a deep sleep.


    Kothar awoke, he felt chilled to the bone yet he was profusely sweating. Looking around, he saw that Simon was awake. Kothar met Simon''s gaze, Simon silently lifted a finger to his lips, as he kicked dirt over the fire. Hunching down, Simon pointed towards the north, where an eerie blue and green glow filled the night sky.


    The glow grew brighter and Kothar began to make out a cacophony of loud screeches. The source of the screeches came into view, a massive green eagle, locked in aerial combat with an ice blue phoenix.


    The eagle''s feathers shone like the finest steel, shimmering as it danced through the air. Its beak had a vicious curve, and looked razor sharp.


    The phoenix looked as if it were carved out of a solid block of ice, each feather looked like a fine ice sculpture, it had a set of purple plumes on its heads, which it shook proudly at the eagle.


    Kothar watched wide eyed, as the eagle began to hover in place, beating its huge wings to stay aloft. The eagle screeched as blades of wind began to swirl around it, picking up speed as it flapped its wings. In response, the phoenix flew up high, a cloud of ice crystals forming around its wings.


    When a churning tornado had formed around the eagle, it sped towards the phoenix. The phoenix let out a defiant cry, and folded its ice encased wings in front of it, forming a shining shield of ice. The two of them collided in a burst of ice shards and flashing wind blades, a massive boom resounding across the hill, the grass flattening. Kothar and Simon were knocked back by the sheer force of the faraway impact.


    By the time they came to their feet, the combatants had disappeared.


    Seeing the two titanic birds clash, Kothar realized the sheer power of even the beasts on this world and was resolved to increase his combat ability. One of the birds he had seen earlier would be the equal of a warship in his previous life, this planet was truly dangerous.


    Luckily, the journey gave Kothar the opportunity to begin planning augmentations to his biology, even though he now had the use of magic, he knew just how powerful a cyborg could be.


    He had decided on enhancing one of his eyes to begin with, and was utilizing Silane''s currently limited features to plan how they would safely implant the Mana Sensing Crystal that he would shape into a lens.


    [Silane, run implant simulation, adjust for lack of 100% sterile environment and medical equipment.]


    [Success rate: 70%]


    Since he lacked any anesthesia or assistance, he had chosen to begin with the lens augmentation, as it would still be a virtually painless procedure and he could easily perform it alone.


    "Something on your mind?" Simon inquired, shaking Kothar out of his planning.


    "No uncle, just thinking about what the Academy will be like." Kothar deflected.


    "You''ll be surprised at the grand scale of it, mages do love their towers. Most of all, the sheer amount of traffic to and from the Academy will come as a surprise. Who knew mages loved to eat so much." Simon laughed,


    "People come from all across the Kingdom hoping to hire a mage or utilize their services. Some for healing, some for war and some for wealth. We might run into some fellow travelers soon, be careful to let on that you''re a guaranteed student.


    At best, they''ll tell you the saddest life story you''ve ever heard and at worse the more vicious might attempt to kidnap you. Many a naive novice has disappeared en route to the Academy." Simon continued, now serious.


    Still following the pair, the mysterious figure still shadowed them. With the absence of a convenient rooftop, the figure now slouched near to the ground. Shrouded in the mists surrounding it, which had grown much thicker.. It crept closer to where the pair had camped, tendrils of black mist curling through the grass.

 Chapter 10 - Trinquile

    As Kothar and Simon drew closer to the Academy, the emerald slopes of the foothils were marred with the marks of civilization. Columns of smoke in the air from remote farms, the empty eyed stare of sheep and cows, dirt tracks which soon gave way to paved roads.


    For even though mages could draw water from the air and coax fruits from the ground, there was no such thing as steak magic and a thriving hub such as Trinquile was perfect for a farmer to peddle their wares.


    The pair now walked on a paved road, their travel worn and dirt stained clothes blending in with many of the travelers who came seeking magic from afar. There was a smorgasbord of individuals from all parts of Balin and beyond. Dour faced swordsmen escorting gaudy merchants, a young solider with a missing eye, nobles and their entourage, mysterious foreigners in deep black cloaks, Kothar marveled at them all.


    "Where do you hail from?" A portly merchant approached Kothar. Simon stepped between Kothar and the merchant.


    "My son and I are travelling scholars, we hope to to sell some scrolls to the lord mages at the Academy." Simon stared at the merchant, who was licking his pale lips and fiddling with the gold button of his felt coat.


    "Of course, of course. Do stop by my store, you cannot miss it, it''s the red building on the lakefront. I may broker you a decent profit." He handed Simon a cream colored card and waddled off.


    "You may be strong for your age but that man would have had you unconscious in a bag in seconds. His trade is Novice Mages." Simon warned Kothar as he tore up the card and threw it on the wayside.


    Soon the tips of sparkling towers peeked over the horizon, crafted in gleaming marble with mana crystals shining brightly in their sockets. The pair crested the last of the rolling hills revealing Trinquile in all its glory. Trinquile lake gleamed at the center of the valley, reflecting the low white marble walls that enclosed the sheer towers of the Academy.


    The Academy itself was mostly constructed of the same ivory marble as the walls, but each mage''s tower was distinct from the others, a mark of the different mages that lived there. Some towers had cascading waterfalls from their walls, other were blooming with life, with vines, bushes and even trees reaching out from the walls.


    There were towers that were encircled with cloud, with lightning striking large metal rods at their peak, other towers with great balls of flame ensconced in large iron cages. There was a striking tower of dark red stone, with magma flowing down the walls.


    Finally, Kothar spotted a tower of deep black marble, with purple lines of energy criss crossing the tower, at its peak was a large rift, a tear in space the pulsed and warped the air around it. There were far more towers further in the academy, all as magnificent as the last. The main structure of the Academy was a long double story building with two large wings, directly in front of the massive wrought iron gates which flickered with runes. Kothar shook his head, bombarded with announcements from Silane.


    [Detecting novel energy circuit. Initiating analysis. Estimated processing time: 300 years]


    [Detecting novel energy circuit. Initiating analysis. Estimated processing time: 70 years]


    ...


    [Silane, record all novel energy circuits and only notify me if an analysis is complete.]


    Kothar sighed as Silane did not respond, he wondering when he would have enough mana to be able to converse with Silane again, she had been closer to him than his own thoughts for many years, and he looked forward to the chance that he might be able to converse with her again.


    A small city surrounded the lake and Academy, the streets were spotless, well lit with mana crystals, magic carriages whizzed through the streets. Kothar gazed at the multitude of shops catering to a mages every need. Stores selling runic equipment, staffs and wands, raw materials and even exotic beasts.


    "Jotun has a store selling his goods here, most of these stores are owned by mages at the academy some even by students." Simon cut through the daze that Kothar had been lulled into from all the new sights throughout Trinquile.


    "Should you need maintenance for your sword, drop by his store."


    The pair made their way towards the Academy, not keeping a straight path but weaving through the streets taking in the sights. Eventually the pair arrived at the wrought iron gates, where they were met by a middle aged battle mage, wearing a leather coat that was riveted all over with metal plates.


    Runes moved over the surface of the plates and the coat alike, and he wore a heavy dull black gauntlet over his right hand. On his breast was a badge depicting the coat of arms of Trinquile academy, a great serpent rising above the waves. The man raised his gauntlet, his palm facing toward them.


    "Halt, state your business."


    "This young man is Kothar, he was tested in Balin, by the battlemage Krieg." The Gatekeeper drew out a ledger from one of the many lockets in his coat, flipping through the pages until he came to what he was looking for.


    "Ah yes, Kothar of Balin, a young man who shows much promise." The man raised his gauntlet, and the massive gates inched open.


    "Apologies, sir guardian, but only students may enter the Academy, may I suggest finding some accommodation in the city." The gatekeeper said as he stopped Simon from stepping into the gates.


    "No issue, now that my charge is here I shall be on my way." Simon turned to Kothar.


    "I shall return in a few months, your parents may have need of me. If you need something send word through Jotun''s shop." He embraced Kothar, patting his curly brown locks.


    "Thank you Uncle.." Kothar turned to the now open gates and stepped into the Academy.

 Chapter 11 - The Academy

    Kothar walked up towards the large building that served as the main building of the Academy. He marveled at the vibrant flower beds, neon colored flowers peeking out from waving bushes.


    Everywhere around him were new and exotic sights, a literal dancing fountain, where the water rose up and formed figures that danced in mid air competed for his attention with a morphing shifting metal sculpture, which would cycle from one beast to the next.


    "Ahem." Kothar looked up suprised, the tall thin elegant man dressed in a white uniform had seemingly shown up out of thin air. His aloof air and perfectly manicured hair and moustache reminded Kothar of the butlers that the wealthy had on Garden.


    "Welcome to the Academy young man, I understand you are Kothar of Balin, aged thirteen?" The man peered down at Kothar, standing with the posture of a steel rod, peering down at him.


    "That''s correct." Kothar looked back, gaze unwavering, meeting his eyes. The man seemed a little taken aback, surprised at his fortitude.


    "I am Lief, the quartermaster of the Academy, follow me and I shall get you settled in." He took off at a brisk walk, without even a glance back at Kothar to see if he followed. Lief raised a hand, the oak doors of the main building swung open silently, the golden runes dancing to and fro. The floors were carpeted in a soft dark purple material but the building was surprisingly utilitarian.


    There were few decorations, and the reception room they found themselves in was dominated by a large desk, behind which sat a very proper blonde middle aged woman. She wore a pair of narrow spectacles and as they entered, she looked over them at Kothar. Kothar felt as if she was gazing right through him, as her yellow eyes flashed.


    "He is who he says he is." The woman said to Lief, who nodded back at her. She jotted something down in the massive ledger on her desk as Kothar followed Lief down the right hand corridor.


    "The doors along this corridor lead to Novice classrooms, these rooms along with those along the west corridor are where you will be having all of your classes until you become a Beginner Mage. You will stay in the Novice dormitory during until you achieve Beginner Mage. Most students achieve this in one year, however some may take more or even less time. The Academy limits students to 3 years in the dormitories, after which any remaining students are encouraged towards pursuing research instead."


    They continued onward, coming to a large red colored door.


    "These are the male dormitories, you may choose any room, provided it isn''t already occupied, since this is a new intake year most will be empty and they will be indicated by the green door. You will find your uniform and any amenities you require in the room. You may take your meals in your room or in the dining hall behind the reception area. Most students have yet to arrive, so for now the dining area will be empty. Any questions?" Kothar simply shook his head and pushed the door to the dormitory open.


    The dormitory had a large central common area, with plush chairs dotted about the rooms, with large tables at each corner presumably for study. Like the rest the academy, the dormitory was abundantly lit with mana crystals, and likewise was scantly decorated.


    Two corridors led to a series of mostly green doors, with a few red doors spaced in between. Kothar walked to the end of the right handed corridor, pushing open a door at the very end. He found himself in a small but cozy room.


    The room was occupied by a bed, desk and a table with a strange silver container on it. There was a note next to the silver container which read "Lift up lid for meal." Intrigued, Kothar lifted the lid, revealing a steaming hot plate of roast beef, gravy, potatoes and green beans. Setting the plate of food aside, Kothar moved to investigate the rest of the room.


    The far side of the room had a narrow door, inside which was a wardrobe with a few white uniforms, similar to what Lief wore but with significantly less embroidery and without the Serpent crest. The wardrobe opened into a fully equipped bathroom, where a steaming hot bath awaited Kothar. Kothar smiled, eager to wash the hard journey from Balin away.


    Kothar had just finished demolishing the plate of roast beef when a soft knock echoed at his door. He opened the door to find himself face to face with a portly young man, he looked to be about 17 years of age, and had short blonde hat that was plastered down with sweat and was nervously wringing his hands as Kothar looked at him, waiting for him to say something.


    "Umm hello, I''m Fred, saw that your door was green, may I come in?"


    "Sure, make yourself at home."


    "Well, I guess you''re wondering why I''m still here and not off at the Research Building like the rest of the old Novices."


    "No I wasn''t, but now I''m curious."


    "I just know I''m meant to be a battle mage! The thought of being in the battlefield, with swords clashing and fireballs flying, whole squadrons being teleported, magical beasts locked in combat, its absolutely exhilarating to me." Fred jumped to his feet.


    "See, I''m getting energizing talking about it."


    "I believe you." Kothar said in his usual stoic tone.


    "Wow, really. The other early Novices didn''t want anything to do with an old timer like me." Fred sighed as he slumped back on to a chair.


    "I could really be a help to you, people make fun of me caling me the Eternal Novice but that just means I know everything there is about being a Novice mage."


    "Thanks for the offer, I''ll be sure to come to you if I need anything." Kothar smiled at Fred, Ophil''s soft nature had definitely rubbed off on him. A wide grin spread across Fred''s face as he reached over to Kothar and enthusiastically shook his hand.


    "I''ll see you around, ok!"


    "Sure thing Fred."

 Chapter 12 - Orientation

    Over the past month the doors of the dormitory had gradually changed from green to red, now only a few green doors remained.


    Fred had introduced to a number of fellow students, other students who had not immediately dismissed him for still being a Novice Mage. Rudy, Janus and Luis were the most friendly of the bunch, immediately taking to Kothar and badgering him with questions of Balin.


    Rudy was a small boy with ginger curls who had lived in the outskirts of Ursten in a small village, and had been tested by a travelling mage who had brought him to the Academy.


    Janus, in contrast to Rudy, was thin and lanky, with slick long black hair and dark eyes. He was the child of a travelling merchant, and had lived the majority of his life in the skies, playing amongst the cargo in the hold of his father''s airship.


    Finally, Luis was the oddest of the bunch, he was diminutive compared to the other students, and protested it was because he had yet to have his growth spurt. However, he maintained that he was the most senior of all the students and that he be accorded appropriate resect but he declined to ever speak of his age or background.


    Kothar, having never experienced the environment of a school, his education happening in labs and microbiomes, relished in the antics of the group, watching them with joy. Sometimes he would even join in, granting the fluffy seats of the common area a static charge, shocking anyone who sat in them.


    Soon, the day for orientation came, and the students were called to gather outside the main building, where earth mages had created seating, a stage and even a podium from the very ground. The boys craned their heads and pushed over each other to get a glance at the girls, who were seated on the opposite side. Once all the students were seated, an old man took to the podium.


    "Welcome." The old man spoke quietly, but every student heard him clearly, as if he were sitting right next to them, rather than being up on the stage. He wore long white robes, with the serpent of Trinquile clearly embroidered on the front. He had long flowing white hair, accompanied by a beard of equal length.


    "I am the headmaster of the Academy, I welcome you all to the beginning of a great journey of learning, growth and magic. You are the future of magic and will achieve great things, on the battlefield, discovering new magic or uncovering new uses for old magic. Be well, and know that now, you have a second home." The headmaster then suddenly raised his arms, a massive gust of wind blew across all the seated students, the students opened their squinted eyes and noticed that the headmaster had disappeared.


    "He loves doing that to impress the new students." Fred murmured to Kothar and Luis.


    After sitting through a number of droning speeches from their prospective teachers, finally the Headmaster returned to the podium, appearing as suddenly as he had disappeared, with a strong gust of wind.


    "I''m sure all the wonderful teachers have given you an idea of what the classes will consist of. You may attend any classes you wish, and I encourage you to make the most of our extensive library collection."


    The Headmaster paused, sweeping his steely gaze over the assembled students.


    "Tomorrow your classes begin, but tonight, we feast!"


    The dining room was perhaps the most mundane of all the parts of the Academy that Kothar had seen so far. There were five long wooden tables, four which were parallel and ran the length of the room, with a fifth table perpendicular to the others, where the Headmaster and teachers were sat. The room was lit by flaming torches and candles, giving the room a cozy warm glow.


    The two outermost tables were for the Novices, with the boys on the side of their dormitory and vice versa. The Beginner Mages were sat in a similar fashion, as a result the room was divided with the male student Mages on one side and the females on the other.


    Kothar got his first look at the Beginner Mages of the Academy, they wore a similar all white uniform, however theirs had a black stripe running down one side, to signify that they had advanced. Additionally, they had all sorts of colorful equipment and accessories. Some had finely crafted wands in specially made holsters at their hips, others leaned their staffs against the dining table. They all sparkled with jewelry, which was inlaid with mana crystals.


    The teachers were similar in this aspect, but their accessories held much larger mana crystals and their equipment and garments swam with runes. The tables were arrayed with a wide variety of dishes, roast meats, casseroles, soups, breads as well as some exotic dishes that Kothar could not name. There was a massive fish that had been roasted whole, and stared glassy eyed at Kothar.


    "WILHELM!" A dark haired bulky Beginner Mage yelled out as he lunged across the table.


    "What''s the matter, Davos?" A slim young man with delicate features replied, presumably Wilhelm, he had a slight smirk on his.


    "I know you were out in the taverns last night with my girlfriend! Everybody saw you!" Davos now had one hand raised, a ball of magma swirling in mid air.


    "Come now Davos, we all know relationships are forbidden between the male and female students, how could you have a girlfriend? I admit was in the taverns, but I enjoyed a few drinks with my fellow male mages." Wilhem raised a palm, a swirling shield of wind rising up around him.


    "You dirty little-" Davos flung the ball of magma across at Wilhem, who simply sat patiently behind his shield. The magma spattered harmlessly on the shield, quickly being cooled and falling to the ground as rock. Seeing his attack was ineffective, Davos roared and magma began to flow over his skin.


    "ENOUGH." The whisper somehow resounded in everybody''s ears. A slight pressure weighed on Kothar, but looking at how Davos and Wilhem were slumped and sweating, they must of been feeling it many times over.


    "Need I remind you all that there is to be no conflict between students, outside of sanctioned duels. Wilhelm, Davos I will be seeing you both at dawn tomorrow outside my tower. Continue." The Headmaster then returned to his casserole, as if he had not been disturbed at all.


    Kothar stared over at Wilhelm and Davos, both of whom had their heads down, pale and dripping with sweat as they picked at their food.


    "I wouldn''t want to be them tomorrow.." Fred quipped, with chuckles from around the table answering him.

 Chapter 13 - Introduction To The Elements

    Kothar took a seat in the almost full classroom, a shriveled old teacher standing at the front. He was Professor Daredale, and had had one of the more dry speeches of the the teachers at the orientation. However, he was one of the most acclaimed magical theorists, and the packed class reflected his accomplishments.


    Fred was unsurprisingly absent, he had told Kothar and the others that he preferred to spend the majority of his time gathering mana, as he had attended almost every possible class by this point.


    "I am sure you are all familiar with the concept of mana by this point, and that aside from the pure mana in everything around us there exist different elemental types of mana." Professor Daredale''s voice crackled mand rasped, it sounded as if his voice box was made up of old dried parchments.


    "Firstly, I would implore you all to remember that we have yet to discover the different kinds of mana, and there may be yet undiscovered elements. Those with only one elemental affinity take heed of this, as to date, we are only able to detect for those elemental affinities that we have discovered." Daredale paused, looking pointedly around the class.


    "Initially, civilization only knew of four basic kinds of mana, these are the elements of earth, fire, wind and water. We happen to have more mages of these types, but I believe it is due to our extensive knowledge of these mana types, and as a result we easily detect mages of these affinities." The scratching of pens across paper filled the room.


    "Then we began to discover new types of mana, some of the first pioneers horribly injured themselves, creating mana cores that their physique was incompatible with, and it is only due to their sacrifices that we have that knowledge today."


    "I will list the more common of these types, they are lightning, light, dark and space. Not only that, the combination of some types of mana in an individual can lead to unique mana and magic."


    "One that I''m sure you''re all familiar with after yesterday''s dining room incident would be magma. Magma Mages have a dual affinity to fire and earth, however they must fuse their mana cores together to create a magma mana core, so it isn''t as if they have access to 3 kinds of magic. Rather they choose to specialise in one kind that is more unique. Does anybody know any other types?"


    A mousy girl raised her hand eagerly.


    "Life Magic Sir, mages who combine their earth and water cores can create a life core."


    "Correct, although more recently it has been called plant magic, to avoid confusion due to the recent discovery of a possible soul type of mana." Professor Daredale continued to explain the intricacies of mana core interactions, and how careful one must be when attempting to fuse or synthesize a new mana core.


    Back in his room, Kothar sat down and began to compile the information he had learned, realizing that he could tolerate more types of mana cores if he managed to integrate the Starheart technology with the concept of mana cores.


    The Starheart created an integrated cage with high resistance to heat and radiation, and some mana cores would be suitable to this. For example, Kothar could easily integrate a fire mana core, as it demanded an intrinsic resistance to the extreme heat of the mana core. Extremely pleased, Kothar began to sketch out the plans for a modified Starheart module.


    Kothar made his way to a training room he had booked earlier that day, Fred had been very helpful in telling Kothar about the less known facilities the Novice Mages had access to.


    Kothar had acquired copies of new Basic Lightning Spells from the library. He had decided to focus on Basic Spell: Lightning Aura to begin with. Lightning Aura created a field of lightning around the caster, the field served to defend against attacks but also served to grant the Mage increased speed. Kothar had chosen this spell as it would synergize well with his use of a sword, giving him the speed to contend in a melee with most opponents of his level.


    Drawing mana out from his core, Kothar dispersed it evenly through his body, rather than focusing it out down his arms and through his palms as he did with Bolt. Kothar drew out more and more mana, depleted almost half of his reserves, before sparks began to fly along his skin. He leapt to his feet, dashing to the far wall of the training room, surprising himself with his new speed. If he were to meet the Fidour Wolf again, he would be able to dodge its attacks at the very least.


    Done with testing his new spell, Kothar decided to see how many Bolt spells he could fire with his remaining reserves. A series of cracks resounded through the room as he fired them off. He managed to fire off five bolt spells before his reserves were depleted. Kothar sat down, to draw in mana and accelerate the recovery of his mana reserves.


    Far off, at the fringes of the Academy, the msyterious figure paced, muttering all the while.


    "%@$@$@%@**! mages, I''d rather walk headfirst into a net of razor wire than pick through all these tracking and defense spells."


    The figure continued to pace, then turned and disappeared off into the tangle of Trinquile''s streets.

 Chapter 14 - Fidour Mountains

    Kothar had settled into a familiar routine of mana gathering to begin his day, then heading to any class that interested him that was available. He would enjoy meal times with Fred, Rudy, Janus and Luis. Most days would end with him on the library, searching for ways to improve the efficiency of his spells or methods to integrate magic into his planned augmentations.


    [Energy levels 0.75%. 1% required to restore basic AI functionality]


    Kothar smiled, soon enough he would once again have the company and assistance of Silane, he was eager to share the new experiences of this world with her. Standing up from the soft cushion he had been seated on, he headed toward the bathroom, this would be the last time he would have the opportunity to wash up for a few weeks.


    Now that he had gotten a good grasp of what was offered in the lessons at the Academy, Kothar realized that he would not be able to break through to Novice mage just by listening to old mages droning on about mana pathways and elemental synergies, no, he would hone himself in combat, as he had always done.


    Slinging his familiar travel back over his shoulder, Kothar strapped on his sword belt, the Skysteel blade on his left hip, and the blade his father had gifted him on his right. He was ready to head into the Fidour Mountains, albeit not deep within but far enough that he could meet the low level beasts that would offer him some kind of challenge.


    "Hey, Kothar, don''t tell me you''ve given up on becoming a battlemage already?" Fred''s squeaky voice sounded out across the plaza in front of the Academy gates. Fred had his arms full with packages and paper bags from the many bakeries and eateries of Trinquile.


    Once a student had been admitted to the Academy they were free to come and go as they pleased, the magical gates recognized them and opened and shut of their own accord, Of course, the gatekeeper still kept a watchful eye on the comings and going of students, keeping an eye out for any contraband or stowaways.


    "Heading out to get some real battle experience, you might have to try it sometime, might lead to a breakthrough." Kothar grinned as he teased Fred back, the pair of them and the others had settled into an easy camaraderie over the past couple weeks.


    "Hahaha, a few weeks without this." Fred shook the many parcels at Kothar, picking one up and tossing it at him.


    "For when you miss the taste of civilization."


    "This''ll go great with some wild rabbit." Kothar quipped back as he headed out the gates, patting Fred on the shoulder as he passed him.


    Kothar drew his dark cloak tightly around himself, now that he was well within the foothills of the mountains, the chill was setting in. Glacial streams trickled and tinkled throughout the hills, water would be no problem on this adventure.


    Kothar had spotted many of the heavily furred residents of the foothills, huge shaggy Yak, scrawny goats and many many rabbits. Kothar would be eating well. Soon enough he would be well into the habitat of the Fidour wolf, and while he was apprehensive of any encounter, he was also eager to see how his speed matched up against one.


    As night fell, Kothar found a sheltered alcove, with a mossy floor and a large rocky overhang he knew he would be relatively safe from any predators prowling about. He decided to forgo a fire, for the beasts in the foothills were familiar with fire, and knew that a small isolated one, meant an easy meal.


    If Kothar had lit a fire, he would have seen the long crack that ran all along one side of the alcove, and had he investigated further, he would have seen the small cave that it opened into. Within the caves were many pale blue coils, with small puffs of white rising from them on occasion.


    The night grew darker and one of the coils began to unravel and slithered out toward the crack. It sensed heat, and where there was heat, there was food, and this Frost Snake was hungry.


    In his sleep, Kothar dreamt that he was back in the Janul forest, he was perched in a tree, watching for rabbits. Feeling something slowly winding across his waist, he looked down, how odd, one of the vines had begun to wind itself around him, it wound its way around his body, and reaching his neck wound itself tightly about it.


    Suddenly, the vine tightened, no longer moving lazily but with purpose, struggling to breathe Kothar gripped at the ice cold vine. Ice cold vine? Kothar woke up with a start, finding himself face to face with the yellow eyes of a Frost Snake.. Seeing him awake, the snake let out a hiss and it sped toward him jaws open wide, letting out a burst of ice crystals as its pointed fangs dripped with venom.

 Chapter 15 - Frost Snakes

    His face turning blue, Kothar turned his head as hard as he could, sending mana coursing into his right hand as he did so. The snake''s jaws slammed into the mossy ground where Kothar''s head had been moments ago. The venom hissing as it made contact with the moist moss, with the moss freezing and shattering from the snake''s breath.


    The all too familiar crack of Kothar''s Bolt spell rang out, and the snake''s head disintegrated. Kothar sighed with relief, and pulled the limp body of the snake away from his neck.


    Kothar pulled a torch from his pack, sending a small stream of sparks to the oil soaked rags to set it alight. He lifted the torch high and saw the crack along one wall. He had become much too slack, Silane was not here to perform constant environmental scans and warn him of danger.


    He shook his head and examined the snake closer. Its scales were as pale as fresh snow, with a tinge of icy blue shot through them. A clear liquid trickled from the neck of the snake, the hiss it made making it clear that it was the snake''s venom.


    A chorus of hisses rang out from the crack, Kothar''s head snapped up, as he drew his blade, the mana stored within the runes cracking to life, answering the hiss of the approaching Frost Snakes with a hum of its own.


    The snakes writhed out from the crack, coiling and twisting over each other in their eagerness to get at Kothar. Kothar glanced behind himself, he could easily cast Lightning Aura and flee, but wasn''t this exactly the kind of challenge he had come looking for in the Fidour mountains? Why flee now, when he could test himself.


    Kothar cast Lightning Aura and dashed towards the oncoming snakes. His Skysteel bladed twisting and darted at the emerging snakes, easily lopping off their heads as they reared back in preparation to strike. Dodging and weaving through the throng of twisting snakes, Kothar had the upper hand, his lightning aura meant he could keep up with the snakes, and any snake he failed to dodge would find itself being deterred by the sparking shield.


    Frustrated, the snakes spat out clouds of ice as they slithered back to their cave, they had retreated surprisingly quickly. Kothar felt a chill run down his back, something was very very wrong.


    A glowing yellow orb peered out at Kothar from the cave, he quickly backed up, as his stomach sank. The snake that emerged was thicker than Kothar''s leg, and its pale blue scales were shot through with purple strands. A pair of singular claws had formed on its sides, it seemed that it was undergoing some kind of evolution.


    The Frost Snake King''s scarlet tongue tasted the air, it stared at Kothar, ready to eliminate the threat. The Snake King shot forward at Kothar, breathing out a cloud of ice crystal that flew toward him, Kothar narrowly dodged the cloud, the side of his face nearest to it turning numb. He pointed his enchanted blade at the snake''s midsection, and shot out a succession of Bolts, the snake easily twisted its massive bulk, dodging his rapid fire spells. He would have to get in close to hurt it.


    Kothar leapt forward, aiming for the snake''s neck, as he pushed mana into the already charged blade, and the blade hummed louder and louder, until sparks crackled along its edge. Kothar swung at its neck as the snake lunged forward, its massive fangs shining in the light of his sword. The two of them struck together, Kothar''s blade sinking into the snake''s neck as the Snake King sunk its fangs into his left arm.. It''s yellow eyes stared viciously at Kothar as the life faded from them, the decapitated head hanging from his arm.

 Chapter 16 - Aftermath

    It felt as if hundreds of tiny needles were piercing Kothar''s arm from the inside. He pulled the King Snake''s fangs out of his arm, now noticing that the flesh around the holes was beginning to turn blue.


    "Dammit!" Kothar was at a loss for how to deal with the rapidly spreading venom, the corruption was visibly spreading, and Kothar might even lose his life if he failed to deal with the poison adequately. Kothar remembered one of Simon''s many lectures to him.


    "Many try to exploit the close combat weakness of mages, and among the tools utilized to do so, poison has often been a favorite. However, common poisons do not work on a mage, or any individual with elemental mana, as unless the poison is able to counteract the destructive force of the mana, it will be useless."


    Kothar immediately began to send his mana toward his left shoulder, where the fangs had pierced him. Immediately he felt a resistance, the Frost Snake was an elemental creature itself, and so its venom had the properties of ice, which meant that although it would not counter his own mana, it would put up a fight for sure.


    Kothar''s bright blue mana visibly surged under the skin as it clashed with the venom of the Frost Snake, slowly wearing it down. Kothar sat down cross legged, evidently clearing the venom would take some time.


    The venom had left a peculiar scar on his left shoulder, leaving a snowflake pattern behind. Unfortunately the venom had been able to deal some lasting damage to his arm, as he tested its movement, Kothar realized he was unable to raise it beyond the level of his shoulder. This would have been devastating for Kothar, but augmenting his physique was a given for him. All it meant was that he would begin modifying his body sooner than he expected.


    After skinning the King Snake, and harvesting the fangs and venom sacs from the many carcasses, Kothar decided to continue his journey, he resolved not to return until he had gathered enough mana to revive Silane.


    Kothar tested his injured arm, while wielding a sword was out of the question, he could still channel mana unhindered. Aiming his spells would not be an issue, as he could compensate by twisting his wrist and angling it upwards.


    Kothar made his way along the foothills, heading further in would be fatal, as there would beasts much more powerful than the King Snake. Now that he had tested himself in combat, Kothar was in search of materials for his future augmentations.


    Since he would also be practicing space magic in the future, as well as his modified Starheart module, he would have have to find some Magesteel, which was universally used in the creation of magical devices.


    Highly sought after due to resilience to all known elemental mana, as well its ability to rapidly conduct mana, it was prized beyond all other metals. Even an Advanced Mage would wince at the cost required to procure the amount Kothar needed for his plans.


    Kothar hoped to find a vein of the precious metal, as the constant combat between powerful beasts in the Fidour Mountains resulted in a rapidly changing landscape, one day a barren field might become a bubbling spring, veins of precious ores would be exposed as rock rose and fell. The danger was evident, but the Fidour Mountains were a veritable gold mine for any who dared to venture within.


    After a long day of exploring, Kothar set up camp under a large overhang, near a cliff that he had been examining for any valuable ores. He was now sure to carefully examine the campsite for any potential dangers. Finding none, he set a small fire, since it would not be visible from outside his campsite.


    Kothar pulled a sheet of paper from his pack, and began planning out his the design for his new arm. He would be able to move the arm using mana control alone, but he wanted to incorporate some of the technology that he had previously. It would require minimal adjustment, since he could easily power the engines and devices using his lightning mana.


    Wanting to keep the design simple, Kothar decided to integrate a interwoven cage of rune inscribed Magemetal in the shoulder, to act as a reservoir for mana to power his arm. He also decided to incorporate an plasma emitter into his palm. The shoulder unit meant that he could continue to add technological and magical devices without worrying about depleting his mana pool, and the plasma emitter could be used as a short or long range weapon. Satisfied with his design, Kothar stowed away the blueprint and began to meditate.


    [Energy levels approaching threshold.. Prepare for AI restoration.]

 Chapter 17 - Awakening

    [Energy levels 1%. Initiating AI restoration.]


    [Standby]


    Kothar lay back, finally, he would be whole again. He had spent so much of his life with Silane, her absence had been deafening. Even though he had been raised in a lab with virtually no friends or family. Silane had been both, and more. She had known his every thought, it wasn''t possible for someone to know him more intimately.


    While most of the scientists had regarded Silane as mere simulation of an intelligence, Kothar knew better, the time he had spent with her and the fact that she had reincarnated together with him, made him only more certain that she was an individual. A cool feeling, like a cool stream of water, rushed through Kothar''s body.


    [Well, well, well, what have you done to yourself Kothar?]


    [Silane! You''re awake! Finally, you have no idea how much I''ve missed you.]


    [Hmm, this sure is a strange afterlife, you''ve become emotional, and from what knowledge I''ve gleaned from your mind, we''re in some strange fantasy land]


    [Hahaha, and you''ve got yourself an attitude, huh Silane?]


    [I guess you are right there Sir.]


    [No need for that, no honorifics, if I''m correct then we''re one and the same from now.]


    [Well¡­ Okay Kothar. Now then, I leave you alone for one minute and you''ve already bunged up your arm.]


    [No worries Silane, you know as well as I do that my body is easily replaceable.]


    [Hmmm, you''re right. Kothar, it appears that I also have some control over this energy that this world calls mana.]


    [Fantastic. If you can cast spells as well, it''ll be as if we are two mages in one body.]


    [Unfortunately not Kothar, I''m not able to control your body as of this moment, but I can use the pure mana you draw in as a rudimentary environmental sensor.]


    [Hmmm, maybe when my mana levels increase, you''ll have more capabilities.]


    [Sure. Wouldn''t you have been glad for my sensing capabilities a week ago, then you wouldn''t have crippled yourself like a fool.]


    [Alright Silane, enough ribbing. Help me go over these blueprints]


    Kothar reached towards his pack, but Silane interrupted him.


    [Come on, no need for such archaic methods]


    Kothar vision was suddenly overlaid with a glowing 3 dimensional grid of blue lines, within it two glowing structures appeared, the first, his design for the Mana-Sensing Lens, the second, the complete blueprint for his arm upgrade.


    [I daresay Kothar, you''ve actually done quite well designing these on your own.]


    [Well Silane, you were still helping my memory and engineering skills, even when asleep.]


    [Take some credit won''t you.]


    [Of course, why don''t we head back to Trinquile, and get started on that mana sensing lens.]


    [Let''s go.]


    The journey back to Trinquile was much less hazardous, Silane constantly tested out her new sensing abilities, keeping Kothar updated on the environment. Occasionally, she would even overlay his vision with things she had detected, such as a rabbit hiding in a hollow, or a camouflaged Cave Lion. On their way back, Kothar filled Silane in on all that had happened.


    Of course, she knew the specific details of all the things that had happened so far, but the pair had developed a habit of debriefing with each other, helping Kothar ease his mind and allowing the both of them to better analyze the situation.


    [Wow, you really lucked out with those parents. Both of them seem to be powerful in their own right. Tam seems to be a talented warrior, and Ophil a skilled mage.]


    [Of course, unfortunately I don''t know their specific strengths, and I''m unaware of the political situation they''re embroiled in. I want to help them.]


    [Look at you Kothar, so filial, this world has changed you hasn''t it. You were always a loyal one, but to the alliance.]


    [I know Silane, but I think I''ve been changed for the better. Now I know the value of family, loyal to each other, no matter what.]


    [Kothar, I think we need a standardized way of assessing battle potential. From what we know, there are four ranks common to all professions: Novice, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. We lack information on what they mean, but from the hints you gathered from Simon, they are based on an individual''s capacity to impact the battlefield. We need to know more.]


    [Guess it''s time for us to go to class, Silane, should bring back fun memories of the lab.]


    [No uploading information directly to my chip here Kothar.]


    The pair shared a silent laugh as Kothar sped across the rocky terrain. Silane overlaid a glowing silhouette onto Kothar''s vision, it was a Cave Lion, hunched behind a cluster of rocks that overlooked a dried up riverbed. The surface of the riverbed was pockmarked with tracks from various animals.


    [That pelt will bring us a fair amount of gold, and you''ll need it for our upgrades.]


    [Of course Silane, now give an approach vector.]


    [Done.]


    Silane lay out a path for Kothar to take, keeping him downwind of the Cave Lion the entire time, he would easily be able to sneak up on it, eliminating the need for drawn out combat.


    [I recommend a blast of lightning from that fancy new sword of yours, you really took to the culture here, didn''t you?]


    [Alright Silane, it''s a Bolt Spell, you need to become familiar with magic also.]


    [I know, I know, just testing out this new found attitude of mine.]


    By now Kothar was perched on the slope above the Cave Lion, he silently drew his sword, aiming the tip at the base of the Cave Lion''s neck. THe blade hummed as the spell charged up. The lion turned its head, but it was too late, a loud crack resounded across the clearing, and the lion fell to the ground, lifeless. A large black scorch mark at the base of its skull.


    [Wow, hmmm, I wonder if we can enhance the long range capabilities of that spell, it shouldn''t be too difficult.]


    [So quick to adjust Silane, as always.]


    [Right back at you Kothar.]


    The pair of them continued to banter as Kothar made short work of the Cave Lion, easily skinning it, slinging the pelt across his back, Kothar continued onwards to Trinquile.. The all to familar blackbird flitted along behind them, with even Silane failing to detect it.

 Chapter 18 - Utna

    "I''ll give you 100 gold pieces for the Snake King skin, 50 for the fangs and venom sacs and another 20 for those from the small Frost Snakes."


    "Terrific." Kothar unsung the rolled up Cave Lion pelt from his back, setting it down on the counter of the merchant''s little store. The merchant wasn''t affiliated with one of the large conglomerates, but Fred had recommended him, as he always gave fair prices, not trying to cheat naive students.


    "Now that''s something! What a beast that must''ve been, and the pelt is in fine condition, how did you manage that." The merchant exclaimed loudly, he was a pot bellied man, with chestnut colored skin, and a jeweled monocle sat on his right eye.


    "How much will it go for?" Kothar watched as the merchant polished his monocle and peered at the pelt closely.


    "I can give you 500 gold now, but if you let me negotiate with a noble buyer, you could be looking at a lot more than that, maybe even 1000. There will be a 10% commission of course."


    "The thing is, there are a few things I want to buy, so I''d prefer it now." Kothar explained.


    "If I have what you need, you can purchase all you need on credit, just be sure to bring any more fine materials my way."


    "Of course, here''s a list of what I''m looking for." Kothar passed the merchant the sheet, on which he had listed the fine polishing tools required for creating the mana sensing lens, as well as the crystal itself and the Magesteel he required.


    "This amount¡­ You''ll need many, many more pelts for this amount of Magesteel. I''ll be able to purchase it for you in increments, but there''s no way you can get this amount immediately, even your teachers at the Academy would struggle to procure this amount."


    "Of course, and the crystal and tools?"


    "No problem, I have a set of jeweler''s tools here and a few crystals you can choose from. Making a monocle of your own, are you?''


    "Something like that." Kothar said with a faint smile. The merchant brought out a few polished wooden cases, opening one to reveal faintly glowing Mana Sensing Crystals, and opening the other to show various tools.


    "I can give you a crystal and all the tools you need for 200 gold, seeing as we''ll be doing business in the future I''m willing to overlook the 20 gold, how does that sound?"


    "Perfect." Kothar picked up one of the crystals, and placed it aside. The merchant deftly bundled everything, securely wrapping the crystal in a piece of velvet.


    "The name is Lester, we''ll do business again soon." The merchant smiled at Kothar, flashing many silver teeth.


    "Kothar, I''ll be back for the money from the pelt." Now unburdened, Kothar headed out of the merchant''s little store, heading to Jotun''s local branch.


    Kothar entered the small stone building nestled in between bulky warehouses, the walls were covered in soot, and a blazing forge dominated the interior.


    A tall, lithe woman with scarlet hair was quenching a newly forged sword in oil. Like Jotun, she was covered in intricately tattooed runes, and they glowed as she set the blade to the spinning whetstone. Setting the blade aside she came towards Kothar, looking him up and down and crossing her muscled arms.


    "You must be Kothar, Simon''s nephew. He said I might be seeing you. Sorry kid, but I''m not telling you where your parents are, or what the business is that they''re involved in. Strict orders from old Simon." She said brusquely. Contradictory to her rough appearance, she gave Kothar a soft smile.


    "No problem, that''s not what I''m here for. Think you could help me with this?" Kothar handed her the blueprint for his new arm.


    "My uncle said you might have some strange things for me to craft, I heard all about that sword of yours. The name''s Utna." She offered Kothar a strong hand.


    "Well, what do you say?"


    "Yeah, I can do this, but you''ll have to bring me the materials, this design won''t work without Magesteel. And I''m not forking out thousands out of my own pocket." Utna tapped her foot impatiently, obviously eager to get back to her forge.


    "I''m working on that."


    "Alright, see you around. Come by if you need anything." Utna returned to her forge, picking up a piece of armor that had been heating inside. Evidently she had the same love for smithing that Jotun did.


    [Kothar, I may be able to improve some of your runic designs. My analysis rate has greatly improved, and I should be completing some soon.]


    [I trust your judgment Silane. Let me know how it goes.]


    Kothar made his way back to the Academy, eager for a hot bath and meal. He had always enjoyed creature comforts, and had made sure even when he was fighting for the Galactic Alliance, that his upgrades wouldn''t stop him from enjoying them.


    "You''re back!" Fred yelled exuberantly as he spotted Kothar trudging into the dormitory.


    "Kothar''s back guys!" Fred gestured to Luis, Rudy and Janus.


    "Tell us all about it, you''ve inspired Janus, he''s been talking about going on a little trip of his own." Rudy piped up. Janus'' usual gloom had even brightened somewhat, and even usually aloof Luis had come over to listen.


    "Alright, settle down boys, I''ll tell you guys all about it. Just let me wash up and I''ll meet you guys in the dining room." Kothar hurried away from the group, before any of them could think of an excuse to drag him away to the dining room immediately. Kothar sighed with relief as he shook off his pack and travel worn clothing, immediately heading to the bath to soak away his weariness.


    [Shall we craft the lens tomorrow then, Kothar?]


    [That sounds good, I should be well rested.]


    [Of course, tomorrow it is.]

 Chapter 19 - Mana Sensing Eye

    Warning: The following chapter involves the MC carrying out unsafe medical procedures on his own eye, do not try at home. If this is something that may make you uncomfortable, skip from the first dotted line to the second one.


    Kothar was back in Lester''s little store, the merchant had sent a message to him at the academy through Fred, who was sure to be frequently shopping within the city, rain or shine.


    "Pelt has been sold." The message read. Lester was a very succinct man.


    Kothar headed out, greeting his friends who were currently discussing the mysteries of Mage advancement in the common room.


    "Buy me some pastries Kothar!" Fred yelled at Kothar as he left, winking at the others.


    "And me." The rest also chimed in.


    Kothar simply smiled and continued.


    Lester was shifting from one foot to another, evidently impatient to see Kothar. His bobbing combined with his portly figure was quite a comical sight, and Kothar suppressed the urge to smile.


    "Come in!" Lester brightened up upon seeing Kothar.


    "Lord Siegfried purchased the pelt for a whopping 1200 gold, that''s a 1080 gold in your pocket, not bad for a young one!"


    "Lord Siegfried was also very eager in making sure that the mage who had slain the beast knew that he was purchasing the pelt. So young, and already nobles are currying favor with you."


    "Wonderful, I''ll keep him in mind. I''d like to leave the gold with you if that''s okay, I''ll make a few purchases now, and please use the rest to begin procuring Magesteel."


    "Of course, I''ve got no problem making money." Lester chuckled, pleased with himself.


    Kothar passed Lester the list of items he required for the upcoming implant, interestingly enough the medicine of this world was quite complex, with magical detoxifying liquids and sterile surgical implements being readily available. Lester lifted an eyebrow at the curious requests, but like any good merchant, he did not pry.


    "Take these on me Kothar, just be sure to keep me in mind. Can''t hurt to curry favor with a mage that Lord Siegfried is already after." Lester handed over the items, which were carefully wrapped as usual.


    On the desk in Kothar''s dormitory room, a curious array of items were laid out. The Mana Sensing Crystal that Kothar had purchased from the merchant, as well as various polishing and grinding tools.


    [Silane, calculate the optimal curvature and thickness for the lens.]


    [Ideal thickness: 0.5mm, I will overlay the polishing and grinding instructions, I suggest we only use one quarter of the crystal to prevent wastage.]


    [Okay, let us begin]


    Kothar carefully laid a chisel on the top half of the spherical crystal, taking a small hammer, he began to gently tap at the crystal, until it cracked and the top quarter of the sphere fell off.


    Taking up a series of smaller chisels, Kothar began to chip away at the chunk of crystal, gradually revealing the shape of a very thin lens. As he worked, Silane overlaid a visual for optimal locations to strike the crystal, allowing Kothar to work quickly and without fear of failure.


    Soon, the rough shape of the lens was complete. Kothar moved on to using the grinding tools, carefully removing material to shape the lens, once the lens was in its final shape, it was time to begin polishing.


    A series of very fine polishing powder were applied to the lens, buffing it each time. Kothar wiped away the residue from the final powder, placing the lens in a sterile solution to prepare it for implantation.


    [Doesn''t this remind you of the DIY infrared eye we made on Cygnus B-3?]


    [It sure does, it was life or death, I can''t believe that the inhabitants had evolved to be invisible to visible light. I wonder if we could replicate their camouflage here, do you still have the data we gathered, Silane?]


    [Yeah, like I would forget data Kothar¡­ I also have records of a peculiar concealment magic, which utilized a previously unknown form of mana, I wonder if we could gather some more information about it.]


    [That would be most useful, alright, guide me while I make the incision.]


    Kothar picked up the scalpel that had been soaking in a magical detoxifying solution he had bought earlier that morning. Following Silane''s instructions, he peered in the mirror as he made a thin incision along the top of his cornea. He sliced down, opening up a slot for the lens to fit.


    Taking a pair of tweezers, Kothar carefully picked up the lens, and slotted it within his eye.


    ------------


    Immediately he was able to see the flowing of mana around him. He could see the elemental mana that flowed through the academy, maintaining its temperature.


    The walls were covered in intricate networks of protection and concealing spells, the lens had opened up a whole new world for him.


    [This has got to be the most elegant modification you''ve had. It''s barely visible, unless someone looks into your eye.]


    [Agreed, it isn''t the glowing robotic eyes we''re used to.]


    [Hmmm, I''m sure that you''ll be putting one in soon enough¡­]


    Kothar marveled at the capabilities of his new eye, looking down at his chest to see the swirling Lightning Mana core.


    Kothar gazed all about him in wonder. His augmented eye allowed him to see how integral mana was to this world. It flowed through literally every living thing, in addition Kothar watched as fellow students practiced spells.


    His new eye allowed him to see the channeling of mana within their bodies. Along with Silane''s ability to perform calculations at a ridiculous rate, Kothar would be able to predict what spells an opponent might cast in advance, giving him a massive advantage in battle.. Kothar watched a Beginner Fire Mage channeled mana to their palm, creating a swirling fireball, he watched amazed, as the fireball danced through the air, circling about the Mage''s head and jumping to and fro. So that was the difference between a Novice and Beginner Mage!

 Chapter 20 - Beginner Mage

    Kothar watched eyes wide as the Beginner Fire Mage extended tendrils of mana to the fire ball, it was as if the fireball was tethered to his body, and they were one being.


    [So that''s it Silane, that''s what separates Novice Mages from beginners, being able to extend your mana beyond your body and utilizing it to direct one''s spells.]


    [Yes, I presume the higher tier mages have even more control over their mana, and at even greater distances.]


    [Let''s go see Professor Daredale right now!]


    "Come on in, Kothar." Professor Daredale was perched on a tall chair, dwarfed by the massive desk that dominated his plush office. He gestured to one of the heavily upholstered chairs in front of the desk.


    "Please, take a seat. What can I help you with today?" Professor Daredale shut the heavy tome he had been inscribing runes in.


    "Unless this is a social visit?" He chuckled at his own joke.


    "No, Professor. I was hoping to learn more about the difference between Novice and Beginner Mages."


    "Come now, Kothar. That is something that the Academy encourages students to discover for themselves." Professor Daredale lowered his spectacles and peered at Kothar, giving him a gentle smile.


    "Look, I understand you are talented. God knows, Krieg is always hounding me for updates on you, but I can''t tell you. You''ll have to figure it out for yourself."


    "No Professor. I''m already aware that a Beginner Mage''s mana control extends beyond their body, and they can direct their spells. But, where exactly is the difference between a Novice and Beginner Mage?"


    "Not so loudly, Kothar. Before we discuss anything, I want to warn you not to divulge the distinction to your peers. There is a good reason we don''t tell every young mage of the difference. Learning of it before one has the awareness to detect mana so beyond their immediate vicinity can lead to young mages being much too reckless with their mana."


    "Of course Professor."


    "Truth be told, the difference is a truly arbitrary one. The difference between each level of mage is dependent on their range and precision of mana control and the ability to execute more complicated spells. That is why you see some disparity when mages face one another."


    "A Novice Mage with a massive mana pool and superior strategy may defeat a Beginner Mage, and this applies to any rank. Of course Advanced Mages are a whole different realm, what chance does a lower ranked mage stand against an individual who can impact a whole battlefield" Professor Daredale leaned back in his chair, tapping his desk with his wand.


    "What about beyond that Professor?"


    "Hahaha, no need to worry about that Kothar, but a little hint, what they are capable of is far beyond your imagination."


    "Hmmm, I might have a clue¡­" Kothar smiled at Professor Daredale, also attempting to be mysterious.


    [What in the world was that Kothar? ''I might have a clue.'' You want us to be stuck in a lab somewhere, being poked and prodded?]


    [Well, we''re not in our world anyway, are we? I guess I''m just trying out humor.]


    [Well, well, well. I see how it is, I get myself an attitude, and you get some emotions.]


    [I guess we''ve both changed huh?]


    [True.]


    [Now then Kothar, about what he said, I think it may be the key to actually leaving this world.]


    [It must be, mages beyond Advanced must be capable of interstellar transport. Or something very similar.]


    [Kothar, you are assuming that we''re in the same universe...]


    [You mean, wow. We could be in another plane entirely, I did suspect, I mean. What the hell even is mana?!]


    [Hahahaha, yes. But since this world defies all logic, it stands to reason that we may be able to return to our own world.]


    [You''re right. I guess there''s nothing to it then, I shall have to attain the mysterious level beyond Advanced Mage.]


    [I guess you will.]


    Loud cracks resounded through the training rooms, as Kothar shot out bolt after bolt of lightning. He was attempting to learn the Beginner Mage spell, Ball Lightning. Sweat dripped from his brow as he charged up yet another spell, sparks filling his hand.


    Up till now, he had only been able to shoot out more powerful variants of his Bolt spell, evident from the massive scorch marks dotting the walls and smoldering practice dummies.


    A fizzling, spitting ball of lightning formed in his hand, and he continued to channel mana towards it, but reduced the intensity. The ball of lightning slowly rose up in the air, floating away from his hand. Directing his mana he managed to make the ball slowly circle his palm, then aiming at the dummy directly in front of him, he sent the ball spinning towards it.


    The ball of lightning exploded upon hitting the dummy, decimating its entire top half.


    A smoldering wreck remained, small flames burning at what remained of the dummy. A grin spread across Kothar''s face.


    [That was something, you had me holding my breath.]


    [You''re an AI Silane, you don''t breathe.]


    [My metaphorical breath, okay.]


    [Alright, you know anyone else would be slamming their head into a wall by now. An AI with an attitude, how ridiculous.]


    [Yes, I know how lucky I am. What now?]


    [Well, I guess we''re ready for the first year examinations, doesn''t leave us with much to do at the Academy though. Should we head back to Balin? See how Mother and Father are doing?]


    [Yes we should. Mother and Father, hmm that sounds nice.]


    Meanwhile, in the Nobles'' Quarter of Trinquile, a blackbird flew into the window of a room in one of the finest taverns of Trinquile. It perched on the shoulder of a man with ashen skin. Swirling black mist swirled around the ankles of his tall leather boots.


    "Hmmm, an excursion to the Fidour mountains, and he defeated a Cave Lion so easily, that is curious. Aright, head back towards the Academy and alert me if he leaves the city.. I guess master was right about him after all."

 Chapter 21 - Confrontation

    "Kothar, I didn''t expect to see you back so soon, don''t tell me you''ve gathered all that Magesteel already!" Utna had just put the final touches on an ornate breastplate before directing her attention to Kothar, who had been waiting for nearly an hour.


    "No Utna, actually I was hoping that you would be able to tell me a little about the situation in Balin, I''m planning on heading home for some time."


    "Look kid, we''ve already been over this, no way am I letting some little Novice Mage travel all alone." Utna fixed Kothar with a firm stare, frowning slightly.


    "You''ll be glad to hear then, I''m not a Novice Mage anymore." Utna''s eyes widened, and Kothar leaned back and crossed his arms.


    "You''re having me on kid, there''s no way tha..." Utna trailed off as Kothar sent a ball of lightning dancing through the air.


    "Wow, alright. Jotun and Simon told me you were a talented kid, but this is something else, keep this to yourself." Utna''s brow furrowed.


    "Of course, only one of my professors is aware of my progress." A hint of smugness in his voice.


    "Alright kid, I guess you''ll be okay on the road, but I want you to rendezvous with Simon on the way to Balin, he''s staying in a small town, north east of the city. The town''s called Nief, let me scribble down some directions." Utna took a large piece of parchment, and taking a piece of charcoal, she began to deftly sketch out a map, talking as she drew.


    "After you and Simon left, your mother took care of most of the rebels in the capital, and Kultas'' forces were demolished, however he managed to escape."


    "You parents are both back in Balin, but it would be best if you travelled with Simon from Nief onwards. Since we have no idea what mischief Kutlas and his men may be up to."


    "Of course Utna, thanks for the information."


    "Don''t forget this" Utna handed him the map.


    "Take care on the road."


    [What was that Kothar? When did you become so smug?]


    [Alright Silane, no need to rib me every time I display some emotion.]


    Kothar was making his way along one of the many roads the lead way from Trinquile, he hoped to take the most direct route to Nief, taking the rarely travelled mountain roads. The now familiar lush foothills of the Fidour mountains rose up to either side of the narrow road, and a clear sky completed the picturesque landscape. It was as if Kothar was walking through a painting.


    [Kothar, I sense no mana signatures, but the sky has become abnormally dark very quickly.]


    The blue sky gave way to the sky you might see on a gloomy afternoon, and continued to darken.


    [Silane, do you detect anything now?]


    The sky was now pitch black, devoid of stars. Kothar summoned a ball of lightning to illuminate his surroundings. The glow of the lightning illuminated everything with an eerie glow.


    A tall figure strode into the circle of pale light, cloaked in a long black cloak, with black mist swirling all about him, Kothar could barely make out his features. Kothar glimpsed the man''s oddly colored ashen skin, and the handles of a pair of blades poking over his shoulders. The mana surrounding him was chaotic, and Kothar could not make heads or tails of what it was doing, or whether the man was even utilising any magic.


    Kothar sent more mana to the ball of lightning already floating above his palm, and reached for his sword.


    "I wouldn''t do that." The man finally spoke, in a cold, dreary voice, He sounded utterly exhausted but his voice also had an underlying severity.


    "Look, fighting me is only going to make things harder for you, you really think you could take me on, look at the sky you fool." Kothar felt an indistinct pressure beginning to weigh down on him, becoming increasingly severe, and he involuntarily began to shiver.


    "Settle down, I only need to ask you a couple questions." Kothar nodded, unable to speak due to the pressure weighing him down.


    "Alright, hands of your sword and settle that spell down, then we''ll have a nice little chat."


    Gradually, the pressure weighing Kothar down decreased, and he was able to shift his hand away from his sword.


    "Okay, first question. Where are you from?"


    "I''m from Balin, the capital of Urste-" The man interrupted Kothar.


    "No, none of that drivel, where are you really from?"


    "I don''t know what you mean? I was born in Balin, what else do you want to hear?"


    [Kothar, I believe he is aware of our origins. It may be best that we comply with his inquiries.]


    "I am from Garden, a small planet in sector S-1 of the Galactic Alliance."


    "There we go, most of you lot don''t give way even after hours of torture." The man gave Kothar what could almost be called a smile.


    "How odd, planet? I assume you mean plane?"


    "No planet, a celestial body orbiting a star."


    "Oh I see, you''re from one of those planes. No mana, so you only explore the vacuum, instead of doing the common sense thing and traveling sideways."


    "Since you''re being so cooperative, I''ll get straight to the point, what are your intentions here, on our plane?"


    "Well, I''m trying to return home, to find the beast that destroyed me and I presume destroyed my homeworld."


    "Hahahahaha" The man''s laugh sounded like ice cubes rattling in an empty glass.


    "Sure, I believe you." The mist around him swirled and surged towards Kothar, wrapping tightly around him.


    "No way. All you outworlders want to do is take advantage of the innocent unknowing citizens of whatever plane your soul ends up in. You should''ve given me a more believable excuse, like wanting to become a king or fulfilling some ridiculous fantasy of yours.." The mist wrapped around Kothar''s neck, tightening as he gasped for breath.

 Chapter 22 - Avn Dur

    Kothar''s face turned blue, as the mist wrapped tighter and tighter around his throat. Black spots filled his vision and he felt more and more light headed.


    "Hrrk. I''m really trying to go back." Kothar struggled to form the words with what little words he had left. The mysterious man narrowed his eyes and the mist wrapped tighter.


    "Last chance. Tell me now or you''re done for."


    "I''m not lying." With the last of his air, Kothar spat out his innocence.


    [Guess we''re doing this again, see you next time?]


    [See you next time Silane.]


    The grass tickled Kothar''s face, he was slumped against the ground, and he could hear the crackling of a fire. He sat up, finding himself in a makeshift camp. The mysterious man sat on a large stump near the fire.


    With the mist swirling around his feet, Kothar got his first good look at him. He looked alien, mostly humanoid, with pale skin and snow white long hair.


    "Sorry about that, can''t be too careful with you otherworlders." The man strode over, offering Kothar a hand to help him up. Taking his hand, Kothar pulled himself up, still shaky from passing out.


    "I''m sure you have many questions, have a seat by the fire." The man revealed pointed teeth as he spoke, which, combined with the way he stalked around the camp, gave him a cat-like appearance.


    "Avn'' Dur, and I already know you are Kothar."


    "Yes, I understand your desire to protect your home but was almost killing me really necessary?"


    "You''ve no idea, this plane gets a ridiculous amount of otherworlders, the last time we had one with poor intentions we lost an entire continent." Avn'' Dur poked at the flames with a stick as he explained, staring into the fire.


    "I see. How did you know?"


    "How did I know? Don''t be ridiculous, all of you are exceptionally outstanding in some way, but it''s your sword that gave you away." Avn'' Dur raised his hand, and a blackbird fluttered down and perched on it.


    "My little friend here told me all about it, mages study for their entire lives to come up with one or two new runic arrangements. A mere child creating a network as complex as your sword, absolutely absurd."


    "You can''t be certain I''m innocent though?"


    "Protesting your innocence until certain death is good enough for me. Most of you start making excuses by the time they realize they can''t beat me." Avn'' Dur flashed a jagged smile at Kothar.


    "Alright, now tell me, can I really leave this plane? I need to make sure my people are safe, and find the being that may have destroyed them." Kothar stared earnestly at Avn'' Dur, his first real glimmer of hope finally in front of him.


    "Of course, interplanar travel is simple, all you need to do is surpass the most powerful beings on Eclat." Avn'' Dur gave Kothar a sarcastic grin.


    "Now don''t get too discouraged, as an otherworlder you''re sure to have the experience and level headedness to get there, and judging by your little adjustments, you should be just fine." Avn'' Dur grinned and tapped his left eye.


    "So you know all my secrets. Tell me then, what are you?"


    "A little rude, don''t you think? Ursten is one of the more homogenous nations on this plane, you haven''t seen anything yet. Get used to it, believe me, you''ll have plenty of chances to be surprised, just wait till you get off this tiny little island."


    "Island? How about a map?"


    "Come now, what were you expecting from me, a welcome basket along with the keys to the kingdom. No, you''re doing quite well for yourself already, take care." Avn'' Dur turned to leave, picking up his swords from where they leant against the stump.


    "Hold up, what can you tell me about the Devourer?" Avn'' Dur whirled around, the blood leaving his face, his face now white as a sheet.


    "No. I''ll not speak of such things, and you''d best not mention that name again." Avn'' Dur muttered out, returning to his closed off and lazy tone of voice, no longer cheery. The mist swirled up, wrapping him once again.


    "Safe travels, and when you decide to subjugate a kingdom, just know, I won''t be far."


    Avn'' Dur''s voice echoed from the darkness around the camp.


    [All in all, I''d say that went quite well.]


    [Silane, I just got choked and kidnapped by a strange man, what part of that went well?]


    [Well, we didn''t die again, and we know we can leave this place.]


    [Yes, we can leave Eclet. And see what''s become of the Alliance, if there even is an Alliance anymore.]


    [They''ll be fine Kothar, I''m sure there were failsafes.]


    [Yes but what about the Garden, it was right there.] Kothar began to choke up, emotions rushing in, as the adrenaline from the encounter with Avn'' Dur wore off.


    [We won''t know till we get there, now how about you make tracks and worry about the people we care about on this plane.]


    [You''re right, I''d rather not stay in this camp much longer.]


    A soft glow filled the sky, brushing the rolling hills with golden light. Kothar had walked through the night, and he was rewarded with the sight of the plains that surrounded Balin and its neighboring towns.


    [Not far now, we should be in Nief by this afternoon.]


    [Alright Silane, we both know how far it is.]


    [Just making conversation.]


    [Here we go, my AI makes conversation now.]


    Kothar had a faint smile on his face as he continued to trek onwards, a cool breeze flowing across the plains.


    The dirt track gave way to paved stone as they neared Nief, soon the walls of the town came into sight. It was barely a town, a collection of about 40 buildings within the walls, surrounded by farms and a sprawling village.


    Kothar made his way to the tavern in the village, if Simon was in Nief, he would likely be staying there. If he wasn''t, he would have left a message with the barkeep.


    The tavern was dimly lit and filled with unidentifiable smells, as most taverns are. Kothar made his way to the bar, where the barkeep was poring over a sheaf of papers, his long blonde curls covering his face.


    "Excuse me, I''m looking for-" Kothar was cut short as the barkeep looked up from his papers to reveal Simon, who grinned at Kothar.


    "Who are you looking for, nephew?"

 Chapter 23 - Simon

    "You didn''t think I was just a scholar all this time, with your parents being a powerful warrior and a mage?" Kothar and Simon sat in a cozy, lamplit room behind the bar. The walls were covered in maps and odd manuscripts, with a massive bookshelf dominating one side of the room. Simon had closed the doors of the tavern right after Kothar had entered, barring the door with a curious spell that left a glowing imprint.


    "Alright Uncle, then why don''t you tell me what you actually do?"


    "If I told you I''d have to kill you. All jokes aside, this doesn''t leave this room." Simon suddenly took on a very serious tone.


    "Of course."


    "I do enjoy my research and the travel associated with it, but my real calling is, let''s just say I''m a discreet observer." Simon gazed about the room, not meeting Kothar''s gaze.


    "So you''re a spy?"


    "Come now, that''s an offensive term we don''t appreciate. But yes, most would call me a spy, and if I were to be exposed I''d have many angry Kings after my head. Hence the secrecy." Simon finally looked at Kothar, and seeing his nephew''s honest face free of judgment, he smiled.


    "So what do they really teach at the Institute?"


    "Well, you realise it''s not only mages that have a school. We thieves also need a place to be educated, of course, many of our students don''t even realise that their classmates are sneaking around their dorms practicing their craft at night."


    "Why not become a mage like Mother?"


    "Not everyone is blessed with an elemental affinity Kothar, of course, we can still practice magic but it is much more difficult for us to have the ridiculous impact on a battlefield that you do. After all, calling upon the force of nature is quite unfair."


    "I guess it is, so can we head back to the capital?"


    "Of course, let''s head out now, all my gear is ready."


    [If I was around when you first met Simon I would''ve told you he was a spy.]


    [Sure you would, you have access to all my memories, why didn''t you tell me all this time then?]


    [Hmmph, it''s different.] Silane had been bickering with Kothar more and more, she seemed to enjoy exploring the new found emotions she had. Unlike Kothar, who had only dipped his toe into the murky waters of emotion. Simon had persuaded a farmer to let them ride on the back of his cart on his way to sell his produce in Balin, and they enjoyed the sight of the picturesque farms that dotted the countryside.


    [Kothar! There are 5 mana signatures that have been following us, all of them are at least Beginner rank, how would you like to proceed.]


    [Continue observation.]


    "Uncle, do you know we are being followed?"


    "You continue to impress me, where in the world did you learn to notice a tail? I know they didn''t teach you that at that ridiculous Academy." Simon sat up from where he was lounging on a sack of potatoes.


    [Tell him you have a ghost lady in your head who tells you things.]


    [I get it SIlane, you can be funny now. Why don''t I also tell him I was the Commander of the Galactic Alliance while I''m at it.]


    [Yeah, do it!]


    "You know me Uncle, you pick up a thing or two roaming the wilds, otherwise you''ll be some lucky creature''s dinner."


    "Of course." Simon looked at Kothar with a raised eyebrow.


    "They''re Kultas'' men, they would have been posted all around Balin, and they''ll have sketches of you."


    "I''ll take care of them tonight, you just rest your eyes after that long journey of yours." Simon''s voice held a tinge of anger.


    As night fell, not wanting to endanger the farmer they left him as he continued ahead while they camped in one of the many clearings that were found alongside the roads that crisscrossed Ursten.


    One of King Rotan''s more popular innovations, they were kept well stocked with firewood and often had a small shelter. Kothar watched curiously as Simon unrolled the innocuous bedroll above his back to reveal a set of dark clothing which were wrapped around a short curved blade, as well as a belt that held a series of smaller blades.


    The blades were dull and grimy, but as Simon drew one from its leather pocket, Kothar saw that the edges shone. Simon noticed Kothar watching him and held up a finger to his lips.


    [Shouldn''t we help him Kothar?]


    [I''m sure he knows what he''s doing, even an AI didn''t peg him as a spy.]


    [Hey, I said I would''ve known if I was around at the time!]


    [Sure you would.]


    Now garbed in black, Simon padded out of the clearing, heading back towards Nief.


    The group of soldiers had poorly disguised themselves by covering Duke Kultas'' insignia on their armour with pieces of red cloth.


    "If we can grab the kid, then his lordship can get General Tam to support him, and the kingship will be his." The leader of the group spoke in hushed tones to the others.


    "We could get a knighthood each, or maybe even a lordship!" Another one of the soldiers piped up.


    "Quiet, stop counting your chickens before they''ve hatched, we actually need to grab the boy before we get any rewards. No more talking till after we''ve got him in our hands."


    Simon rapidly flitted ahead of them, with not even a rustle in the tall grasses to either side of the road betraying his presence.


    He pulled a barely visible coil of wire from one of his many pockets, and stretched it across the roadway. A muffled clanking sound indicated the soldiers drew near.


    Simon crouched next to the road way and began to yell.


    "Arrrgh, help, please, do you know who my father is!" His voice sounded remarkably like that of a teenage boy.


    The group of soldiers rushed forward, afraid they would lose their quarry to someone else.

 Chapter 24 - Return To Balin

    "What the f***!"


    The soldiers went sprawling across the path, collapsing with a rattle of armor. Simon, surrounded with a shimmering aura that made him appear blurry and unfocused, appeared behind the group of soldiers.


    His short curved blade darted forward, slipping between the heavy plate armor the soldiers wore. The aura surrounding SImon extended to his blade, which sliced through the chainmail between the joints of the soldiers'' armor like butter.


    As three of the soldiers were dispatched quickly by Simon, one of them began to flee, running for his life. Simon calmly drew a blade from the belt slung across his chest, and threw the blade with almost inhuman accuracy. The blade shimmered and twisted in midair to follow the soldier, easily finding his neck.


    Now only their leader remained.


    The leader stared at Simon wide eyed, speechless. He tried to clamber to his feet, but Simon raised his palm, and a thin stream of mana snaked its way through the air towards the leader, sinking into his forehead. The leader of the soldiers fell, paralyzed from the neck down, stammering in fear.


    "You and I are going to have a little talk, let''s get you off this road." Simon pulled the bodies off the road into the tall grasses to either side, before returning for their leader.


    "It seems Kultas has fled Ursten, but he has sent his men throughout the Kingdom, searching for you, it appears you''re quite the prize, nephew." Simon walked into the camp at dawn, finding Kothar awake, polishing his sword.


    "What does he want with me?"


    "It''s not about what he wants with you, but rather what he wants from your father." Simon began to remove and pack away his blades and dark uniform.


    "Since your father has been campaigning for decades, his army is more loyal to him than the King. So if Kultas were to have leverage over your father, he would have a formidable force at his back." Simon explained, now once again looking like an innocent travelling scholar.


    "We should be in Balin soon enough." Simon picked up his pack and they returned to the road.


    Balin was not much different from when Kothar had left, the wide paved streets and magical carriages that zoomed along them were still present. However, after the recent rebellion and attack in the capital, there was a noticeable military presence in the streets. Groups of soldiers patrolled the streets, all with the bear of Ursten emblazoned across their chests. The usually boisterous chatter that Balin usually had was still there, but more muted.


    A pair of soldiers guarded the doors of Kothar''s home. Unlike the soldiers patrolling the streets, these soldiers had a large hawk emblazoned on their breastplates, and where the soldiers patrolling were polished and preened these soldiers were battle-scarred and warlike.


    "Halt, who goes there?" The soldiers crossed their halberds as Simon and Kothar approached.


    "Come on now, can''t the General''s son enter his own home?" Simon berated the soldiers.


    "Oh, Ambassador Simon, apologies, we didn''t recognize him, or you for that matter. Please head inside, the General is away but Mistress Ophil is home."


    "Welcome back! Both of you!" Ophil gathered the pair of them in a massive hug, ruffling Kothar''s hair.


    "Hello Mother."


    "Hey Sis."


    "You know what? Why don''t the pair of you wash up and I''ll find something for you boys to eat."


    "Ophil! Are you saying we stink?" Simon protested, indignant.


    "No, I''m telling you both that you stink. Go wash up!" Ophil shooed the pair of them up the stairs.


    Now washed and dressed in fresh clothing, Simon, Kothar and Ophil were all sat around the dining table, which was arrayed with a variety of cold meats, cheese and bread.


    "You must have been worried Son, I''m sorry your father and I weren''t more honest with you."


    Ophil sighed as she stacked Kothar''s plate high with food.


    "Your father has always thought that too much coddling would be poor for your growth, just like his father before him. I''m glad for it though, otherwise we would have never met and Simon and I would probably still be making mischief in some backwater hole." Kothar simply nodded, his face too stuffed with food to answer, Fred had introduced him to far too many delicious foods for him to be satisfied with rations anymore.


    "We all have our secrets Mother." Kothar finally swallowed and answered Ophil.


    [If only she knew Kothar.]


    "Speaking of secrets Son, when were you going to tell me you had become a Beginner Mage?" Kothar coughed, almost choking on a large hunk of cheese.


    "Of course I was going to tell you, it just slipped my mind."


    "I guess being so tight-lipped runs in the family, huh Simon?" Ophil grinned at him, teasing him.


    "Will Father be returning soon?"


    "Perhaps, but he''s on the hunt for Kultas, Simon filled me on your little encounter before you came down. The news is sure to enrage him and he won''t return till he finds the b******."


    "I''ll head off to join him tomorrow." Simon interjected.


    "I''ll come with you." Kothar added, eager to gain some real battle experience and see what battles were like on Eclat.


    "You do that Son, I''d love to see the look on your father''s face when you show up. I wonder if his policy against coddling will change then." Ophil chuckled.


    "Now that you''re a Beginner Mage you should be safe on the battlefield, and your father might even put you to work." Ophil said with an exasperated sigh.


    [A battlefield again, after so long.] Silane sighed, as Kothar cleaned his gear and restocked his pack.


    [Brings back memories, doesn''t it.]


    [Yes, I remember our first real battle, against the rebels that had seized the Cadmium mines on that asteroid.]


    [Do you even think about if we did the right thing, Kothar?]


    [Now you''ve got a moral compass too huh? All jokes aside Silane, I''d say we were more a tool then anything, especially to the higher up in the Alliance.]


    [Then why go back at all?]


    [For the people of the Alliance of course.. The people who I became a symbol for.]

 Chapter 25 - The Western Front

    Simon and Kothar rode at a rapid pace, they had been given a pair of horses which had been cross bred with some sort of magical beasts, making them exceptionally hardy and quick.


    They rode west, passing the Janul Forest and onwards into the swamps beyond. A paved road wound through the Western Swamps, continued onwards towards the No MAn''s land that separated Ursten from it''s neighbor, Kalun.


    They had been told that Kultas'' had last been sighted heading into the No Man''s land, perhaps he had been hoping to find sanctuary in Kalun, but they had fortunately agreed to send a force to stop him from entering their borders.


    The pair only took short rests, to eat and to give the horses a short time to cool off and graze a short while. Soon enough they saw the smoke rising from the Ursten Army''s camp.


    Handing some papers over to the guards posted at the gate, Simon led Kothar onwards. They rode into the military encampment, the encampment was massive, almost a small town. Surrounded by a high wall of earth whose smooth sides indicated it must have been erected by an earth mage, the camp was a hive of activity, with soldiers swarming in every direction.


    Nonetheless, they moved smoothly, keeping to the distinct roads set up between the orderly rows of tents. All the soldiers had Tam''s hawk insignia on their armour, and had a similar bearing to the fierce warriors who had been guarding the family''s home.


    They arrived at the centre of the camp, finding an open-air pavilion in which Tam was deep in discussion with his lieutenants. While they waited for them to finish their meeting, Simon pointed out who the lieutenants were to Kothar.


    "The massive man with the equally large axe is Boson, he''s the leader of the shock troops. The cloaked woman with the bow is Serena, she leads the scouts. The man in the mage''s robes is Balmin, he obviously leads the battlemages."


    "The others lead the different divisions of infantry and cavalry, they don''t have as much autonomy as the more specialised divisions, since your father commands them directly." Tam and his lieutenants were in an animated discussion, as they pointed and gestured at a large map of the surroundings. An odd, grey coloured cat twisted around Serena''s legs, and she pet its head absentmindedly.


    "We''ll head out at first light tomorrow, Serena, I want a pinpoint on Kultas'' location as soon as you can. Post some additional scouts around the camp as well, I don''t want any surprises. Boson and Balmin, let''s make this a quick battle, let''s keep casualties to a minimum and get this b****** so we can be done with this." Tam finalised, and the lieutenants filed out. Tam remained within, staring at the map.


    "Hey Father, need another mage on the battlefield?" Kothar piped up, eager to see if Tam would be as surprised as Ophil had promised.


    Tam''s jaw dropped in surprise as he took in the sight of his son standing there on the battlefield.


    "Son¡­ What are you doing here? Why?" Tam struggled for words, completely taken aback.


    "Hahaha, Ophil was right, surely you won''t baby the boy and let him onto the battlefield?" Simon teased Tam.


    "I''ll station him wherever is appropriate to his abilities Simon, but the front line is no place for a Novice Mage." Tam shot back.


    "What about a Beginner?" Simon said with a cheeky grin.


    "Already? Amazing. Congratulations Son." Tam rushed toward Kothar and wrapped him in a hug.


    "Well, what about it Father, where am I to be posted. Kultas'' men were after me also, I''d like to send a couple spells flying his way." Kothar wheezed out, struggling for breath as Tam squeezed him.


    "Hmm, it''d be best if you went and had a chat with Balmin. He''d know where it''s best to post you." Tam stood back and held Kothar at arm''s length, taking in how much he''d grown.


    "Amazing, you''ve shot up in the past few months, come, let''s get you two fed and you can fill me in on what''s been happening."


    "May I come in?" Kothar approached Balmin''s tent, having been sent off by Tam to ''report to his commanding officer.''


    "Come on in!" Balmin said in a surprisingly jolly tone. The glow from many mana crystal lamps illuminated him in a warm glow. He was a short man, who was quite bald but had let the sides of hair continue to grow, giving him a monastic appearance.


    "General Tam sent me to report to you before tomorrow''s battle, I''m a Beginner Lightning Mage." Kothar took a seat next to the low table, which was stacked high with magical tomes, and strewn with magical accessories and implements.


    "I see, and your name is?" Balmin drew out a worn notebook from one of his many pockets, immediately beginning to scribble within.


    "Kothar."


    "Oh, you''re the general''s son, well now. I knew his father had a reputation for being against coddling a child, but to think he''d be the same. Hmmm, I''d be a foold to turn down another mage, especially one as talented as yourself. Can you cast any wide range spells Kothar?"


    "Unfortunately I cannot, however I can very quickly cast single target lightning spells, I''m better at one on one combat, and I can use Lightning Aura to fight on par with any Warrior."


    "Hahaha, if I didn''t know better I''d peg you as from one of the Southern tribes. An independent warrior huh? Alright I''ve got just the position for you." Balmin rolled out a miniature version of the map that had been in the command tent.


    "Of course, fill me in."


    "This is where we think the battle will take place." He pointed out a location with a stubby finger"


    "I''ll have a group of Beginner Mages positioned here, who specialise in field spells. There''ll be a squadron posted with them to protect them from any assassins or cavalry forces, but I want you to support the squadron and try to pick off high priority targets with long range spell work. Can you do that?"


    "Definitely, I won''t let you down.." Kothar reached forward and shook the mage''s hand.

 Chapter 26 - Battlefield

    A steady clanking and thumping filled the air, and dust rose in massive clouds behind the army. Kothar rode alongside the 16th Platoon, Balmin had changed into a heavier set of Battlemage robes, swimming with runes, and inlaid with heavy sheets of metal over his vitals. The stocky mage now looked every bit a military officer, the light hearted mirth in his eyes now replaced with a hard stare that reflected in the eyes of all the troops. Many of Kultas'' soldiers had campaigned alongside Tam''s army, and none of the troops were eager to battle with their former brothers in arms.


    "I''m surprised you haven''t shaken yourself out of the saddle. My first battle, I vomited the whole morning, and I could barely sit up straight by the time we got to the front." Balmin rode up alongside Kothar, reining his horse into a trot beside him.


    "Guess it just hasn''t sunk in yet." Kothar responded, half distracted as Silane had been running over some new plans with him.


    "Yeah? Well just be sure to move a good distance away if you decide to heave. We don''t want everyone steaming in the stink while we wait for Kultas'' soldiers to show." Balmin instructed Kothar, with a grim smile on his face.


    "Of course."


    [I remember you emptying your guts after the battle on the asteroid.]


    [Yes Silane, no need to needle me.]


    [I''m not needling you Kothar, just reminding you that there was a time when you were emotional, now that it seems we''re both finding emotion again.]


    [You''re right, that first battle was terrible, and every battle after. I guess I just became dull to everything as it happened over and over.]


    [Commander Kothar, cold and calculating, weapon of the Alliance.]


    [You sounded almost sarcastic there Silane.]


    [Yeah, that was sarcasm.]


    The pair fell silent, as the soft murmurs that had rustled through the troops died down. They had arrived at the battlefield. Tam and his lieutenants had chosen this shallow valley to intercept Kultas. As the valley lay on the only realistic route for Kultas to turn away from Kalun and attempt to make a break for either the wilderness or another neighboring kingdom. The army settled into their formations with ease, their years of experience obvious, Tam rode up to the head of the army, and Balmin nodded at a pair of chubby twins who had been riding on the wings. The pair extended their hands and a pillar of earth slowly rose where Tam stood, bringing him into vision of the amassed troops.


    "Men and women of Ursten!" Tam''s voice, infused with raw mana, resounded across the valley, the men and women of Tam''s army stood up straighter and a fire kindled in their eyes.


    "Over the years, I have asked you to defend our Kingdom. You have battled against people of every nation, people without a nation and even hordes of wild beasts, never have I asked you to turn your swords against people of Ursten!"


    "Aye!!!" The army roared back and rattled their weapons.


    "All of our battles have been against threats to our nation, and every time we have turned the threat away!" Tam''s voice somehow rose further in volume.


    "Aye!!!" The cry sounded once again, and the valley thundered with the clamor of steel and the shouts of the army.


    "But now we fight our own countrymen, Kultas has turned against our King and his loyal soldiers have followed. He has attempted to take the lives of the King, his family and even my own family." Tam''s voice had dropped and he spoke in a dull tone.


    "As much as I would have it any other way, I must ask you, my royal soldiers, to raise your swords against your fellows. But trust, we are averting a threat to Ursten and her people! Spare your fellows who surrender but Kultas must lose his head! Men and women of Ursten, are you with me!" Tam''s voice rose into a roar as he finished his speech.


    "Aye!!!" The air shook as the combined shouts of the entire army filled the air. Kothar marveled as forlorn grim soldiers now became animated with life. While the grim expressions didn''t leave their faces, they became animated and energized and he felt a heat burning away in his own chest.


    [Your father sure knows how to raise morale.]


    [I know, no wonder he kept so much from me, a regular kid would have either been crushed under the pressure or grown an ego larger than a planet.]


    [Hahaha, a regular kid Kothar? You mean someone who isn''t a reborn hybrid of man and machine.]


    [Yes. That''s exactly what I meant, Silane. Now let''s join Balmin and the rest of the platoon.]


    Kothar rode up to the east side of the valley, where a small outcrop hung over the gradual drop. Balmin directed the pudgy twin Earth Mages to raise up small walls and towers of rock to position the array of mages.


    "There you are, Kothar. Let me fill you in."


    "Tam has stationed a platoon of cavalry and infantry to defend this position. Kultas will be eager to take it, since it offers a good vantage point of the battlefield and is a defensible position for mages."


    "Of course, but why wouldn''t he raise his own position, just like they''re doing now?" Kothar asked.


    "Sure he could do that, but then his mages'' mana reserves would be emptied and they''d be susceptible to bombardment from our forces. When it comes to the battlefield, the side with more mana typically wins." Balmin explained as he also directed some of the mages to different parts of the raised earthen walls.


    "You''ll be keeping an out for any sneaky Thieves or fast Warriors that Kultas sends to take out our Mages, unlike you many Mages don''t carry a sword." Balmin continued, strapping on a thick leather helmet.


    "Of course, I can''t guarantee that I''ll be able to stop any Intermediate or Advanced levels though."


    "No need, they''ll be after higher priority targets anyway, like myself or your father."


    A low rumbling filled the air, and the entire platoon turned to look at the dust rising from the north-west.


    "I guess that''s my cue." Balmin hopped up onto his sturdy warhorse, patting Kothar on the shoulder.


    "Take care kid, and give ''em hell!"


    "You too Balmin, you too.." Kothar trailed off as Balmin galloped down to the floor of the valley, while loud voices shouting commands and the ringing of command bells filled the air.

 Chapter 27 - Clash

    The once serene valley was now a pandemonium of light and noise. The air shook as Warriors slashed at each other with empowered weapons, and walls of every element rolled across the battlefield in waves as Mages of both sides competed to dominate the field. Kultas'' mages had set themselves up behind his amassed forces, and like Balmin''s platoon, they were also well defended by soldiers.


    While the majority of Mages shot massive fireballs, or sent small tornadoes spinning across the battlefield, a few spent their energy attempting to attack or respond to the attacks of the enemy platoon. Kothar watched as a massive spear of ice rocketed towards a Wind Mage who was currently conjuring up a massive ball of swirling wind blades.


    Kothar dashed toward him, sending mana coursing through his sword and setting it abuzz, but the twin Earth Mages were already prepared and a wall of earth rose up in front of the Wind Mage, the massive ice spear shattering harmlessly against the wall, which dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.


    "Take it easy young blood. You leave the spells to us and deal with any sneaky threats coming our way." The twin who talked had a surprisingly deep voice which clashed with his short, pudgy appearance.


    "Sure thing." Kothar nodded, and resumed scanning the battlefield. He could see the massive swirls of mana that were the Intermediate levels leading their respective squads across the battlefield.


    Boson was currently tearing through Kultas'' front lines, riding a heavily furred rhinoceros which was equally as huge as he was, his massive axe acting almost like a battering ram, sending men and their horses flying. Meanwhile, Serena had split her forces, their arrows striking down at Kultas'' lieutenants, suppressing them from making an impact of their own.


    Boson continued to split Kultas'' ranks like a hot knife through butter, but he suddenly reined in his mount and came to a halt.


    "Hahahaha. I knew it, wet the ground enough and the worms come crawling out!" Boson mocked the man who had rode out at the head of a column of cavalry.


    "I''ll have your head for your impudence, peasant! I never knew why Tam tolerated inferiors in his army, now you show your true colors." The man raised an equally large axe to his shoulder, his face covered by a horned helmet, with only a tiny slit for his eyes.


    "Twist your words whichever way you want Kultas! The whole kingdom now knows you for the two faced dog you are!" Boson roared back at Kultas, spurring his mount forward.


    "Come then! I''ll teach you where you belong!" Kultas roared back, matching Boson''s charge.


    The two warriors swung their axes with a ridiculous speed, the massive blades sending sparks flying over their heads. The two armies had distanced themselves from the clash, since no one below the Intermediate rank could even approach the pair without the risk of losing their head to a stray blow. However the fighting continued, leaving an island of calm around the two.


    At first the pair seemed evenly matched, with neither backing down, but bit by bit Boson was forced back and his face slowly grew paler and paler.


    Kothar gasped as Kultas'' mana suddenly surged, now only matched by one other person on the battlefield, Tam. Matching his surge in mana, Kultas let loose a huge swing of his axe, knocking Boson clean off his mount and into the dirt.


    "Stay down dog!" Kultas sneered at Boson, spitting down at him from his charger. Boson, pale, weakly struggled to his feet, propping himself up with the handle of his axe.


    "Why don''t you bark out for your master, so I can teach him a lesson too!" Kultas continued to mock Boson. Boson took a weak defensive stance, his arms shaking from the strain, coughing up blood.


    "Maybe Tam will show his face if he loses one of his mutts!" Kultas dismounted and strode to Boson, raising his axe up high, swinging it down to cleave Boson in two. The air blurred as he did so and Tam appeared in front of the weakened Boson to block Kultas'' finishing blow.


    "There''s no need for that Cousin!" Tam''s sword was tiny compared to the massive axe that Kultas wielded, but he held the weight of it up easily, not even breaking a sweat.


    "Of course, but we both knew this needed to happen." Kultas responded quietly, Kothar only able to make out what he was saying by reading his lips. The pair began to clash, Tam matching each of Kultas'' blows with a flowing ease.


    "So you thought breaking through to Advanced warrior would let you match me on the field?" Tam replied to Kultas, dodging a fierce blow by a hair.


    "I had to come for you, I couldn''t let you keep bringing peasants up the ranks." Kultas continued to drive massive blows at Tam.


    "Spare me your classist drivel Kultas. We both know you never believed the rubbish you spout." Tam sent a piercing stab toward Kultas, aiming for a seam in his heavy plate armor.


    "I needed an excuse to rebel didn''t I? And this way, whoever wins, we know where the nobles of Ursten stand." Kultas twisted, the stab glancing off his plate, carving a shallow groove in the lacquer.


    "Still the pretense of a noble cause, Kultas? Just come out with it, you''ve always wanted the throne!" Tam stepped back, glaring at Kultas.


    "You know as well as I do Tam, Rotan is too weak to lead. Ursten needs a strong hand on the throne, look how quickly so many of the nobles threw their weight behind me!" Kultas removed his helm, revealing a heavy featured face, with a massive black mane and full beard.


    "That''s what we were for Kultas, to be the force that Rotan needed, he knows the hearts of the people, and he''ll create a better country, just like his father!"


    "Tell me then Tam, what''s a haven worth if its King can''t take to the battlefield? Fodder for greedy nations?"


    "It''s a good home for its people, that''s what it is." Tam sighed as Kultas took up his axe again.


    "One last argument huh, Tam? Let''s finish this the right way." Kultas strode forward, donning his helm once again.

 Chapter 28 - Gerard

    Tam unleashed a flurry of blows against Kultas, his blurred form barely visible to the eye. Kultas defended against his blows with the smallest possible movement, trying to compensate for his lack of speed. As the force emitted from their blades intensified, the circle around the pair grew wider and wider, as any errant blow was enough to decapitate an unwary soldier.


    [Kothar!!! Stop watching your father''s battle, we''ve got a problem here.]


    [Alright Silane, fill me in.]


    [Ready your sword and cast Lightning Aura, there''s someone heading towards our position.]


    Kothar watched as a young man, who couldn''t be much older than Kothar sped up the valley towards the outcrop they had been posted upon.


    The soldiers Tam had posted were embroiled in a clash with an advance force that Kultas had sent to try break through, and when a few of them noticed the man and attempted to stop him, he slashed out with his sword, slicing them in two with bright green blades of wind he emitted from his sword.


    [A warrior with elemental affinity, this is going to be tough, Kothar.]


    [I know, uncle Simon wasn''t kidding when he said that Warriors with elemental affinities were in a class of their own.]


    As he drew close, huge boulders flew down at him, cast by the twins, he dodged these easily, and hopped over the shifting slope.


    "Looks like you''re up, kid and he looks like a nasty one!" One of the twins yelled at Kothar.


    "I''ve got it!" Kothar leapt down the slope towards the approaching enemy, his sword humming in his hand. The man grinned upon seeing Kothar dashing toward him, and seeing the lightning aura, his smile grew wider.


    "I''ve never fought someone like me! Let''s go at it then!" He rapidly became shrouded in a swirling green aura, his speed increasing.


    [Looks like he''s about as fast as you, didn''t think your first fight on the battlefield would be against someone so similar, did you?]


    [No I didn''t Silane, didn''t uncle Simon specifically say elemental Warriors were so rare we might never come across one in Ursten.]


    [Yeah, but I don''t think he expected you on the battlefield so soon either.]


    The Wind Warrior slashed out at Kothar, sending blades of wind hurtling through the air toward him, Kothar dogged these with ease, sending a bolt spell out from his sword at the Warrior.


    "Aaah! What the hell was that!" The man winced, a black scorch mark appearing on his leather armor, rubbing at his side.


    [Looks like we can take him by surprise Kothar, try a Ball Lightning spell next, he won''t expect the tracking if he still believes you''re a Warrior]


    [He''ll be on his guard from now, I''ll use a few more regular Bolt spells to settle his fears]


    The pair continued to clash, drawing near and slicing at each other with their empowered blades, and then drawing away and firing wind blades and lightning bolts at one another.


    "Looks like we''re evenly matched! The name''s Gerard, nice to meet a worthy opponent."


    The man called out to Kothar, as he slashed out viciously toward him.


    "This isn''t a chance meeting at the marketplace Gerard, this is war!" Kothar deftly doged the blade, shooting out an empowered Bolt from his sword.


    "Hey! Don''t be so uptight, there''s no need to not enjoy oneself in battle!" Gerard leaned back, dodging the bolt with an indignant look on his face.


    "Alright, the name''s Kothar." Kothar said bluntly as he drew in, sending his humming blade swinging at Gerard''s neck.


    Gerard dodged silently, paling as Kothar blade narrowly missed his neck, the vibration alone opening up a faint line of blood on his neck.


    Now that Gerard truly felt threatened he dashed backward, and knelt down and sheasthed his sword.


    [He''s charging up a powerful slash, now''s our chance Kothar! Charge up your ball lightning as fast as you can!]


    [It''d be nice if I had the arm already!]


    [Yeah, but you don''t, get to it!]


    Kothar charged up his Ball Lightning, dashing toward Gerard to mislead him into thinking it was a regular Bolt. By now a bright green glow shone from Gerard''s sheathed blade, and his forehead beaded with sweat.


    Kothar fired the ball of lightning at Gerard, and it barreled toward his head, as the lightning drew close Gerard leapt forward, drawing his blade and slashing out at Kothar in one smooth motion. The ball of lightning narrowly flew past Gerard''s head, a triumphant look beaming across his face as the blade he shot out curved toward Kothar, aiming directly for Kothar''s midsection.


    "You fought well." Gerard said as he sheathed his sword, and the blade flew at Kothar.


    "Urhk!" Gerard flew forward, as the ball lightning circled around and slammed into his back, his eyes widening in shock.


    Kothar easily dodged the wind blade, now that it had lost its guidance from Gerard, and it slammed harmlessly into the side of the valley, carving out a massive groove.


    [Did you really need to wait so long to hit him with the lightning, Kothar?]


    [Yes, wasn''t it worth seeing him celebrate then keeling over like that.]


    [Alright, you''re right, it was satisfying.]


    [But why didn''t you cast at full power?]


    [He''s obviously a talented warrior, and he seems more passionate about battle than about Kultas. We wouldn''t want to deprive the Kingdom, Silane.]


    [Look at you, becoming Tam''s son through and through.]


    [All that aside, it seems as though Warriors need to expend much more mana to have the same control that Mages do over projectiles.]


    [It does seem to be the case, I wonder if it''s because they don''t have the same practice in mana manipulation¡­]


    A massive boom rang out, it sounded as if the air itself had cracked, cutting Kothar and Silane''s conversation short. A resounding cheer erupted from the center of the battlefield, evidently a winner had been decided between Tam and Kultas.


    [Let''s go take a look.]

 Chapter 29 - Clash(2)

    Though he had duelled against Tam many times before, Kultas felt like he was facing someone completely different to the man he had known. When they had duelled as young men in the army, Tam''s strikes had been soft and flowing, slipping past his guard and gently tapping him. Tam''s strikes still had the flowing quality to them, but now they had held a vicious bite.


    The two fighters continued to unleash a flurry of strikes at each other, increasing in intensity as they both tested the others strength, however the power of Kultas'' strikes continued to intensify, and as he unleashed a heavy horizontal blow at Tam, it seemed as if he would be overcome. Pressing his palm against the blade of his sword to reinforce his block, Tam skidded backward, eyebrows raised at Kultas'' shocking power.


    "How about that Cousin?" Kultas sneered at Tam.


    "You''ve improved." Tam said simply. He brought his sword up to shoulder level, holding his arm out straight, lining the sword directly up with Kultas'' head.


    "Your posturing won''t scare me, have a taste of this!" Kultas crouched and his entire body began to glow with a soft light, the ground near him shaking and plumes of dust rising from the ground. He moved slowly, swinging his axe back and gathering a massive amount of momentum.


    Meanwhile, Tam held his pose, balanced on the balls of his feet, his mouth a grim line as he stared at Kultas. Kultas'' axe began to swing forward, slowly but surely, unerringly aiming toward Tam, it seemed as if the space around the pair had become the consistency of treacle, as Kultas inched toward Tam, his armored boots slamming into the ground.


    Tam''s eyes'' flashed and he took one deliberate step forward, an imperceptible blur rushing toward Kultas. Kultas'' axe suddenly shot upward, but it was too late.


    Tam now stood, stock still, his arm outstretched, his sword piercing clean through Kultas'' helm and skull. An eerie silence settled over the battlefield, as even the lowliest soldier had noticed the sudden drop in the mana emanating from the two titans. Realising that they were victorious, Tam''s soldiers erupted into cheers as Kultas'' loyal soldiers threw down their weapons, their lord no longer living.


    Many of the outer units of Kultas'' army began to flee the nobles commanding them realising their rebellion had failed. No one gave chase, since they had flown their own standards and were now known to be traitors, Ursten no longer held a place for them.


    The clashing of weapons faded from the battlefield, and a hub hub of noise rose, soldiers calling out for their companions, hoping they were alive, Tam''s soldiers ordering their newly imprisoned countrymen into orderly queues and squad leaders and captains yelling out for their units.


    Some on the battlefield had the relieved look of a victorious army, others the sorrow of a lost lord, while yet others wore a complicated expression, relieved they no longer had the fight against their kingdom but filled with sorrow at the loss of Kultas. However, one man alone was without even the faintest expression. Tam stood, stoic by where Kultas had fallen. His face blank, he stood vigil even as his lieutenants began to organize up the survivors and prisoners.


    Kothar watched as his father stood silent beside his fallen cousin, realizing the gravity of what had happened. It was evident that Ursten''s soldiers were enormously loyal to their commanders, even though they swore loyalty to the throne. It was no surprise that almost Kultas'' entire army had chosen to follow him into rebellion and even less so that so many nobles joined him.


    Rotan was popular amongst the commoners and merchants, who he assisted in joining the great academies, but now that many of those talented commoners were rising in the ranks of the Kingdom, the nobles feared their rising power, and feared what Rotan might take from them if he had a real hold over them all.


    "Come away kid! Let''s get you back to camp, time to get you fed." Balmin called out to Kothar, stepping gingerly across the muddy battlefield, favoring one leg.


    "I know your father would rather have you getting fed and rested, rather than stewing out here in the muck."


    "Sure thing Balmin, let''s go."


    "You got us a tidy noble prisoner as well, you did well, defending the mage outpost. Count Gerard here will be a nice little bargaining chip to persuade his father to come back from which ever hole he decides to flee to." Balmin nodded at the unconscious Gerard, his torso still smoking lightly from Kothar''s spell.


    "He was a tough opponent for sure, I got lucky because he expected me to be a Warrior rather than a Mage." Kothar softly chatted to Balmin, as they carried Gerard by his arms and legs toward the camp.


    "Don''t sell yourself short, Kid. You know as well as I do that information is a part of one''s prowess, why else would every Kingdom send so many so-called ''ambassadors'' to their neighbors?"


    "Hahaha, ambassadors huh?" Kothar grinned as he was reminded of Simon, who had mysteriously disappeared the night they arrived at the camp, without so much as a word to anyone.


    "Let''s bring this one to where we''re going to be keeping the special prisoners." Balmin lead Kothar past where masses of prisoners were setting up their own camp, it appeared their countrymen were exceptionally well behaved prisoners. They came to a group of large spacious tents, outside which were many boxes of rune inscribed shackles.


    "We''ll be needing a pair of those, bring me a pair so we can get your friend here settled." Balmin slung Gerard over one shoulder and marched inside one of the tents. Kothar entered holding a pair of the shackles, and marveled at the rows of shackled prisoners, not restrained by anything more than the rune inscribed shackles.


    "These''ll take care of his mana circulation." Balmin took the shackles from Kothar and snapped them onto Gerard''s wrists, laying him down surprisingly gently next to an already shackled man.


    [I wonder if we could utilise those runes in a weapon, it could be very useful.]


    [Please record and begin analysis Silane.]


    [Sure thing.]


    "I wonder if I could have a pair Balmin? I''m very interested in runes." Kothar piped up as they left the tent.


    "Hmmm. I don''t see the harm in that. After all, your father finances the army, so technically they already belong to you. It won''t do you much good though, these designs have been unchanged for hundreds of years, these are ancient runic arrangements." Balmin pulled a pair from a box and handed them to Kothar.


    "I guess we will see."

 Chapter 30 - The Keep

    The wide paved roads of Balin were lined with onlookers from all walks of life. Merchants watched from the windows of their auction houses and shops, nobles from the balconies of their massive estates while a throng of farmers and laborers lined the streets. All of them watching the rebels being escorted to the grand keep at the center of the city.


    Kothar rode alongside Balmin, having grown close to the Mage Platoon during the battle. He now knew the two Earth Mage twins were named Shale and Slate, and spent many hours quizzing them on the intricacies of Earth Magic.


    The pair were also unique in that they almost always cast magic together, very rarely casting spells on their own. Most mages would only be able to cooperate on a spell after much preparation, careful timing and attunement, but thanks to their closeness, Shale and Slate were able to cast in unison constantly.


    Kothar realised that their casting was similar to what he did with Silane, with the burden of the spell being split between two minds, allowing for a faster casting. However, the pair benefited from two mana pools they could draw from, allowing them to easily dominate mages in their own class.


    The column of soldiers and prisoners marched straight through the city, heading for the shining keep that rose from the center. The keep was the pride of Ursten, crafted from massive blocks of black granite shot through with veins of blue Magesteel ore, the keep was a testament to the years of unity between the kings of Ursten and mages of Trinquile.


    The keep rose up on a massive column of rocks, surrounded by a deep crevasse that held the Nestor river. Many a young couple would visit the keep late in the evening, circling around the deep moat, listening to the faint rushing of the faraway waters of Nsstor, marvelling at the soft glow of the keep at night, the intricate runes swimming all over the grand castle.


    "General Tam. Please halt for a moment so we may announce you to the King, we mean no disrespect." The castle guard gently communicated to Tam, who was outfitted in finely wrought armour, unsuited for the battlefield but perfect for an audience with the King. The column came to slow halt, the soldiers guarding the prisoners taking the opportunity to pass out flasks of water, as the noontime sun glared down at them.


    "Might be getting your first noble title out of this." Balmin nudged Kothar where he stood, firing a cheeky grin at him.


    "Really?"


    "Of course, Rotan is eager to promote those that are loyal to him, or to promote those whose loyalty he wants. You might be both. I''m sure he''s heard about your little showdown with Gerard. Say what you want about our King, he stays well informed." Balmin continued, his voice dropping in volume to avoid his gossip being heard by the castle guard.


    "Enter!" A pompous herald emerged from a small sally port set in the stone next to the massive gates. The column marched across the bridge, and the herald swung his huge floppy hat as he bowed, the large feathers on the hat sweeping the ground. The massive gates silently slid open, revealing the majestic great hall of the castle.


    "She''s quite a sight isn''t she?" Balmin remarked, noticing Kothar drinking in the sight of the hall.


    Kothar was taken aback, even though he had seen his fair share of beautiful buildings, great towers and manicured gardens, even in his previous life, few could compare to the majesty of Balin''s keep.


    An exquisite chandelier of glowing mana crystal illuminated the entire hall, while tall windows set high up funneled the sunlight into the spacious hall. The roof rose to a soft arch, the entire roof decorated with a massive mural, which depicted every corner of Ursten. The paintings were enchanted, the streams flowed, leaves danced in the air, Kothar even spotted deer bounding through a dappled clearing.


    The high windows were inlaid with fine mosaics which lent the light flowing in a multitude of colors. The walls of the hall lacked paintings, instead they were lined with statues of the great knights of Ursten, each one guarding the halls long after their passing.


    The lower third of the walls were also paneled with finely carved wood, with vines climbing the walls and flowers blooming all around. Finally, the throne stood on a low dais, wrought out of the same stone that made up the castle, surprisingly bare in comparison to the fine hall.


    Kothar got his first look at King Rotan, who sat alertly on his throne, carefully looking at and taking in each and every individual who marched into his hall. The King was a slender man, however he had the same olive skin that Kultas and Tam had, and shared their dark eyes. However, he differed in attitude from them as much as they differed from each other, where Tam was quiet and serious, and Kultas was brash and arrogant, Rotan gave off an easy going and thoughtful air. While his face appeared serious, his eyes shone with a hidden smile.


    "General Tam." Rotan said simply, nodding at Tam.


    "My King." Tam walked to the foot of the dais and took a deep bow, kneeling down on to one knee, drawing his sword, and holding the sword out to Rotan in his outstretched palms. The entire hall followed Tam in his bow, every soldier and prisoner sinking down on to one knee, heads bowed.


    "Please rise, there''s no need for that Tam." Rotan appeared flustered, surprised by Tam''s grand gesture.


    "My sword is yours, my King. And will always be." Tam said as he rose, sheathing his blade. Rotan appeared taken aback, and a soft murmur ran through the gathered soldiers and courtiers. While all the nobles and military of Ursten were sworn to the throne, it was rare for any individual to so openly declare their support for the ruler, rather than the throne. Tam was taking a firm stance behind Rotan, quelling any thoughts of rebellion that still lurked in the minds of the nobles.


    Joy radiated across Rotan''s face as he realized the magnitude of Tam''s gesture and gentle smile momentarily crossed his face, before it was replaced with the regal look he had held previously.


    "Alright.. Now, what is to become of these rebels?" Rotan swept the amassed prisoners with a cold stare.

 Chapter 31 - Rotan

    "My King, please let me deal with the rebels, I shall take them under my wing, and they''ll be kept under watch by my own soldiers." Tam stood, arms crossed at the bottom of the dais.


    "You propose I let these rebels go free? After they rebelled, and tried to oust me from my throne?" Rotan''s eyes narrowed.


    "Of course not my King, they''ll be dealt an appropriate punishment, but wouldn''t the Kingdom be better served with more soldiers defending her, rather than an entire army languishing in chains?"


    "Would traitors serve a Kingdom defense, Tam?"


    "My sire, these men are not traitors, I assure you, they were guided by loyalty to their Lord, and surrendered peacefully as soon as he fell. If they were truly traitors, would they not fight against you till their last breath?"


    "I shall give your words some thought. For now, they''ll be imprisoned and questioned here. Captain Anselm, please have the prisoners escorted to the cells."


    "Thank you for considering, my lord."


    "Rise, Sir Kothar of Balin." King Rotan''s voice echoed across the room. Kothar had been one of the many soldiers of Tam''s who had been honored, some had been given medals for service to the Kingdom, others had been promoted, while others had been given titles of nobility.


    Many of the soldiers were also granted an audience with the Treasurer, able to request a suitable weapon or materials from the Treasury. As the last of the medals were awarded, Rotan departed from the great hall.


    Tam gestured for Kothar to come over and join him near the dais while Serena began to guide Tam''s forces out of the Great Hall.


    "Son, I''ll be meeting with the King soon, you can join us, unless there''s some place you must be?" Tam said to Kothar, with a hint of mirth in his eyes.


    "Please, follow me." A middle aged man dressed in an immaculate set of silver inlaid black clothing stood next to one the many doors that were peppered around the walls of the Great Hall.


    "Good to see you too, Jonas." Tam said as he shot Kothar a grin.


    "I see you haven''t lost your cheekiness Master Tam." Jonas held the door open, waiting for Kothar and Tam.


    "Rest easy Jonas, I''ll be staying away from your azaleas today."


    "Of course you will, I hope your son won''t be getting up to the same kind of mischief you would engage in." Jonas shot a pointed look at Kothar.


    "Absolutely not, I''d be surprised if he did Jonas, this one is as likely to get into mischief as I was likely to show up to any of our lessons on time."


    "I''m glad Lady Ophil''s temperament has rubbed off on him." Jonas had led them to a small courtyard within the castle, a fountain bubbled in the center, with a large pool around it in which sparkling fishes darted to and fro amongst water lilies.


    "His Majesty will be with you shortly, please excuse me, I have other duties to attend to."


    "It was nice seeing you Jonas!" Tam yelled after the steward.


    "He may seem uptight and proper, but Jonas is an absolute treasure. He practically raised me, Rotan and Kultas too. All of our parents were off on the battlefield, in battle with the Southern Tribes." Tam watched the fish as he spoke, his mind far from the courtyard.


    "Rotan''s father brokered peace with the tribes, which I guess is why Grandfather left him the throne. If it weren''t for the treaty, we might not have a Kingdom today to call home."


    "Don''t undersell your father''s achievements Tam. Someone had to hold the border while there was no peace treaty, and he was the one to do so." Rotan strode into the courtyard, no longer wearing his heavily embroidered regal robes or his tall silver crown, rather he was dressed so simply, that he could have been mistaken for an off duty soldier.


    "Please, no need for ceremony between family, only when there are eyes watching." Rotan pulled Kothar up from his half completed bow.


    "Oh, nice to meet you, King Rotan."


    "Rotan is fine, you''ve grown so fast Kothar, it seems like not so long ago you were a red faced little baby." Rotan smiled at Kothar, ruffling his hair.


    [I wonder if he''d ruffle your hair if he knew you''d lived centuries more than him.]


    [Come on Silane, let the man be kind.]


    "That was a fine performance you put on out there cousin." Rotan turned to Tam, who was still knelt beside the pond.


    "Thank you, at least now the nobles will at least think before they throw their weight behind a rebel." Tam stood and walked over to the shady tree where Rotan and Kothar had seated themselves.


    "Though you could have waited till now if you wanted me to free all of Kultas'' soldiers."


    Rotan poured out cups of chilled tea for the three of them.


    "Ah, well I had to give them all some second thoughts, now that they know I want Kultas'' men under my own army, the nobles might think I''m gearing up to rebel against you myself." Tam winked at Rotan.


    "Hahaha, you should''ve been king Tam, I''m at a complete loss when it comes to these court intrigues." Rotan sighed and looked up to the open sky above the courtyard.


    "No cousin, that''s exactly why you make such a great king, you spend your time thinking of the people, and let me worry about whatever mischief your enemies might be thinking of." Tam reassured Rotan.


    "Well, I''ve no qualms with it, and if you want ever do want to rebel, theres no need for a battle, just let me know and I''ll deliver my crown to you myself."


    "Hahaha, I wouldn''t wish the throne upon anyone, I''d end up abdicating after one session of those open audiences you hold."


    "To each their own I guess."


    "Truer words have never been spoken.." Tam raised his cup and clinked it against Rotan''s.

 Chapter 32 - The Treasury

    "Kothar, I understand I owe you a reward of some kind, Leland here will escort you to the Treasury, where you can take your pick of whatever you require. Just don''t pick the place clean, a king needs at least a few jewels." Rotan gestured to a man hunched over so far that he seemed like he had been bent in two.


    His bowed back, combined with his dark sun beaten wrinkled skin, gave him the appearance of a wizened willow.


    "Come along now." Leland croaked out at Kothar, shaking a hand that gripped a massive bunch of keys at Kothar. Leland peered up at Kothar through his mop of shaggy white hair, his beady eyes gleaming in the shadow of his heavy brow.


    "Lead the way. Farewell King Rotan, Father." Kothar dipped his head towards the pair, who nodded at him, then continued their conversation about the supply lines to the expedition force in the east.


    [Kind of them to spare you the boredom of their shop-talk, huh Kothar?]


    [Hmmm, I don''t think so. I think that they''ll be discussing their real business now, the whole show that father put on, as well as how well Uncle Simon hid his profession makes me suspect that everyone''s much slipperier than they let on.]


    [You''re right, I wonder what other secrets are lurking about.]


    Leland led Kothar deep into the bowels of the massive keep, gradually the windows gave way to glittering mana crystal lamps.


    As they descended, Leland seemed to pick keys from his belt at random, sometimes completely avoiding the keyholes of the doors they encountered, pushing the key into a nondescript section of the wall, or into the face of an intricate wood carving.


    Evidently, the mages who were involved in constructing had been fans of hidden doors and secret passageways, Kothar mused to himself as he followed Leland across a narrow walkway that wound across the outside of the castle, teetering over the deep crevassed the rounded the keep.


    Leland and Kothar emerged into a wide walkway, and the black stone of the keep gave way to a deep yellow sandstone, the runes which spiderwebbed all around gave the passage a soft warm glow akin to a sunrise.


    At the far end of the walkway a pair of glittering silver doors stood, inlaid with gold and precious jewels, the doors were well suited for a treasury. Kothar made to follow Leland to the doors but stopped short, it had become increasingly difficult for him to move, it seemed as if the air had become thick like treacle, and it became more and more thick until it become impossible for him to make his way forward.


    "Hehhehe, just wait a minute there young lord." Leland looked back at Kothar and cackled, revealing a mouth filled with crooked yellow teeth.


    Leland reached towards the door, placing his claw-like hand against it, the runes and designs began to swirl and the pressure on the Kothar eased. The doors swung open silently to reveal the Treasury.


    After the magnificent great hall, the ridiculous maze they had to traverse to reach the hallway, and the magic protecting the Treasury itself, Kothar had expected to see a cavernous room, piled high with coins and littered with massive gemstones and precious metals, with fine weapons scattered throughout.


    Rather, he found himself looking at rows upon rows of tall shelves, stacked with nondescript wooden boxes. The entire scene was reminiscent of the industrial warehouses he had seen on his home plane.


    [Not exactly the treasure trove we expected.]


    [No, but I do prefer this somewhat, the maze had me thinking we''d never find anything we needed from this treasury.]


    [Well, I think we both know what we need, Kothar.]


    [Sure thing.]


    "Well young master, what can I procure for you?" Leland slouched against one of thelves, shooting a crooked grin at Kothar.


    "I need Magesteel, as much as you can give me." Kothar strode forward and into the Treasury, finally seeing the magnitude of the place. The treasury stretched out for rows upon rows of shelves, with massive doorways leading off of each side of the central room.


    "Hmm, that''s definitely an odd request for a young warrior such as yourself, most of you lads ask for ''a really good sword'' or something along those lines." Leland scuttled away, disappearing between the shelves, meanwhile, Kothar took up a seat upon a row of short wooden stools that were placed beside the door.


    Soon enough, Leland crabbed back out from wherever he had disappeared to, holding a small wooden box in his arms. The box was cube shaped, about 50 centimetres on each edge, and was sealed with an iron clasp.


    "I think you''ll be happy with this young lad. Should be much more than whatever you need Magesteel for." Leland handed the box over to Kothar, who took it gingerly.


    Kothar unhooked the heavy clasp, flipping back the heavy lid. Inside the box lay a large hunk of gleaming Magesteel, nestled by the velvet lining of the box.


    [Oh ****.]


    [Yeah Silane, oh **** indeed.]


    [This''ll be enough for your arm. And more, we could make all kinds of augmentations with this much Magesteel!]


    [You''re right, we really lucked out here.]


    "Well, from how speechless you are I gather you''re pleased lad. Now please pick up that jaw of yours and follow me out." Leland snapped the lid of the box shut, before placing it in a heavy canvas sack and handing it back to Kothar.


    "Come along now." Leland led Kothar up the passageway, however he didn''t turn off in to the passageway they had come from, rather he continued up the passageway, which led up to a flight of stairs.


    Kothar emerged from the stairs to find himself in the great hall.


    "What was the point of that ridiculous maze then?" He turned to Leland.


    "Well young lord, I had to take you the scenic route, I thought you might like it." Leland cackled at Kothar before disappearing into a narrow passageway concealed behind one of the many statues in the hall.


    [He''s quite a character isn''t he Kothar.]


    [Sure thing, now how about we see what we can do about crafting this Magesteel?]

 Chapter 33 - Utna(2)

    "I couldn''t be more proud Kothar, you were a real asset on the battlefield." No longer on the battlefield, Tam spoke with his usual quiet tone.


    "Thank you Father."


    "Aren''t you glad I sent him?" Ophil ribbed Tam, poking him with an elbow.


    "You might joke, but I really am, he defended the Mage Platoon admirably, and got himself a reward from the King."


    "That won''t put him back in my good books Tam, you know that." Ophil said with corners of her mouth turned down.


    "I know, I know but what choice did he have." Sighing, Tam put an arm around Ophil. But she harrumphed and turned away.


    "The kingdom is safe, why don''t you ease up dear." Tam continued to comfort Ophil.


    "It''s safe for now." Ophil said as she leaned back towards Tam.


    After bidding farewell to his parents, Kothar decided to return to Trinquile. Now that he wasn''t fleeing a small army in pursuit, he was able to hire a carriage for the journey, allowing him to return to Trinquile much faster than his first journey there had taken. The carriage rode on through the night, moving rapidly across the countryside.


    The carriage was powered by mana crystal as well as being pulled by a trio of specially bred horses from the Zintar plains, the assistance from the mana crystal allowing them to run for twice as long as they usually might.


    Kothar dozed off, as the carriage continued to drive on through the night, exchanging horses at a stable located not far from Nief.


    Kothar woke with a start as the carriage rolled to a gentle stop within Trinquile, the sun had barely risen, a soft glow brushing the tops of the Mage towers that ringed the Academy. Kothar eagerly hopped out of the carriage, with the canvas sack under one arm and his pack on his back, he strode towards Utna''s smithy.


    Unlike the rest of the city, which was cold and quiet, the warehouse district was bustling with life, farmers drove their flocks in from the countryside, to be sold during the day, and massive barrels were rolled in and out of the warehouses, being delivered around the city.


    Kothar came to find the usually wide open doors of Utna''s smithy closed, pushing the door, it swung wide open smooth and Kothar entered.


    "Who the hell is that! I''ve said again and again, no business until the forge is lit, get out of here or I''ll tan your hide!" Utna exploded ferociously, bent over her forge, poking at the glowing coals.


    "Sorry Utna, didn''t mean to offend, I''ll come back later in the day." Kothar slowly backed away from the fuming smith.


    "Oh, it''s you Kothar. Never mind that, what can I do for you?" Utna turned and struck Kothar with a charming smile.


    "Well, I think I have enough Magesteel."


    "You¡­ Stop having me on and get out of here, now that you know not to disturb me in the morning, I''ll boot you out the next time you pull a stunt like this." Utna frowned and turned back back to her forge.


    "No, really Utna, here take a look at this." Kothar passed Utna the canvas bag with the Magesteel.


    Utna frowneda little as she felt the weight of the bag, her brow furrowing deeply as she removed the fine wooden box and unhooked the clasp.


    A barely audible gasp escaped her lips as she opened the box to reveal the gleaming of the unrefined Magesteel.


    "What!" Utna snapped the box shut and stared at Kothar.


    "Who else knows you have this? Were you followed?" Utna hissed at Kothar quietly, her eyes wide.


    "Only the King and the Treasurer know, and as far as I know we weren''t followed." Kothar reassured Utna.


    [''As far as I know''? Come on Kothar, with me watching your back there''s no way in hell we were followed.]


    [Yeah, what about Avn'' Dur then?]


    [Come on¡­ He''s a ridiculous interdimensional whatever.]


    "Alright, that makes sense, you could have only gotten something so ridiculous from the King himself." Utna gingerly placed the box down and slowly began to pace.


    "You never fail to surprise me. Jotun said you''d bring all kinds of surprises." Utna sighed as she poked at the flames.


    "So, can you craft what I need?"


    "Yeah, I sure can. But it''ll take some time. These runes are extremely intricate and not all of them are familiar, I''ll send word when it''s finished." Utna wiped her brow with a soot stained hand.


    "Alright, could you please start on the first component, the mana storing component? Let me know when that''s done since I can make use of it without the other parts."


    "Sure thing kid, whatever you say. I won''t even charge you my fee since I get to work with such a ridiculous amount of Magesteel, and with your wild designs." Utna shot a grin at Kothar before picking up the box and secreting it in a small alcove behind her forge.


    "Now get out of here kid,so I can get my paying work done before I get started on this ridiculous design of yours." Utna turned back to her work,


    Kothar left Utna to her work, making his way back to the Academy.


    The Academy grounds were unusually empty, with the majority of the Novice students preparing for the end of year duels which showcased their skill as a Beginner Mage and helped the senior Mages select students to mentor.


    Even Fred, who usually loitered around, was conspicuously absent. Kothar only spotted a few Beginner Mages roaming around the grounds, seeing Davos striding around with a grim look on his face.


    [Looks like someone''s having girl problems again.]


    [You''re right Silane, soon enough he''ll realize what the common factor to his girl problems is.]


    [Wilhelm, probably.]


    A chuckle escaped Kothar''s mouth, earning him a series of strange looks from a group of Beginner Mages who were practicing defense spells, by blasting the others with barrages of bolts, flames and shards of ice.


    Kothar returned to his own room, noticing the common area was also largely deserted, with only a few Novices, spread sparsely across the room, nose deeps in heavy tomes.


    Silane piped up as Kothar enjoyed a well earned soak after his recent adventure.


    [I guess we should do some preparation as well.]


    [Yeah, maybe it''s time we learnt some wide range spells, so we have some use on the battlefield other than duelling.]


    [It''d also be handy against something like that mass of snakes we ran into in the Fidour Mountains.]


    [Alright, let''s head to the Library.]

 Chapter 34 - Storm Field

    Kothar strolled back and forth through the shelves of the library, he was at a loss at which kind of spell to select. Ideally, he could find a spell that would help him in one on one combat as well as in battle.


    The massive amount of spells he could choose from didn''t make things any easier. Even though Lightning Mages were relatively rare


    Trinquile Academy had been around for centuries, and as such had accumulated a ridiculous amount of spells devised by clever young mages as well as bored older researchers.


    [How about this one, Bolt Barrage?]


    [It looks like a Beginner version of Bolt, just with more Bolts, I want something that exhibits more mana control Silane.]


    [Take the tome anyway, I want to see if I can improve on your Bolt casting.]


    [Fine, but for now help me find a decent spell.]


    Kothar continued on through the myriad shelves that made up the Beginner Lightning sells section, many of the spells were virtually identical, with small variations in mana flow and control. However, even these slight changes could make a massive difference, creating more accurate or powerful versions of the same spell.


    Some researchers would spend their entire lives researching a single spell, finding the most ideal casting method; this process would undoubtedly reveal new information on how mana behaved, which could then be applied to other similar spells.


    [Hmm, this looks promising, Storm Field.]


    [You sure Kothar? I''d say this is just an expanded Lightning Aura, why would you pick this over Lightning Aura.]


    [No, I remember one of the older students mentioning it, it has to be worth a look at least.]


    [Fine, there''s only so much a disembodied reincarnated AI can do anyway.]


    [Haha, nice one Silane.]


    [No need for the sarcasm Kothar.]


    Kothar picked up the tome for Storm Field, adding it to the massive stack that Silane had requested, she had decided that she would synthesize new spells as well as improving his existing spells.


    Done with his search for now, he found an empty training room and began to study the process for casting Storm Field.


    [I guess we were both right in a way.]


    [You''re right, I never expected to find a spell like this.]


    Kothar read over the description of the spell again.


    "Creates a large lightning field around the casting Mage or around a targeted location, fields not directly around the caster must be charged before they are thrown. Targets within the field will be struck by bolts, based on the intensity of the field, the mage will also gain the effects of Lightning Aura when within the field."


    [This is kind of ridiculous Kothar, especially that you can cast it far away from you.]


    [True but it does seem to take a ridiculous amount of mana, especially for it to do any real damage. It also requires a huge amount of control.]


    [Yes, but you''ve got my help, and the way you meditate every day, it won''t be long before each of the strikes do as much damage as a Bolt spell.]


    [Now that would be impressive, all I need to do now is learn how to cast the spell.]


    Kothar sat down cross legged, tome in one hand and began sending mana to his palm to form the Storm Field.


    Pffzzt. The sound of lightning had been ringing out from the training room incessantly for the past few days, however none of the other students gave it a second thought. Each of them were too embroiled in their own attempts to master new spells and increase their combat prowess.


    [I''d rather be back on Scutum B-19, in those ridiculous cave networks than try doing this spell again.]


    [I have to agree with you on this one Kothar, logically, we''re doing everything correct, we''re channeling enough mana into the spells, and you''re rotating the basic field structure while I hold the construct stable, but the field doesn''t seem to materialize at all.]


    [I guess mana isn''t completely logical, Professor Daredale did say that there are some spells you have to feel out.]


    [Either that, or the information in the tome isn''t entirely accurate, or mana flow is subjective, based on the individual rather than being exactly the same for everyone.]


    [I guess some things never change Silane, there''s got to be a logical explanation for everything right?]


    [Hey! I''ve been making jokes now, I''m no longer the rigid AI I once was.]


    [Joking aside, mana flow being different for everyone does make a lot of sense, after all, while we all have similarities in our circulatory systems, no two individuals have exactly the same pattern of blood vessels.]


    [Hmm, I''ll start analyzing the different casting methods by different authors and see if I can learn something about, for now, you just feel that spell out Kothar, or whatever it is you humans do.]


    Kothar smiled to himself, he hadn''t expected Silane to be so much more animated when she returned, but it was a pleasant surprise. He had always enjoyed her company, and her expressiveness meant he now enjoyed it even more.


    Kothar sent mana swirling down his arm, ready to try casting Storm Field again.


    The ball of swirling lightning flew forward, Kothar sighed, ready for another failure, it had almost been a week of constantly practicing Storm Field, and it seemed like he would never learn it. Unfortunately for Kothar, this was a common issue, learning new spells was notoriously hard, and became more and more difficult as one increased in level.


    Pffzttt-Crack! A massive grin spread across Kothar''s face as the spell hit the ground, and instead of fizzling out as it had been doing, the swirling lightning exploded outwards rapidly, creating a small field of sparking air, with bolts of lightning striking down into the space randomly.


    [It looks kind of pitiful doesn''t it]


    [Hey, at least I cast the spell Silane.]


    [Sure thing, well done, you''re a master of spell casting.]


    [Hahaha, I''m too happy with actually casting the spell to get annoyed by you Silane.]


    [Alright, now make the spell bigger, remember, we need to do well in the duels and impress Krieg. I''m eager to see what Space Magic can do.]


    [As you say madam. Hahaha.]


    Teasing Silane, Kothar sat back down to gather mana so he could continue practicing Storm Field.

 Chapter 35 - Duels

    Kothar watched as Rudy faced off against the cocky Fire Mage he had been matched to fight against. It had been a month since Kothar had first cast the Storm Field spell, and he and his fellow students had only recently emerged from their intensive training.


    Rickard, the Fire Mage, made the first move, slinging a fireball directly towards Rudy, before taking the opportunity to cast a Fire Aura spell. The Fire Aura would increase the speed of his Fireballs as well as his damage, synergizing well with the destructive nature of Fire mages.


    The fireball hurtled past Rudy''s ginger curls, but he threw up a small squad shield of earth in the nick of time, the Fireball curving inwards to strike him. Unfortunately, Rudy had gotten quite unlucky, the order of the duels and the opponents to be fought were to be selected at random, as those who fought earlier would be at a disadvantage. Since they would reveal their skills and allow the other students time to strategize against them.


    However Rudy was fortunate in that he had been matched against a Fire Mage, since the inherent defensiveness of Earth Mages made a duel against a Fire Mage quite advantageous for him.


    From the constant barrage of Fireballs he received, it seemed as though Rudy was unable to capitalize on this advantage, he was constantly on the back foot, forced to constantly throw up small Earthen Shields in an attempt to defend himself.


    Of course, he was in no real danger, as the professors would intervene and extinguish any real threat or heal any dangerous wounds, but having a professor intervene would automatically lose a student the duel.


    Rudy created an extremely tall Earthen Shield, giving him a chance to prepare a counterattack, since had been on the back foot during the fight so far. A small groan spread through the audience, as he squandered his chance and cast the Earthen Armor spell, further strengthening his defense.


    Rudy had blundered. While he was shielded from Rickard''s attacks, he had also obscured his own vision of Rickard, preventing him from being able to prepare a suitable counter to whatever he might do. If he had counterattacked, it wouldn''t have mattered, but his decision to cast Earthen Armor meant he had disadvantaged himself.


    Kothar, Janus, Luis and Fred all watched in dismay as Rickard took the opportunity to prepare a massive Fire Lance spell, and as Rudy''s massive Earthen Shield crumbled, Rickard launched his Fire Lance, expertly tracking Rudy through the dust that remained.


    Rudy, confident that his Earthen Armor would take any attack, began to cast his own attack. Rudy''s face fell as he saw the rapidly approaching glow, and the extreme heat brushed his exposed face.


    Rudy backtracked, the shards of Earth falling from his hands as he cast Earthen Shield after Earthen shield, unfortunately the Fire Lance barreled through each one, and sped directly towards Rudy''s chest.


    In a last ditch effort, Rudy manipulated all of his Earthen Armor towards his chest, ready to receive the attack, but the Armor melted away in the face of the burning lance.


    "Halt!" Two professors swept onto the battlefield, one easily dissipating Rickard''s Fire Lance, the other enclosing Rudy in a bubble of cool water.


    Dripping wet, Rudy began to walk off from the dueling grounds with a forlorn look on his face.


    "Hey! Good fight." Rickard tapped him on the shoulder, hand outstretched for Rudy to shake.


    "Good fight." Rudy assented, taking Rickard''s hand and shaking it.


    The group of boys comforted Rudy as he made his way back to them in the stands, now dried off by one of the Professors, he settled in to watch the coming battles.


    "Janus vs Fred!" The announcer''s voice rang out through the temporary stadium, erected by a different set of professors each year.


    [Oof, that''s going to be a rough one]


    [Come on Silane, it was bound to happen, they all expected it somewhat.]


    "No hard feelings?" Fred and Janus had turned to face each other, Janus spoke first.


    "No hard feelings." Fred nodded in agreement, and they both turned and marched to either side of the arena.


    "Begin!" The announcer''s voice rang out again.


    Fred kicked off the battle, sending a Magma Ball spinning at Janus, while backing up and making space for himself.


    Janus responded quickly by casting Windshield, a defensive variant of the Wind Aura spell; he was obviously well prepared for the duels.


    Realizing Janus would have a speed advantage, Fred immediately responded by casting Magma Field, preventing him from drawing near and giving him ample time to respond to any attacks.


    "You''ll have to do a lot better than that Janus, come on!" Fred taunted Janus with a friendly tone.


    "Alright! How about this!" Janus yelled at Fred as he slung a massive Wind Slash through the air, it hurtled toward Fred, making a loud screeching sound as it tore through the air.


    "Already upping your game!" Fred''s eyes widened, and he cast Magma Shell, covering himself entirely in a circular egg shaped shield of magma.


    The Wind Slash harmlessly dug into the magma, the magma flowing around it and taking away it''s momentum, Janus looked on stupefied as his powerful attack was so easily rendered ineffective.


    "I heard that winning battles was never a problem for Fred, the only reason he hasn''t advanced and has been stuck with the Novices so long is that he hasn''t advanced to Beginner Mage. His battle sense is supposed to be extraordinary." Luis piped up, as most of the new students stared, stupefied by Fred''s skill.


    Janus continued to hurl Wind Slashes and flurries of Wind Blades at Fred, who only grinned and let his Magma Shell take on the attacks.


    "You know, I wouldn''t have believed you before, but seeing this has me convinced." Rudy chimed in, as they all watched the painful sight of one of their friends fighting against another with all the effectiveness of a toddler against a grown man.


    "Alright Janus, you get one more attack before I get serious!." Fred yelled out as he neatly dodged an unguided Wind Blade.


    "Us being friends doesn''t mean you can belittle me Fred!" Janus yelled out furious. He thrust out both his arms, forms a massive spinning circular blade of wind; it was one of the more difficult Beginner spells, since the mage would have to continuously guide the mana to spin the blade as well as guide the blade forward.


    "Wind Disk, that just might do the job Janus!.." Fred continued to taunt him, as Janus sent the Wind Disk hurtling forward.

 Chapter 36 - Duels(2)

    The audience watched in surprise as Fred simply cast Magma Shell again, surprised that he would attempt to turtle away within his defensive spell. The massive disk slammed into the side of the magma capsule and rapidly tore away at it, sending streams of magma flying through the air. The audience gasped as the disk tore through the magma layer, heading straight for Fred.


    "Guess he''s not all that after all." The students began conversing amongst one another, the battle losing their attention. However, many had realized that the Professors had not yet intervened, and Janus was looking toward the arbitrators, a confused look on his face.


    "Watch out!" A student yelled, as a massive river of magma flew through the air from where Fred stood, far to the left of his crumpled Magma Shell.


    "What the ****!" Janus yelled, rapidly casting Wind Shield, unfortunately for him, defense was not a Wind Mage''s strong suit, and the Water Mage professor from earlier intervened, casting a massive shield of glimmering water between Janus and the river of magma.


    "How did he do that?"


    "Did he cheat?" Cries of confusion sounded out through the gathered students.


    "Kothar, how''d he do it?" Luis had noticed that Kothar hadn''t stopped watching the duel like many of the others, and only now had turned away.


    "I guess the rumors of Fred''s battle sense were true. Your first thought might be that he used some sort of concealing spell, or even teleportation, but neither of those are specialties of Magma Mages." Kothar began to explain.


    "So what did he do?"


    "Well, he took advantage of the characteristics that many mages share, they aren''t well versed in battle and neglect movement. When Janus'' spell struck his shell, it threw up a lot of magma, since by that time he wasn''t holding it together at all. Taking advantage of Janus'' focus on getting through the shell, he moved out of the shell through the side Janus couldn''t see, and simply ran backwards and off to the side."


    "Surely Janus would have noticed something like that though?" Luis interjected.


    "He should have, but Fred spent much of the battle taunting him and riling him up, his emotions meant he couldn''t assess the situation calmly and instead, he tunnel visioned on to the Magma Shell."


    "Wow." Luis, Rudy and many of the other students in earshot marveled at Fred''s battle sense.


    "Exactly, after that he had ample time to cast Magma Rush, and take out Janus."


    The students began to chatter excitedly, many of them realizing for the first time that there was much more to Mage duels than who was of a higher level and could cast more powerful spells.


    [He wouldn''t have been out of place as a Captain in the Sentinels.]


    [Definitely, that kind of battle sense can only be gained through a huge amount of experience, or pure talent, after his years of dueling, he''s well on his way in the experience department, and he definitely has the talent.]


    Fred walked over to the disappointed Janus and began to console him, laughing and joking as he did so, his jovial attitude had not shifted at all, he was as cheerful after the battle as he was before and during it.


    "Come on Janus, I''ve got years of experience on you, I''ll be honest, your Wind Disk even had me a little worried." Fred reassured Janus, teasing him a little.


    "Yeah, okay." Janus grumbled as Fred wrapped an arm around his shoulder, strolling back towards the others.


    They all watched as more duels happened, and their classmates showcased their abilities, some had made no real progress during the year, forgetting as soon as the battle started. Others simply attempted to showcase their progression to the Beginner level, sending their spells whizzing around the arena, making no attempt at real combat. These students quickly lost, but were nevertheless guaranteed to become Beginner students, and maybe even selected by a mentor.


    "Kothar vs Newman." Finally, Kothar had a chance to battle, he eagerly leapt down towards the arena, eager to test himself.


    Kothar''s opponent was large and stocky, with a dour look on his face. He stared seriously at Kothar, nodding slightly when he met his gaze.


    "Begin!" Kothar immediately cast Lightning Aura, and dashed towards his opponent. Unfortunately he couldn''t use his sword during the battle, since it was considered to be a form of equipment.


    Seeing Kothar running at him, Newman''s face filled with confusion, and he took a few steps backward before gathering himself and casting Vine Whip, sending a thick vine whipping towards Kothar.


    Kothar nimbly dodged the vine, but it continued to follow him as zigzagged across the arena, the vine steadily becoming charred as it whipped through the Lightning Aura.


    By now Kothar had only a few meters from Newman, who suddenly looked nervously at the charred remains of his vine, and began to prepare a defensive spell. This was all the time Kothar needed, sending a Bolt spell flying at Newman''s head.


    "Halt!" The now familiar cry sounded through the arena, and an earthen spear flew through the air rapidly intercepting Kothar''s spell.


    "But, I hadn''t even cast my best spell!" Newman protested, while the announcer declared Kothar''s victory.


    "Save it for the next battle, and remember to go all out straight away next time, in a real battle you''d have lost more than the duel.


    "Good one Kothar!" His friends cheered as he headed back to his seat.


    "That''s a nasty battle style you have there Kothar, hope we don''t get matched against each other too early." Fred remarked, his grin saying otherwise.


    "You battle freak, you look like you can''t wait to pick me apart like you did Janus." Kothar laughed at Fred''s obvious enthusiasm to face him.


    "Well, I want to see what you''re holding back, there''s no way you took on the Fidour mountains with just those spells."


    "Hahaha, you won''t believe me but those are the only spells I knew at the time."


    "Alright stop having me on." Fred smacked Kothar on the shoulder.


    "Begin!" The cry sounded through the arena, cutting the boys conversation short as they all turned to watch the coming battle.

 Chapter 37 - Showdown

    Both Fred and Kothar had easily flown through their duels, it seemed that the pair would be fighting each other in the final round. Neither had revealed any new spells, continuing to use the same spells they had used from the beginning of the duels.


    This meant neither was at an advantage, as knowing the opponents spells and skills would give a Mage a massive advantage.


    "Looks like you two will get to face off after all." Rudy piped up, as Fred returned to his seat from another easy victory.


    "Give him one from me Kothar." Janus joked, shooting a mock glare at Fred.


    "Come now Janus, what happened to no hard feelings?" Fred feigned sadness, wiping his dry eyes.


    "You pushed me too far I guess. Jokes aside, I''m eager to see who wins between the two of you." Janus said, the other boys nodding in agreement.


    As the final rounds drew to a close, Fred and Kothar prepared to face each other.


    [What do you think he''s holding back, Silane?]


    [Hmmm, I think he''s managed to break through to Beginner Mage, but why concern yourself about it? Just use your Mana-Sensing Eye and you''ll know what he''s casting before he casts it.]


    [I couldn''t do that, he deserves a fair fight, and surely it counts as a kind of magical equipment.]


    [Well, well, well. Look at this, the mighty Captain Kothar is concerned with fighting fair. Who would''ve thought?]


    [It''s not like there are lives on the line Silane, the least I could do is have a fair fight with Fred.]


    [Alright, but I do think he''s managed to break through.]


    [I guess we''ll see.]


    "Kothar vs Fred." The announcer called out, the pair already heading down toward the arena, since it was obvious who they''d be facing in the final round.


    "How about you take it easy on me? On account of us being such good pals?" Fred said, his cheerful demeanor unchanged.


    "Hahaha, no way. I know you''re holding a lot back, I''m not looking to get demolished like Rickard." Kothar returned Fred''s grin, as they backed up to opposite sides of the battlefield.


    "Begin!" Kothar anticipated that Fred would attempt to cast Magma Field, to slow him down, so immediately shot a quick Bolt at Fred, hoping to catch him off guard.


    He had no such luck, realising the overwhelming advantage that Kothar had in terms of his physical speed and the speed of his spells, he started by casting Magma Shell, easily defending against Kothar''s surprise attack.


    "That was a bit cheap!" Fred''s muffled voice sounded out from inside his Magma Shell.


    "A battle is a battle right!" Kothar yelled back, casting his Lighting Aura and beginning to dash around the battlefield, to make it more difficult for Fred to land some of his more destructive attacks.


    A field of magma spread around Fred, evidently, he didn''t want to end up like Newman, with Kothar drawing in close and hitting him with a quick Bolt spell. The pair watched each other like hawks, each attempting to deduce what the other was holding back.


    "Go on then." Fred muttered, his usual grin missing from his face, his eyes narrow as he stood in the center of the glowing magma.


    "You first." Kothar continued his occasional shots of Bolt spells, keeping Fred occupied with casting Magma Shell.


    Kothar decided to weave in a Ball Lightning amongst the Bolt spells, intending to hold it floating outside the shell until it dissipated, sending it to strike Fred by surprise.


    He sent a Bolt spell out, beginning to channel mana for Ball Lightning directly afterwards, ready to send it towards Fred.


    The ball of lightning hung in the air outside the Magma Shell, many of the Professors rising from their seats, as one of the stronger Novices had finally displayed Beginner Mage evel mana control.


    "He''s mine!" One of the professors, a burly old man, with bushy white hair yelled.


    "We get few enough Lightning Mages anyway!"


    Meanwhile, a smile crossed Krieg''s face, from where he was seated, in a secluded corner of the massive stadium.


    "Well done Kid." Krieg murmured.


    Kothar watched apprehensively, scanning the arena for Fred, surely he hadn''t missed Fred slipping out from the Magma Shell, but why hadn''t he emerged.


    Crash! The Magma Shell exploded, the Ball Lightning fizzling out as the torrent of magma slammed into it, flowing onwards towards Kothar. The magma formed the shape of a massive serpent, jaws wide open and it snaked through the air.


    A small cheer resounded from the Professors, Fred had cast Magma Serpent, which was a difficult Beginner level spell. Fred had become well known among the faculty, his jovial attitude, combined with his talent for battlesense and relentless efforts to breakthrough meant all of the Magma Element professors were eager to see him progress.


    Kothar leapt away but the Magma Serpent turned to follow him, its jaws snapping behind Kothar.


    Kothar sent Bolt spells at Fred, but Fred had the foresight to ensure the Magma Serpent was between him and Kothar at all times, revealing one of the weaknesses of Lightning Mages, their linear attacks.


    Of course, Kothar''s bolts flew quickly, but once he had fired one off its path wouldn''t deviate from where it was originally. While Kothar could cast Ball Lightning, its speed was much slower and its cast time was long enough that the risk was not worth it.


    Fred''s mana control was exceptional, keeping the Magma Serpent together even as Kothar rained attack after attack towards it, sending streams of magma flying through the air.


    "Come on Kothar, why don''t you forfeit and save yourself the trouble." Fred yelled at Kothar, as he slammed the jaws of the Magma Serpent open and shut threateningly.


    "I could say the same to you! How long can you keep that massive spell structure going?" Kothar wiped the sweat from his forehead, the massive amounts of magma meant the arena had become swelteringly hot.


    "Don''t underestimate the mana reserves of someone who''s been stuck at Novice for years, you''d be surprised." Fred sent the Serpent diving at Kothar.


    [Our own mana reserves are looking a little dire Kothar, what''s the plan?]


    [Alright Silane, here''s what we''re going to do.]

 Chapter 38 - Showdown(2)

    Fred stood in the center of the arena, a field of magma bubbling all around him. He finally had Kothar where he wanted him, trapped against the wall of the arena. All he had to do was land one attack against Kothar, as he knew that as a Lightning Mage, Kothar''s defense would be unlikely to hold up against his Magma Serpent.


    Kothar stood with his back to the wall, staring up at the massive serpent that reared over him.


    "Surely you''ll forfeit now, I don''t want to have to attack you!" Fred called out to Kothar, concealed by the massive serpent.


    "Go ahead Fred, I wouldn''t want to rob you of the satisfaction!" Kothar called out, a massive ball of lightning charging in his right hand, making a low humming sound.


    Without another word from Fred, the massive serpent rushed forward, it''s jaws opening wide, ready to consume Kothar.


    Kothar stood still, brow furrowed, try to finish his spell casting before the serpent struck.


    A loud crack sounded out across the arena, a bolt flying at the serpent.


    "That won''t cut it, I expected more from you Kothar!" Fred yelled.


    Fred''s triumphant expression melted away, replaced with one of confusion, the first crack was followed by another, then another, going on and on.


    Kothar''s Bolt Barrage disintegrated Fred''s Magma Serpent, and the few remaining bolts headed straight for Fred, who threw up a simple Magma Shield, and fled backward.


    A ball of crackling electricity flew after him, rather than chasing him, Kothar had taken the opportunity to cast yet another spell, which made a beeline for Fred.


    Expecting to be followed by the spell, Fred halted his escape, beginning to cast Magma Shell.


    However the spell wasn''t aimed at him, it flew downwards striking the ground nearby, swirling outwards in a beautiful pattern, Kothar had finally cast Storm Field.


    All the while, Fred hunkered down within his Magma Shell, shocked by the appearance of a crackling field of lightning appearing beneath his feet.


    "Halt!" The familiar voice called out, as the first bolt struck Fred, Kothar immediately dispelled his Storm Field, but the damage was done.


    Fred lay rumpled in a heap, unconscious, while his magically constructed defenses were powerful, his constitution was not.


    The Water element professor knelt by Fred, checking his pulse, and lifting his eyelids.


    "He''ll be okay!" The watching audience and Kothar sighed with relief.


    Since it had been such a close battle, the professors had been reluctant to halt the battle, eager to see a full display of skills by the students, trusting them to hold back the strength of their spells to be non-fatal.


    The audience stopped holding their breaths, realizing that the neck and neck battle was over, a smattering of applause rang out through the stadium, rising in volume as more people joined in, becoming a thunderous applause.


    Professors and students alike were impressed by both the final contestants, not only were they accomplished mages, they also displayed a sense for battle and an unflinching attitude.


    "Good stuff Kothar!"


    "I thought he had you there!"


    "Well done Kothar!"


    Luis, Rudy and Janus cheered him on as he returned to his seat, gathering their things to return to their dormitories.


    Exhausted from his battle, Kothar only joined his friends in celebration for a short time, returning to his room.


    He found a note waiting for him on his table, written in an elegant looping script in blackish/purple ink.


    "I expect you at my tower tomorrow .-Krieg


    Ps. Well done in your duels, an exceptional performance."


    Kothar sat down, in his chair, heaving out a sigh of relief, he would finally be able to begin to unravel the mysteries of planes, and learn Spatial Magic.


    [Who the hell writes a postscript longer than an actual message!] Silane interrupted his musings.


    [I guess Krieg does.]


    [Whatever, make sure you tell him to figure that out when you see him tomorrow!]


    [Sure thing Silane, I''ll tell him my AI is unhappy with how he writes his notes.]


    Kothar chuckled aloud, rolling up the note and stowing it away.


    Far to the west, on the banks of the Nerid River, the city of Ranuth stood. Built on the ruins of an ancient city, it seemed to grow out of the surrounding jungle, with successive tiers of buildings creating a step-like almost pyramidal structure.


    At the very top, an ornate palace stood, with high arched ceilings and wide open windows, offering sweeping views of the surrounding jungle, and relief from the hot, heavy humid air.


    The palace was a shining island of gold amongst the deep green jungle that surrounded the city. A chorus of bird calls, howls, hoots and growls echoed up through the city.


    The lower tiers of the city even had their own resident beasts, with small monkeys scavenging from stalls and snatching at fruit, while hawks circled far above, hoping to catch them unawares.


    "Envoy Simon! What do you have to say for yourself?" A stern faced man reclining on a tall throne, bedecked in heavy gold jewelry, with strings of jewels woven through his blonde locks.


    "Nothing at all Premier Fifth. Sire, I am but a humble ambassador and researcher, my life is dedicated to unravelling the-" Simon knelt at the foot of the throne, two wide bladed spears at his throat, held by a pair of stone-faced guards.


    "Enough! It''s a simple enough question, Envoy. Did you or did you not murder the merchant Kessel, yes or no?" The Premier rose up from his throne and stalked toward Simon.


    "Sire, please. Let us have a civilized discussion about this, there''s no need for these guards."


    Simon pleaded with the Premier.


    "I can''t believe I once called you a friend. Take him down to the Spymaster, maybe he''ll get something useful out of him. I don''t want a peep of this to reach Rotan, or that bloody pain, Tam." The premier kneaded at his forehead, scowling.


    "Understood sire!" The two guards lifted Simon by his arms, pulling him along as he dragged his feet and stumbled over his manacles

 Chapter 39 - Krieg

    The sheer black marble rose up ahead of Kothar, the lines of violet energy crisscrossing the entire tower. A heavy door of blackened steel, deeply layered with runes stood at the base, where Kothar stood.


    The door opened with a gentle swing, revealing a bare foyer, dominated by a central staircase, a few doors leading off to the side. Krieg stood at the base of the stairs, twirling his thin wispy white beard with one finger.


    "Kothar my boy, you''ve no idea how glad I am to see you!" Krieg''s soft voice rang out.


    "As am I, Master." Kothar tilted his head with respect.


    "Come on now, Krieg is just fine. Anyway, let me show you around." Krieg beckoned for Kothar to follow him, heading up the stairs.


    "These first few floors are my archives, they hold many years of journals, reports and documents, some of them written by myself, and some by other mages. All of them are about spatial magic." Krieg opened one of the doors to reveal rows upon rows of low shelves, each completely filled with books.


    "You''ll have plenty of time to read these, come on upstairs, there''s a lot more to see."


    Krieg hurried Kothar out of the room, bustling him up the stairs.


    "The next two floors are my personal library, here you''ll find most of the magic theory books you might need, but you''ll have to go to the Academy Library for more specialized material, like any lightning element spells you might want to learn." Krieg''s library was similar to his archives, but the large room had windows, and instead of being packed with books, there was a fair amount of space, with comfy armchairs and a small table with a few chairs.


    "You can conduct most of your studies here, as well as any research you might do, If there are any books you would like or something you need more information on, you can leave a note with the runners for one of the librarians, or go to the Library yourself." Krieg explained as they climbed higher, coming to a floor with multiple doors.


    "These are the student quarters, unfortunately you''ll be the only student occupying them currently. Spatial Mages are rare, and those who survive more than a few years even rarer."


    Krieg''s downcast gaze was filled with sorrow.


    "Survive?" Kothar was taken aback.


    "I''ll explain everything soon, let''s just finish up here." Krieg led Kothar further up the massive tower.


    "Alright." Kothar said begrudgingly, his optimism fading.


    [Of course it wouldn''t be all roses Kothar, why else would he promise to teach you so long in advance.]


    [You''re right Silane, I guess I don''t have much practice in dealing with people, and I didn''t have you for advice then either.]


    [Don''t worry Kothar, we''ll get through this and figure everything out.] Silane consoled Kothar.


    The next floor was double the height of the others, it held a massive training room, several rooms for meditations, as well as a small workshop for inscribing runes and performing minor repairs on magical equipment.


    "This all quite self explanatory, you can use these facilities as you please." Krieg''s tone was still somber, and he hurried up the stairwell.


    "Beyond these doors are my personal rooms and research labs, those are off limits to you unless I explicitly say otherwise, if you need me you can knock on this door." Krieg gestured to a heavy door, thickly layered with runes.


    "This is where we finish, have a seat, Kothar." Krieg gestured to the head of the long wooden table, the room was obviously intended to be a dining room, with many chairs arrayed around the table.


    "I owe you an explanation." Krieg joined Kothar at the table, leaning on the table with his fingertips pressed to his temple.


    "Let me begin with this, no student of mine has ever come to harm by any action of mine, and I have always done my utmost to ensure the safety of all my pupils." Krieg looked at Kothar solemnly.


    "The danger is in what I teach, spatial magic is inherently dangerous, perhaps more so than any kind of magic that we know of today. Its destructive capability, both to the caster and to the target of any spells is immense." Krieg let out a large sigh.


    "Unfortunately, even the slightest error can mean the death of a Spatial Mage, I have had many students before you, and only a few of them have managed to become fully fledged mages."


    Krieg stared out of one of the tall, stained glass windows.


    "Even creating your initial spell construct will be fraught with danger, and you will have to confront danger often, if you do decide to become a spatial mage. You''re a talented lightning mage, and could do well for yourself if you pursued that path, and forgot about your spatial affinity altogether."


    [I can''t believe this is what all the doom and gloom was about Kothar, I can just run simulations for spatial spells and the spell construct to ensure your safety.]


    [Have some respect Silane, the man has lost so many students to spatial magic yet he keeps trying to learn more. And none of them had an AI in their heads to save them from themselves.]


    [You''re right Kothar, I''m still trying to understand emotions. This would be called loss?]


    [Yes Silane.]


    "I await your instruction master." Kothar said softly to Krieg, who looked at Kothar with a complicated expression.


    "You may be one of the more talented mages I have seen Kothar, but please, take no chances with spatial magic, experimentation has its place, but make sure you understand the magical theory first. Many of my students were lost through reckless experimentation."


    Krieg rose and headed over to a small set of drawers, he took a small book from the top.


    "Study this carefully for the next few weeks, and come see me if you have any questions, I''ll let you settle into your rooms now." Krieg hurried through the door that led to his research labs.


    "The Spatial Spell Construct." The book''s first page read, as Kothar flipped through the pages, he noticed that the entire book was handwritten in a careful, precise script, Krieg had obviously spent an inordinate amount of time on this.


    Now in the library, Kothar settled into the armchair and began to read.

 Chapter 40 - Spatial Core

    [Shouldn''t you consult with Krieg before creating the spell construct?]


    [No, you''ve carried out thousands of simulations Silane, I trust you.]


    [But what if my processing capabilities have been altered since we died?]


    [I think that''s unlikely, but if they have then who knows what else could have happened. Let''s not go down that road of questioning our own identities for now.]


    [Okay, let''s get started then.]


    Kothar began to construct the first ring, carefully channeling pure mana into the shape of the complex runes set out in Krieg''s book. Though the runes for the Spatial Spell Construct were far more complex than the ones he had used for his Lightning Core, he shaped them with ease. The past year had enabled him to become far more proficient at manipulating mana and holding it stable.


    Kothar shaped the first few rings with ease, but the more of the construct he completed the more difficult the runes became and the greater the strain was to hold everything together.


    Failure was not an option, Krieg had emphasized that in his book many times. One could afford to fail when dealing with other elements, but the spatial element was extremely unpredictable. A mage could bear small internal increase in heat, or water or even the odd leaf or two, but even a tiny dimensional rift could cause a massive amount of trauma to the aspiring Spatial Mage.


    Spatial Magic outshone all other elements in it''s sheer destructive capability and utility, but this was outweighed by the danger it posed.


    Sweat beaded on Kothar''s forehead as he began to form the anchoring runes, which would allow the construct to hold together once he released it, allowing it to coalesce and form his Spatial Mana Core.


    With only a few anchoring runes left, Kothar slowed down. These were the most difficult, and he would much rather bear the strain of holding the construct for a few minutes longer rather than failing and sentencing himself and Silane to possible annihilation.


    Shaping the last curving, twisting tail of the last rune, Kothar sighed, this was the defining moment.


    The Spell Construct hung stationary for a moment within his torso, as if deliberating whether or not to coalesce. Finally, Kothar felt a rush of strange mana flowing out from his chest, twisting and pulling at his insides. Unlike the almost painful tingling of lightning mana, this was more of an extreme discomfort.


    A strange warped alien noise sounded out through the room, unlike anything he had ever heard before.


    "Kothar! What have you done?" Krieg''s voice cracked as he yelled, seeing Kothar slumped against one wall of the meditation room.


    "I just formed my core Krieg, there''s nothing wrong at all." Kothar quickly came to his feet, reassuring Krieg.


    "Oh, I''m sorry lad, when I sensed a fluctuation of spatial mana down here, I feared the worst, but you seem to be completely fine, I have to say I''m impressed." Krieg''s drawn face relaxed, and he even smiled a little.


    "Thank you, I couldn''t have done it without your book though master, it was impressively thorough." Even though Kothar had Silane to rum simulations, he would have been at a complete loss without Krieg''s research, if he had used the information about a Spatial Spell Construct that was commonly available, it would have been virtually impossible for him to have the 100% success rate that Silane had simulated.


    "Of course, it is a sad necessity. I intend to publish it once I''m sure of its reliability. It may not mean much in the near future, but I hope that one day Spatial Magic is as risk free as the other elements." Krieg said as he paced the room.


    "Alright then young Kothar, you''ve made me certain of your knowledge of rudimentary magical theory, I shall have some Spatial Magic tomes brought down so you can begin learning some spells. But please, be careful. Ask me if there is anything at all you''re uncertain of, even if it may be the slightest deviation in channelling your mana." Krieg shot Kothar a serious glance, before hurriedly leaving the room, it seemed he was always in a rush to return to his research.


    [That was quite impressive.]


    [It was, I didn''t realise that mages on Eclat could even teleport, let alone without some kind of gate at their destination.]


    [I imagine that''s what makes the practice so dangerous, the mages have no clear reference to open the destination gate, nor do they have the sensors and analysis that the Alliance benefited from.]


    [I wonder if we might be able to construct some kind of permanent gate of our own?]


    [Judging by that massive rift hovering over Krieg''s tower, it''s a possibility.]


    [We''ll have to ask him some more about it.]


    "Come closer, please." Simon croaked to his prison guard. After many days of whispering and cajoling the guard, he was confident the man would do him a favor.


    "Quiet ratmeat!" The guard kicked at Simon''s food tray, and knelt down, pushing his face down into the filthy floor of the cell.


    "Tell me what it is, quickly?" The guard hissed into Simon''s ear.


    "Please, get word to my family, in Ursten, that I''m here." Simon whispered to the guard, wincing with pain as the guard dug his knee into his side.


    "What was that scum!" The guard yelled at him, throwing a kick that narrowly missed his head, thudding into Simon''s shoulder.


    "I''ll teach you to respect your betters!" The guard continued yelling, crouching down and grabbing Simon by his hair.


    "I''ll see what I can do." The guard whispered, his voice barely audible, before spitting in disgust and leaving the cell.


    "Give him one from me next time." Another guard called out as the first guard returned to his post.


    "I will, spies like him have it coming." The guard spat out.


    Simon gathered up the fallen food, he was determined to survive, and to find out who had sold him out to Kalun.

 Chapter 41 - Spatial Spells

    Kothar looked at the distorted air above his palm, Basic Spell: Spatial Distortion was aptly named. The air twisted and writhed, and a low buzz emanated from it.


    [That looks¡­ odd. Are you sure about learning this type of magic Kothar? Krieg gave us many reasons to be careful of it]


    [To say the least, I feel uncomfortable just looking at it. But It''s definitely a necessity if we''re ever going to return to the Alliance. You want to go back right, Silane?]


    Silane was quiet for a long moment, as if in thought.


    [Silane?]


    [Yes, of course I want to go back Kothar, I just wonder if there''ll be anything to return to. From what we say, that massive creature would have levelled anything the Alliance could have sent against it.]


    [You''re right, but at the very least I want to return to see what has become of everything, if we can even return.]


    [Okay, let''s see what this ball of tangled up space does.]


    Kothar sent the distortion ball flying at the practice dummy, the ball met the chest of the dummy, disappearing within it.


    [That''s it? That was disappointing.]


    A low cracking noise resounded through the training room, and a thin line appeared along the middle of the solid wooden dummy. The two halves of the dummy fell to the ground with a thud, revealing a roughly circular, splintered mess at the center of the dummy.


    [I guess it takes a moment to see it''s effects.]


    [It sure does Kothar, now how about learning Basic Spell: Portal, now that you''ve a little time to familiarize yourself with spatial mana it shouldn''t be too difficult, and it seems to have the highest utility, from what I can gather.]


    [True, it should help with compensating for the weaknesses that Lightning Mages have. Incorporating portals into my offense and defense should make my attacks a lot less predictable, and let me redirect dangerous enemy attacks.]


    [What the ****? Are those equations?]


    [I knew that they used algebra here on Eclat, but these equations are astoundingly complex, and they''re specifically designed with spatial mana in mind.]


    [No wonder Krieg said to take it slowly, it''d take at least a month to learn this spell if you didn''t have me to help you, Kothar.]


    [Yes of course, thank you o'' benevolent AI.]


    Kothar began to study the mana channeling processing, while Silane analyzed the equations, the pair were immersed in learning more about the spell.


    A much quieter version of the odd distorted noise Krieg''s portat had made rang out in the training room, after a few days of Silane running simulations as well as Kothar painstakingly practicing channeling his spatial mana, he had created his first portal. It hung oddly ion the air in front of Kothar, giving of the same sense of wrongness that the distortion ball did.


    [Now do it again, and make sure the pair are linked.]


    [I know Silane, I spent just as much time as you trying to figure this spell out.]


    Kothar focused, channeling mana through both his arms, weaving the structure of the portal in the space between his palms.


    The odd noise rang out again, and the portal hovered in place.


    [Shall we test it?]


    [Yeah, throw a few of those bits of wood from the dummy through and see what happens.]


    [Alright.]


    Kothar picked up some of the fragments from the training dummy, and threw them through the portal.


    The splinters flew into the portal silence, instantly flying out from the linked portal and continuing on their journey.


    "Yes!" Kothar gave a triumphant shout, Silane echoing it in his head.


    Caught up in his success, Kothar immediately fired a lightning bolt through the portal, the bolt sped through, emerging from the other side just as quickly, hitting the wall of the training room, leaving a sooty scorch mark.


    [That''s going to be useful.]


    [It sure is Silane, and if I can cast these portals faster, I can send spells back towards my enemies.]


    [Yes. The tome wasn''t very clear about what happens to things that go into unlinked portals. All it said was that they disappear.]


    [I guess that''s why they''re only recommended to be used defensively, and avoided in battles where you want the enemy to survive or even recover their corpse.]


    [No hunting with Spatial Magic for you then Kothar.] Silane chuckled at him.


    [I''m sure I can find a way.]


    "Master, I have determined that the otherworlder is not a threat." Avn'' Dur knelt on one knee, head bowed toward the massive bulk of the thing that took up most of the cavern.


    A soft orange glow filled the cavern, as a massive eye slowly opened, the oval pupil staring at Avn''Dur.


    "And how did you determine that Avn'' Dur?" The creature''s voice rumbled through the cavern, shaking the very earth.


    "Well, he was on the brink of death, and he gave me a reasonable explanation, he told me had an encounter with the Devourer." Avn'' Dur''s voice became quieter as he spoke, and he muttered out the last few words.


    A sharp hiss rang through the cavern, and debris fell from the ceiling as the creature shifted in agitation.


    "That old bat. No one''s taken his head yet." More debris fell as the creature growled, sending reverberations through the surrounding rock.


    "What did this otherworlder have to say about that freak?" Avn''Dur looked around nervously, as a large rock narrowly missed him as it fell.


    "He wants to find him, and return to his world." Avn'' Dur cowered in fear, not knowing if his master would find his answer satisfactory.


    "Hmmm, Alright, keep me updated on his progress, and if you think he has a chance against that old coot, give him any help he needs." The large eye lazily shut and the creature shifted slightly, as it returned to its deep slumber.


    "Of course master." Avn'' Dur bowed deeply, and hurried towards the exit of the cavern.. Once he had left, Avn'' Dur shaped a clump of the mist that swirled about him into the familiar shape of a bird, whispering to it before it flew off, far into the distance.

 Chapter 42 - News

    [Come on Kothar, just do it, we can always build you a new arm.]


    [Silane! As much as I love being a cyborg, I''d rather not recklessly lose parts of my body!]


    [Come now Kothar, this is in the interest of science.]


    [Yeah, like I never heard that one before, this is just like the time the Alliance scientists removed my-]


    [Alright, alright. Let''s not talk about that, look, isn''t it better to get this done now, rather than losing a part of your body during a battle.]


    Kothar sighed and reluctantly pushed his left arm through the portal hovering in front of him.


    His arm passed through with only a slight buzzing noise from the portal. Realizing he could still feel his arm, Kothar sighed, releasing a breath he didn''t even realize he had been holding.


    He flexed his fingertips, and pushed his arm further, brushing the rough fabric of his training shirt.


    Being able to touch his own back by extending his arm straight in front of himself was a surreal experience, it felt almost as if there was some disembodied ghost tickling his back.


    [Why would you suggest this Silane?]


    [Well, I know how you humans have trouble scratching your own backs, so I thought we might try it out. It''s like a really good back scratcher, but with magic.]


    [Truly a great way to end weeks of research in creating and holding open portal, huh Silane?]


    [ I think so, it''s innovative, useful and fun!]


    [I''m not sure how much of a fan I am of your newfound sense of humor.]


    Thud. Thud. Thud. Three heavy knocks resounded through the tower, interrupting Kothar''s enjoyable back scratching session. He came to his feet, almost forgetting to remove his arm from the portal, narrowly avoiding shearing it off on the edge of the portal by mistake.


    [Anyone knocking like that on Krieg''s door must have a serious reason for it.]


    Silane observed as Kothar rushed down the winding stairs of the tower.


    Kothar pulled the heavy blackened steel door open, revealing the sturdy frame of the Gatekeeper, wearing his riveted battlemage coat, standing in the dripping rain.


    "Kothar. Just the person I needed to see." The Gatekeeper spoke in his slow solemn voice.


    "Please come in." Kothar beckoned the Gatekeeper indoors.


    "Thank you, but this shall not take long. I have other duties to attend to also." The Gatekeeper drew a small piece of paper from one of his numerous pockets. He peered at it closely.


    "I have some bad news for you, I''m afraid. Your uncle Simon, who brought you to the Academy, has been taken prisoner by the Republic of Kalun. That is all the information that was available. I thought you might like to know. I''m sure you will soon get word from your family." Without another word, the Gatekeeper continued on his way, heading toward another mage tower, further in the distance.


    [What was that? That''s all he had to stay? No information about how or why or even when he was captured?]


    [Kothar. Calm yourself. I''m sure that''s all he knew, otherwise he would''ve said more.]


    Silane comforted Kothar, as he took a few breaths. Now that he had calmed down, Kothar was surprised by how he had been swept up by his emotions.


    [Alright Silane, what are we going to do?]


    [As terrible an idea as it seems, I think that we''ll have to go to Kalun ourselves. Tam and Rotan have their hands tied, they can''t afford to start a war with Kalun over Simon. They''ll likely be in negotiations with Kalun for months trying to get him released. With no idea of how he is.]


    [You''re right, at the very least we could find out more about how he''s doing and return to Balin.]


    Now calm, and with a clear goal, Kothar rushed up to his rooms, where he had only moved in a month ago, and began to earnestly pack his travel pack and gear.


    [Aren''t you going to let Krieg know you''re leaving?]


    [I''d rather not interrupt his research, and he leaves his labs so rarely that who knows if he''ll even notice I''m gone. I''ll leave a note here so he''ll know whenever he decides to check up on me.]


    "Kothar, good to see you my friend!" Lester called out as he saw Kothar stride in.


    "What have you got for me today?" Lester hauled himself to his feet and waddled over to his counter.


    "Unfortunately I haven''t got anything for you today Lester, I was hoping to get some gold from you. I know I said I''d be happy for it to be credit at your store but an emergency has come up." Kothar spoke quickly, unlike his susual measure tone.


    "No problem at all, my fine young friend. How much do you need? If you need more gold than you''re credit I''d be happy to lend you some coin." Lester smiled at Kothar, eager as ever to get in his good graces.


    "No that''s fine Lester, 200 gold should be enough for my needs." Kothar took the heavy pouch that Lester procured with a speed that clashed with his huge pot belly.


    ''Thanks Lester."


    "No problem young Kothar, see you soon!"


    Kothar hurried onwards, now heading towards Utna''s smithy; she had sent him word almost a week ago, but he had been too immersed in mastering his portals.


    The open door of the forge radiated heat out onto the street, and loud cleaning and clanking echoed out onto the busy street.


    "Utna!" Kothar yelled out, seeing her leant over a large breastplate. Realizing she would be hours, he decided to risk it and interrupt her smithing.


    "I need the mana storing component, I have to leave it''s an emergency!" Kothar yelled out, quickly explaining himself, eager to avoid her wrath.


    Utna nodded, sparks flying past her face, she lifted her hammer and used to gesture toward an alcove at the back of her forge.


    "In the wooden box.." She grunted out, then returned her full attention to the breastplate, smashing away.

 Chapter 43 - Upgrade

    Warning: The following chapter involves the MC carrying out unsafe medical procedures on his arm, do not try at home, the procedures he''s carrying out are not anatomically accurate and frankly ridiculous.


    If this is something that may make you uncomfortable, skip from the first dotted line to the second one .


    The gleaming mana storing component sat on the rickety table of the room. Kothar had bought a horse, and had rapidly made his way to Janul, a small town near the border with Kalun, which got its name from the neighboring forest.


    The set of surgical tools and detoxifying elixir he had procured previously from Lester also sat on the table. A sharp scalpel soaking in the solution.


    A small flat length of Magesteel that tapered to a narrow, squared end emerged from one end of the mana storing component, this would allow for it to be fully integrated with his humerus.


    Kothar downed the vial of anesthetic he had purchased from a shady looking store on the outskirts of Janul, wincing at the bitter taste.


    Taking a clean piece of clothing, he wiped the greasy numbing ointment he had applied earlier from his shoulder, and prepared to begin his upgrade.


    ------------


    Kothar took the razor sharp scalpel, and made a long vertical slice on the shoulder of his limp arm, carefully navigating between the disting heads of his deltoid muscle.


    [Now soak up the blood then retract the two sides of the incision.] Silane instructed him, guiding him through the process.


    Kothar retracted the wound, revealing the mess of tendons and ligaments that made up his shoulder joint.


    He made another incision, opening up the joint capsule of his shoulder, then separated the tough ligaments from the bone.


    Now that the supporting ligaments were freed, the head of Kothar''s humerus moved easily, and he put away the satchel, picking up a small bone saw.


    This next part of his ''upgrade'' was the most time consuming as well as disturbing, and it took him almost half an hour to remove the section of bone the mana storing component was to replace.


    Once he had removed the section of bone, he cleany slotted in the mana storing component, and slotted it snugly into the socket of his shoulder joint.


    Taking the sharp needle and fine thread he had set out earlier, he began to suture his shoulder shut, starting with the capsule of the shoulder itself, moving outwards, before finally closing up the skin.


    ------------


    [You''ve lost a fair amount of blood, rest a while then have the broth you had sent up earlier, send as much mana to your shoulder as you can.]


    Kothar channeled his lightning mana to his shoulder, the mana storing core drunk it up the mana like a man stranded in a desert guzzling down water.


    [The increased mana density in your shoulder should speed up the healing process, but it''ll be out of commission for the next week at least.] SIlane continued to advise Kothar, who was now laying on the narrow bed, dripping with sweat.


    [Hopefully there will be no rejection, especially since the mana storing core is so saturated with your own elemental mana.] Silane explained.


    [Worst case scenario, I can always build myself a whole new arm, can''t I?] Kothar joked with Silane, who''s dry laugh echoed through his head.


    [You''ll need to manipulate the frame of the core with pure mana as well for the next few months, just so it integrates well with the bone and surrounding tissue.] Silane said as she showed Kothar a projection of how the metal would gradually enmesh itself into the bone.


    Kothar drifted off as Silane continued to show him new designs that they could now integrate, each one wilder than the last.


    Early the next morning, now well rested, Kothar made his way down to see the barkeep, his left arm still hanging limp by his side. He wore a heavy cloak, to hide the crippled arm from inquisitive individuals as well as opportunistic muggers.


    "Did you find a caravan I can join Mister?" Kothar spoke in a slurred voice, mimicking Rudy''s rural accent; he didn''t want anyone to immediately identify him as being from Balin.


    "I''ve got the perfect one for you to join, it''s a small merchant company, so you''ll be able to talk business with them on the way. They''ve also got a few hired mercenaries so you''ll be safe as you can get along the borderlands. It''ll be a fair bit of gold though, but I''m sure a talented young merchant like you would have no issue covering such afee." The barkeep looked at Kothar expectantly, waiting for his payment.


    Kothar passed him a few silver coins, more generous than was reasonable, but he needed to maintain the appearance of a wealthy young merchant, on his way to woo new business partners.


    "The name?" Kothar asked.


    "Drummond and co. You''ll find them at the west gate this evening." The barkeep swept up the coins with a wink at Kothar, and hummed happily, returning to polishing his chipped tumblers.


    [What a great disguise Kothar, posing as a wealthy young merchant, the perfect target get fleeced by everyone and their grandmother.]


    [Exactly, being such a juicy target means they spend all their time thinking about how to get more money out of me rather than why I haven''t hired any guards and why my accent sounds like I burnt my tongue.]


    [That''s actually quite clever Kothar, I''m impressed at how crafty you''ve become.]


    Kothar and Silane continued to banter back and forth, as they waited for evening, slowly packing up Kothar''s gear, making sure to conceal his blade deep within his bundles.


    "Welcome to our caravan young man! You must be the young merchant the barkeep spoke of!" A burly moustachioed man called out to Kothar from where he was sat high up on the box of a wagon.


    "Greetings Sir, I am hoping to join your caravan on your journey to Kalun." Kothar slurred, trying to maintain his accent while projecting a respectful tone.


    "You are most welcome! But of course, we have expenses, and I must ask you to contribute!" The moustachioed man seemed to lack the ability to alter the volume of his voice, continuing to boom away.


    "Of course, that is completely reasonable." Kothar dismounted, throwing his reins over a nearby post.


    The man joined Kothar on the ground, deftly hopping off from the wagon.


    "I shall have to ask you for 10 gold pieces you man! We have only hired the best mercenaries!" The man twirled his moustache as he spoke.


    "Alright." Kothar said, as he counted out the coins and handed them over.


    THe man stared at Kothar with an eyebrow raised, as if trying to pierce through him with his sight. He counted out five coins and returned those to Kothar.


    "Lesson number one young man, always haggle!" The man pounded Kothar across his back, as if to cheer him up.


    "I see, I see. Kothar gave him a weak smile, keeping up his act.


    "The name is Drummond!" Drummon bellowed, ushering Kothar towards one of the wagons at the rear of the caravan.


    "I am Rufus. Pleased to meet you.." Kothar nodded as Drummond continued to yell advice at him, it was going to be a long journey.

 Chapter 44 - Kalun

    The week-long journey to Kalun had been mostly uneventful, the sight of the heavily armored mercenaries escorting the caravan had deterred all but the most desperate of bandits. Those desperate enough to try to raid such a well guarded caravan were more beggars than bandits, and were easily disarmed by the mercenaries.


    Drummond even took pity on a particularly emaciated bandit, and sent him off with a few parcels of food.


    "Lesson 25, don''t only act for a profit, a merchant with emotions is more trustworthy!" He yelled at Kothar.


    The bare plains of the borderlands gave way to scraggly bushes, which were soon joined by small stunted trees. The closer they drew to Ranuth, the more humid the air became, with the mercenaries absolutely soaked with sweat, ensconced as they were by their heavy armor.


    Drummond had produced a massive towel from somewhere, and he was continuously mopping his brow and bald head with it, alternating with a swig of chilled punch he carried in an enchanted flask.


    "Looks like the heat doesn''t bother you Rufus!" Drummond yelled at Kothar, noticing that he had barely broken a sweat.


    "I spent a lot of time outdoors when I was younger, working the fields." Kothar explained, keeping to his rural backstory.


    "Oh of course, no wonder yer hands are calloused!" Drummond bellowed, patting Kothar across the back. Drummond may have bought Kothar''s story, but it didn''t mean he was ignorant, he was observant enough that he had noticed Kothar sword calluses, but didn''t push the subject.


    The stunted trees and scraggly bushes now flourished, and they were in the jungles of Kalun. The ground was sodden, and soupy pools dotted their surroundings.


    Strange howls and calls echoed all about them, and colorful birds flashes through the trees.


    At one point, the entire caravan halted, and even Silane was worried, sending Kothar an alert.


    The mercenaries had everyone huddle together at the center of the caravan, and soon a distan crashing and cracking could be heard. The noises drew nearer as the members of the caravan hunkered down, hiding amongst the wagons..


    "Bwooooooo!" A loud trumpeting echoed through the forest, Kothar peek through a gap in the awning of the wagon he had hidden in, and saw the massive beast that they had hidden from.


    It towered on six thick legs, so huge that even two men could not encircle them with their arms outstretched. One could say the beast resembled an elephant, but it resembled an elephant in the same way a house cat resembled a full grown tiger.


    It had glaring red eyes, and it swung its massive skull back and forth, eventually focusing on the foremost wagon.


    With a loud crack, it swung its trunk at the wagon, sending it flying through the surrounding jungle, crashing through the trees. Kothar heard Drummond give a small groan, obviously unhappy at losing one of his precious wagons.


    Satisfied that the wagons were not a threat, the beast trundled back into the jungle, and the crashing of falling trees soon died away. Sighs of relief filled the air, as the members of the caravan emerged from their hiding places, Drummond was being reassured by one of his many children, who was struggling to wrap an arm around Drummon''s massive bulk to comfort him.


    "What was that?" Kothar asked one of the mercenaries, who was calming down his horse.


    "Around these parts, they call them the Elders, but in Balin and most other kingdoms, that''s a magical beast. That particular sort is especially nasty, you don''t want to tangle with them. I''ve heard them being called Mammut Beast, but you''ll hear all kinds of names for these beasts. They''re poorly understood, since an individual can be dangerous enough to need a whole platoon to deal with." The mercenary drew a breath to continue his explanation, but then he noticed who had asked and raised an eyebrow.


    "What''s a young merchant lad like you need to know about Mammut Beats?" The mercenary narrowed his dark eyes at Kothar.


    "I''m just a curious person." Kothar slurred, and returned to the wagon he had been riding earlier.


    The caravan slowly drew away from the wrecked trees and torn up soil, and continued on their journey to Ranuth.


    It was evening when the towering tiers of Ranuth drew into view, the cacophony of beasts growing louder as they drew closer to the Nerid river.


    The track they had been following soon joined a paved road, which was absolutely packed with wagons, cattle, and porters. The noise that sounded out from the road competed with calls and hoots from the forest, all melding together to form an absolute mess of noise. Combined with the humidity, the strange smells, and the heat made for an overwhelming experience.


    [Silane, are you able to filter the noise?] Kothar asked her, as the cacophony rolled over him.


    [Of course, enjoy.] Silane tuned out the most jarring noises, leaving the more pleasant calls, and nearby conversation intact.


    "She''s quite something isn''t she Rufus!" Drummond, now revitalized after the loss of his wagon, rode over to Kothar.


    "Yes, very different from Ursten." Kothar yelled back, struggling to make himself heard over the racket. Drummond''s permanent yell now made sense.


    "If you don''t want to be stuck on the roads all evening, you''d best take your horse and ride into town yourself, the caravan won''t be moving any faster than a snail''s pace!" Drummond paused, dabbing himself with his massive towel.


    "We''ll be at the Merchant''s Guild, we leave in one week, if you''d like to join us when we return. It''s been a pleasure." Drummond stowed his towel away and entered a damp hand for Kothar to shake.


    "Likewise, thanks for the many lessons." Kothar shook Drummond''s hand, then went to gather his belongings and find his horse.


    Hawkers yelled out to Kothar as he rode into the city, and young children attempted to snatch his reins, yelling about inns, but likely leading him to a mugging. Kothar kept a firm grip on his reins, slowly winding his way up the tiers, in search of a inn with stables, and a mostly clean exterior.


    He was a good third of the way up the many tiers of the city before he found a promising inn, a orange monkey painted next to its sign which read ''The Golden Monkey.''


    Kothar gave his reins to the stable boy, and paid the innkeep for a week of board and meals.


    Once in his room, he changed out of the stained finery he had used as his disguise, into his rough training clothes and dark cloak. He would blend right in with the many thieves and mischief makers with the city, especially now that he had strapped his sword and short blade to his waist.


    Kothar emerged on to the streets of Ranuth, Rufus the wealthy young merchant had been replaced with a vaguely threatening young man.. Kothar drew up the hood of his cloak, and headed to the highest tier of Ranuth, eyes focused on the gleaming palace in the distance.

 Chapter 45 - Ranuth

    Kothar noticed an alarming change as he made his way up the tiers, where the roads in the lower tiers were numerous and there was a whole network of alleyways to duck into, the roads on the upper tiers were wide, well paved and well trodden by alert soldiers.


    This was wonderful for those who lived and worked there, but not so great for Kothar, who was looking to sneak up into the palace. His hooded cloak and the blades at his hip also gained him cautious glances from many soldiers, with a patrol following him when he attempted to head up to the third highest tier, only managing to shake them off by hiding in a nearby garden.


    Kothar paced the streets of Ranuth, trying to think up a solution. Asking too many questions about Simon would only make the situation worse, alerting the Premier that someone was looking for him.


    Neither could he hire someone to break into the palace, or gather information. He didn''t have the contacts or the sense for who could be bribed that Simon had.


    [Hey, hey! Look down there.] Silane''s voice interrupted Kothar''s melancholy stroll through a street filled with covered stalls and a faint smell of rotting fruit, the hawkers and greengrocers having gone home for the day.


    Kothar looked down, and saw a glowing mass of mana slowly moving forward beneath his feet. He stopped, and the mana continued onward.


    [Silane, I think you just found us our ticket into the palace.]


    [We need to find a way into these tunnels first, Kothar.]


    [I hate to break it to you Silane, but these ''tunnels'' are probably just sewers, all we need to do is follow the stench.]


    [You''re going to be the one wading through it, not me.] Silane chuckled, as she began projecting possible locations for sewer grates into Kothar''s vision.


    Soon enough, Kothar had found a rusty sewer grate, in an alley just off the street he had been strolling down earlier.


    The grate was caked with rust, and it appeared as if no one had disturbed it in years, but when Kothar gave it the slightest tug, the grate swung up cleanly, without the slightest squeak or groan.


    Someone, or some people had done a very good job at making the grates look neglected but keeping them quiet and easy to open.


    [Looks like Ranuth has very industrious thieves.] Silane chimed in, as Kothar held his breath and climbed down the shaft, closing the grate above him.


    Thankfully, Kothar didn''t have to wade directly through the flowing sewage, as there were ledges on either side of the spacious tunnels beneath the streets.


    The smell was atrocious but as Kothar''s eyes adjusted to the darkness, he noticed the tunnels were lit with a dim light. They were hooded lanterns placed on hooks hammered high on the side of the tunnels, giving off just enough light to navigate the narrow ledges.


    The tunnels were made of the same sandstone as the rest of the city, and the bottom half had been polished smooth by years of sewage, and rainwater flowing through.


    [You''ll have to map it out, and could you give me a compass to lock out, so I can keep my bearings.] Kothar asked Silane, setting out into the tangle of tunnels.


    [Look for anything sloping upwards, ladders and any gates or grilles, the palace is bound to have some sort of security.] Silane directed Kothar.


    [Sure thing Silane.]


    [It''s times like this I''m glad I''m a disembodied AI who can filter out your sensory inputs. That smell is atrocious.]


    [No need to rub it in Silane.]


    Kothar continued onward, carefully navigating the depths beneath Ranuth, a few times, he spotted masses of mana which indicated people in the distance, and waited for them to pass before continuing on his way.


    Soon he found a set of tunnels that sloped upwards, the wall next to them was marked with a set of bright red crosses that glowed dimly in the twilight of the tunnels.


    [Look, they''ve even given us some signposts to find the palace.]


    Kothar chuckled at Silane''s wit, heading upwards. Like the streets above, there were fewer tunnels as Kothar drew closer to the palace. Fortunately for Kothar, the military presence of the streets above was not reflected in the tunnels.


    Kothar spotted a skull symbol that had been painted in the same red paint next to a shaft that led upwards.


    [Another signpost!] Silane piped up.


    Kothar gave a grim smile, and climbed up the iron rungs that had been hammered into the side of the shaft.


    [We''re at the right height to be heading up into the palace, keep an eye out for guards Kothar.]


    The hatch above was heavy, unlike the one that Kothar had used to enter the tunnels, Kothar heaved wedged himself against the rungs and pushed up with both arms, and the hatch inched open, a slow creaking ringing out. This hatch was not well maintained.


    [Let''s hope no-one hears that.]


    Kothar emerged from the tunnels to find himself deep in the bowels of the palace. He was in a dingy room, filled with clutter. Old weapons leaning against the wall, dusty vases and tarnished silverware, there was even a moth eaten tapestry draped over the massive cupboard in one corner.


    [We shouldn''t be too far from their dungeons, we might even be able to break Simon out!] Kothar told Silane as he peeked out of the door, noticing the lack of windows and realizing where they were.


    [Yes, but no unnecessary risks Kothar, he''ll be safer locked up then running through the said with a whole platoon on our tail.]


    [Sure thing!] Kothar replied, as he crept down the corridor. He continued exploring, until he heard the murmur of voices, and made his way towards them, straining to make out what they were saying.


    "Come on, you take my shift tomorrow night, and I''ll cover you the next you need it!" Kothar heard a gruff voice say.


    "Look here, you''re coming to me, who never deviates from his shift schedule, and asking me to cover you. I''m going to need something more than that." A thin reedy voice replied to the first.


    Kothar crept closer, spotting a pair of guards, the larger of the pair had a ring of keys at his belt, and they both stood slouched on their halberds, guarding a heavy wooden door, glowing with runes.


    [Looks like we found their dungeons.]


    Kothar only nodded in reply, creeping as close as he dared to the guards, hiding in a small alcove with a neglected stature.. He took a deep breath, and began channeling mana to cast a spell.

 Chapter 46 - Simon(2)

    The distorted noise of a portal opening rang out through the corridor.


    "You hear something?" The gruff voiced guard asked the other.


    "Probably just a rat." The other replied.


    Kothar channeled mana to cast the next portal, this one would be more difficult to open, as he would have to send his spatial mana all the way to the other side of the guarded door.


    He extended a leg and kicked the statue he had hidden next to over, it fell with a resounding clatter, echoing down the empty tunnels beneath the palace.


    "That''s no rat!" The first guard yelled and ran towards where Kothar was hidden, followed by the other.


    Hearing the boots pounding toward him, Kothar now took the chance to open the second portal, behind the door. Now that the guards were away from the door, he could open it without them hearing.


    Kothar stepped through the portal, emerging behind the solid dungeon door, and quickly closed the portals behind him.


    By now, the two guards had arrived at the alcove where Kothar had been hiding, and began to investigate the rubble of the statue and in and around the alcove.


    Kothar now found himself in the dank, damp dungeons of the Palace. In contrast to the shining splendor and beautiful gardens of the palace above, the dungeons were dark, dilapidated and stank worse than the sewer tunnels Kothar had travelled through.


    The dungeons were shaped like an open pit, with the cells being carved out of the walls of the pit, with a spiralling walkway that descended down the walls.


    Kothar crept along the walkway, almost every cell was occupied, with prisoners either cowering in the corner, hunched over on their narrow straw mattresses or wailing at the top of their lungs.


    Kothar had seen much cruelty in his previous life, even encountering an alien race that devoted their entire lives to eliciting pain and suffering in other beings, but this had to be one of the most foul prisons he had seen that had been made by humans for other humans.


    Guards were posted at intervals, along the walkways, patrolling back and forth along their own sections of the walkway, rattling the bars of the cells, or yelling at the prisoners.


    Kothar evaded them by portalling down to other sections of the walkway, keeping an eye out for Simon.


    Kothar emerged from a portal near the bottom of the pit, looking around the nearby cells for a trace of his uncle, feeling a rush of air, he leapt to the side, rolling along the ground.


    A massive hand, covered in a network of knotted scars, with long yellow nails, clawed at the air in front of the cell he had portalled to.


    "Come here boy, let me get a look at you." A gravelly voice growled out, the arm turning towards where Kothar had rolled, beckoning with a claw-like finger.


    "This can go two ways boy, you come closer, or I call out to the guards." Noticing Kothar hadn''t moved, the voice continued.


    Kothar gingerly approached the cell, slowly inching forward.


    Slam. Another arm joined the first, as the thing in the cell launched itself forward and attempted to grab Kothar, barely missing him, tearing away a strip of cloth from the hem of his cloak.


    "I''m not coming any closer, what do you want?" Kothar stared at the thing in the cell, it was a man, but barely. The man was covered in a scars, some of them thick and raised, while others were fine lines across his body, barely visible against his snow white skin.


    "Just to talk." The man growled out, shaking his massive head. His mane of hair shone in the few places it was not caked with filth.


    "I''m Berge, nice to meet you." Berg growled at Kothar, smiling at him to reveal a set of pointed teeth, unlike the rest of him, his teeth were spotless, and shone in the darkness of the dungeons.


    "Rufus." Kothar answered curtly, ignoring the outstretched hand that Berge offered him.


    "Now Rufus. Why don''t you do me a favor and let me out of here?" Berge spoke slowly, as if savoring his words.


    "After you''ve tried to attack me twice, I don''t think so." Kothar began to edge away from Berge; there was something about him that made Kothar feel distinctly uncomfortable.


    "Come on, I promise I won''t harm you, it''s just that my hunger overcame me." Berge gave Kothar another wide grin, gnashing his teeth at him.


    "Just think about it, I might be of help in whatever mischief you have planned down here." Berge winked at Kothar, waving him away with one of his huge hands.


    [He has got to be one of the strangest people we''ve seen.] SIlane piped up, as Kothar opened another portal to take him to the bottom of the pit.


    [Did you notice he had no mana signature at all? I thought the cell was empty when I portalled in front of it.] Kothar asked Silane.


    [Yes, I''m afraid we''ve become too reliant on that, it might do for us to try create some more sensors.] Silane flashed some prospective designs across Kothar vision.


    [Agreed.] Kothar stepped through the completed portal, finding himself ankle deep in freezing cold water.


    There were no guards down here, none of them willing to spend their shifts in the cold water.


    Kothar waded in a large circle, peering into each of the cells, unlike the rest of the dungeon, most of these were empty, but Kothar knew that Simon had to be in one of these cells, having checked all the cells above.


    There! Kothar saw a shock of blonde curls, and the all to familiar, delicate features that Simon shared with his mother.


    Simon was sitting on a narrow plank that served as his mattress, wrapped in a threadbare blanket, his eyes closed, taking deep slow breaths.


    "Uncle!" Kothar hissed, calling out as loudly as he dared.


    Simon didn''t move, he remained stock still, his breathing unchanged.


    "Uncle!" Kothar called out again.


    Simon finally opened his eyes and looked out past the bars of his cell, his eyes widened with surprise and he jumped up and strode towards the bars.


    "Kothar! I thought my mind was playing tricks on me when I heard your voice. Is that really you?" Simon shook slightly, completely taken aback at his nephew finding him in the very depths of the dungeons below Ranuth palace.


    "It sure is, let''s get you out of there." Kothar opened a pair of portals, one inside the cell and one outside.


    "Step through carefully, Uncle." Kothar whispered, reaching a hand through the portals to help him through.


    Simon took Kothar''s hand with a surprisingly strong grip, and stepped out to freedom. He straightened up and stood tall, raising his arms high above his head. Simon stretched out, free from the cramped cell.


    "Well, nephew, how on earth are we getting out of here?" Simon grinned at Kothar, and raised an eyebrow at him.


    As Kothar explained his plan to Simon, a series of expressions crossed his face, initially he looked confused, then he began to slowly nod, a look of understanding crossing his face, finally he almost laughed, stopping himself before he alerted the guards.


    "That''s marvelous Kothar, let''s do that.." Simon tied the tattered blanket around himself like a cloak, and followed Kothar up the walkway.

 Chapter 47 - Escape

    Kothar and Simon crept up the walkway, while Kothar had managed to evade the guards on the way down, Simon demonstrated the difference between a sneaky individual and a true Thief.


    Simon''s steps were completely silent, Kothar, who was only a few steps ahead, couldn''t even hear him, and at one point looked back, concerned that Simon had been left behind. But he was still there, barely visible in the shadows along the edge of the walkway, giving Kothar a cheeky grin.


    They retraced the route Kothar had taken, and Simon admired how far his nephew had come, quickly creating portals from one level to the next.


    "Looks like you got your friend free, boy. Why not help out another struggling soul?" Berge leered at them from behind his bars, calling out to them as soon as they stepped out from Kothar''s portal.


    "Ok. But I need you to wait five minutes before you make any kind of disturbance, can you do that?" Kothar asked Berge, standing outside of the range of the huge man''s long apeish arms.


    "Anything for my freedom, get me out of here and I''ll even do a little dance for you." Berge growled, pacing around his cell in anticipation.


    "Just take this portal out of your cell in five minutes." Kothar dispelled the portal below them, and began channelling to open another inside of Berge''s cell, intending to link it with the one they had just exited from.


    "That won''t cut it, all I need is for you to come in here and get this out of me." Berge shrugged off his ragged clothing, and turned around. Nestled in the center of his massive back was a nub of steel, it was swarming with strange runes and gave off a sickly yellow glow.


    "Alright, but he''s coming in with me." Kothar jerked his head toward Simon, who procured a thin blade, seemingly out of thin air, and returned Berge''s cruel smile with one of his own.


    "The more the better." Berge''s smile only grew wider, revealing that his jagged teeth extended throughout his mouth, making him look like the human counterpart of a shark.


    Kothar and Simon stepped through the portal, both of them with their blades out, Kothar with his buzzing lightning blade and Simon with his shiv.


    Berge turned around and hunched over, so Kothar could easily reach the nub in his back.


    He gripped it tightly and pulled, with a loud squelch, the nub pulled out, revealing a tapered needle, with strange runes swimming all across its surface.


    A trickle of black, foul smelling liquid trickled out of the hole left behind, and then it began to close, right in front of Kothar''s eyes. Feeling that something was very wrong, Kothar''s eye''s widened and he rushed toward the portal, seeing Simon doing the same.


    The pair fell to the ground next to the portal, a clenching sensation in their throats and a sinking feeling in their stomachs, an invisible force had fallen over them and they had both become paralyzed.


    Berge towered over them, cracking all of his joints with his eyes shut.


    "Oh, excuse me." Berge peered down, noticing the two of them cowering on the ground. The force immediately dissipated and the pair of them stood up, and backed up through Kothar''s portal.


    "The clock''s ticking now, five minutes, boy." Berge gave Kothar another grin, before sitting down cross legged in his cell and closing his eyes. Simon and Kothar eagerly continued up the walkway, thankful that they hadn''t lost their lives.


    "I can''t believe we thought we''d have a chance with our blades." Kothar murmured to Simon, as they waited for a guard above to walk back from where he was yelling at an inmate.


    "We got lucky, nephew, there''s all kinds of monsters out there, and he won''t be the last you''ll encounter." Simon murmured back, squinting up at the corridor that led out of the dungeon.


    Now that the guard had returned to his post, Kothar nodded to Simon, who stepped through the portal and up toward the entrance to the dungeons. Kothar followed him, and they headed toward the door.


    "I''ll take the one on my side." Simon said to Kothar, who nodded in assent and drew his humming lightning blade.


    The pair of them stood to either side of the door, back flat against the sandstone of the walls.


    "Hey, I need you to open up a cell? One these ******** is giving me cheek. The foreigner, down in the hole." Simon said in an eerie imitation of the voice of the guard who had often beaten him.


    "What! Thought you were off duty Guff!" The gruff voiced guard answered and a key rattled in the lock of the enchanted door.


    The door swung open and the bigger guard stepped through, looking around in confusion. He spotted a glint of steel in the corner of his eye, and his eyes widened in surprise, he tried to yell but only a gurgle escaped from his mouth. Kothar had been far too quick for him.


    "You guys trying to play a trick on me again?" The reedy voiced guard called out, Kothar who had grabbed the guard to stop him from falling to the ground, looked to Simon.


    He was nowhere to be seen, another faint gurgle indicated that the other guard had met a similar fate.


    "I''ll meet you on the fork in the east road toward Balin." Kothar took the ring of keys from the first guards waist.


    "Alright, see you soon nephew, thanks for the help." With that, Simon dissolved into the darkness, taking the smaller guard''s sword with them.


    Kothar headed back down into the dungeon, quietly turning the keys in the locks of the prisoner''s cells. He had gotten past the first two floors, when a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the dungeon.


    "Sorry! I just couldn''t wait, with all this fresh meat around!" Berge''s voice called out from the depths of the dungeon. The guards all began to yell, and the stomping of boots filled the air.


    Kothar ducked into the cell he had just unlocked, hunching next to the slowly rocking inmate.


    The man stared at him wide eyed.


    "Here, take these keys and free as many of the others as you can." Kothar handed the man the keys. The man''s eyes slowly came alive, as he realized the magnitude of what Kothar had said. He nodded vigorously to Kothar, then clasped Kothar''s hands in his wons and bowed repeatedly.


    Seeing Kothar''s confused face, he opened his mouth, pointing to the stump that remained of his tongue, and bowed again.


    "You''re welcome, I''ve unlocked the upper cells." Kothar shook the man''s one last time and left the cells, heading for the exit. All the while, screams and wails echoed through the dungeon, Kothar peered over the edge of the Walkway, and saw the carnage that Berge had wreaked.


    Berge was laughing maniacally and guards lay strewn around him like broken dolls.


    "Come, come and beat me now you dogs!" Berge yelled at the guards, who surrounded him in a loose circle.


    [He really threw a spanner in the works of your fine plan, didn''t he Kothar?] Silane piped up, after being silent for so long.


    [That he did..] Kothar answered her, speeding up to jog, on his way out of the dungeon and back into the tunnels.

 Chapter 48 - Midnight Sunrise

    Kothar had made his way back to the Golden Monkey without any trouble, the streets were as empty as they had been earlier that night, without a soul in sight. A chill hung in the air, and the city was still.


    It seemed as if the Palace Guard had yet to realize what was happening beneath their feet.


    Kothar climbed up the side of the Golden Monkey, prying open his window with a short blade. He picked up his gear from the small room, he had packed it all in case he had to leave the city quickly.


    Slinging the worn leather straps across his back, Kothar hopped back out the window, deftly hopping down to the ground and made a beeline for the east gate.


    Unlike most cities, the perimeter was poorly guarded, the Premier liked to keep his men nearby, he was a famously paranoid man. Kothar found a lone guard standing to attention, a tall spear planted firmly in the ground. As Kothar drew closer, he heard the loud snores echoing from the guard, who was leaning, asleep, against the tall spear.


    Kothar sighed with relief and strolled out of the city, eager to get away from Ranuth.


    Dong. Dong. Dong. Kothar looked back to Ranuth, the massive bells up in the palace were tolling. Kothar watched from up the road, as the sleeping guard awoke with a start, looked around in confusion, then realizing where the bells were ringing from, raced up towards the palace.


    Bells around the city began to toll in response, all ringing out the same three tolls, then a pause, and repeating it over and over again. Kothar couldn''t draw himself away, he knew that he should find Simon so they could flee from Kalun, but the sight of the city coming alive so rapidly was astounding.


    Lights shone all around the city, and he watched as they all congregated towards the palace, streaming up the tiers of the city.


    [Kothar! Come on, we need to leave!] Silane interrupted Kothar''s musings.


    [Yes¡­ Sorry, I couldn''t look away.] Kothar shook his head, the strange melancholy he felt confused him.


    Kothar turned his back to Ranuth, and sped away from the clamoring city, the bells had woken the beasts of the jungle, and stirred them into a frenzy. The air was now filled with an absolute racket, monkeys howling, strange screams penetrating through the air, and howls al clashed with the constant tolling of bells coming from the city.


    Kothar arrived at the fork in the road that led to Ursten, and looked all around for Simon, as usual, he had concealed himself, but the snuffling of horses gave him away. Kothar turned toward the noise, and saw Simon emerging from the gloom of the jungle, leading two horses by the reins.


    He seemed to have outfitted himself during his escape from the city, and was wearing the dark clothing Kothar had seen him wear before, as well as the set of small knives and his curved blade.


    "I had time to stop by one of my caches. Got myself a horse too. Let''s get a move on Kothar, that Berge fellow has stirred up quite the hornets nest." Simon answered Kothar''s curious look, and handed them the reins to his horse.


    "Yes, I have to say I didn''t expect that much of a mess when I freed him, I know we planned to free all the prisoners, but I wish we had left that creature in his cell." Kothar sighed, talking as he secured his belongings over the rear of his horse. The pair mounted and rode into the pitch black path that led through the jungle and back to Balin.


    They rode hard through the forest, and soon the noise from Ranuth faded off into the distance. The surrounding jungle was now quiet, the silence only disturbed by the occasional crack of a twig, or the whimper of a small night creature that had become dinner for the fierce beasts that lurked in the depths of the jungle.


    "Let''s slow down!" Simon called out to Kothar.


    "You think we''re far enough?" Kothar reined his horse into a trot, and fell in next to Simon.


    "Whatever is happening in that palace, they''ll likely have their hands full, hopefully they don''t notice I''m missing until I''m back in Balin, enjoying a beer." Simon ran his hand through his grimy hair, his gaunt face proof of the time he had spent in the dungeons.


    "Let''s stop for a moment here, I''m starving. Hope you''ve got some rations in that pack of yours." Simon said to Kothar, as they came to a small clearing, on a small hill within the jungle. The clearing was often used as a rest stop, Kothar had stopped there a while with Drummond and the caravan himself.


    Kothar dug some rations out of his bag, and handed them to Simon, surprisingly, he only took small bites, pausing to take small sips of water.


    "Don''t want to give myself a stomach ache." He gave Kothar a sad smile.


    Kothar took a seat on one of the many flat rocks in the clearing, waiting for Simon to finish his meal. An odd glow diverted his attention from the schematic he was working on with Silane.


    Kothar looked east, to see the horizon glowing red, it was a beautiful sight, as the clouds were lit up in oranges and red, it looked like a beautiful painting.


    Then, Kothar''s brow furrowed, realizing something was wrong.


    [Silane, how long has it been since we left Ranuth?]


    [Only about an hour, I''m sorry Kothar, that''s no sunrise.]


    Kothar''s face fell, the reality of what was happening dawned upon him.


    "Simon." Kothar''s voice croaked out, he felt as if his throat was contracting.


    "What is it, Kothar?" Simon walked over, confused. He followed Kothar gaze, and immediately realizing what had happened.


    "Heavens forgive us. The city is burning." Simon joined Kothar at the crest of the hill, staring out over the jungle to the glow in the east. A heaviness hung in the air about them.


    "You think-?" Kothar muttered, not saying his entire thought out loud.


    "Yes, I think it was Berge. What have we done? All that for a distraction, I hope the people of Ranuth are safe." Simon answered Kothar in hushed tones, the enormity of what had happened weighing down on the pair of them.


    They left the clearlring in a hurry, in silence. Neither looked back at the burning city, afraid of what else they might see.


    Simon and Kothar rode on through the jungle, they exchanged no words, only looking around occasionally out of habit to ensure their safety, but otherwise staring in the distance, in deep thought.

 Chapter 49 - A Heros Welcome

    The next few days of Kothar and SImon''s journey back to Ursten were monotonous. They fell into a routine, where they would spend hours riding, only stopping for breaks and to feed and water the horses.


    On their previous journey''s together, Simon would go on long monologues about his research into ancient civilizations, passionately expounding to Kothar the new discoveries he had made. But not this time.


    Simon spent most of his time staring into the small campfires they lit at night, more often than not cooking one of the vibrantly colored squirrels that were more numerous than flies in the jungles.


    They would camp off the roads, the jungle was so dense, with plants of all shapes and sizes competing for the tiniest bit of light, that camping even a few meters off the road, one would be virtually invisible to any passersby.


    The only issue was finding a clearing to camp within the thick undergrowth, but that was a problem easily remedied, their razor sharp blades became machetes, and between the pair of them they could easily clear a campsite.


    The days passed by in a blur, and soon enough the tangle of the jungle fell behind them, and their horses gained speed as they left the soft, muddy ground behind. Kothar and Simon sped across the baked earth of the borderlands, with only the occasional bush, or stunted trees to liven up the landscape. Once in a while they would, spot a lizard, basking high on a rock, or a flurry in the dirt as a creature burrowed away and hid.


    They rode into Janul in the gloom of twilight, their horses as dusty as their clothes. The return journey from Ranuth to Janul had gone by much faster for Kothar, not having to worry about an unwieldy train of wagons, and hastened on as they were by the threat of pursuit.


    Simon wore his hood low, Janul was close enough to the border with Ranuth that it would not be out of the ordinary for a spy to recognize him and report back to Kalun. Their stay in Janul was short, only staying long enough to gather provisions for the journey back to Balin.


    They left Janul in a few hours, skirting around the massive forests that carpeted the horizon.


    Now that they were well and truly back in Ursten, the pair''s mood brightened, and a liveliness returned to them.


    "Feels like yesterday you went traipsing off into Janul Forest." Simon reminisced, reining his horse in to have it trot next to Kothar''s.


    "A lot has happened since." Kothar thought back to the days where he was still struggling to hit rabbits with his bolt spell, now he could open a portal beneath them, having them fall right into his palm.


    "You''ve grown a lot nephew, and you''ll only grow stronger. But remember, don''t get caught up in the pursuit of becoming stronger, sometimes it''s okay to stop, and admire the flowers, or a beautiful lake, or mountain, or whatever is around you." Simon''s voice grew wistful.


    "I''ll keep that with me always, Uncle." Kothar replied in his usual, serious voice, which deepened day by day.


    The lush green plains around the capital stretched out as far as the eye could see, they were only a few soft clouds that tumbled through the sky. It was a picturesque morning, perfect for SImon''s triumphant return to Balin.


    The streets of Balin were as crowded as usual, messenger boys darted in and out of the constant stream of carriages, horses, wagons and porters. Simon and Kothar both smiled after their hard journey, drinking in the finely carved buildings, and the top of the shining keep in the center of the city.


    "Where to?" Kothar asked Simon.


    "We''ll go to see your parents, Ophil must be worried about me." Simon replied.


    The large stone house looked almost the same as always, Ophil had obviously been hard at work, with a cascade of multicolored flowers hanging down from vines she had planted on the roof.


    The guards that had been posted outside the door during Kultas'' rebellion were absent, and Kothar deftly unlocked the tall wooden doors.


    "Anyone home?" SImoncalled out as they entered.


    The clatter of running footsteps rang through the house, and Ophil''s face peeked out from the landing above, leaning over the railing.


    Seeing Simon standing there, with Kothar alongside him, a loud gasp left her lips, and she rushed down the stairs, enveloping the pair of them in a massive hug,


    "I thought I''d never see you again." Ophil sobbed out, tears streaming down her face.


    "I thought the same." Simon''s voice cracked, and he began to tear up also.


    "And you, what are you doing away from Trinquile?" Ophil realized her son had accompanied her recently imprisoned brother.


    "Well¡­ I heard Uncle Simon was imprisoned, so I thought I''d give him some help." Kothar explained meekly, Ophil holding him at arm''s length, staring at him intently.


    [I never thought I''d see the day where I''d see you so afraid of another person, and I never expected that it would be your Mother.] Silane gave a soft laugh as she watched Kothar reassure Ophil that he had never been in any real danger.


    Kothar began to tell her about their journey, and explained how careful he had been, as well as explaining that he hadn''t been spotted by


    "Alright young man. Just don''t be reckless, it''s fine so long as you know what you''re getting into." Ophil finally relented, and bustled the pair of them into the kitchen, where she quickly set out a basic meal of cold cuts, bread and cheeses.


    "The pair of you must be tired and hungry, eat, wash up and get some rest. Tam will be wanting to talk to you once he gets home tonight." Ophil ruffled Kothar''s hair, and continued setting out more food for the pair of them.


    That evening, Tam returned, to find his son and brother in law waiting for him.


    "What in the-" Tam dropped the pile of papers he was carrying, and wrapped Simon in a heavy bear hug,


    "We thought we''d lost you, Brother." Tam''s voice shook with emotion.


    "I guess this rascal broke you out of there?" Tam grinned, as he put two and two together and saw his son sitting there innocently.


    "He did indeed, and he did a great job of it." Simon replied.


    Kothar got a bear hug of his own, his feet leaving the ground, but thankfully, his father didn''t pick him up and swing him about as he liked to do.


    "Good job son." Tam said simply and joined Ophil and Kothar on the sofas around the roaring fireplace.


    "Okay. Both of you fill me in on what happened at Ranuth. The city''s gone up in flames and no one in Kalun or Ursten knows what happened." Tam''s voice turned serious, and looked to the Kothar and Simon, noticing how their faces fell as he mentioned the fire.


    Kothar and Simon slowly explained what had happened, Tam''s listened patiently, his face as still as a mask, only showing a hint of surprise when they started to tell him about Berge, and the aftermath of his release.


    Once they had finished their story, Tam crossed his arms, and sat silently for a while.


    "Here''s what we''re going to do. Kothar, since you weren''t seen by anyone in the palace, we''re not going to mention your part in this to anyone. The fewer enemies you have, the better. Simon, we''ll head to the keep tonight, and confer with Rotan, we''ll see what he has to say about all this." Tam slowly set out his decision, and then looked at the pair of them.


    "Anyone unhappy?" Tam asked.


    Simon and Kothar only nodded in assent.


    Now that the business was out of the way, the four of them enjoyed the warm fire and pastries from one of the many bakeries in Balin, chatting all the while.


    Kothar told them about what he had learned at Trinquile, and Tam complained about a business partner in his new foray into cargo carriages. Laughs filled the cozy living room, the warm, vibrant tapestries and rugs only adding to the atmosphere.


    "How could he!" Kothar awoke with a start, he had slept immediately after Simon and Tam had gone to see Rotan, he rushed out of his room, wondering what had made Ophil yell.


    "Dear, he had to do it, we can''t get pulled into another war. Please try and understand." Tam was in the foyer of the house, clasping Ophil''s hands and pleading with her.


    "Look at you, buying into Rotan''s ****. You know he''s never liked Simon." Ophil yelled angrily, turning away from Tam.


    "That was when we were kids, you know he does everything for the kingdom." Tam consoled Ophil, who stood firm, arms crossed, tapping her foot furiously.


    "What happened?" Kothar called out, coming down the stairs.


    "I''m sorry son, it''s Simon. Rotan banished him last night.." Tam answered Kothar, his face twisted up in a grimace of guilt and sadness.

 Chapter 50 - Invasion

    After breaking the news of Simon''s banishment, Tam retreated to the courtyard behind the house, while Ophil buried herself in an elaborate tapestry she had been working on. Realizing they were well on their way to a full blown argument, they had decided to cool their heads rather than start a shouting match.


    Kothar decided to follow suit, and meditated in his room.


    The house was quiet, with only the faint sounds of the city trickling in through the open windows. It had only been a short a while before the silence was interrupted.


    A loud pounding rang out, somebody was beating on the front door.


    Kothar ran downstairs, seeing Tam already opening the door and Ophil standing to one side, her brow furrowed in concern.


    A red faced, sweaty guardsman stood at the threshold, gasping for breath, his eyes wide.


    "General Tam. Castle. The King needs you." He wheezed, holding the side of the door to support himself.


    "Understood. Get yourself something to drink, soldier." Tam clapped the guard on the shoulder, and dismissed him.


    "Ophil, it has to be-" Tam began to persuade Ophil before she cut him short.


    "I''m coming with you, I want to see what he has to say for himself, and if it''s so bad that he had to send his most unfit guardsman sprinting to see you, without any explanation either, I''ll be needed as well. As a matter of fact, Kothar should come along too." Ophil said firmly, giving Tam a look that dared him to try and disagree.


    "Alright, both of you. Get your gear and meet me outside in 2 minutes. I won''t wait any longer, this must be urgent." Tam commanded, in the tone of a superior military officer, rather than a father or husband.


    Kothar sped up to his room, and quickly gathered his gear, quickly strapping on his blades and a heavy cloak, grabbing his travel pack on his way out.


    Outside, Tam and Ophil were already waiting for him. A serious look on both their faces. Tam wore a breastplate, bracers and greaves of a dull blue metal, which swam with runes.


    Ophil wore the heavy leather robes of a battle mage, her hair tied under a cloth bandana, with a thin silver staff in one hand, all covered in runic inscriptions.


    "Come on." Tam said, and turned and marched off without another word, heading for the shining keep in the distance.


    The shining walls of the keep soon came into view, but they were greeted by an unusual sight. Jonas stood waiting across the bridge, in his silver inlaid uniform. He had his usual expression of aloof detachment on his face, but his eyes swept the across the moat, locking on to the three of them.


    "I see you''ve brought the entire family along. Not what his highness requested, but no matter. We have pressing matters to attend to." Jonas didn''t wait for a reply, and trotted off to the smaller gate set into the wall of the keep. Deftly unlocking it and holding it open for the three of them.


    "His highness will see you in the war room, please lead your family there Master Tam. I have many other duties to attend to." Jonas said curtly, before trotting off along a nondescript corridor.


    "It must really be bad. That was practically spitting in your face for Jonas. Let''s hurry." Tam quickened his pace, leading Ophil and Kothar expertly through the winding corridors of the castle.


    The war room was high up in the keep, Tam led them up many narrow winding staircases, with narrow beams of sunlight shining in through the many arrow slits at regular intervals.


    The door to the war room was nondescript, made of black wood with a cast iron door handle.


    Tam pushed the door open to reveal Rotan, hunched over a map at one end of the table, bending and twisting at the quill he held in his right hand.


    "Tam! Oh, and Ophil. I am so very sorry about your brother, but I thought it was necessary at the time." Rotan called out, his voice notedly dropping off as he noticed Ophil.


    "As long as the kingdom is safe. Wait, what did you say ''at the time''?" Ophil''s voice raised in volume, her eyebrows drew up high. Kothar noticed Tam sidle out from in between Ophil and Rotan, crossing his arms and leaning against a low table that ran along one side of the room.


    "Ah, you see, that''s why I summoned your husband here so urgently. It appears that Kalun is invading us after all, and they''ve made an alliance with the Phintus Federation. It appears that we''re in quite the tight spot." Rotan let out a long sigh, resting his head against one hand.


    "Oh, well. I guess I''ll have to yell at you after we sort this mess out, Rotan." Ophil, realizing the gravity of the situation, deflated, and took a seat next to Rotan.


    "Tam, Kothar, please." Rotan gestured for the two of them to join him at the table, as he rolled the map he had been gazing at intently.


    "I expect that Kalun is wanting to regain the Janul forest, they''ve got plenty of trees in those jungles, but no quality timber like we can get from Janul. One of our men sent a report recently that the Phintus federation is looking to create a real fleet, so imagine they''ll be looking to the timber as well." Rotan explained, pointing out where Kalun lay to the west, and the Phintus Federation to the south east.


    "We''re in trouble. Sorry Rotan, but without Kultas to lead an army, we''re sorely missing a campaign general to deal with one of the armies." Tam frowned, running his hand along the hilt of his blade, as he often did when deep in thought.


    "What about the Southern Tribes?" Ophil said, gesturing to the mess of dotted lines that tried to capture the ever changing borders of the tribes who lived south of Ursten.


    "At the very least they won''t invade, but if we want their help I''d have to go see the chiefs myself, but there''s no way I can leave the kingdom, knowing so many nobles are eager to rebel." Rotan let out yet another long sigh. He traced the back of his quill across the map.


    "You think they''d deal with no-one else?" Ophil asked.


    "No, anyone else would have to fight the chiefs in single combat, and we can''t spare the manpower." Tam explained, his arms crossed.


    "What about Newport?" Ophil pointed to the small nation south of the federation.


    "If we could get them to gather troops south of the Phintus border, that''d force them to retreat, and we could easily deal with Kalun." Tam slowly nodded in agreement, looking to Rotan.


    "It''ll be impossible for us to get a message through, there''ll be blockades throughout Phintus, and messengers don''t dare travel through the tribes'' territory. We''ll have to send someone. Can you spare a lieutenant, Tam?" Rotan looked thoughtfully down at the map, no longer twisting at the quill, now that they had some sort of plan.


    "We''ll need every one of them for the war." Tam shook his head.


    "Why not send Kothar?" Ophil said, and they all turned to look at him where he had been sitting, silent next to Tam.


    "You can''t be serious, I know he fought against Kultas, but he''s still a boy." Rotan spluttered, incredulous.


    "He''s competent enough, and he''ll get to see your home Ophil, the Duke will appreciate that we sent him." Tam responded.


    "He will, won''t he? Amazing how he went from sending his soldiers after me and Simon for inviting us to balls and feasts." Ophil added, with a small chuckle.


    "Do you want to do this Kothar?" Tam asked, a serious look in his eyes.


    "It''s a serious responsibility, and the journey won''t be without danger." Tam added.


    "Of course I will Father, when did I become the type to turn down an adventure." Kothar said exuberantly, a surprising tinge of emotion in his voice.


    [Still got that patriotic streak, don''t you?] Silane''s smooth voice added, as a look of relief crossed Rotan''s face.


    "I''ll write some terms now. He won''t be able to deny them, I''ll give him shipbuilding rights to build us a fleet." Rotan stood, walking over to the low table at the side of the room, where there were fresh quills and pots of ink.


    "Jonas will ready a horse and gear for you." Rotan continued, rustling around on the desk, looking for a fresh sheet of paper.


    "Let me tell you about Newport." A faraway look came into Ophil''s eyes, and she began to tell Kothar of the magnificent port city that she had called home. Kothar listened intently, curious to hear more about his destination.. Tam also leaned in to listen, he loved hearing his wife talk about her home, and he decided to make the most of the small moment of peace that would likely be the last they enjoyed for many days.

 Chapter 51 - For Ursten

    Only a few hours after the meeting in the war room, Kothar stood at the gate of the keep. His parents had rushed off, joining the stream of soldiers heading west from Balin. Boson and Serena headed east, in an effort to delay the armies of the Phintus Federation, until the battle to the west had concluded or Kothar succeeded in his mission.


    Everyone rode out with grim faces, this could very well be any one of their last battles.


    Jonas had prepared a fine horse for Kothar, it definitely had beast blood, evidenced by the patches of green scales around its hide, and the massive plumes of air that it sometimes huffed out. It stood much taller than Kothar, even though he had grown much over the past year, he stood taller than Ophil now, but Tam still towered well over him.


    [The way you''re standing here, lost in your thoughts, you''d think we didn''t have a kingdom, saving mission to attend to.] Silane interrupted Kothar as he ruminated on the new family he had gained.


    [Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts.] Kothar apologized and mounted the tall, slender mount.


    [No need to explain yourself, I share your thoughts, and your emotions too.] Silane said softly, aware of how much the both of them had changed.


    [Yes, I know that. But sometimes it''s nice to just say things.] Kothar explained, spurring the horse along the narrow bridge that towered over the plunging moat.


    [It sure is, why do you think I do this, instead of just projecting words over your vision.] Silane said while she projected the same sentence across Kothar''s vision.


    Kothar only smiled in response, before urging the horse into a gallop through the abandoned streets. Once their plan had been finalized, Rotan had the bells tolled to signal an imminent invasion, and while many citizens had sought shelter in the keep, others left the city in droves, heading north to the foothills of the Fidour mountains.


    The ancestors of most of the citizens of Ursten had lived in the very same foothills, and the people of Ursten often fled to their ancestral home in times of crisis, where they could disappear into vast networks of caves and shelters dug deep within the hills.


    As Kothar galloped on horseback through the city, he only spotted groups of soldiers, creating outposts on the roofs of buildings, or constructing the beginnings of a barricade.


    If all else failed, Ursten could hold Balin indefinitely.


    The plains just south of Balin were empty, but the further Kothar got from the capital the more people he saw, evidently words hadn''t travelled so far yet. Farmers paused and watched the young man gallop by on his tall greenish horse, marvelling at the sight.


    Kothar passed a herald on his way south, a pompous man with elaborate curled mustache, who was loudly announcing the invasion to an unfortunate farmer who had strayed much too close to the road.


    Kothar galloped on and on even as a reddish glow covered the sky, the landscape grew drier, with fewer farmhouses visible along the horizon, and fewer people plowing the earth. Kothar stopped for a few minutes, feeding his horse an odd purple colored grain that Jonas had packed.


    Jonas had been very adamant to feed the horse only the purple grain for as long as it lasted, and had reassured Kothar many times that the horse would be more than capable of galloping day and night. If they did stop at all, it would be so Kothar could rest.


    Kothar stopped to rest for a few hours that night, the moon had set and the night was pitch black, He awoke at dawn and rode on, forks in the road south led to the frontier cities, famed for the unique goods they traded for the Southern Tribes.


    The border with the tribes was not well marked out, with only a stone pillar on the road marking where Ursten ended and the territory of the tribes began.


    The air here was noticeably drier than in Ursten, and the rising sun revealed a desolate landscape, Kothhar reined his horse to a sudden stop, herd of heavy set, horse like creatures, covered in scarlet fur and with massive horns that swept back from their skulls, gallop across the road in front of him, completely ignoring his presence.


    While Kothar waited for the herd to cross his path, Tam and the armies of Ursten had made a quick march to Janul, and were camped outside the town. Like Balin, Jalun was largely abandoned by the citizens, so the army had repurposed the city into a barracks and headquarters.


    "General Tam, my scouts await your orders." Baron Leynish stood outside in the door of the town hall which Tam had converted into a makeshift headquarters.


    Leynish was a short, wiry man, who wore a long mustache that he liked to keep waxed so that it stuck out at right angles to his face. He wore armor crafted out of the black scales of a large python, and his helmet was formed in the likeness of the same creature.


    Having seen only skirmishes with bandits in the north west, Leynish''s greatest battle had been with the beast who''s scales he wore as armor, and he made the most of it.


    "Baron, please have your men sweep east, with roving patrols to the north and south. We need to ensure the Kalun don''t sneak by us and attack Balin with their full strength." Tam stood over a massive wooden table, on which a map of Ursten and her neighbors lay. Tam outlined the route he wanted Leynish to take with a set of ivory markers.


    "Surely they won''t try such a gambit, if we found them, we''d crush them between us and the armies of Balin." Leynish pulled at his pointed mustache as he spoke, deep in thought.


    "No, they know well that Balin''s guard cannot leave the city, because of the threat Phintus poses from the east." Tam patiently explained.


    "What of your troops to the east, and the eastern lords?" Leynish continued to prod at Tam, not confident in the General''s abilities.


    "Without a campaign general, they''ll be hard pressed to fight a better organized force." Tam''s tone remained patient.


    "Of course, General. I will take my men and patrol the east now." Leynish gave Tam a shallow bow and backed out of the doorway.


    "He''s got a chip on his shoulder." A mellow voice seemed to speak from the deep shadows in the corner of the large hall.


    "I knew you wouldn''t abandon the kingdom." Tam replied, not flustered in the slightest.


    "You were always a hard one to scare." Simon stepped out of the shadows of the hall, he looked faded, like an old painting.


    "You''d have a better chance without that cloaking spell, I felt the mana of it the moment you climbed in through the window." Tam grinned at Simon.


    "Ophil know you''re here, she won''t be happy if she finds out after me." Tam added.


    "Of course, I''m not getting on the wrong side of my sister. I dropped by your tent earlier and spoke with her. You''ve sent Kothar south?" Simon raised an eyebrow, lounging against the poorly finished stone of the walls.


    "He''s more than capable, and I''d rather not have him making a name for himself on the battlefields just yet, it''s a good way to lose one''s head." Tam''s voice became downcast.


    "The Last Hawk." Simon murmured.


    "You know that''s not a name I like to be called." Tam frowned and gave Simon a glare..


    "Why not? Keep their memory alive, don''t bury it away." Simon met Tam''s glare with one his own.


    "This sigil is more than enough. I don''t want any young soldiers getting ideas about following in our footsteps." Tam patted the hawk emblazoned on his breastplate.


    "But it would inspire-" Simon began to explain, but Tam cut him off.


    "Enough. Now tell me, are you going to fight under my command or do whatever it is you do." Tam almost snapped at Simon, a hint of annoyance in his voice.


    "What do you need, general?" Simon said in a mocking tone, giving Tam a lazy salute.


    "For now, shadow Leynish, make sure he doesn''t do anything stupid. The man''s got something to prove." Tam pointed out the routes he had assigned Leynish.


    "And, if you get a chance, wreak some havoc in their ranks. They''re much too confident for my taste, remind the Kalun why exactly they fled from this town all those years ago." Tam added.


    "Of course, General. Anything for Ursten." Simon replied in the same mocking tone as before, a vicious grin on his face. While he wouldn''t abandon his friends and family, it didn''t mean he was pleased with being banished.


    "For Ursten.." Tam replied with a sigh, as Simon faded from view again, with only a small gust of wind signalling he had left the hall.

 Chapter 52 - Chain Of Command

    [Hey! Wake up!] Silane yelled out.


    Kothar shook himself awake, pulling hard on the reins, stopping short from plunging off the edge of a steep river bank. Two days of non-stop riding were beginning to take their toll, and he had fallen asleep in the saddle.


    His horse may have been fine after taking the leap into the dried up river bed below, but he would''ve taken quite the tumble. The territory of the Southern Tribes was crisscrossed with these riverbeds, some had a trickle of water flowing through the bottom, while others still flowed strong enough that there were makeshift bridges of stone laid across them.


    Kothar carefully steered his horse down the side of the bank, the dry red dirt crumbling away in thick clods.


    [Set up camp and rest for a day Kothar, if you keep pushing yourself at this rate you''ll send yourself galloping into a tree or worse, and there won''t be anyone to deliver Rotan''s message to Newport.] Silane advised Kothar, showing him that at his pace he could still outpace the Phintus Army''s arrival at Balin.


    [Okay, that tent Jonas packed will get some use after all.] Kothar looked around the featureless landscape for somewhere that might be suitable for a campsite. Unlike the rolling plains of Ursten, the dry grasslands of the Southern Tribes rarely varied in its topography.


    [I guess right here is as good as it gets.] Kothar dismounted his horse, his legs seizing up after so many hours in the saddle. He hobbled over to the saddlebags and removed them from the horse, removing the bedroll and tent as well. Within a short while, Kothar had set up a small but comfortable camp, and his horse munched from a feedbag, enjoying the break from a saddle on its back.


    The soft glow of the sunset lit the small camp with a cozy glow. Kothar settled into his bedroll, and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.


    Far to the northwest, tensions were rising in the Ursten army''s camp. A pair of voices were yelling in the makeshift headquarters, each trying to drown the other out.


    "You! How dare you? An exile, interfering with the chain of command in my troop!" Leynish yelled, his mustache askew, each side pointing off in a random direction, while his normally pale face was flushed with rage.


    "Chain of command? I could fart out more intelligent commands than you give!" Simon guffawed as he mocked Leynish, as the baron grew more enraged.


    "I saw an opportunity for ambush, and if you hadn''t ruined it all, we would be at an advantage right now!" Leynish''s voice grew even louder, if that was possible, Flecks of his spit sprayed the room.


    "You were leading your men on a suicide mission, what else did you expect me to do? Watch as you all rode to your certain death?" Simon yelled back, a faint smirk on his face, as if he was enjoying the argument.


    "You would, wouldn''t you! You goddamn traitor, no wonder you were banished! How in the world his majesty decided to trust lowborn, foreign scum like you for so long astounds me!" Leynish only grew more enraged at seeing Simon smiling in his face, and reached for the hilt of his shortsword.


    "Stop. Right. There." Tam''s voice, cold as ice, sliced through the room. An invisible pressure descended, and Leynish froze, sweat beading his forehead.


    "Ah, excuse me General, no offense to your wife at all. Lady Ophil is a veritable flower, a gem amongst the dirt of Newport. I meant no disrespect to her." An empty look appeared in Baron Leynish''s eyes, and he began to nervously rub his hands together.


    "While that was offensive, that wasn''t the issue. The two of you can yell at each other all you want, call each other names, curse each other, I don''t give a damn. But never, never draw your blade against a fellow soldier of Ursten." Tam leant forward as he drew out each word slowly, staring Leynish down as he spoke.


    "But General, technically he is banished, so he would not be consi-" Leynish began to mutter in protest.


    "My word is final. I''ll have no more insubordination from you, or I''ll have you stripped of your command. Understood?" Tam continued to stare at Leynish, as if daring him to say another word.


    The Baron Leynish, clad in the fine armor made of the great Stone Wyrm he had slain as a young man, only nodded in agreement, and slouched out of the barracks.


    "What were you thinking? Did you expect that to go any other way? You know that few of these nobles have seen real combat, and the slightest challenge to their manhood sets them afire." Tam said in an exasperated voice to Simon, who was nonchalantly examining an earthenware pot left behind by the previous occupants of the building.


    "Turned out a lot better than it could have, we still have our only scout troop until reinforcements arrive, and one of our precious nobles isn''t dead." Simon spoke matter-of-factly to Tam.


    "There was no need to call him a ''pea-brained-idiot'' in front of his men, though, was there?" Tam asked, struggling not to laugh at imagining how Leynish must have looked while hearing that.


    "No, but I figured I was polite enough in saving his a***. Besides, those men know he''s a fool, they all served his father, and he was a fine commander." Simon said defensively.


    "I can see this isn''t going to go anywhere. How about staying out of his sight for the time being, get me some real intel on what''s going on at the Kalun encampment while you''re at it."


    Tam watched as Simon paced around the room, clearly still agitated.


    "Alright, sorry Tam. I can''t stand some of these smug idiots, Rotan knew they were ready to throw their lot in with Kultas the moment he beat you, but I''m the one he banishes?" Simon shook his head in disgust.


    Tam remained silent, as memories of a younger Kultas, bright, optimistic, not yet jaded by years of war, came unbidden to him.


    "Didn''t mean to rub a sore spot Tam, I''ll see myself out." Simon left, through the door this time, briskly heading off towards the Knaul camp.


    "Who would''ve thought?" Tam muttered to himself, reminiscing of days when he and Kultas had ridden together, with the Hawk Brigade.


    Kothar woke only after a few hours. The sky was completely dark, but the moon was shining and lit up the savannah with a cold light. Kothar packed up his small camp with a new energy, the short sleep had done wonders for him.


    His horse was rearing to go, it set off at an easy gallop, with no urging from Kothar. While it had gotten the opportunity to run far and fast in its life. Its genetics called for it to run on and on, and the plains awakened something in it, and it sped across the landscape.


    [We''ve headed far enough South, we should bear southeast from now on.] Silane informed Kothar, after they had ridden through much of the night and the sun began to peek out behind the sparse clouds that lay along the horizon.


    Kothar didn''t respond, rather he gave the reins a slight touch, and the horse immediately responded. He was growing to enjoy riding such a magnificent beast, and it reminded him of the creatures he had often played with as a child, in the biomes that had been his playground and his classroom.


    Kothar drank in the wide open spaces of the savannah and breathed in deeply, enjoying the crisp cool air of the early morning. He had seen his fair share of beautiful planets on his many missions in his previous life, but had he visited Eclat, it still would''ve been remarkable in its own right. The distances he had covered were typically a quarter of a continent, but Avn'' Dur had said he was on a mere island.


    A cloud of rapidly moving dust on the horizon stirred him from his thoughts. He steered his horse away from it, intending to avoid whatever it was, but even as he spurred his horse on and veered away, the cloud turned to follow.


    There were no valleys or forests to hide here, and not wanting to tire his horse out unnecessarily, he decided top steer towards it for a close look.


    As he drew closer, and the cloud sped towards him, he saw that it was a lone rider on a tall, tan colored horse, with a group of horses on leads all in tow. The rider was dressed in colorful patchwork quilted armor, and wore a tall helm that was draped in a white cloth, presumably to keep the heat off.


    "Rhuey!" A high pitched voice called out.


    [Initiating translation. I believe the rider wants you to stop.] Silane said in the robotic voice she used when carrying out automatic funtions.


    [I think I gathered that, thanks for the help though, Silane.]


    Kothar drew to a stop, and the rider gradually slowed to a stop nearby him.

 Chapter 53 - Rana

    "What is your business here foreigner?" The stranger asked Kothar.


    "I''m a traveler, going south." Kothar responded in the common tongue of the north, keeping an eye on the stranger''s heavy bow.


    "You know our tongue. Yet you cannot speak it. Strange." The stranger responded in the common tongue, speaking with a thick accent.


    "Forgive me, I am Kothar of Balin. Seeking to travel to Newport." Kothar said politely.


    "Rana, of the Crow. " The stranger returned to speaking the tongue of the Southern Tribes. She removed her helmet, revealing a thick braid of black hair, with silver trinkets woven in throughout the braid. She had thick brows and a tall, proud nose, she looked crow-ish, which was apt given the name of her tribe. Rana''s braid tinkled a melody as she shook it out from the coil it had been in under her helmet.


    "Please excuse my trespassing of your land." Kothar said apologetically, wanting to be on his way.


    "My land? You may understand our tongue, but not our ways. How can the land that provides for us all be owned." Rana shook her head at him, sending the trinkets into song again. She spurred her horse forward, coming to a stop alongside Kothar.


    "You may travel as you wish, but leave that horse behind. I wish to have it." Rana reached toward the reins, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    "That''s not happening." Kothar jerked the reins away, sending his horse scrambling away from Rana.


    "But you are weak. I know this, all northerners are weak as children. You have only a few great warriors, while the rest of you hide in your walled villages." Rana sounded genuinely confused, her brow furrowed.


    "I think I can." Kothar said, struggling not to laugh at her, she seemed no older than he was, and he had the experience of over a hundred years of interstellar combat on his side.


    "We shall see." Rana said cooly, drawing her longbow and sending a flaming arrow screaming at Kothar, all in one smooth motion.


    Fortunately, Kothar had seen Rana channel the mana to her hands before she fired the arrow off, which gave him more than enough time to draw his sword and deflect the arrow.


    Red and blue sparks sprayed through the air as Kothar''s crackling sword and Rana''s arrow made contact, it was a beautiful sight, but neither of them had time to appreciate it, as they both prepared to attack the other.


    Kothar simply pointed his sword forward, sending a few bolts of lightning flying toward Rana, who responded by conjuring a wall of flames in between them, which slowly rolled forwards towards Kothar.


    The elemental mana within the wall of flame obscured Rana even from Kothar''s enhanced vision, and Kothar noticed that even as he rode away from the flames they curved and turned to follow him, Rana was at the very least at the Beginner level.


    The wall of flames died down, revealing Rana, who had left her group of horses behind and rode along the wall of flames, now a fair distance from Kothar.


    Rana arms and bow shone with a dull red glow, and she had nocked three arrows to her bow. The arrows began to spiral with flame and the glow grew brighter and brighter.


    [She''s reinforcing her body with mana as well as covering the arrows with flame.] Silan highlighted the likely trajectory of the arrows for Kothar, who began to channel two portals simultaneously in response. This would be his first time trying to do this.


    Screeeee. Rana let the arrows loose, and they flew towards Kothar, following him as he tried to navigate away from them. The arrows left a trail of fire in the air, criss crossing each other''s paths as they flew. However, they flew straight once they had crossed half the distance between the pair, but Kothar was determined to return these arrows.


    Kothar came to stop, and turned towards the arrows. A quiet, distorted sound rang out through the air. A pair of dull purple portals appeared in the air, the first facing the arrows, the other next to it, facing back to Rana.


    Rana stared dumbfounded as her arrows smoothly flew into the portal and out the other portal, screaming back toward her.


    Kothar grinned, and began to channel a Bolt Barrage, it would be more than enough to at least scare Rana off, if not defeat her,


    "Stop! Enough, you''ve proved your prowess!"Rana yelled out, sending her horse prancing across the landscape, dodging the first two arrows, and blocking the last one with a short spear.


    "Guess northerners aren''t so weak after all." Kothar grinned and rode toward Rana.


    "Now, can I be on my way?" Kothar said as he rode past, evidently not asking.


    "Go. But the next time we meet, I''ll be stronger, and I''ll be ready for that strange magic of yours." Rana''s voice rose as she yelled out as Kothar rode away, his mind focused on his mission.


    [I wonder why we don''t do the same in Ursten, utilizing Warrior type reinforcement spells and Mage spells together?] Kothar asked Silane.


    [I think it would hinder your progress in mana control, you''d be splitting your time between two massively different styles of mana manipulation, and it''d be hard to master either of them.] Silane added her informational graphics to her explanation, which had grown into a habit for her.


    [It definitely creates an advantage in the early stages, though. Most other beginner mages would have been toast after those arrows. I don''t think a beginner could cast a defense spell strong enough to block those.] Kothar mused, as they sped across the plains, leaving Rana far behind.


    As Kothar continued his journey across the plains, Simon had snuck deep into the Kalun encampment, not using any of his Thief abilities, rather using the innate stealth that he had developed over many years of training.


    In his dark clothing, he looked like a liquid shadow that flowed from one dark corner to another.


    Tonight, his target was Minister Bata, who oversaw communication for the massive invasion army, and doubled as one of their strategists.


    His tent was only guarded by a lone Kalun guard, who wore a simple moon shape curved sword on his belt. Since his tent was so deep within the encampment, the Kalun army entrusted that their regular patrols would be more than enough to take care of any spies.


    With their more skilled soldiers feeling for any fluctuations in mana that would give up a skilled Thief.


    Unfortunately for them, not only was Simon a Thief by profession, he had grown up breaking into the finest manors in Newport, so he was more than capable of getting by without a cloaking spell.


    Simon looked to the guard, who, unlike most soldiers awarded a cushy job for the evening, was alert and on guard, scanning the surroundings constantly.


    Simon decided to use one of his older tricks, one that had lured many an unsuspecting victim.


    He began to make small squeaks, which eerily sounded exactly like a mouse, and scratched at the boxes he was hiding amongst with one of his short blades.


    It took a few moments for the soldier to notice the noise, which was faint enough that he wouldn''t suspect it to be a genuine distraction.


    "*****. Bloody mice, if this keeps up we''ll die of starvation before we battle the Ursten." The soldier muttered angrily, and began to creep quietly toward the boxes.


    Simon tilted his head, listening carefully for the guard''s footsteps. The guard slowed as he drew closer, trying desperately to be as quiet as possible, so as not to scare the mice eating their precious rations.


    "Huh?" The soldier stared down behind the crates, seeing Simon crouched below, giving the soldier a nasty grin. Shlick. Simon''s short curved blade quickly dispatched the poor guardsman. Simon caught him as he fell, leaning him down where he himself had been hiding.


    He took the dagger from the guard''s belt, and stalked toward Mister Bata''s tent.


    The tent was expansive, enough for 10 men to sleep in, and was lit brightly with a multitude of lamps, magic and oil both. Creating a mix of warm oil light and the cooler light from mana crystals.


    Minister Bata''s silhouette was clearly visible, he was a small portly man and was hunched over a desk, scribbling away, The scratching of his quill audible from outside the tent.


    Simon quietly slipped inside the tent, and paused for a moment, shocked by the sheer opulence within the tent. There were flagons of wine, pastries, strings of sausage and large pieces of cold cuts on a long table on one side of the tent. Bata even had an entire bed and a wardrobe within his tent, while most commanders enjoyed some privileges, this was outright ridiculous. The rest of the tent was carpeted with thick, heavy rugs, which were strewn with papers, scribbled with a dense script.


    Simon, stepping around the mess of papers throughout the tent, crept toward Minster Bata, who remained unaware, and continued to scribble away at the sheet of paper in front of him.

 Chapter 54 - Bata

    Minister Bata began to hum a tune to himself, as he worked away at the sheets before him. From where Simon was standing, he appeared to be drawing some kind of map, but it wasn''t a location that he was familiar with.


    Simon crept closer, holding the guard''s dagger ready. He wanted to stir as much confusion as possible within the Kalun ranks, and a possible traitor would only add to that.


    Bata hummed away, even as Simon stood right behind, ready to take his life. Only a muffled yelp escaped from his lips, as Simon covered his mouth while he quietly dispatched his target.


    Simon tipped the chair back, careful not to let Bata''s blood stain any of the documents, any one of them might be the key to defeating Kalun. As he looked through them, Simon became increasingly confused.


    All of the documents were in some illegible scrawl that matched no code or cipher that he was aware of. There appeared to be no discernible pattern to any of the papers, and the maps were even worse, Simon was impressed by how thorough Bata was in establishing his codes.


    Countless twangs sounded out from around the Minister''s tent, Simon leapt high up into the air, as the space below him became a storm of death. Countless crossbow bolts flew through the tent, reducing the fine furniture within to splinters, and tearing everything else to shreds.


    With a series of dull thunks, a few stray bolts lodged into Simon, in his calf, back and shoulder. Though none of them were reinforced, they would be an annoyance, especially if he had to fight his way out of the Kalun encampment. They had known he was coming.


    "Come on Simon! You would murder an imbecile in cold blood!" A shrill voice called out from outside the tent. Simon only crouched silently within the tent, casting a cloaking spell and hoping none of the warriors outside were mana sensitive enough to pin him down.


    "I know you''re still alive in there, there''s no way a trap like that could''ve taken you out. I''ve kept a long list of your many achievements. This doesn''t have to be so difficult, Simon, just come on out and let us clap these manacles on you." The shrill voice continued to screech out, as alarm bells rang out throughout the camp.


    Simon resigned himself to his fate, if the whole camp was looking for him, it was unlikely he would make it out alive. Furious, at his own carelessness and the Kalun''s deception, Simon grit his teeth and drew his blade, leaping out from the doorway of the tent, straight at the soldiers surrounding him.


    "He''s making a break for it." The shrill voice screamed, and a portly man with a remarkable resemblance to the man who had been within the tent, leapt through the air, twirling a massive halberd. The man swung, screeching even as he did so, aiming for where he could feel Simon''s mana fluctuations.


    Not only did the resulting attack cleave the dirt, it killed or incapaciated many of the soldiers that had been guarding the tent.


    "You thought you could kill me!" The real Bata screamed, absolutely furious, he had lost any semblance of rationality.


    Simon ignored Bata''s screams and darted through the maze of the encampment, ducking through tents and under wagons, to avoid the groups of soldiers running about in search of the intruder.


    Bata''s was like a banshee, as he wailed and screeched in pursuit of Simon, destroying entire tents and ignoring the pleas of the soldiers all around him.


    "Bata! Enough!" A loud voice boomed across the encampment. An orange meteor rushed through the air, exploding to a stop in front of Bata.


    An enormous man stepped out of the small crater he had left behind, clad in a burning orange aura, the man unsheathed the massive greatsword from his back, blocking Bata from continuing his rampage.


    "Get out of my way, Rulaad!" Bata screamed at the bronze skinned man who towered over him.


    "Bata. You''re of no use to anyone when you work yourself into a rage. Stand down." Rulaad said firmly. His face was scarred and his nose was crooked, he had the face of a street brawler.


    "He tried to kill me. I''ll kill him! I''ll kill him!" Bata screamed again and again. Rulaad dismissed the surrounding soldiers with a wave of his hand. Talking quietly to Bata in an attempt to calm him from his rage. THe pair of them stood amongst a pile of wreckage, a massive glowing giant of a man comforting a small round man clutching a halberd like it was a teddy bear. It was an odd sight, to say the least.


    Meanwhile, Simon had made it a fair distance from the Kalun, and limped through the barren ground of the borderlands. The bolts hadn''t penetrated very deep, but Bata had covered them in some sort of numbing agent, and if Simon hadn''t been the seasoned thief that he was, the bolts would have left him twitching on the ground within the Kalun encampment.


    Simon snuck through the Ursten soldiers camp, the camp was aa hive of activity, all the soldiers were rushing to and fro, it almost mirrored the scene at the Kalun camp.


    A sinking feeling in his stomach, Simon rushed towards the town hall that had served as the Ursten army''s headquarters.


    "Tam! What''s happened?" Tam stood within the room, a grim look on his face, Ophil, Leynish and a few other nobles joined him, with the same solemn look on their faces.


    "Balmin, they got Balmin?" Simon noticed the battlemage wasn''t present, and realised what had happened.


    "Our forces are stretched too thin, a few people noticed the mana fluctuations, but they didn''t realise what they meant until it was far too late." Tam explained, sitting Simon down.


    Simon sat down, speechless, burying his head in his hands. Not only had he failed hi own mission, if he had been back at the camp, he might''ve been able to prevent the attack.


    "We caught the assassin, but he had used a poisoned dagger, the poison was quite potent, it was enough to take out Balmin." Tam said quietly, his voice filled with quiet anger.


    "I take it your mission didn''t go as planned either?" Tam asked, noticing the damp spots of on Simon''s clothing, and the blood that had stained his hand as he guided Simon into the chair.


    "No. They knew I was coming. I took out a target, but it was nothing more than a decoy. It was a colossal waste of time." Simon said, frustrated.


    "The most damage done was by one of their own, that ******* Bata, he flew into a rage when he failed to kill me, and near destroyed half of their camp." Simon grimaced as he remembered the feeling of danger as Bata chased him, cleaving everything in his path.


    "He''ll be a terror to face on the battlefield, that''s for sure. I haven''t got a good feeling about this Tam." Simon looked absolutely despondent.


    "We must fight, Simon, this isn''t a skirmish on some remote outpost. We cannot fall back." Tam said with a finality, giving everyone gathered in the room a serious stare.


    As Kothar''s family and countrymen struggled with the loss of one of their most important captains, Kothar himself had made his way to the outskirts of the Duchy of Newport.


    Newport was a small state, most of the population lived in the city which gave the country its name. Both the Phintus federation and Newport had once been part of Ursten, when the nation had seen brighter days. The Phintus Federation was originally a group of merchants who had grown tired of paying the hefty taxes that each noble levied on them as they sent their goods throughout the city.


    Hiring themselves a small army, they had ousted one of the frontier lords, claiming his territory by right of conquest, and declaring themselves an independent state. At the time, Ursten had been in an extended war with the Southern Tribes, so the merchants had ample time to establish themselves, and soon developed ties with many kingdoms nearby, sheltering them from retribution.


    Newport had a longer history, while it had also been part of Ursten once, it had not been lost through conquest or any sort of conflict. Rather, the Duke of Newport had been an exceptional general, and fearing that his brother would usurp his throne, the King of Ursten at the time had decided to ''gift'' his brother independence and a region of remote, sparsely populated land.


    The Duke and his descendants after him had flourished, building a thriving port city, and to this day retained their title as the Duke of Newport, perhaps to remember their link with Ursten, or perhaps in memory of how the King of Ursten had effectively banished their forefather.


    In only a few hours, Kothar saw the thick dense cloud of smog rising from the distant city that Ophil had warned him of, and gradually the sprawling city came into sight.


    It was massive, far larger than any city that Kothar had seen so far, and sprawled across the coast.. Ships sailed to and from the city in the distance, and Kothar watched as a massive airship slowly rose up out of the cloud of smog that shrouded the city.

 Chapter 55 - The Duchy Of Newport

    The coastline curved out and around Newport, and the brown waters of the river flowing in from the southwest mixed in with the refuse cast off from the many ships that were moored in the bay.


    There were all kinds of ships within the harbor, some were wide bellied cargo ships that lay low in the water, others were tall, narrow and had an almost vicious look to them. Kothar even noted a ship towing the carcass of a sea beast, which they towed into the harbor behind them, the long coils of its carcass rolling sinisterly in the water behind them, with a spiked fin sometimes breaking the surface of the water.


    All the while, the duke''s black painted galleys patrolled the waters, slicing through the water as they watched to ensure no cargo or people left the ships without them being aware of it.


    Most of the houses within the city were built of mud bricks, which made it hard to distinguish where the reddish earth of the surrounding plains began and Newport ended. There were largely buildings of wood and stone, indicating the houses of wealthy merchants or businesses.


    Unlike many cities, Newport lacked a keep, rather, the Duke kept residence in a mansion of stone that was located on one side of the bay. The jam packed buildings of the coyote noticeably thinning out closer to the Duke''s mansion.


    This was where Kothar was headed, and he slowly rode into the city from the west gate, if it could even be called that. It was a wide street with a rusted and twisted metal gate which looked as if it hadn''t moved in the past twenty years.


    As he rode in, Kothar got many confused looks from passers by. Most visitors to the city came by ship, and those that came by road came by the north from the Phintus federation, or south from the Empire. It was rare to see anyone brave the barely visible dirt tracks and harsh landscape of the plains, and not only to that, to do that in order to come to Newport.


    AS he rode, Kothar noted the multitude of tongues being spoken in Newport, Silane had her hands full trying to translate the chatter from so many different people. For the first time, Kothar began to note that Newport did not have the same homogeneity in its people that Ursten did. There were tall slender people, covered in fine scales which would be barely noticeable, if not for the blue tinge to their skin and their webbed hands.


    [Mer!] Silane called out excitedly, she had been excited to see the unique biology of Eclat ever since Avn'' Dur had finished it.


    A Mer woman wearing a silk wrap, looked up from the greengrocer''s stall she was shopping at, and noticed Kothar''s curiosity. She gave him a toothy grin, revealing her mouth filled with hundreds of small pointed teeth.


    Kothar rode carefully, there were small Dwarfs and even smaller Gnomes, rushing about with their arms filled with blueprints or tools, he was so focused on stopping his horse from trampling one of the smaller people, that he almost rode into a hulking furred man.


    The man stood almost as high as the mud brick houses on either side of the streets, and he slowly walked onwards, his massive leather boots creating an audible thump with every step.


    "Watch your horse there, young lad." The booming voice sounded out.


    "Oh, sorry! Excuse me." Kothar apologized and pulled on the reins. His eyes slowly travelled upwards, coming to a stop at the Ogre''s broad face, framed by his thick black hair and even thicker sideburns and eyebrows.


    "No problem, you look surprised. Have you not seen an Ogre before?" The Ogre spoke slowly, carefully shaping the words of the Ursten language, which was also spoken in Newport, given their shared heritage.


    "No, I haven''t, sorry for any offense." Kothar tensed up, in case the Ogre decided to attack.


    "Ha ha ha. You''re alright, young man. So long as you don''t gather up some friends to pelt me with stones, I won''t be offended even if you stare at me all day long." The Ogre had an odd laugh, making a loud settled barking sound.


    "Just keep your eyes up ahead of you, you won''t trample any Dwarves on that horse of yours, they''re nimble creatures and tiptoed about them would be a disservice to them." The Ogre added, before turning away and continuing on his slow journey through the city.


    [Silane! Why didn''t you warn me?} Kothar called out, confused.


    [Sorry Kothar, I''ve got my hands full with trying to translate all these languages, and even though I''ve seen so much alien biology before, it''s strange how there are so many different humanoids here.] Silane sounded almost excited, with all the new sights and new information she could gather.


    [Yes, but aren''t you a super computer. This isn''t something that should give you trouble?] Kothar asked her, a worried tone creeping into his voice.


    [Mmhmm. Yes. Sorry kothar, it seems that along with my newfound emotions, I can also become distracted. Don''t worry, it won''t happen during a battle.] Silane reassured Kothar, before going silent as she returned to her curious examination of their surroundings.


    The ride to the Duke''s mansion was uneventful, and both Kothar and Silane were immersed in taking in the sights of all the unique people in Newport, seeing stranger and stranger individuals.


    Occasionally, they would notice an individual that looked like one of the alien races on their home plane, and Silane would document them for further investigation, since any link to home, however tenuous, had to be investigated.


    Kothar dismounted from his horse outside a promising inn, and pulled the finery that Jonas had packed for him from his saddlebags. The innkeeper was happy to show him to the baths, especially for a customer with Ursten gold.


    Washing the grime from his long journey, Kothar mulled over what he might say to the Duke, and how their meeting would go.


    Once he was ready, and dressed in the finely embroidered dark blue tunic with the bear of Ursten picked out in silver thread across the front. Kothar continued his journey to the mansion, ignoring the innkeeper''s pleas to book a room for the night. The innkeeper had gotten a taste for Kothar''s gold and was eager to keep the free spending customer around.


    "State your business!" A dour face guard stopped Kothar as he rode up the paved rode that led to the low rise on one horn of the bay, where the duke''s mansion awaited.


    "I''ve come from Ursten, with a message for the Duke." Kothar said pompously, familiar with the kind of speech common to bureaucrats, ambassadors and politicians. He handed the guard a folded piece of paper, sealed with red wax with Rotan''s own seal..


    "Wait here." The guard looked to his companion, who nodded and fixed Kothar with a ansty glade. Meanwhile, the guard trotted off up the road to the mansion.


    Unlike the surroundings, the Duke''s mansion was surrounded in the vibrant green of bushes, trees and flowers. Kothar watched as servants walked about the gardens in the cool evening air, tending and watering the gardens.


    The mansion itself was as different to the rest of the city as the gardens were. It was reminiscent of the buildings in Balin, but tall windows and the wide open walls of the courtyard.


    Even the stone of the building was unique, using granite that resembled that of the keep in Balin, without the glowing threads of Magesteel within. All in all it made for a bizarre but beautiful sight, with many balconies and walkways about the higher floors.


    "Please, follow me, your lordship!" The guard called out as he returned in a hurry, sweating slightly in the salty, humid ocean air.


    Kothar rode up to the mansion, the rune inscribed doors wide open in welcome.


    "You can leave your horse with me, the Duke awaits you on the rooftop gardens, just make your way to the top of the staircase." The guard bowed slightly and took the reins.


    Kothar thanked him, and entered the mansion, immediately impressed by the airy foyer, which somehow had a cool breeze flowing through it.


    The staircase was directly ahead of him, and twisted up through the many floors of the mansion, which somehow was able to seem open and spacious while also feeling like a maze.


    Kothar passed floor after floor of curious sights, massive crystal sculptures, paintings of far off landscapes, and even spotted a multicolored furred creature peering at him while clutching a large fruit.


    At the very top of the stairs, a small door led to the rooftop garden, which Kothar pushed open slowly. The rooftop gardens were more impressive than those around the mansion, and Kothar breathed in, taking in the scent of flowers that reminded him of the springtime in Balin.


    There, at the edge of the rooftop, a tall man stood, in a heavy black cloak, with long silver hair that hung down his turned back.


    "Welcome to Newport, rat.." The man quietly murmured, before turning to face Kothar.

 Chapter 56 - Duke Anteris

    Kothar froze for a short moment, he hadn''t expected a grand welcome, but being called ''rat'' even before he had met the Duke face to face was unexpected.


    "You look surprised, rat. What else would I call the child of a thieving urchin, who cost me a fortune over the years that her and that damn brother of hers pilfered through this city?" The Duke''s voice was filled with vitriol, and his craggy brow creased up as he stared at Kothar with the piercing blue eyes that mirrored Kothar''s own.


    Kothar moved to respond, but an invisible pressure weighed down on him, this wasn''t the first time he had felt the pressure from a far more powerful individual, but it was the first time it was targeted at him.


    Kothar felt completely helpless, his own mana was sluggish and he struggled even to twitch a finger. He felt a sense of confusion, but then Silane began to talk, assuring him that she was still there, and his mind cleared.


    If not for SIlane, then perhaps he would now be laying on the ground with his mouth frothing. The Duke looked on in surprise as Kothar''s eyes cleared, and he stared back at him, as if he were staring into the eyes of his reflection.


    "I see you have some spine, it would be hard not to, with parents like yours." The Duke''s voice lightened, and the pressure eased off.


    "Take a seat." The Duke gestured to a small table, with two rickety wooden chairs next to it, nestled amongst a few fragrant bushes that absolutely buzzed with tiny birds that flitted from one flower to the next.


    [What the hell was that about, what a senile old jerk! Beat his a**.] Silane yelled out.


    [I think that was some kind of weird test. Let''s see if we can get him to help Ursten before we die trying to fight this old freak.]


    Kothar calmed Silane down, it was a strange feeling, the AI being emotional while he had to be the rational one in this situation.


    Kothar followed the Duke to the rickety old table, the table carved with runic designs but showed no apparent mana fluctuations. It was a strange thing to be sure.


    "Kothar of Balin, I await your guidance." Kothar gave the Duke an elaborate bow, greeting him in the Ursten custom, as was appropriate for an elder relative.


    "Anteris of Newport, well met." Anteris gave the appropriate response.


    "I can guess why you''ve come, but I''ll let you explain." Anteris'' permanent frown had softened and he almost resembled an older, darkly tanned Tam.


    "I''ve come to ask for your assistance in Urtsen''s battle against the Phintus Federation, if you could threaten their southern border and coast, they would be forced to retreat and would free us to send our full forces against Kalun." Kothar had a solemn look on his face, his tone respectful without being pleading.


    Duke Anteris stared at Kothar for a moment, before he began to laugh, wheezing and slapping his knee, tears welling up in his eyes.


    "You want me to what?" Anteris caught his breath as he wheezed out, still recovering from his fit of laughter.


    "Here''s what Rotan is willing to offer." Kothar ignored the Duke''s mockery and handed him the sealed scroll.


    The Duke took the scroll, picking up the small paring knife set next to the array of exotic fruits on the table, deftly cracking the wax open.


    He read slowly, shaping the words with his mouth, as if unfamiliar with the written script of Balin. After reading the long missive from Rotan, he furrowed his brow.


    "This is an extraordinary offer. Offering to reinstate me as royalty of Ursten, that is what my forefathers yearned for. This mansion, you must have realized as you came, it started as nothing more than a shrine to a home that abandoned us." Duke Anteris'' voice choked with emotion and his eyes glistened in the twilight.


    "The flowers we painstakingly grew in this harsh climate, to remind us of the smell of our city, this entire building, made to echo our ancestral home." Tears dripped down the furrows in his wrinkled old face.


    Kothar leant forward, now hopeful, eager to hear Anteris confirm his allegiance.


    "To tempt me with our hearts'' greatest desire! After all these years! Now that Ursten is nothing more than a shell of her former self!" Anteris'' voice rose into a roar, his tears of sorrow becoming tears of pure, unfiltered rage. He tore up Rotan''s missive, and a puff of flame from his palm disintegrated them.


    "Tell me, boy, shall I pledge allegiance to a fallen kingdom, a kingdom whose incompetent fool of a king has lost the greatest army of the Northern kingdoms to desertation and the promise of gold. Rotan cannot even command loyalty from his own countrymen, and he expects me to throw my lot in with him!" Anteris had risen to his feet, and stood tell as he yelled in fury. He was a good head taller than Kothar, and he towered over Kothar who remained in his seat, afraid to set offthe senile duke.


    "Grand Admiral of Ursten? I bet the idiot expected me to build him all those ships too. The soft brained imbecile!" Anteris continued his tirade, slamming the intricate table, showering Kothar with splinters as it shattered.


    "Forgive me, I have become¡­ Irritable in my old age." Seeing the scraps of the table strewn around the garden, the duke collected himself, realizing he had flown into a rage.


    "Let us go to my study, I need a drink after the idiocy I read." Anteris walked off down the stairs, not waiting for Kothar to follow.


    Kothar followed Anteris down the winding staircase, only descending a couple floors before Anteris made his way to a door at the end of a short corridor. Opening up into a cozy study, which could have been plucked from any home in Balin. Comfortable upholstered chairs, shelves of books, a solid wood desk and what Anteris had come here for, a wall stacked with rows upon rows of liquor.


    Anteris took a crystal decanter from the wall and slumped into a chair, sipping at the bright orange liquid inside.


    "I would offer you some young lad, but it''d probably burn your insides. Literally." Anteris said as he exhaled a huge cloud of steam.


    "It''s the thought that counts." Kothar gave the old duke a smile, trying to keep the irascible old man calm.


    "Truth be told, I don''t believe your parents or even Rotan truly expected me to help Ursten. After all, why should I? Most of the greatest warriors, the true backbone of Ursten, fell in the war with the Southern Tribes. Ursten is now so weak that even those swamp dwellers are giving you trouble." Anteris sighed, the steam from his liquor casting the room into a haze, and the old duke sunk into the plush chair.


    "Then why send me here at all, they send me on this futile gallops across the plains for nothing?" Kothar blurted out, genuinely confused.


    "Bahahhahaha. Of course, a child would have no way to understand the sacrifice a parent is willing to make. They sent you away from the war, to a nation where you''d easily find safe harbor." Anteris had a sad look on his face as he spoke, the words stirring some deep memory of his.


    Kothar''s face flushed as he realized what had happened. Having lived a whole life without parents or children, with no family to speak of, how could he have know that his ridiculous ride across from Ursten to Newport was anything other than a hasty escape.


    He had immediately shifted into the mindset of Commander Kothar of the Alliance, excited to be carrying out a key mission. But here, on this world, he was nothing more than a strong teen with strange ideas about training and weaponry, at least, that''s what he was to his parents.


    "There you have it, kid. Now don''t go bawling your eyes out in front of me, you''ll ruin my drink. Look at it this way, me declaring my allegiance to Ursten now, at their weakest point, would be like jumping on a burning ship that''s half sunk. It''s nothing personal, no matter what resentment we held against Ursten in the past." Anteris gave Kothar a sad smile, looking on as his distant relative had a look of shock and horror on his face.


    "You must have spies, right?" Kothar spoke again after a long pause, a confused jumble of emotions, struggling to handle the fact that he had just fled so willingly from his family.


    "You want to know how they''re all doing?" Anteris asked gently, now a little tipsy, slurring his words slightly.


    Kothar only nodded, his eyes glazed over, his thoughts still with his family.


    "The last report I got said that soon enough the two armies would be marching on each other, neither army can afford to stay out by Janul for so long. My guess is that if the battle will be soon, it could even be happening now." Anteris'' voice dropped to a soft murmur, his face hidden by the haze that now surrounded dhim.


    "I''m sorry lad.." Anteris muttered, in his slurred voice.

 Chapter 57 - The End Of...

    Only a faint light lit the cracked earth that stretched out between the two armies, it was noon, but the sky was covered in a thick blanket of dark clouds, the faint rumble of thunder in the distance.


    Leynish had ridden into the center of Janul early that day, yelling about how the Kalun were preparing to ride out. Instantly, a hush had spread through the town turned military camp. Only broken by Tam''s voice echoing out from the town hall, commanding the army to prepare to march out.


    As he issued commands to the gathered nobles and platoon commanders, Tam realized how dependent he had become on his lieutenants over the years. Now with Serena, Boson and Balmin absent, he struggled to put together a formation he was confident in.


    The Ursten rode out slowly, a shadow over their heads, their eyes downcast and their shoulders slumped. While Tam had the confidence of his men and the remnants of Kultas'' army, the soldiers commanded by the nobles lacked conviction in their own leaders.


    They were the sons of what had been the generation of the greatest warriors that Ursten had ever seen, but few of them had even seen the faces of their fathers, so many had died in the war against the Southern Tribes.


    The Kalun now visible in the dim light, clustered far across the plains, Tam called a halt, he needed to rouse the spirits of these soldiers, or the battle was already lost. He signalled to Shale and Slate, who now led the battlemages afters Balmin''s death.


    "Men and Women of Ursten!" Tam stood on the column of earth that the twins had raised up, his sword unsheathed.


    Tam''s soldiers roared back, all too familiar with Tam''s habits. Kultas''s men also joined in, with a few scattered cries coming from the noblemen''s forces.


    "I''ll not sugarcoat things or lie to you. We are in dire straits. Winning this battle could be the difference between an Ursten tomorrow or the end of our kingdom as we know it." Tam spoke solemnly, his voice clearly audible to the thousands of men gathered before him.


    The already gloomy faces of many of the men became even darker disheartened by Tam''s words.


    "That is why, we have no choice but to be victorious. We must crush the Kalun! We must grind them to a dust, for behind us lies our kingdom, and our people and our families, and all that we hold dear!" Tam roared out, his voice shaking the very air as his voice boomed out, audible even to the Kalun who were gathered far to the west.


    The answering shouts from the Ursten were far louder than any Tam had experienced, the soldiers had been reminded of what truly was at stake and a new fire kindled in their eyes.


    "Even if we are all slain to the last man, we shall take the Kalun with us!" Tam yelled at the top of his lungs, not only to rouse his men, but also to intimidate the Kalun.


    The answering shout was so loud that it drowned out the booming thunder in the clouds that rolled over the battlefield. Hearing the resolve of the Ursten, the soldiers of Kalun looked to Bata and Rulaad, who were on horseback at the forefront of the army.


    "Didn''t the council say they''d fold like butter." Rulaad muttered under his breath to Bata.


    "I expected Tam to ride east, since the Phintus would be no real threat if he were present, but we can deal with this. We have the numbers and the mages." Bata gestured back to the far larger army at their backs and at their newly hired battlemages.


    Rulaad stared across the battlefield at the now rowdy Ursten forces, thinking of how he would crush them.


    The two armies began to march, slowly creeping across the broad plane, chanting to keep pace and their spirits. Tam rode at the head of the army, with Ophil far to the rear, joining the battlemages. The wings were held by Leynish and Simon, SImon taking a small group of archers with him in an effort to fill the gap left by Serena''s absence.


    The two armies were now so near to each other, that the soldiers could stare right into the wide-eyed staring eyes of their enemies, close enough to make out the faint lines on the face of the person they would soon be locked in mortal combat.


    "Charge!" Tam yelled out, his heavy cavalry following behind him, trying to split the Kalun forces in two.


    Leynish circled round the left flank, more confident now that he had fought in many small skirmishes in the past few days. His men followed him, proud of the growth their Baron had shown, cutting a smooth arc, aiming for the battlemages in the rear.


    The first of the spells began to sail across the battlefield, the dark gloom of the overcast sky was banished by the bright light of entire carpets of flame, that began as compact fireballs, unwrapping in midair to fall amongst the charging soldiers.


    Screams filled the air as some soldier succumbed to the magic, others escaping and tearing into the opposing forces.


    A tornado ripped through the Kalun, sending rows upon rows of soldiers flying. Massive spells flew back and forth, and the air was filled with noise, fireballs exploding, ice spears shattering, the keening sound of wind blades and the clatter of clashing steel.


    It was not long before the careful formations of the front lines fell apart, devolving into a melee. The enraged Ursten warriors had the upper hand, Tam''s charge lending them momentum, as they pierced deep into the Kalun, driving their army in two, more and more men rushing in to split their forces further, creating a massive wedge in between them.


    Gerard, freed alongside the rest of Kultas'' men, was engaged in a fierce battle with a young woman, who wielded a long-bladed spear, the pair of them darting to and from across the battlefield, faster and faster, each trying to outstrip the other.


    Gerard shot blades of wind at his opponent, who returned them with force emission slashes, matching his every move. An errant slice from the spear cut off a long section of Gerard''s long hair, he responded by sending a blade cutting towards the woman''s ponytail.


    She simply flicked her hair out the way, and shot him a raised eyebrow, before sending a flurry of stabs in his directions.


    Meanwhile, Simon had led his small contingent of archers away from the battlefield, stationing them a fair distance from the melee, then sending flurries of arrows amongst the Kalun forces before fleeing from the ensuing counterattack.


    Tam had ripped a massive gash in the Kalun forces in the short while the battle had been raging, and had gained Ursten the upperhand. Now, Rulaad and Bata leapt across the battlefield to intercept him, otherwise the battle would be lost.


    The two of them grunted as they entered Tam''s pressure, slowing down visibly and exerting themselves to continue towards him. They attacked from either side, Bata sweeping his halberd towards Tam''s feet and Rulaad swinging his heavy flaming sword directly at Tam''s head.


    Tam ignored the pair of them, leaping forward to decimate the Kalun army further, knowing the longer he kept at it, the better chance his men would have to secure victory.


    "You! Stand your ground and fight!" Bata sputtered in disbelief at the man who ignored the warriors after him and only continued to slice through the cannon fodder of their army.


    "I''ve got this Bata." Rulaad called out, sending a massive flaming slash flying at Tam''s men who followed behind him.


    Instantly, Tam dashed to block the blow, dissipating the slash and staring furious at Rulaad, cutting quite the sight in his dark blue armor.


    "Come on then." Tam called out to the two of them, who instantly leapt at him, attacking with all their might.


    As the battle raged on, the battlemages continued to send spells flying across the battlefield. Slate and Shale had created ramparts of earth to defend the mages. While Ophil sent glowing seeds arcing through the air, landing amongst the rear of the Kalun army, erupting into bursts of thorny vines and suffocating twists of solid wood.


    Her face fell, as she saw Tam locked in combat with Rulaad and Bata.


    "Those dogs. They''re aiming for the soldiers!" Ophil yelled furiously, realizing that the pair had realized that they were no match for Tam''s speed, and had to force him to take their attacks.


    She took off at a run, heading deep into the struggling mass of humanity at the center of the battlefield. Vines whipped around her as she struck down any Kalun soldier who was naive enough to attack her.


    Nearing Bata and Rulaad, she prepared her Vine Prison spell, to lock the pair down. A mass of tangled vines formed between her hands and she sent it flying towards Rulaad, who was in midair, leaping to avoid a slash from Tam.


    Instantly, she prepared another, to cast at Bata, looking around for him, he was nowhere to be seen.


    As Rulaad was entangled by a massive nest of vines, Tam realized that Ophil must be near, and looked around, his eyes wide in horror as he saw Bata with his halberd raised above her, a malevolent grin on his face.


    "No!" Tam let out a tortured scream, filled with anguish.. The halberd swung down, as if in slow motion, and Tam rushed to save his wife.

 Chapter 58 - The Last Hawk

    Warning:This chapter contains gore and violence, skip down to the ********* if you would like to avoid it.


    Tam was the fastest person on the battlefield, but even he couldn''t outrun a swinging halberd. He watched as the Bata''s halberd cut down into Ophil''s shoulder, sending a spout of blood into the air.


    Right up until the impact, Ophil still had a focused look on her face, not realizing that the enemy she was looking for was right behind her. Ophil''s torso had been torn, nearly in half and she desperated channeled her mana to try and heal herself.


    The damage was far too great, and her spell failed. Tam let out an inhuman wail, looking at his soulmate bleeding out at Bata''s feet.


    Seeing Tam''s reaction, Bata cackled loudly and sped away, regrouping with Rulaad. Tam knelt beside Ophil, cradling her head gently, and looked into her eyes. She gave Tam a weak smile and tried to speak to him.


    No sound came from her mouth, she could only gurgle and blood bubbled from her mouth. Tam held onto her as the light faded from her eyes, the raging sounds of the battlefield and the flashing of spells faded away for him, and all he could see was the light slowly fading from Ophil''s warm brown eyes.


    The same eyes he had gazed into for hours on end, the same eyes that had peered out at him from beneath a ratty hood in Newport and those same eyes that had brimmed with tears when their son had been born.


    Ophil was gone.


    Meanwhile, Rulaad and Bata had taken the opportunity to viciously tear into the rapidly advancing Ursten soldiers, slaying them in droves, swatting away their futile counterattacks.


    The tide of the battle began to turn, and Bata''s cackles filled the field as the Kalun swarmed into the gap and began to push the Ursten back.


    "Grrrrraaaaaaghhh!" A bestial scream sounded out, Ophil was dead, but Tam came to senses from his grief, realizing her killer was still alive, charged at Rulaad and Bata ignoring the rushed attacks they sent flying at him.


    Tam''s armor took the brunt of their blows, Rulaad''s greatsword glancing off his shoulder and slicing into it. Tam grabbed his greatsword tightly, and gave it a yank, sending the Kalun commander flying towards him.


    Tam''s sword sliced through the air, and blood sprayed wildly over Tam and Bata, as Rulaad''s now decapitated head tumbled through the air. Immediately, Tam turned to face Bata, a cold look in his eyes, but the portly man had already fled, before his companions head even hit the ground.


    *********


    As Bata fled, he looked back, looking to see if Tam was far behind. Tam was nowhere in sight. Bata couldn''t believe his luck and continued to run, deep into the Ursten ranks, looking to use an Ursten soldier as a human shield.


    Soldiers began to call out in amazement, squinting up above the Ursten ranks, calling out to each other.


    "The last hawk!" Tam''s men began to chant, and Bata looked above and saw Tam. He flew far above him, a glowing blue aura in the shape of a hawk with wings outstretched around him.


    The hawk dove down, aiming for Bata, who started up in shock; very few individuals of the advanced rank could fly. Before Bataa could even move to respond, Tam''s sword stabbed through his chest pinning the minister to the ground of the battlefield.


    Bata screamed in anguish but Tam swiftly dispatched him, having no taste for torture. Others would have their time to kill their wife''s murderer, but Tam was not one of them.


    Utilizing the short while left for his Hawk Aura, Tam flew into the air, charging at the Kalun forces, who began to scream and flee at the sight of the glowing hawk flying through the air toward them.


    The Ursten followed Tam''s advance, charging at the Kalun, and the battle was decided as the Kalun, losing both theri commanders to one man, turned tail and began to retreat.


    Far from where the battle was taking place, in the city of Newport, Kothar was in a heated argument with the Duke.


    "Kothar, listen to me lad. You''ll make little to no difference on the battlefield, and the battle has likely already been decided." Anteris said coolly, they were in his study again, and Kothar was protesting what was technically a house arrest that he had been under, since Anteris was worried Kothar would go rushing back to Ursten.


    "They''ll need me, my parents are on the battlefield and every little bit counts on the battlefield." Kothar argued back, ticked off that Duke Anteris was so much more powerful than he was, that all it took was a mere bit of pressure from him to stop him in his tracks.


    "You''ll only make them only more vulnerable, family is a liability on the battlefield Kothar. Believe me, I would know." Duke Anteris'' eyes misted up, and he took a huge gulp of the orange colored liquor that he favored.


    [He''s completely right Kothar, What''s come over you? You know this isn''t rational, you''re being driven only by emotions.] Silane murmured softly to Kothar, she had never seen him act so impulsively, it seemed to her that he had really accepted Ophil and Tam as his family, and to be fair, she had grown some attachment to them as well.


    Kothar sat silent, mulling over what might be happening at the Ursten-Kalun border. When the scientist had augmented him, they had also pumped him full of chemicals that dulled his emotions, and now that he was in the body of a hormonal teen, he struggled with his impulses.


    Sometimes, he would think back to some of the things he had done like going off into the FIdour mountains alone, which was completely reckless and the cool calculated Commander Kothar would never have done.


    Slowly but surely, Kothar was changing, and SIlane along with him. Not only was Eclat a different world, bt the life he had lived here was almost richer and felt more vibrant than the life he had lived amongst the Alliance, since he was no longer required to be a cold, calculated machine of war.


    "Alright Duke Anteris, I''ll stay as long as you deem necessary. But please, keep me updated on any news from Ursten." Kothar said finally, after giving the topic much thought.


    "Agreed! Now, why don''t you make use of the ridiculous collection of odd books and treasures my forefathers and I have accumulated after many years. You may find something of interest to you." Anteris reclined back into his chair, took a big slurp of his liquor.


    "I think I''ll do that now." Kothar was eager to get away from Anteris, as Anteris grew drunker, he would ramble on and on, regardless of whether anyone was actually listening to him.


    Last night, Kothar had been sucked into a particularly long-winded tale about a strange crab that Anteris had found while stranded on a remote island. Most people would have told a story about their stranding and rescue, but Anteris, drunk as he was, chose to drone on about how he was sure the crab was communicating to him with the waving of its claws. As Kothar left, followed by the pair of armed guard who would alert the entire guard if Kothar attempted to escape.


    Anteris watched the door long after it had shut, staring at it. Lost in thought.


    "I''ll have to keep him here. He''ll be perfect.." Anteris muttered to himself, a dribble of orange liquid trailing down his chin, dripping onto his shirt and burning a smoldering hole in it.

 Chapter 59 - The Fragment

    The libraries of Anteris'' mansion were amongst the strangest and most convoluted that Kothar had seen. He had seen many magical and enchanted places during his time on Eclat, but the mansion was by far the strangest.


    There were haphazard runes places on every corner, and when Kothar looked for flows of mana, there were ridiculous flows of mana in every corner he looked, seeming to serve no function at all, but then suddenly swirling and shifting, and a cool breeze would flow through the corridor, or a tinkle of ethereal music.


    The books were organized in order of how recently the Dukes of Newport had pilfered them from whichever ship was unfortunate enough to sail their waters without paying the toll, and amongst them strange treasures were scattered, which Duke Anteris had permitted Kothar the use of.


    Kothar continued on, deep into the library, going up ladders that looked as if they led to attics, but opened up into vast galleries. Whoever the architect was of the mansion, he must have been somewhat mad, as the building didn''t follow any reasonable order/


    If there was any consistency in the structure of the mansion, it would be that wherever one went, they would inevitably be surprised by what they found next. It reminded Kothar of the puzzle houses that some of the wealthy residents of Garden would build, to puzzle their friends and entertain their children.


    The depths, or more accurately the heights of the library, as Kothar had climbed various ladders, staircases and even a column made of rock to get there, were lit by an eerie green light,


    The crystal set at regular intervals on the wall seemed to be the predecessors of the mana crystal lamps that were commonplace around the world, and the tarnish on the brass housings indicated their age.


    Many strange books lined the shelves, every single one covered in different kinds of old scripts.


    [How long has Newport existed? I know the Phintus federation was established during the war with the Southern Tribes, but some of these things seems ancient.] Kothar asked Silane, as he picked up a vase that held a dried up flower, which crumbled into dust as soon as it was disturbed.


    [There wasn''t much information in the history books you read with Simon, only that Newport was established after a great war with the beasts of the Fidour mountains, and the Duke was rewarded with this territory.] Silane answered Kothar, superimposing copies of the texts he had read.


    [What would I do without you?] Kothar responded as he summoned a buzzing ball of lightning, to better illuminate the shelves.


    A thin red book caught Kothar''s attention, the red leather exuded a faint warmth, and when kothar removed it from the shelf, it seemed to hum with energy.


    Strange glyphs were on the cover, inlaid in gold leaf.


    [Think you can translate that Silane?] Kothar asked, running his fingers along the bumpy leather of the cover.


    [Already on it. ''A Tentative History of the Fragment. By Artus.''] Silane paused.


    [Kothar. This could give us some more clues about the world. This is big.] She added.


    [Yeah, let''s read it then.] Kothar moved under one of the sickly green lamps, and took a seat on a crate underneath.


    ''Chapter One- The Fragment''


    ''After my many travels, I have reason to believe that the world we live on is merely the fragment of one that is much larger, separated by a thin veil, that one with sufficient power or magic may pierce and find oneself in an entirely new realm.


    However, I was not always such a capable individual, amongst my early travels on this great isle, home to many kingdoms, I found a strange item, it allowed me to gain this great insight and only further kindled my great urge to explore.


    My horizons were broadened, and I learned of the mighty beings that truly decide the fates of entire worlds like our own, seeking them out like grains of gold amongst a mountain of sand, looking for those which hold life with some sentience, and then claiming them as their own.


    One must take great care when exploring the various fragments, for most of these beings are ancient, and the life of a man such as myself was as the life of an ant was to me.


    Only my quick wit and knowledge of myriad things on ''Eclat'' (Tis the name for our fragment.) kept me alive¡­'' The book continued on, but Kothar paused, he felt the same kind of resonance that he had felt before, with the Skysteel but this resonance was with his spatial mana.


    He found the resonance emanating from a small alcove nestled next to the shelf he had found the book in. In it lay a small ebony box, engraved with the same glyphs on the cover of the red book.


    ''The Storage Artifact'' The box read. Kothar reached out and flicked it open, it opened with a soft ''click''.


    Within, lay a diamond shaped stone, with a deepbalck color, that cucked the light away from all around it.


    [I don''t like this Kotrhar, this seems too convenient, first the book and then the articicat is right next to it.]


    [Come on, what''s the worst thing that he could have stored inside.] Kothar scoffed at Silane and channeled his spatial mana into the stone.


    "Oh ****" Kothar said out loud, as his mana began to flow uncontrollably into the stone, and he watched in horror as a large purple portal opened beneath him.


    [Oh **** indeed, nice one Kothar..] Silane said dryly, as they fell into the portal.

 Chapter 60 - A New World

    Kothar landed in pitch black darkness, on what felt like a bare rocky floor. Immediately, he summoned a ball of lightning to illuminate his surroundings, finding himself in a wide underground tunnel, broad enough for 16 men to walk through with room.


    The tunnel was a rough oval shape and was covered in a hard waxy white substance, with strands of the same substance criss crossing the upper half, acting as supports.


    "Kcchhckk, tttchh, kkchhk." A chittering sound rang through the tunnel, Kothar turned his head to find an insectoid head staring at him around the corner of the tunnel, tilting its head to one side curiously.


    "I mean no harm." Kothar raised his hands high, letting the ball of lightning float by his side.


    [Silane, any help with the translation?] Kothar said nervously, the insectoid was two times his height, and its mandibles were lined with jagged fangs that dripped with a fluorescent yellow substance.


    [Just a moment. I believe he said, "How did another one get in here?"] Silane said to Kothar, as the insectoid rushed off, making more loud chittering noises.


    [Now he''s calling for reinforcements, I think we''d do well to make ourselves scarce.]


    Silane added a hint of laughter in her voice. Amused at the predicament Kothar had gotten them into.


    Kothar ran in the opposite direction that the insectoid had run, and turned right at the first tunnel he saw, he ran hard, turning down corridors and avoiding any sounds.


    Kothar listened carefully, after almost running into a group of insectoids. While the residual mana of wherever he was, was high, the insectoids didn''t cultivate mana, which made them virtually invisible to his mana sensing eye, since they would blend in with the ambient mana of the world.


    He emerged into a large cavern, filled with a multitude of insectoids, the smallest of which were twice as tall as him, the largest almost four times his height. They walked on two powerful hind legs, and had another two pairs of limbs that they used to carry weapons crafted from the same waxy substance that lined the tunnels.


    The insectoids seemed to favor spears, with only a few of them carrying short swords or clubs. Kothar slunk backwards, but it was far too late, the multitude of insectoids had seen the glow from his ball of lightning, and with a resounding chittering all rushed up toward him, climbing the walls of the cavern with ease.


    Kothar backed up, right into the hard exoskeleton of a truly massive insectoid that glared down at him.


    "Don''t make this hard for yourself." Silane translated, as four pairs of chitinous limbs clamped onto his limbs, holding him tightly. Kothar fell limp, attacking the horde of insectoids would only lead to him antagonizing them unnecessarily. The best he could do was to comply with their demands.


    They carried him deep into the caverns, and Kothar let his ball of lightning fizzle out, conserving his mana. After almost half an hour, the insectoid carrying him unceremoniously threw him into a deep shaft, Kothar plummeted, bracing for an impact but found himself landing in a soft web of criss crossed waxy fibers.


    "Add him to the ledger, make sure you write in his biology, the Overseer wasn''t happy when you left that out last time Ka-Nchck." One of the insectoids said the other, as their odd voices faded away in the distance.


    Now alone in the pitch balck darkness of the prison-shaft, Kothar took a moment to collect himself. The fact that they hadn''t immediately killed him meant that strange creatures appearing in their tunnels were not unfamiliar to them, and he was likely safe for now.


    A strange coughing and growling sound filled the shaft, Kothar summoned a ball of lighting, staring in surprise to find that he was not alone within the shaft.


    An equally surprised, and human face stared back at him, looking curiously at the ball he had summoned. The man had long dark curls and stubble covered his broad chin. He was dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit, and wore a metallic headset over his ears. The man looked curiously at Kothar and offered him a dark brown rectangular object.


    [Silane?} Kothar called out, waiting for her translation.


    [I don''t think he said anything, I believe he was just clearing his throat.] Silane laughed as she explained.


    "Can you understand me, friend?" Kothar spoke in the tongue of Ursten, as the man continued to poke the rectangular object towards Kothar. The man looked at Kothar for a moment, then tapped on his headset, before pulling out a cylindrical device from his jumpsuit, twisting thin rings all along its length.


    "There we go. We can talk now. Yes, I can understand you, friend." The man responded with a smile, in perfect Ursten.


    "Wow, that''s some technology you have there. My name is Kothar, nice to meet you." Kothar returned the man''s smile.


    "I am Xerev. Now tell me, how did you get yourself into this mess? Did your spatial map malfunction like mine did?" Xerev asked.


    "Unfortunately not, I''m here because I was messing around with an artifact I didn''t take the time to understand first." Kothar replied with an embarrassed smile on his face.


    [Why don''t you tell him I warned you in advance.] Silane said snidely.


    "Ah. No need to be embarrassed, my friend, my world would never have learned of the various realms if not for the first pioneer who interfered with things he scarcely understood." Xerev gave Kothar a grin.


    "I guess you''ll have no understanding of where you are then?" Xerev added.


    "No, none other than it''s likely a different plane than the one I was on previously." Kothar sighed.


    "Well yes, I don''t think they speak any human tongues on this plane. To be honest, there are worse planes you could have landed on, where their first response would have been to eliminate you rather than capture you." Xerev spoke animatedly, making sweeping gestures with his arms.


    "This is Idwa, though the locals call it something incomprehensible. It''s unique in that the entire plane is solid rock, all the way through, at least that''s what is said. The plane is ruled by Omkhu, the mother of these charming creatures who brought you here. She''s the one we''ll be seeing if we don''t escape from here." Xerev said with a grimace.


    "Why wouldn''t we want to see her?" Kothar asked the frowning Xerev.

 Chapter 61 - Escape

    "Well first things first, an Ascendant like Omkhu doesn''t have the same perception of time that we do, so it might be a hundred years before we see her, and it might be a thousand."


    Xerev had a frown on his face as he spoke.


    "Ascended? What do you mean by that?" Kothar asked.


    "Well, it''s a very loose definition. Any being able to traverse planes is technically an Ascended, but the title is usually reserved for those who have the power to do so without external assistance or hold dominion of notable planes." Xerev fiddled with his belt, thinking over something.


    "I''d not be counted as one of those Ascended, since my people have developed these nifty things." Xerev pointed to a bulky square attached to one side of his belt.


    "You''d be the same, thanks to your artifact. That''s the issue, most of the prisoners that Omkhu takes aren''t beings who''d be concerned with being trapped for hundreds of years, if anything, they see it the same way as having to wait for an appointment. Most of them are here by choice, waiting to pledge allegiance to Omkhu or here to trade with her." Xerev let out a long sigh.


    "Beings like us are a dime a dozen, if we shrivel to a husk in here, then so be it. They''ll think it likely that we had little value, since we couldn''t wait to be seen without dying." Xerev scratched at the waxy ground with his finger.


    "How much bigger do you think you could make that thing?" Xerev pointed to the ball of lightning floating above Kothar''s head.


    "Probably at least ten times." Kothar understated, not fully trusting the strange man.


    "That won''t do. I''d need thousands of times the energy to power my transportation device, what about your odd artifact that sent you here?" Xerev had a hint of hope in his voice.


    Not removing the device from within his cloak, Kothar sent a tentative strand of spatial mana toward the diamond shaped artifact, but to no avail, there was no resonance, nor was there no pull of mana.


    [The explorer in the book said traversed multiple worlds, but we can''t be sure if it was due to the artifact or his own capabilities to go to new worlds.] Silane projected the relevant passage they had read earlier over Kothar''s vision.


    [Reading more of Artus'' book would help, but I''m not sure that I want to reveal it to Xerev, I''m not sure if I trust him.] Kothar replied.


    [Alright, we''ll see if we can piggyback a ride off of him back home.] Silane mused.


    "No luck Xerev, looks like the both of us will be here a while." Kothar gave Xerev a shrug, before leaning against the side of the prison shaft.


    "Unless you come along with me when I break out?" Xerev said tentatively, raising an eyebrow at Kothar.


    "Tell me more." Kothar sat up from where he was leaning against the side of the prison shaft.


    "All I need is an energy source powerful enough to power my plane traverser, and according to my readings, there are a multitude of possibilities." Xerev pulled yet another strange device from his jumpsuit, this was a disk like object.


    The disk had many rings on the side Xerev was looking at, and the rings spun as Xerev turned the device, making a soft clicking sound.


    [Seems like his people didn''t develop screens.] Silane said snidely, noting the absence of any form of digital display in Xerev''s devices.


    Xerev looked to Kothar, waiting for his response.


    "Sure, if you''re telling the truth, then my other choice is to die of old age in this hole or to get out of here. Let''s go." Kothar stood, reaching to his side to rest his palm on the hilt of his sword, forgetting they were back in Anteris'' mansion on Eclat.


    "Follow my lead." Xerev pulled a pair of dark glass goggles from the seemingly endless pockets on his bright jumpsuit, and tweaked a dial on his belt, which changed his jumpsuit from its original orange to a grey, mottled color, camouflaging him against the waxy walls of the shaft.


    "I''ve been carving out some handholds." Xerev climbed up the walls with ease, followed by Kothar. Kothar found that the substance was not smooth and slick as it appeared from afar, rather it was made up of numerous tiny fibers bound together.


    "What is all this stuff made of anyway?" Kothar asked Xerev in a hushed tone as they climbed the wall.


    "Ah, it''s actually a secretion from some of Omkhu''s children. Quite the pleasing image, sin''t it." Xerev let out a soft chuckle, anticipating Kothar''s disgust.


    [Just like massive, solidified spider webs, then.] He said to Silane.


    [Yes, I speculate that Omkhu''s greatest strength would be the seemingly endless manufacturing ability her children seem to have.] Silane showed Kothar images of the various structures, and tools they had seen, all made of the same secretions that supported the walls.


    "Hug the walls, and make as little sound as possible from here on out." Xerev whispered to Kothar, as he led him out from the wide circular cave their prison shaft had been in, emerging into tunnels that looked almost identical to the earlier network they had been in.


    Xerev stared at the disk as he led Kothar through the maze-like tunnels; they mostly avoided the insectoids. There was one close call, where a huge group of insectoids rushed past the opening of a tunnel they were crouched in, all making loud whistling sounds as they ran.


    "We''re here." Xerev said quietly, as they emerged into a huge cavern, stacked haphazardly with a multitude of strange objects.


    They were massive weapons, axes, spears and swords all far bigger than Kothar, bigger even than the largest insectoids that he had seen before he had been captured.


    Massive chests, bound with black metal were stacked all around the rooms, a rolled up bolt of silk sat in one corner, and piles of gems, glowing with inner fire, were scattered everywhere.


    It was a treasure room that would have put even an emperor to shame.


    Xerev ignored the valuables, and led Kothar to a purple cloth sack that lay beneath a massive golden spear that towered over the pair of them.


    "This''ll be it." Xerev reached into the sack, and an almost blinding green light almost immediately shone out from the tiny gap.


    "Look away Kothar!" Xerev yelled. There was a bright flash, and a glowing green portal stood where Xerev had been moments earlier. While Kothar looked away, Xerev flicked a tiny beetle-like device towards Kothar, which latched tightly onto his cloak.


    "Come on!" Xerev called out, at the entrance of the portal.


    "Follow me!" Xerev said, stepping through the portal.

 Chapter 62 - Another Portal

    Kothar made to follow Xerev, he seemed to have no other choice, but he was reluctant to trust the strange man. As Kothar neared the portal, he felt a resonance from the artifact, the spatial energy from the open portal seemed to have revitalized it.


    [Don''t do it, Kothar.] Silane warned, worried about where the diamond shaped crystal would take them next.


    [Artus lived long enough to write about all his journeys, it can''t be that bad.] Kothar replied, and channeled his spatial mana into the stone. As before, the stone began to pull Kothar''s mana in uncontrollably, and sure enough, a portal soon opened beneath Kothar, and he plummeted through it, legs bent for the inevitable impact.


    There was a soft thud, and Kothar landed cleanly on the polished wood floors of the Duke''s labyrinthine library. He sat down with a thud and let out a massive sigh of relief. This time, he had definitely been far too reckless, even powerful beings waited hundreds of years to meet Omkhu, and he had waltzed into her domain with the aid of an artifact.


    [You have been too reckless, Kothar, but you can''t do much. This is what the mind of a teen is like, you had it easy on Garden with those chemical cocktails they had me dose you with.] Silane sensed Kothar''s melancholy mood and reassured him.


    [I never thought that they''d be this much trouble. Emotions, that is.] Kothar slowly picked himself up, and headed out of the library, brushing the worst of the wear dust and debris from Idwa from his clothing.


    [I''m sure I can synthesise something similar here on Eclat, it won''t be too much trouble.] Silane showed Kothar a potential formula made from some medicinal herbs.


    [No, that''s not necessary. It seems that most people can learn to deal with them.] Kothar gave a sarcastic laugh.


    "There he is, subdue him!" One of Anteris'' guards spotted Kothar emerging from one of the hallways that led to the library, flanked by a pair of massive statues. Kothar hadn''t seen this part of the mansion yet, but the guard''s yell meant he couldn''t take the time to fully appreciate it.


    "Hey, I''m not trying to run, I''ve just been in the library, that''s all." Kotar protested as a trio of guards grabbed him and marched him through the winding hallways and twisting staircases of the mansion, taking him all the way to the Duke''s study.


    "We''ve recovered the boy, Sir!" The guard who had initially spotted Kothar announced as they entered the study, stirring Anteris from his stupor.


    "After you let him disappear! Get out, you imbeciles!" Anteris threw an empty decanter at the guard, narrowly missing him, the decanter shattering against the bookshelf behind him. The Duke looked like he hadn''t l;eft the company of his liquor since Kothar had disappeared, all 12 hours, but in this short time Anteris had managed to drink himself into a wreck.


    The Duke''s eyes were red, and his face was flushed, and all around him were empty decanters. His fine table was scorched and papers and books lay scattered all around the usually tidy study.


    "Come, boy. Sit." The Duke slurred, beckoning Kothar with his gnarled hand that tightly clutched a fresh bottle of liquor.


    "Thish stuff ish the best. Dragansh Breth, they call it." Anteris was well and truly drunk, and grinned as he praised his favored drink.


    "Look, shon. Don''t dishappear like that. I''ve come to shee you quite fondly. Remind me of young Anterish Junior, you do." The Duke sobbed as he spoke.


    "Y''know, sheeing as we come fromsh the shame blood. You could be my heir!" Anteris declared, tears streaming down his face as he yelled out the last sentence, his head slamming face first into his desk right after.


    [That was quite something.} Silane commented, as the Duke''s snores filled the study, still clutching his favorite Dragon''s Breath, the Duke muttered and mumbled in between massive snores.


    As a dumbfounded Kothar struggled to make sense of the slurred words of Duke Anteris, Xerev marched through a tall, narrow hallway. The hallway was lit by glowing glass tubes that ran the length of it, illuminating the featureless walls and floor, all hewn from the same gray rock.


    Xerev pushed open a pair of tall doors, which swung smoothly to let him emerge into a massive throne room, as featureless as the hallway. The only feature of the room was the stone hewn throne that stood at the far end.


    "Xerev! What tidings!" The man on the throne thundered, he shared Xerev''s pale skin and dark hair, but his nose was crooked as if it had been broken countless times, and his brows scarred and torn. A thin crown inscribed with markings like those on Xerev''s devices circled his brow.


    "Your Supremacy. I bring news of a new plane, ripe for plunder." Xerev bowed down on to one knee, looking down at the rough stone floor as he spoke.


    "Tell me more." The man gripped the arms of the throne and leaned forward, his eyes wide with excitement and a rabid grin on his face.


    "On my most recent exploration, I came across a young man who had accidentally meandered on to Idwa. I tried to bring him along, so we could try to use his tool to triangulate the location of his plane, but he decided not to follow. Fortunately, I managed to stick him with a proximity tracker. If we get within-" Xerev was evidently anxious, and began to babble.


    "Enough of your nonsense ramblings, Xerev! Why! Why would we want to go plunder this random backwater?" The man boomed out at Xerev, who hunched up even further, kneeled as he was before the throne.


    "Energy, your Supremacy. The boy himself would have been enough to power a quadrant for a whole week.. The ambient levels of the plane must be insane!" Xerev finally looked up and met the man''s eyes, a crazed expression on both their faces.

 Chapter 63 - Dark Counsel

    Kothar lay against the paving stones of the road that crossed past the place he had called home. The cold stone leached the heat from his bare palms as he scrabbled away from the point of Tam''s sword.


    "Father, why are you doing this?" Kothar pleaded, but Tam gave no response. His face was pale and expressionless, had he donned a hood he would not look unlike the depictions of death himself, with his cheeks sunken and hollow-eyed expression.


    Tam strode forward, ignoring Kothar''s pleas, and thrust his blade point first at Kothar''s chest, stabbing him clean through his torso.


    "Huuuarghh!" Kothar awoke in a cold sweat, glancing around wide-eyed, looking for Tam. He took great gasping breaths, and his heart pounded in his chest.


    [Kothar!] Silane yelled, just as shaken as Kothar. Neither of them had experienced many dreams before being reborn on Eclat, let alone nightmares. Even of the nightmares Kothar had experienced before, SIlane had always been present to monitor his sleep and wake him safely. But now that the two were so intertwined, Silane also slept, in a sense.


    There had been no news from Ursten for the past week, and even Anteris had begun to worry, had his informants all been killed?


    As the days without news had dragged on, Kothar''s nightmares had started. Visions of Balin alight in dark flames, the bodies of Tam and Ophil hidden under a multitude of others, Rotan, Serena, Boson, Simon and many other familiar faces haunted his dreams.


    Not as themselves, but as tragic figures, dying in battle or burning and screaming in an invisible fire.


    The first night had been the worst, Kothar had woken up screaming, along with Silane yelling incessantly inside his head. The resulting yells from Kothar, of fear and the sheer pain of SIlane yelling within his head, woke half the guard, and a fair few of them came charging into his rooms.


    Since his drunken rant when Kothar had returned from Idwa, the Duke had been withdrawn and silent. He seldom drank, Kothar had found the man staring wistfully to the south at the roof of the mansion one day, shaking with grief.


    After that day, Kothar avoided going up to the rooftop gardens without seeing the Duke elsewhere, while the gardens were exquisite, the Duke deserved his privacy.


    To the north, in the shining keep of Balin, Rotan and Tam stood in the otherwise empty throne room. The massive chandelier and the myriad lamps were dark, and a long crystal lamp was lit on one side of the room, throwing long shadows across the cousins'' faces.


    They looked almost sinister, in long cloaks of heavy wool, but were only wrapped so to ward off the evening chill.


    "We must lift the blockades around the borders, the nobles are already protesting." Rotan protested, his voice lacking his usual easy going tone, now carrying an undercurrent of tension.


    "Rotan. You have been lax for far too long, forget the deaths of their fathers, you need to keep them on a tight leash, or else we''ll soon see Ursten falling apart before our very eyes." While Tam usually spoke quite slowly, now it seemed as if each word struggled to escape his lips, his voice was hoarse and rough, and he stared off blankly past Rotan''s head.


    "I know, but I cannot ask so much of them. Their families gave so much to Ursten. On top of these roaming war bands you''re having them keep, you want me to start taxing them more??" Rotan was exasperated, and he shook his hands at Tam in frustration.


    "We need battlemages, and for battlemages, we need gold. The treasury is empty, save the treasures. You''ve spent all the kingdom''s gold on easing the people''s burden, but unless they share this burden, Ursten will be no more." Tam said with a finality, his hand caressing the hilt of his sword.


    "I know. Your counsel has always been true Tam, but I fear that my grip on the throne is already tenuous, what will these nobles think when I ask them to empty their coffers." Rotan sank down onto his throne, leaning his head on hand, as if he could not bear the weight of it.


    "Then they will see you as a King, one who demands the kingdom''s dues from his subjects, and their warbands will raid further afield and bring back more loot, and grow fiercer with every battle or perish." Tam grimaced as he heard the words as he said them, but he knew that this was what Ursten needed. They had been passive far too long, and had forgotten the fires of war, they had grown so weak that even Kalun, the slimy cowards that they were, dared to invade Ursten.


    "You''re starting to sound like Kultas, Tam." Rotan said in a sharp, stinging voice.


    "I fear he was right. You know as well as I do this war could well have been prevented, good men died to save this kingdom." Tam gave Rotan an icy glare, gripped the hilt of his blade, and almost drew his sword. He caught himself, and returned to caressing the hilt of his sword.


    His face softened as he remembered the kind-hearted cousin he had taken on expeditions in his younger days, when he had been building his army as a young Captain.


    Sorrow filled Tam as those same memories reminded him of Ophil, who now lay cold and lifeless, in a coffin of pure ice, awaiting the return of her son so that she could be put to rest.


    "We''ll hold a grand funeral in her honor, in the keep." Rotan said softly, seeing the sadness in Tam''s eyes.


    "No, you''ve done enough." Tam choked out, before marching briskly out of the throne room.


    Rotan watched as Tam left, and knew at that moment, that there would be no more friendly chats with Tam in the gardens, Simon would no longer drop by with interesting curios and odd scrolls, and worst of all, Ophil would never again be seen, treading amongst the flowerbeds of the castle, the trees swaying to and fro and the flowers all blooming in her wake.

 Chapter 64 - Loss

    Kothar sat across from the Duke in the now all too familiar study, Anteris had summoned him for the first time since his drunken outburst. The Duke, and his study, were well groomed today, Anteris'' long silver mane had been brushed and braided with silver beads, and he had shaved his face. Likewise, his study had been dusted and cleaned, and the empty decanters and broken glass had been cleared from the cozy room, and it once more looked like a cosy study, rather than a drunkard''s retreat.


    "I have news from Ursten. A word of warning, some of it is bad." Anteris paused, letting Kothar process what he said and prepare mentally. He sighed softly, and in that moment looked like the great Duke Anteris he had once been, the terror of the seas, standing tall upon the prow of his ship in even the heaviest of storms.


    "Ursten has defeated Kalun and Phintus, but not without loss. Your mother was slain in the battle with Kalun." Anteris paused again, aware of the magnitude of what he had just tools Kothar.


    Kothar gave no response, and his face was stoic. He felt a great heaviness weigh down on him, and a knot wound itself in his throat, and gradually, starting from his center, a numbness spread.


    Anteris watched on as Kothar froze up, and unbidden, a tear came to his eye. He remembered a similar evening, many years ago, when his own son had sat in the chair that Kothar now sat in, and Anteris had broken the news of his wife''s death at the hands of the Imperial Armada.


    Perhaps that had been the day when he had lost young Vanter, he hadn''t left just then, but he had become withdrawn from that day on, drifting away and keeping to himself. Then one day, without a word, taking his ship south to the Empire.


    "What else?" Kothar''s voice was barely audible, halfway between a sigh and a croak. He struggled to speak, and the pain he felt was a testament to the real connection he had built up with Ophil and his family on Eclat. The only family he had ever known.


    "Ursten is changed. The borders are patrolled by roving warbands from the noble houses, word from the Phintus federation and the Kalun border towns is that they''re far worse than the bandits ever were. Rotan has increased taxes on the nobles, and they seek to bolster their wealth. Meanwhile, massive groups of young men and women are joining up. either the nobles'' forces or King Rotan''s army." Anteris looked sadly at Kothar, he reminded him so of Vanter, and like Vanter, Kothar had yet to shed a single tear.


    "What of my father?" Again, Kothar''s voice was imperceptible, and Anteris strained to hear him.


    "If my sources are correct, your father was the driving force behind what Ursten has become. After your mother''s death, he almost single-handedly routed the Kalun forces, and then took his army east, joining with his lieutenants and thoroughly crushing the Phintus. The Phintus have fled in their chips, while the bulk of his army is crushing any pockets of resistance. It seems that Phintus is well and truly done for." Anteris sighed, and looked fondly at Kothar, he knew that it was time for him to return home.


    "Now that the war is mostly over, there''s no reason for me to keep you here. I consider my duty done. I''ll have a ship take you to Fisher''s Point whenever you''re ready." Anteris explained softly.


    "I''ll leave at dawn tomorrow." Kothar replied automatically, barely able to think. His mind was filled with images of what could have happened to Ophil, and he remembered the nightmares he had been having where she had been dead.


    Silently, Kothar left the cozy orange glow of the study, and for the rest of the cold evening, wandered the cryptic halls of the mansion.


    That night was filled with strange dreams, fitful sleep and heart-wrenching feeling of pain for Kothar. Anteris had left him a sealed letter, the guard who delivered it to kothar stated the Duke was away on important business, which was just as likely as the Duke having gotten far too drunk the night before.


    ''Waveskimmer'' awaited Kothar at the docks, it was crewed by Anteris'' black uniformed men, and was one of his many boats that patrolled his waters. The ship was angular and thin, and sliced through the water as if in fury, barely leaving a wake in the azure waters of the coastal seas. Waveskimmer hugged the coast as they made their way north, enroute to Ursten.


    Kothar was given a cabin of his own, usually a luxury reserved for the Captain and First Mate, but given his deathly pale face and Anteris'' high regard for him, the sailors made an exception for him.


    He soon found his way to his hammock, and spent the journey to Ursten in deep sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking from the waves and sounds of the sea.


    "Young Master! We''re here!" A loud knocking woke Kothar, and he scrambled out of the small cabin he had slept in, almost running into the ship''s mate who had woken him.


    The journey from Newport to Fisher''s point was short, and was made considerably shorter by the Beginner Wind Mage who kept the Windskimmer''s sails full of wind, and the ship being built for chasing down smugglers and pirates, evidenced by the pointed iron plated ram that skulked beneath the water.


    Kothar walked off the ship in a daze, lost in his thoughts of home and Ophil, wondering what their home would be like now, whether her flowers were watered, how his father was, when he heard a sudden shout.


    "Kothar! Up here!" An all too familiar face leaned out of a window from an inn that gave a clear view of the pier.. A weak smile cracked Kothar''s grim face, and he walked slowly towards the inn.

 Chapter 65 - 64-Farewell

    Simon stood up from his table by the window as Kothar entered, while he still had his golden curls, his face was now marred by a bright red scar that snaked across his face. It started at his left temple, curving around his left eye, and under his nose, slicing across his mouth. The scar pulled at Simon''s upper lip where it crossed it, giving him a permanent smirk.


    "Kothar! I didn''t think you''d arrive so soon, I only got to Fisher''s Point myself this morning!" Simon pulled Kothar into a rough hug, without giving him a chance to respond.


    "The Duke was kind enough to lend me one of his ships. It''s good to see you, Uncle." Kothar replied, joining Simon at the table, taking in the view of the pier. The water shimmered in the sunlight and fishing points glided across the water, and dark shoals of fish could be seen swimming in the depths.


    "Waveskimmer right? SHe''s a fine ship, I''ve had some close calls with her." Simon gave Kothar a cheeky grin, his scarred lip pulling it askew.


    "I''d almost forgotten about this thing, I got it in the battle with Phintus." Simon saw Kothar looking at his new scar and quickly explained, tracing the twisting line of the scar over his face.


    "It was a short battle, but a fierce one. They knew that a loss would mean the end of their kingdom, so they fought tooth and nail. Well, the soldiers did, at least, at the first sign of defeat all the so called ''grand Merchants'' of the Federation hopped into their ships and made off to sea." SImon shook his head in disgust, disappointed at how quickly the leaders of the federation had abandoned their people.


    "How''s Father? And you? You know, with-'''' Kothar said hesitantly, he was at a loss for how to discuss Ophil''s death. Even when he had commanded hundreds of thousands of warriors, he had never developed the emotions that he had now, and if he had known the raw gaping wound that a death left on an individual, he would''ve personally broken the news to every family who lost a man in defense of the Galactic Alliance.


    "I''m alright Kothar, and your Mother, well, neither of us expected to live this long, so I''m sure she''s happy for the years she got, wherever she is. Your father''s an entirely different story though, kid. He''s always been a rigid character, but since your mother passed, he''s been at a whole new level of seriousness." Simon paused to take a sip of his drink, wincing as the still tender scar was irritated.


    "He''s managed to whip Rotan into shape, I never thought that man would become a fine ruler, but somehow he''s finally gotten the kingdom onto the right track, and the warbands for the nobles, that was a stroke of genius." Simon slapped the table and laughed.


    "They''re all too worried about keeping their pockets flush and competing with one another, that they won''t have time to consider rebelling." Simon chuckled darkly, remembering the battle with Kultas.


    Kothar only nodded in assent, distracted in wondering whether Ophil would also be reincarnated, perhaps she would be reborn in the Alliance, in the opposite way that Kothar was.


    "Kothar! Come on, snap out of it, I''ve paid this carriage to wait for 3 days, but if we go now they just may return some of the exorbitant sum I paid them." Simon pulled Kothar to his feet and shepherded him down the stairs of the inn and into the waiting carriage. Simon knew grief, and with that he knew the best he could do for Kothar would be to keep him busy, at least until he had a chance to grieve.


    They were on the road for a day and a half, sleeping within the spacious carriage, since they were the only two passengers, there was more than enough room for the both of them to stretch out on one of the full length seats each.


    Kothar had a fitful sleep, woken at intervals by strange dreams, visions of strange lands and off beings, all the while feeling a faint resonance from the artifact, but not falling for its wiles again. He had no interest in being suddenly spat out into a strange world without preparation and no idea if he would be cast into a prison for the next few thousand years.


    As he lay on the narrow carriage seat, Kothar thought of Trinquile and of Krieg, he had left thinking he would only be gone a short while, slipping away to rescue Simon and returning thereafter, but it had been almost a month now, and surely by now Krieg had noticed his absence. He hoped the old mage didn''t think he had lost another student, he had enough grief as it was.


    The carriage rolled into Ursten as the sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, the sky was filled with wispy clouds that were lit up in vibrant colors thanks to the setting sun. The keep glowed softly in the distance, peeking over the tops of the buildings, and Simon and Kothar disembarked and knocked on the tall wooden doors of his home.


    "Yes?" A dour-faced Tam opened the door, and broke into a half smile upon seeing Kothar, pulling him into a massive bear hug.


    "My boy, I''m sorry, I''m so sorry." Tam burst into tears, all the pent-up grief he had bottled up since losing Ophil rushing out, upon seeing the son they sent away under false pretenses.


    Simon watched in shock, he had never seen such emotion from Tam in all the years he had known the man, and he began to tear up himself, remembering his sister.


    Once his tears had subsided somewhat, Tam led the trio into the courtyard behind the house, and further on to the small garden.


    Amongst the floral tapestry that Ophil had created over the years, a grave had been dug, still uncovered.


    "Take your time to say goodbye, son, this is how she wanted it to be." Tam pushed Kothar forward slightly, and stepped up next to him beside the grave, Simon joined them.


    Within, lay Ophil, eyes closed as if sleeping, a soft smile on her gentle features. She was encased in a massive shard of enchanted ice, clear as glass. She wore one of her own woven, multicolored dresses, woven with intricate patterns and images, Kothar looked at the images that criss-crossed the skirt of the dress, and amongst the many figures that danced all around it, saw two figures that were unmistakably Tam and Ophil, picked out in intricate thread.


    The two figures marched around the dress, and halfway down a new figure joined them, starting off as a small indistinct bundle, then clearly growing into the young man that was Kothar.


    Seeing how Ophil had painstakingly crafted the dress that she knew she would be buried in, Kothar began to cry.


    "Look there, Son, that''ll grow into a great tree, she''d been enchanting that seed for years." Tam gestured to Ophil''s hands that were clasped together, holding a deep green oval, pointed at one end, a large seed, covered in glowing runes.


    "The ice will melt, and the seed will grow into a beautiful tree, and your mother will return to the earth as it grows. Just like her to continue caring for plants even after she''s gone." Tam said, his voice hoarse. Kothar and SImon only nodded, unable to speak thanks to the lumps in their throats.


    The three men stood amongst the shallow grave, each filled with their own thoughts of Ophil, a mother, a sister and a wife, standing in silent vigil, even as the sun set, and the moon came out from behind the clouds and set the enchanted ice shimmering with an ethereal glow.

 Chapter 66 - 65-A Breach Of Trust

    "You should return to Trinquile, Son. Ursten and its neighbors are going to be a very tumultuous place in the near future, and I think it would be best that you train to become more powerful before you get tied up in any more conflict." Tam and Kothar were resting in the courtyard after a morning training session, seated under the battered tree that Kothaar had practiced his first spells on.


    "Of course, Father." Kothar assented, even though he wished he could stay and fight, he had realized how lucky he had been in the battle with Kultas'' army, if anything it was a mock battle, with soldiers who were reluctant to truly injure each other.


    "A carriage will be here this evening. Take anything you need from the house, especially any mementos, I''ll send someone for you when things settle down." Tam gave Kothar a warm smile and grabbed him in a friendly half hug, tousling his hair.


    "Stay safe, son, I''m needed at the keep." Tam left without too much fuss.


    "Farewell, Father." Kothar watched Tam leave, wondering if this would be the last time he would see Tam.


    No excursions to break people out of foreign prisons either, you hear." Tam laughed as he yelled out from inside the house, stirring Kothar who, thinking Tam had left, had sat down to meditate.


    Without Tam, the house was deathly quiet. Simon, as usual, had disappeared in the middle of the night, off to some mysterious location or on some mysterious business.


    As he packed, Kothar remembered days when Ophil had always been at home to brighten up the house, singing, painting or weaving in every corner of the house that had even the slightest hint of sunlight.


    The rest of the day passed in a blur, and before he knew it, Kothar was in the carriage headed for Trinquile. He fell into a deep sleep, still exhausted from the past few weeks of nightmares and disrupted sleep.


    Before long, Kothar disembarked into the main square of Trinquile, unlike Balin, where the people had looked haggard and tired since the war, the people of Trinquile were just as jovial as before, if not more so.


    Many had realized that with the academy so close, few nations would dare to invade the town, and furthermore, nobody would want to invade a town so close to the Fidour Mountains. It was only the fact that Trinquile held so many accomplished battlemages that the town was able to exist to begin with.


    [Shall we go see Utna?] Silane asked a decidedly groggy Kothar, who was still fumbling with his bag.


    [Yes, let''s do that.] Kothar started walking towards the warehouse, receiving curses and yells from horsemen and passersby he almost walked into.


    Realizing how sleepy he was, Kothar shook himself awake and slapped himself on the cheeks, waking up to a satisfactory degree.


    "Kothar! Glad to see you back in Trinquile. I was sorry to hear about your mother, Ophil was a wonderful woman." For once, Utna''s forge was cold, and the smith herself was reclining in a large wooden chair, built specifically for the tall smith herself.


    "Thank you, I''m surprised to see you not working, I didn''t think I''d see the day." Kothar set down his heavy bag and took a look at the blueprints Utna was looking at, they were for a mana powered battering ram.


    "I''m taking a well deserved break, the war didn''t come anywhere near Trinquile, but Jotun had plenty of work for me. And looking at these blueprints, it seems your father has plenty of work lined up for all the blacksmiths in Ursten." Utna rose to her feet, running a hand through her cropped scarlet hair.


    "I''ve finished that other design you gave me, but it doesn''t make much sense to me, whatever are you going to do with it?" Utna handed Kothar a small black box, which neatly fit in his palm.


    "It''ll be useful, that''s all." Kothar said cryptically, stashing the box deep into one of the pockets on his cloak.


    "Alright, keep your secrets. Don''t do anything too dangerous with that though, I told Simon I''d look out for you, and I''m not sure making these odd devices is doing that exactly." Utna said with a faint grin.


    "I''ll be alright. Thanks, Utna." Kothar said as he rushed out the forge, he was eager to get a good look at the plasma blade unit that Utna had made.


    The Gatekeeper gave Kothar a nod as Kothar rushed past and headed towards the deep black tower in the distance, with lines of bright purple energy crisscrossing its walls, and the familiar rift at the peak.


    Once back in his room in the tower, Kothar sat down at his desk and reached into his cloak, excited to test out the plasma blade, when he was interrupted by a soft cough.


    "Kothar, you''ve been gone for over a month, and you didn''t think to send word that you were still alive, even with a war raging on in Ursten." Krieg stood at the door, his long white brows drawn down into a stern frown.


    "Sorry, master, I assumed you would be in the lab, and didn''t want to disturb you." Kothar internally cursed himself, in his excitement to see the plasma blade, he had completely forgotten about Krieg. Whether it was his hormone addled brain or the lack of sleep, Kothar realized that he had been acting extremely irrationally.


    "No matter, follow me, I have something to discuss." Krieg cut Kothar''s explanation short and gave him a complicated look, peering at Kothar carefully.


    He led Kothar up the tower, and through the enchanted door that barred the way to his laboratories. They passed odd convoluted contraptions, rooms filled with strange plants and cages with odd animals within.


    Kothar lost himself in a spinning array of twisted metal and humming energy before Krieg pulled him away with a soft ''tut''. A massive bear-like creature snarled at them through bars of black metal absolutely glowing with runes in what sounded almost like words.


    The top floor was almost completely bare, with only a small cushion below what would be the absolute center of the tower.


    "Over here." Krieg called from a narrow staircase near the outer wall, climbing up to the roof of the tower. They emerged onto the roof, it was surprisingly quiet and still, without even the slightest breeze to disturb them.


    A low humming, interspersed with distorted buzzing sounds, was the only sound, emanating from the rift. Kothar gazed into the wound in space, entranced by the colorful worlds he glimpsed as they flashed by, each disappearing everytime the rift buzzed.


    "Kothar, I have called you here because I have finally acknowledged you as a true student of mine. This rift is perhaps my greatest achievement, it allows spatial mages such as ourselves a great source of spatial mana, and an exceptional anchor point to explore other worlds." Krieg announced in a grand voice, the humble battlemage replaced by a grandiose scholarly figure.


    "Now then, I know you''ve conducted explorations of your own, I detected the spatial fluctuations from you the moment you walked in here, be honest Kothar, what level have you reached." Krieg gave Kothar an odd look, his eyebrow twitching.


    [Something seems off about him, Kothar, be careful.] Silane said as Krieg walked closer to Kothar, pulling at his thin white ebard.


    [Yes, but we''re at the very top of his tower and who knows how powerful he is. What''s the worst that could happen?] Kothar responded, swallowing nervously.


    "Master, apologies, but I haven''t advanced much, I actually chanced upon this artifact." Kothar drew the diamond shaped crystal from a pocket and showed it to Krieg, who''s eyes immediately lit up.


    "Absolutely amazing!" Krieg exclaimed, his eyes wide and glowing with greed.


    ''Please, you must let me take a look at it." Krieg grasped for the artifact, and Kothar handed it to him happily.


    ''Well, this is simply exceptional, good, good. Well done, boy." Krieg babbled as he began to examine the artifact closely.


    "Hmm, it seems to have bonded to you, no matter." Krieg''s voice changed, suddenly becoming quite flippant and lighthearted. Kothar felt a crushing pressure weighing down on him, and he fell to his knees. Krieg looked down at him, a sad look in his eyes.


    "Master, don''t do this, you can have the artifact, what''s wrong!" Kothar began to yell, as Krieg dragged him to the center of the tower, towards the rift.


    "I''m so sorry." Tears streamed from Krieg''s eyes as he pushed Kothar into the waiting maw of the rift.


    "Another student, lost to the terrors of Spatial Magic." Krieg began to weep loudly atop his tower, clasping at the crystal that was all that remained of possibly his most talented student yet.


    A soft buzz rang out, and Krieg screamed in fury, the crystal had disappeared from his hand, he had lost not only a student, but a precious artifact also.

 Chapter 67 - 66-In Hot Water

    "Xerev, I hope you have something good to report?" The figure on the throne was furious, and was tapping a long rod, covered in inscriptions, against one hand.


    "Unfortunately not, your Supremacy, we had closed in on the tracking device, but it appears that the target has crossed to another plane." Xerev tried to shrink himself smaller, but he couldn''t appear any smaller as he was, kneeling before the throne with his head bowed as he was.


    "What! In what universe does a weak individual like him decide to explore new planes, after experiencing Idwa as his first plane, it''s simply ridiculous! Unless, you lied to me." The figure''s eyes narrowed to a slit, glowing with an eerie red glow, he stalked down the dias towards Xerev, his steps shockingly light in comparison to his bulky frame.


    "Please! I swear, Xurha!" Xerev gave up on kneeling and sprawled out fully before the dias, shivering and shaking, sweat visibility dripping from him.


    "I told you, never, ever call me by name. You lost that right long ago, scum." Xurha snarled at Xerev, lashing out at him with the rod. Xerev screamed, his body twisting and contorting on the floor of the throne room, the whites of his eyes showing as they rolled into the back of his head, and his mouth foaming.


    "You, dirty rat." Xurha continued to curse and yell at Xerev, and wails and inhuman screams continued to sound out through the throne room, until they soon fell completely silent.


    Kothar plummeted through the air, all he could see below him was a featureless blue expanse, spreading as far as he could see in every direction. Unfortunately for Kothar, he was incapable of flight, and no spatial spell he cast would save him from crashing into the waves below.


    Kothar felt a point digging into his palm, and felt the familiar ship of his artifact, the artifact that Krieg had pushed him out of the portal to take from him, was now in his possession again.


    [Serves the ******* right, now he''s lost another student, and he''s got nothing to show for it.] SIlane said dryly.


    [Thanks for the observation, but any ideas of how the **** am I going to stop from being crushed into a pulp by the water below, if that even is water?] Kothar responded in a frustrated tone.


    [Well, unless you can suddenly sprout wings, no. I guess, hold your breath and try to keep the damage to a minimum?] Silane replied.


    [It won''t be too terrible, the gravity doesn''t seem to be so strong here, I have been falling fro a while.] Kothar said, almost cheerful. The blue of the water below him gradually filled his view, and he braced for impact. Kothar took a deep breath and held it, then everything went blank.


    Water sprayed into the sky as the now unconscious Kothar drifted down into the water, carried by his momentum. A murky cloud of red slowly spread from his crushed arm and broken leg, blooming amongst the pure blue of the water.


    The vibration carried through the water, and thousands of tiny dark leaf shaped shadows stirred in the depths, and honed in on the cloud of blood.


    Kothar woke, his entire body screaming in pain, with his right arm being the loudest, with his right leg a close second. He assessed the damage, his right arm hung limply, his radius was crushed, and his leg was crooked, a piece of his fibula poking out from the skin.


    [Well, at least I''m not dead.] Kothar did his best to block out the pain, and joked to Silane.


    [Yeah, just mostly crippled and stranded in a massive body of maybe water.] She shot back.


    [What now?]


    [Just keep swimming! If you could even call it that.] Silane observed, as Kothar lurched into a lopsided doggy paddle, using his right side as little as possible, wincing every time he had to, as pain shot through his body whenever the bones were moved.


    As he paddled, Kothar fell into almost a trance, as the constant pain faded into the background of his mind and he mused on the absolute ridiculousness of his situation.


    [Aaaaaaaaah!] A strangled half yell from Silane roused Kothar from his thoughts.


    [What? I was getting into a rhythm.] Kothar complained.


    [Your arm, look at it carefully.] Silane pointed out. Kothar looked closed and saw odd tiny leaf shaped creatures that darted through the water by undulating their bodies, and constantly bumped into his arm.


    As he looked closer, he sighed as he noticed what they were doing. Thanks to the adrenaline, he hadn''t noticed the miniscule bites they were taking from him with every tiny little nudge, but soon enough they would break through the skin elsewhere on his body, and that would only accelerate how quickly he was devoured by the tiny little nibbles they took.


    [It gets better and better.] Kothar groaned, and swatted at the creatures with his non-injured arm, but they simply flowed away from his hand with the water.


    [That won''t do much, even if you hit them, there are far too many of them anyway.] SIlane pointed out.


    [Very helpful, if this keeps up I''ll be a floating skeleton before long.] Kothar sighed, unsurprised by the compounding misfortune. Idwa had set the scene for what he expected from interplanar trouble, and this was as bizarre and unfortunate as he expected.


    [Maybe this will do something.] Kothar cast Lightning Aura, and immediately many of the creatures twitched and became still, the rest rapidly darting away from Kothar.


    [Good thinking, Kothar, now you''re like a massive electric eel.] Silane joked, as Kothar peered at one of the odd creatures.


    It was roughly symmetrical, with a dark upper side, and a tiny circular mouth ringed with little teeth.


    [Worse comes to worst, Kothar, you could snack on these as you swim.] Silane commented.


    [Let''s hope it doesn''t come to that.] Kothar replied, and crookedly swam into the horizon.

 Chapter 68 - 67-A New World (2)

    Warning: This chapter contains a slightly off-putting scene, just skip past the text between the ***** if you''re uncomfortable with the MC doing reckless imaginary scuffed first aid and/or suspicious body modifications.


    If one were high above the body of water that Kothar was currently stranded in, they would be able to see a small black dot, barely visible against the gentle waves, crookedly limping across the great expanse.


    Higher still, the dot would be miniscule, barely visible, and one would begin to see the edges of the water, forming an oval shaped lake within the dark earth that surrounded it. If one were to look even beyond this, they would start to see the true nature of the world Kothar was in, seeing for the first time something recognizable as life.


    An enormous column, rising high up into the heavens, so massive that one would struggle to keep the column in the field of their vision, rose up near the lake. It was a verdant green, and was not circular, rather it was a flattened v-shape.


    An insightful observer would realize what this column was, a single blade of grass, and then would shake in terror at the absolute magnitude of the world that they had come to, where even a single blade of grass many thousands of times larger than an individual human.


    The small black dot, Kothar, at this time, was struggling through the water, leaving a trail of small leaf shaped corpses as he travelled in a shallow zigzag towards one edge of the lake. He had been swimming for what felt like days, and while it had been some time, his sense of time was drawn out by the intense pain he had been feeling.


    Now, he could make a dark blue on the horizon, presumably the edge of what he had believed to be an endless body of water, and as he drew closer, Kothar realized his determination had paid off.


    Many hours later, the broken Kothar struggled out of the water, on to the shallow incline of the ''shore'', rising onto his undamaged left leg, shaking on his unsteady, fatigued leg. The ground was made up of large rounded lumps that were multicolored, of varying sizes, some were reddish, some were brown and some were even clear. Among the harder, larger lumps were smaller, softer more pliable round clumps, filling in the gaps.


    [This is a strange place, isn''t it.] Kothar said to Silane, looking around for a place to rest, and trying to keep his mind off of the extreme pain of his arm and leg.


    [A lot stranger than you would initially imagine, Kothar. These strange structures we''re standing on, looks remarkably similar to a microscopic view of soil. If my guess is correct, we''re on a plane where everything is far larger than you''d normally expect.] SIlane said witha hint of excitement in her voice.


    [I''m glad you''re having fun. Keep in mind that we might not see any ''usual sized'' life in this world, all we''ve seen so far are those damned leaf shaped fish.] Kothar replied dryly. He had quickly found a crevice in the soil and strolled down into it, deciding that for the time being, it would do for shelter.


    [Yes, but think about the absolute scale of this world, we wouldn''t have even covered the slightest area, there could be absolutely titanic creatures roaming about that we haven''t even sen yet!] Silane said, as Kothar gathered flatter crystalline lumps to form a makeshift bed.


    [Yes, but how about we focus on fixing this arm and leg, before we go on a wild adventure through this plane that Krieg cast me into to murder me.] Kothar took on a slightly sarcastic tone.


    [Okay, okay. But to be fair, I don''t think he knew where you would end up, the worlds I observed through the portal were seemingly random. He could have just as easily sent us to a paradise.] Silane projected images shse had recorded of the rift to Kothar.


    [Well, alright, I guess he was willing to take his chances then. He didn''t do too badly either.] Kothar weakly shook his arm, sending waves of pain radiating through his body.


    [What about this?] Silane showed Kothar a schematic, showing him various upgrades that could be made to his body.


    [And the materials?] Kothar asked.


    [Well, they''re everywhere around us, this world is a blessing in disguise. We''ll have abundant amounts of any material we need, simplifying laying on the ground, all we need to do is pick them up, and shape them to our specifications.] Silane''s prior excited tone returned.


    *****


    [Alright then, let''s get this first step over with.] Kothar sat down heavily on the makeshift, bed, and took a deep breath, before cutting away the material of his trouser leg to reveal his swollen leg. The white of the edge of a bone shone through, and Kothar grimaced as he trapped the knee with his left foot, and prepared to set the bone.


    "********, *****, ***********!" A string of curses echoed out from the crevice, as Kothar wrenched the broken bone into place, creating a makeshift splint with the longer sheath of his Skysteel blade.


    Thankfully, he didn''t need to repeat the process with his arm, since the bones were not displaced, rather he grit his teeth and splinted the arm with his other sheath, tying them securely with the scraps of cloth left from his trouser leg.


    [That wasn''t so terrible, was it.] Silane joked, she had also experienced the pain he had, and wasn''t a fan of this new aspect of consciousness.


    [Yeah, but this might not be fun.] Kothar limped over to a stone with a shallow pool of water gathered on top of it, and sent some lightning through the water, heating it up.


    Kothar reached into his cloak, drawing out the small box that Utna had given him, he opened it to reveal the intricate small cylinder, about the size of the end of his pinky finger. Utna had done an amazing job of crafting the intricate runic structures as well as the plasma emitter technology.


    Kothar clutched the cylinder in his teeth and took a deep breath.


    *****

 Chapter 69 - 68-Plasma Blade

    Kothar washed his left palm with the water, and then ran the base of his palm across the exposed blade of his razor sharp Skysteel sword. The bone now exposed, Kothar began to scrape away and form a shallow indent, and then pushed the cylinder into the resulting depression.


    Without proper stitches or a needle, Kothar would have to resort to tying the wound shut as tightly as possible with a makeshift bandage, and send as much mana as he could spare to the wounds on his body.


    Kothar let out a long hiss, wincing with all the additional pain, thankfully, he hadn''t cut any major blood vessels, and would be able to easily heal the flesh around the new implant.


    Now that he had taken care of his injuries, and installed a long awaited upgrade, Kothar sat down to gather as much mana as possible, to speed up his healing as much as possible.


    Thankfully, the ambient mana of this world was ridiculously dense, perhaps due to the massive scale that everything was here. Even without intentionally drawing in the mana, Kothar was seeped in so much mana that just walking about here would be as effective as actively gathering mana on Eclat.


    Kothar''s mana cores surged in unison at the ridiculous influx of mana in to his body, and greedily drew in as much mana as possible, but Kothar diverted it away, instead channeling it to his injured arm and leg and the self inflicted wound on the base of his left hand.


    Kothar could feel his cracked bones, torn muscles and ripped skin knitting themselves together, and let out a sigh of relief.


    As much as replacing his limbs with purely technological components would increase his durability and strength, Kothar had regained touch with his humanity. And though he knew that one day it might be necessary for him to utilise the increased capabilities, he was committed to enjoying the humanity he had for the time being.


    [Seems like finding food won''t be an issue, with this much mana in the air.] Silane pointed out.


    [Mmhmm.] Was Kothar''s only response, he was far too absorbed in his meditation. Never before had he experienced this kind of rapid improvement in the strength of his mana cores.


    Kothar remained lying down with his arms and legs outstretched on the makeshift bed he had made for the next week, he had healed himself completely in the first few days, but the mana on this world had been far too beneficial for him to stop there.


    "Fwooo." Kothar leapt nimbly to his feet, and exhaled in satisfaction. His body was once again in good condition, if anything, the mana coursing through it had strengthened him beyond how powerful he was before.


    Similarly, his mana reserves had massively increased, and while it would take a little more time on this world before he had the mana reserves to match the average Intermediate Mage, his increased strength and speed would mean he would be able to match most of them in battle.


    Kothar grinned and looked down at his left palm, right there, at the base of his palm, the circular Plasma Blade shone out at him. At its essence, it was a magically powered heating element, the device had a ring of small holes that dotted the outer rim of the circle, this was where the surrounding gas would be drawn into the device.


    In the center was the main heating element, this was where the air taken into the device would be superheated, forming the plasma, and ejected out from Kothar''s palm.


    Kothar took a deep breath, preparing himself for the worst, the device exploding and taking most of his left arm with it.


    He channeled lightning mana from the storage component in his shoulder, bracing for the inevitable impact. Kothar smiled as there was no anticipated explosion, rather there was only a slight buzzing sound as the device started to heat.


    Now that he knew it was relatively safe, Kothar went full throttle, and sent a surge of lightning mana barreling into the device, and with a bright flash, a jet of plasma shot out of the device, stabbing through rock after rock, leaving behind only an empty hole, the melted edges of the rocks glowing red.


    [That was something, wasn''t it.] SIlane commented, letting out an appreciative whistle.


    [Looks like this might work pretty well. I think we need to start adding more devices.] Kothar patted his own shoulder appreciatively, feeling the surging lightning mana deep within his shoulder.


    [Take it easy there bud, let''s figure out how to control this thing properly, or we''ll end up blasting through any allies as well.] Silane joked, showing Kothar the proposed control mechanism.


    The plasma blades Kothar had used in his past life were controlled by electromagnetic fields generated by an additional component, but Kothar had speculated that he might be able to use his lightning mana to do the same.


    Kothar sent a surge of lightning mana to the plasma device again, this time sending a steady stream of mana just enough to create a small beam.


    Slowly, a glowing white beam emitted from his palm, and Kothar sent a cloud of lightning mana toward it, attempting to manipulate the beam.


    It fizzled out.


    Kothar sat there for the entire day, the sun setting and the crevice only illuminated by the glow of his plasma unit. But to no avail, the plasma beam fizzled out every time.


    Resigned to another failure, as the gentle light of dawn began to brighten the sky, Kothar tried again, this time acting only by intuition, and gave a shout of joy as the formless beam took the shape of the rough diamond plasma blades he was familiar with.


    Soon enough, Kothar was shaping the plasma blade into elaborate structures, twisting whips, curved blades, spiked maces, and even tools.


    He was carving up a large piece of granite into a bath, when the ground shook. Rocks cascading down around him, the entire crevice he had decided to shelter in collapsing, and he sped up the gentle slope to escape.


    [That was a sudden earthquake.] Kothar exclaimed, looking down at the wreckage of his makeshift camp.


    [Another odd feature of-] Silane began, before she was interrupted by another shaking, this time much more severe. Kothar looked around confused, and spotted something in the distance.


    All the blood left his face and he stared in shock.


    "Oh ****, those were footsteps."

 Chapter 70 - 69-Hitching A Ride

    The ground continued to shake, and the air shook with the thunder of the beast passing by. Kothar looked up, leaning back to get a good look at the creature that had almost buried him in an avalanche.


    It was a dark brown deer, speckled with white spots, with a pair of small antlers. The kind of animal he wouldn''t have given a second look in any other situation, had almost cost him his life.


    The deer looked around, scanning the shore of the lake for danger, finding none, it walked toward the water, cautiously stepping to the water to drink. Finding no threats, it leaned down to the clear water, rippling with small waves, and began to drink.


    Kothar began to run the massive distance, for him, to the deer.


    [You can''t be thinking of-] Silane protested.


    [That''s exactly what I''m going to do, otherwise there''s no way we''ll see any more of this world other than the shores of this lake, or else I''ll grow old trying to explore this place.] Kothar laughed aloud, exhilarated, as he ran at full tilt toward the drinking deer.


    He cast Lightning Aura to increase his speed, and shot through the air, his increased speed from the prior week of meditation showing its effect.


    Kothar headed straight for one of the deer''s back legs, which stood like enormous pillars, planted into the ground. As he neared the leg, he took a massive leap, sailing right into the fur at the rear of the hoof, grabbing on to one of the deer''s to stop himself from falling back off.


    It was as if Kothar had found himself in an absolutely alien landscape, the deer''s fur surrounded him like some sort of peculiar forest, and the pink skin of the deer stretched out all around him.


    The terrain was precarious, the deer''s skin and the individual hairs, which Kothar clung onto as he climbed up the leg of the deer, were greasy and Kothar had to grip tight to prevent himself from falling off.


    As the deer rose from its drink and began to trot away from the lake, Kothar was swung wildly through the air, clutching on for dear life as he swung back and forth from a hair midway up the deer''s leg, like some kind of odd circus performer.


    Soon enough, the deer settled into a steady gait, and Kothar was able to continue his climb, aiming for the relatively more stable region of the deer''s back.


    When Kothar could see the curve of the deer''s leg where it joined the body, he heard an odd rustling noise, he looked to the source of the noise and found himself uncomfortably close to a tick-like creature.


    It had anchored itself to the deer with eight legs that ended in pointed claws, and was currently feasting on the blood of the deer with an elongated proboscis with a serrated edge that it had stabbed deep into the deer''s hide.


    The tick''s beady eyes flickered toward Kothar, assessing whether or not he was a threat, but as Kothar slowly climbed away from it. It returned to slurping down the deer''s blood, much happier with the meal it already had.


    [That, was nothing like seeing something under a microscope.] Kothar exclaimed to Silane, as he finally climbed to the flatter ground of the deer''s back, wiping his now greasy palms off on his cloak and walking along the gentle slope of the deer''s back.


    [Yes, I don''t think I enjoyed my face to face science experience.] Silane replied.


    [I thought I''d seen a lot fighting for the alliance, but travelling to other planes, seeing things like this, it''s absolutely amazing, I could never have imagined I''d end up somewhere like this.] Kothar looked about in awe, looking up as the sky sped by, the deer''s gentle trot magnified by his microscopic size in comparison.


    [I think we should do out utmost to make the most of the ridiculous availability of resources on this plane, think about it Kothar, all we would need to do to find sufficient material for anything would be to find trace amounts in the soil, which is ridiculously easy.] Silane observed, displayed schematics for new devices that Kothar could make, such as infrared goggles, a customized spacecraft, laser weapons, autonomous robots and on and on.


    [Looks like you have big plans for this place, Silane.] Kothar said, a hint of surprise in his voice. He knew that Silane had retained all of her knowledge from their previous life, but many of the designs were also customized to be powered by mana, and some of the laser weapons would fit directly onto Kothar, powered purely by his reserves of lightning mana, evidently she had been hard at work to create them.


    [Not at all Kothar, I just think you need to be adequately prepared for the next time a slimeball like Krieg decides to send you flying into a spatial rift, or worse.] Silane said fiercely, since coming to Eclat and regaining consciousness, her new emotions that she was passionately protective of Kothar, and Krieg''s betrayal had only attenuated that.


    [You''re right.] Kothar sighed and thought back to his first impressions of Krieg, the kindly Spatial Mage who had only been concerned for his students.


    [I just hope this plane isn''t inhabited, dealing with sentient life the size it would be on this plane would be a nightmare. If they''re unhappy with anything we do, they could snuff us out with barely the flick of a finger.] Kothar mused, now located in between the deer''s shoulders, which made for the most stable place to be as the deer trotted about.


    [All the more reason for us to manufacture some weapons.] Silane exclaimed, obviously eager to outfit Kothar so that he would be prepared against all manner of threats.


    As Kothar looked over the designs Silane had proposed, the rushing of water filled the air, and he jumped as Silane yelled.


    [Running water! Get off this deer as soon as you can, this is exactly what we need.]

 Chapter 71 - 70-An Uneasy Alliance

    Immediately, Kothar began to run across the deer''s skin, heading for one of its forelegs, he slid down the deer''s leg, grabbing onto hair as he fell to slow his fall. All the while the deer trotted along, which added an element of danger to Kothar''s traversal off the deer, as he swung to and fro while he slid down the deer''s leg.


    The tall, lush grass whipped by as Kothar clutched at a hair near the deer''s hoof, grabbing it tightly as the deer walked by the stream. With a deep breath, Kothar let go of the hair, hurtling toward one of the strands of grass and landing on the inner part of the ''v-shape'' that a blade of grass made.


    He slid down the blade of grass, landing neatly on his feet on the soil below, which to Kothar, appeared as slightly damp, distinct circular pieces of rocks, interspersed with decomposing matter, and smaller clumps of aggregated silt and clay.


    Everywhere he looked, he could see thick white roots snaking across the ground, the nearby plants made the most of the damp from the nearby stream.


    [What now Silane?] Kothar asked, he had some idea of what she wanted to do, but it was difficult to be sure now that the AI had emotions of her own, and a penchant for exciting new ideas along with that.


    [Now, we build a tree house!] Silane exclaimed. Silane outlined her plans for what would be Kothar''s new residence with her overlay.


    [That might just do it.] Kothar gave a low appreciative whistle, and looked about for a suitable tree to create his new home.


    He spotted a willow-like tree, with vibrant foliage that drooped over the stream, its roots meandering around the banks of the bubbling stream.


    Walking through the tall grasses, Kothar remembered his father, and wondered what had become of Eclat in the short time he had been away.


    On the peninsula that arched out around the bay that Newport was nestled within, on the tall mansion built there, in the style of Balin, two men sat across from one another, in a cosy study.


    An unaware onlooker would have thought the two men father and son, they were so alike in appearance. Tam''s usually close-cropped hair had grown to his ears since the beginning of the war, but as always he was still clean-shaven, revealing his strong jaw.


    Tam sat straight up in his chair, with the air of a fiercely military man, still in his dark blue armor, but with a fine blue cloak to accompany it, with silver flowers picked out all along the edge in honor of his late wife.


    Anteris sat across from Tam, behind his desk, while he shared Tam''s strong features, especially the piercing blue eyes as well as the straight proud nose of Ursten royalty, and the strong jaw, the resemblance ended there.


    Duke Anteris had a rough beard of white stubble, and his unkempt mane flowed wildly around his shoulders. He wore the plain white shirt of a sailor, along with hands studded with jeweled rings.


    He gave off the appearance of a pirate lord rather than a Duke, who ruled his own city. Many would say there was little difference between the Dukes of Newport and the pirates who roamed the seas, especially with how he chased down those foolish enough to neglect paying him his dues.


    "Well, out with it man, what the hell is the newly appointed Grand Marshal of Ursten doing in my little city." Anteris finally broke the silence that had been brewing, slamming down his decanter of Dragon''s Breath to emphasize his point.


    "Well, your Grace, I''m here because your little city isn''t so little after all, and Ursten has great need for your shipwrights and craftsmen, especially in light of the recent war." Tam spoke respectfully, but his arms remained crossed his chest and he made no move to bow or offer any other gesture of respect other than referring to Anteris as ''Your Grace''.


    "Hahahaha, your words say one thing, but your body language says ''Get in line, or else!" Hahahahaha." Anteris guffawed loudly, slapping his knee. But now a steely look crossed his face, and his blue eyes now smoldered red with a fiery glow.


    "I meant no disrespect, but you must understand our position. While the offer we sent with Kothar was partly a ploy to get him out of the city, King Rotan is more than willing to uphold the offer he made, even though Ursten is no longer in such dire straits, he wants to show you his goodwill." Tam said his hand caressing the hilt of his curved blade.


    "You mean your goodwill. You know as well as I do, Rotan is now king in name only, he would roll over and play dead if you commanded it. And what else could he do, few remain on this isle of ours who could challenge you." Once again, Anteris'' eyes smoldered with a fiery glow, and an intangible pressure began to fill the room.


    "You being one of them." Tam returned Anteris'' savage grin with one of his own, revealing his shining teeth, and as a faint aura began to glow around the two men, the entire mansion began to shake.


    The pressure in the room palpably increased, and the pair of guards stationed outside the door to the study prompt passed out and fell to the ground with a clatter. The desk between the pair began to splinter and crack, before suddenly, the glow in Anteris'' eyes subsided.


    The faint glow around Tam also faded away, and slowly the mansion stopped shaking.


    "I guess I shall uphold my ancestor''s greatest desire. And Grand Admiral sounds to be of an equal rank to Grand Marshal, someone needs to keep you in check, puppeteer of Ursten." Anteris offered Tam a gnarled hand, his tone still slightly hostile.


    "Of course. I only give the King the advice I think that would benefit the kingdom most. You are most welcome to keep me in check. Anything for Ursten." Tam gave Anteris a narrow eyed stare, a faint smile dancing across his face.

 Chapter 72 - 71-Dark Counsel (2)

    While the Grand Marshal of Ursten brokered an alliance with the Duke of Newport, not too far to the north, amongst the ruins of Kahrs, two men shared a drink.


    Kahrs, the Jewel of Phintus, the City of Unending Fortune, was a smoldering heap. Travelers had flocked to Phintus from all corners of the Isle, even attracting royalty from the Empire far to the south, who sought the rare treasures that the merchants of Phintus managed to procure.


    Kahrs had been the lynch pin in the short-lived independence of Phintus, the merchants of Kahrs had lived there for years, and soon enough they realized, that their taxed wealth was paying for the mighty ships, and guards of the Lord of Kahrs, and whilst the army of Ursten was otherwise occupied, they had cut out the middle man.


    Without Kahrs, Phintus would have barely been recognized as a state at all, but people came from far and wide to marvel at the elaborate mansions of the merchants that lined the shores, and browse the stores, each of which held wares that were more bizarre and unusual than the last.


    Now, the city of Kahrs was a mere shadow of its former self, the exquisite fountains that had bubbled at every street corner, where children had frolicked and played, now were cracked ruins of their former selves, dribbling water from cracked and broken spouts.


    The city had burned, and the finely carved wooden beams that had crisscrossed all the merchant houses of Kahrs had been decimated, only a few remained, poking up from the rubble and ashes of the Jewel of Phintus.


    The citizenry had fled to the army of the Hawk for refuge, for the magical bombardment that had decimated Kahrs had not come from the invading Ursten, rather it came from the ocean, where the fleeing ruling merchants had tasked their hired mages to bombard the city, in hopes of catching the Ursten army unaware.


    Unfortunately for them, Boson and Serena had quickly turned their forces back, warned earlier by Simon of the impending threats, and had spent their efforts in evacuating the people of Kahrs.


    Many of the elderly remembered benign citizens of Ursten, and had fond memories of the late king, and so had welcomed their invaders with open arms.


    At this moment, amongst the ruins of one of the finest merchant houses, Boson and Simon were sharing a flagon of wine seated at a fine wooden table, that almost glowed amber, and was hewn of one massive slab of wood.


    Boson had found himself a finely upholstered large, throne-like chair, that even made him look small despite his massive stature.


    Meanwhile, Simon leaned back on a finely carved wooden chair that mimicked the designs of the half of a wooden beam that lay against the rubble of a nearby wall.


    "So, you think the old General''s off his rocker?" Boson drawled, his accent marking him as being from one of the southern villages that dotted the border with the Southern Tribes. He had removed his helmet, revealing his scarred face and squat bald head, covered in multicolored tattoos of beasts and serpents.


    "Well¡­ He lost his wife, but Ophil was my sister too. And you don''t see me becoming the Grand Marshal of Ursten and setting loose dozens of war hungry nobles onto our neighbors." Simon said with a hint of moisture in his eyes, still hurting from his recent loss.


    "Yes, but do you think that Ursten would survive another decade without him doing that." Boson polished the head of his massive axe with a piece of a fine tapestry he had found in a corner of the room.


    "No, of course, he is truly doing the best for the kingdom. But, to spend his entire life upholding Rotan''s authority and decisions, no matter how spineless and moronic¡­ If this had come only a few years earlier, perhaps the battle with Kutlas could have been avoided." Simon mused, as he absentmindedly peered at the rainbow colored serpent that peeked out from behind one of Boson''s ears.


    "I''d have to disagree there. There was something more to their conflict, as they say, you can''t have two pikes in the same pond." Boson grinned at Simon.


    "Yeah, there would have had to have been something. Kultas always felt he had to prove something against Tam, I wish he hadn''t, he was a great commander in his own right, and he would''ve been a great asset now. We''ll need all the commanders we can get if we''re going to wage all these wars that Tam seems to be starting." Simon frowned and poured himself another cupful of the dark, fragrant wine.


    "If things go well, perhaps we''ll have a fleet and another formidable warrior at our back. So long as Tam can make this alliance." Boson said, discovering a small nick in his axe''s blade, and procuring a whetstone from his belt to restore his blade.


    "From what I''ve heard, Anteris isn''t exactly the picture of rationality. Well, what can go wrong? We''ll have two ridiculously powerful, possibly unstable warriors leading this great nation into years of war." Simon raised his glass in a mock toast.


    "I look forward to it!" Boson roared with laughter as he slammed his cup into Simon''s, sending the dark red wine splattering all over the dark wood of the table, the wine staining the wood the bright scarlet of newly shed blood.


    "I can wonder all I want about him, here''s one thing I can say for Tam, he''s always been a fine commander, and I''ve never seen him be cruel on the battlefield, which is more than you can say for most generals out there." Simon ran a finger through the spilled wine, lazily drawing circles.


    "Hear, hear. I think we''ll give those dogs from the Empire a fine walloping, should it come to it." Boson gave a dark smile as he finished putting the final touches to the blade of his axe.


    "I know I don''t need to say this to you, Boson, but this doesn''t leave this room, if we can even call it that." Simon gestured to the destroyed structure all around them.


    "Of course not! How long have you known me?" Boson put on a face of mock offense, then laughed and poured Simon another cup.


    Not far away, behind a large pile of rubble, Serena stood with her arms crossed, the hood of her cloak and her dark hair concealing her face in deep shadow.

 Chapter 73 - 72-First Steps

    Warning: There''s a slightly disturbing scene at the end of the chapter, as always, just skip from the first ***** to the next *****.


    [You''ve been working me like a machine, Silane.] Kothar wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around at the massive cavern he had created within the trunk of the willow.


    [You''ll thank me for the maze when you run into something nasty out there.] Silane said smugly, before even starting on any significant construction, she had made Kothar construct a complicated maze at the entrance, for safety''s sake.


    The cavern that Kothar had painstakingly carved out was mostly dark, only illuminated by the ball of lightning floating above Kothar and the glow of his plasma blade as he carved away chunks of wood.


    From the outside, one might notice a tiny hole a short distance up the trunk of the willow, with a long willow branch hanging down from it, and a pile of tiny splinters outside the hole.


    [To be fair, with the ridiculous mana here, I may as well be a machine, I don''t eat, I barely need to rest, and I feel energized constantly.] Kothar marvelled, he had noticed himself becoming physically stronger with every day he was on Atla, which he had tentatively named this plane, in the absence of meeting any inhabitants.


    [Yeah, since you''re a machine, how about you get to work on that chimney, so we can get some proper light in here.] Silane chided Kothar.


    [Alright, alright.] Kothar strolled over to the point Silane had marked out, and carefully aligned his palm with Silane''s overlay.


    Kothar channeled a massive surge of lightning mana to the Plasma Unit, and there was a large flash of light and Kothar''s plasma blade shot out a huge surge of plasma that obliterated the wood in its path.


    Kothar continued channeling mana to the Plasma Unit, and began to widen the hold he had created, soon enough, there was a narrow angled shaft that led to the outside.


    Now that the chimney was ready, Kothar walked over to where he had set down the large flat piece of rock he had carved in advance, with a shallow dip in the center, and set it down below the chimney.


    Kothar took up an armful of the wood shaving he had saved for this purpose, and tossed them onto the makeshift fireplace, setting them alight with a spark.


    He smiled as soon as a warm orange glow suffused the cavern, flickering to reveal the scorch marks that covered the walls, evidence of his hard work with the plasma blade.


    [Well, Silane, what now?] Kothar asked his ever present companion, he had fallen into an easy rhythm in the past few days, working hard at creating this space, that from the perspective of even a small animal of this world, would be miniscule.


    [First a forge, then, we can create a waterwheel and use that to power a lift and a water pump. Then, we make Titanite.] Silane said slowly, she knew the impact the mention of creating Titanite would have on Kothar.


    Kothar shuddered, it had been one of his first truly invasive procedures. While it hadn''t left him feeling much different, he had seen the recordings of the procedure.


    His entire skeleton had, bit by bit, been replaced by the alloy Titanite. In the early stages they had simply cut open his limbs to replace the bones, but as the technology had improved, and to save Kothar''s health, entire swarms of nanobots had been injected near the bone site, and had slowly morphed the bone.


    [Only if we do it with nanobots.] Kothar said after a long period of silence. He remembered the day he had realized that he couldn''t feel anything along the entire outer half of his left arm, after they had replaced the bones and accidentally bisected a nerve.


    While his sensation had been largely replaced by sensors in the later parts of his life, he wanted to keep as much of his visceral, pure experience as he could for as long as possible.


    [Of course Kothar, we don''t even have to do any internal upgrades, if that''s what you want.] Silane said softly, showing Kothar the myriad exoskeleton plans she had created.


    [No. If anything, we''ll make both.] Kothar said firmly, but his tone softened as he realized that Silane had created these plans in the event that he didn''t want to replace his internal structure with technology.


    [Thank you, Silane.] Kothar said with a sigh.


    Planes away, in a room lit by an eerie green glow, an elderly man, clad in the robes of a battlemage, with a wispy white beard, paced next to a large table.


    *****


    On the table was the body of a bird-like humanoid, arms and legs secured to the table with heavy manacles, and rib cage sawn in two, spread open with a retractor.


    A closer look would reveal that the being''s lungs were inflating and deflating, and its two hearts were beating away.


    Even its beaked head was held to the table with a thick loop of metal, but its owlish eyes swung around wildly and only small gasps escaped its mouth.


    The creature let out a loud screech of pain as Krieg absentmindedly sent a lance of purple spatial mana arcing toward its right heart.


    *****


    "Dammit all. How could I be so foolish?" Krieg threw up his hands in exasperation, and gave the bird-creature a look of pure disgust as he stormed away.


    "It could''ve been the catalyst to my breakthrough, but my greed, my greed overcame me!" Krieg screamed out and began to wail.


    "I must, I must find it!" Krieg said as he stomped into his office, the walls absolutely covered with drawings of a very familiar artifact.


    "Perhaps.... No, it would be far too dangerous. But, the rewards, so great!" Krieg began to cackle, his eyes no longer held even the slightest clarity within them, and he rocked back and forth on his heels, mumbling and muttering to himself.

 Chapter 74 - 73-Convergence

    An enormous red sun hung low in the sky, shining over the multi-colored sands of the endless desert below, each grain of sand shining and twinkling like a precious gem. Within a tall spire of rock, within this desert, was a network of caves.


    Within this spire lived a solitary creature, not a local of this plane, but nonetheless well adapted to the hot and dry climate.


    The creature was clad in billowing tan robes, almost completely shrouded, only an orange scaled hand visible as it smoked a long ivory pipe, blowing out rings of green smoke into the warm air of the cavern.


    The creature roused from its stupor as a high pitched ringing began to pulse out from one of the many alcoves that were carved out within the walls of the rock.


    Immediately, the creature rushed over to the source of the noise, and picked up the oval shaped piece of obsidian there.


    Upon it, a long string of numbers flashed, again and again. The creature blew out a final stream of emerald smoke before stowing its pipe and the oval deep within its robes.


    The creature picked up a trident tipped with razor shaped tines of a blue metal and stepped into the void that had opened up in the center of the cave.


    On various planes nearby to Eclat, this same scene was repeating itself, with similar oval devices ringing out in unison and flashing with the same set of numbers.


    Not far from Eclat, on a plane that was largely empty of life, Krieg stood in a clearing within a forest of stone, holding a similar oval device in his palm. Where the others had been flashing with a string of numbers, Krieg''s device only gently pulsed with an orange glow.


    A number of aberrations opened up within the air, odd beings and creatures stepping out from the resulting black portals ringing the small clearing.


    While all the visitors differed vastly in their stature and shape, there was one common factor.


    All of them either carried with them some kind of weapon, or themselves were weapons.


    Even within this crowd of dangerous beings, some were given a wide berth by the others. For example, the shrouded reptilian being had a circle of empty space about it, the nearby beings avoiding even the green smoke it exhaled.


    Another creatures looked like a praying mantis that was purely made up of blades, standing on four jointed limbs that ending in sharp points, with a pair of claws folded in front of itself, as it gently swayed back and forth, pivoting its pointed skull and surveying the gathered beings with its multifaceted eyes.


    "Freemen!" Krieg called out, clutching the oval device as he yelled out, each individual device translating his words for the gathered Freemen.


    "The mission is simple: find this man, eliminate him for me, and return the stolen artifact in his possession to me." Krieg had a milky white globe in his free hand, and it shone and projecting an uncannily accurate image of Kothar into the air above the gathering, and each of the Freeman stared carefully at the image.


    Some quickly sketched a likeness of Kothar into journals they carried with them, while others had more technologically advanced solutions, capturing his likeness directly from the white orb.


    "He cannot be more than ten Pebble-Jumps from this plane, he is likely dead, if you do find him further afield then the reward will be greater, so long as you bring me proof." Krieg spoke coolly, glowing with a deep purple glow.


    The blade creature let out a series of screeches which sounded like plates of metal roughly scraped together, which were translated for everyone to their respective languages by the Pebbles they all had on somewhere on their persons.


    "What might these rewards be, you must let us know, as is the custom." Krieg listened carefully to the distorted translated voice.


    "Of course, you will have the chance to take your pick from my collection of spatial tools, some of which may even hold enough spatial energy to propel you to another cluster, if that is what you wish." Krieg projected a new image, of a series of devices now projected into the air, all of them with deep purple spatial mana crystals set inside them.


    Various hisses and sighs of surprise filled the air, the bladed creature rubbed its forelimbs together, and let out a series of long screeches.


    "A great prize indeed. Remove the cooperation stipulation, and you shall have your artifact and the man''s head!" Krieg listened to the translation with his head tilted, giving the Blade Mantis a long stare.


    "This mission is far too important for me, and the more searchers the better. You shall have to find him first if you want the reward." Krieg said simply. His only response was a loud screech that needed no translation, it was obviously a yell of frustration.


    "I hear you have some good news for me?" Xurha reclined on his throne, a fresh scar carved deep into his brow.


    "Yes, your Supremacy. And, may I add, congratulations on your most recent conquest. You are an excep-" Xerev as usual, was hunched at the foot of the throne, crooning praises to Xurha before he was interrupted.


    "If I wanted my ego to be stroked, I''d go see my councilors! Tell me the news, Xerev!" Xurha yelled impatiently, slammed a blocky fist into the arm of the twisted throne.


    "As you know, Sire, the tracker was destroyed soon after the target travelled to a new plane. But just this morning, a Freeman mission was issued in the area we had been closing in on. I''ve dispatched a man to carry out the mission and see if it has any links to our target. We should receive some news once the mission is over. You know how restrictive those Pebbles are." Xerev reported, his words cascading from his mouth uncontrollably as he shook with fear.


    "Good. Let me know once you find this plane, we must have it. This most recent conquest barely allowed us to recharge our war machines, forget supplying the nation." Xurha let out a tired sigh, a rare glimpse to the more human side of the mighty ruler.

 Chapter 75 - 74-Hoverbike

    Kothar had been hard at work for the past few days, once he had put the finishing touches onto his rudimentary safe haven, he had constructed a very basic forge, this had been followed by Silane immediately taking him to craft a metal plate with a series of holes within it that gradually decreased in size.


    Fortunately for Kothar, the silt deposited along the banks of the stream was packed with what would be fragments of pure metals and minerals, but at the vast scale of this plane, were massive chunks of pure material that he could use.


    Thanks to his newfound ability to manipulate his Plasma Blade with his own electrical mana, he had made short work of crafting the plate that Silane required.


    Now, Kothar groaned as he realized what Silane meant for him to do with the plate.


    [Yes, you''re going to be making wire.] Silane confirmed Kothar''s suspicions, she had been looking forward to this moment for a long time, Kothar could finally craft what she had long since realized were essential tools for him.


    [Why don''t you tell me what all this wire is going to be for?] Kothar grumbled as he drew the length of still pliable steel rod through the largest hole, which narrowed it as he pulled it through.


    [We''re going to be making a sort of ultra sensitive electric field sensor.] Silane began to explain, as Kothar sweated over drawing the steel though the progressively smaller holes.


    [We''ve become far too dependent on your mana sensing eye, and as evidenced by what happened on Idwa and in the event we come across an invisible enemy that doesn''t use mana at all, we''ll be in hot water. Additionally, it''s entirely restricted to your field of view.] Silane continued, showing Kothar her proposed design.


    [In essence, this sensor is going to be a belt of sorts, so it can take in information from all directions, additionally, it''ll relay information back to you in the form of slight vibrations whenever it detects a fluctuation in an electric field.] Silane showed Kothar how the belt would have tiny motors at short intervals, allowing him to, in a sense, feel the electric fields all around him.


    [So, it''s a sort of non-invasive augmentation. Almost like an electric field implant sensor, except I wear it on the outside.] Realization dawned over Kothar and a soft smile crossed his face as he realized what Silane had done for him.


    [After our conversation about the Titanite, I really want to keep any augmentations to a minimum, unless we know that they''re of a sufficient quality.] Silane said in a gentle tone.


    [Of course, but don''t be too worried about me, Silane. If I''m to have any chance against the Devourer, I need to surpass myself as I was before and become far more powerful.] Kothar''s tone turned serious and his grip on the tongs holding the wire tightened visibly, his knuckles turning white.


    [Of course Kothar, I know what we''re fighting for.] Silane replied, just as serious.


    A few days later, Kothar stood amid a mess of wires, a pair of bladed rotors, a large motor for each rotor, and a bundle of roughly woven cloth made from plant fibers.


    [How about we put this together?] Silane commented.


    [It''s high time we did, and I''d like to see more of this plane besides the surroundings of this willow tree, and I don''t really fancy hitching a ride on another animal.] Kothar laughed as he remembered the wild ride that the deer had taken him on.


    Before long, the shape of the vehicle he had been working on appeared before him. It was similar in shape to a motorbike, with a spherical housing for the rotating rotors that would allow the bike to essentially fly.


    While raw resources were in abundance on this plane, Kothar currently lacked the time or infrastructure to create a comfortable seat, so for the time being he would have to make do with the rough fiber off the plant based cloth he had woven himself.


    Rather than a pair of handles, Kothar''s hands were shrouded in a pair of large gauntlets, which would facilitate the transfer of his lightning mana to the Hoverbike, allowing him to power the motors and control the intensity of mana within, which would allow him to control the speed of the rotors.


    [Well, what are you waiting for? Let''s give it a try.] Silane said as Kothar stood back and marvelled at their handiwork.


    [Just asking for a minute to appreciate my masterpiece.] Kothar said half sarcastically, the machine looked brutish, and by Alliance standards would have been dismissed as an odd piece of junk at worst and a curious looking art installation at best.


    But what he had decided to call the Hoverbike had an almost rough and raw beauty to it. The plasma cut plates that made most of the bike gave it an aggressive yet sleek appearance, and the whole machine seemed to hide a sort of raw power.


    By now Kothar''s curly black locks were up to his shoulders, and he had grown substantially in the short time he had been here, thanks to the dense mana on the plane.


    Now almost 16, Kothar had the wispy beginnings of a beard, and along with his piercing eyes, was beginning to resemble Tam, with only hints of Ophil''s features on his face.


    His clothing was torn and ragged, with only his cloak being mostly intact, thanks to the tough material it had been woven from.


    Kothar leapt astride the hover bike, and sent a surge of electricity via the device in his shoulder into the machine, which immediately began to hum and slowly rose into the air.


    Kothar gave a whoop of joy, and leaning forward, sped out in the vast open spaces of Atla.


    Unbeknownst to Kothar, a void had opened on Atla, letting a short stocky Freeman onto the plane, who immediately procured an oddly shaped lea with many fronds from his back and began waving it about through the air.

 Chapter 76 - 75-Giants

    From his years of exploration throughout the many planes, Ceiba was familiar with this subtype of plane. Size-differentiated planes were actually quite common, and more often than not were harmless.


    However, this was a largely subjective experience, since the denizens of the many planes differed as much in size as they did in shape and appearance.


    Ceiba slowly swung the Treasure Frond back and forth through the air, holding the image of the fugitive who had stolen the mage''s artifact strong in his mind.


    The Treasure Frond had been passed down from his family through the generations, each generation having prayed over the frond for the predecessor and ancestors to imbue it with their power.


    And when Ceiba had announced he was becoming a Freeman, the Frond had been passed to him, so that he would return with great treasures and fortune for his family.


    The spatial treasures the mage had offered as reward were exactly what he needed to power his pebble enough to return home.


    As he waved the large leaf through the air, it gave off a gentle golden glow, and Ceiba suddenly felt compelled to head toward a faint haze he could see hanging in the horizon.


    The whirring and hum of the Hoverbike echoed through the gully as Kothar sped by, a faint field of electricity all around him. Since he now had his electromagnetic field belt, having a low powered Lightning Field spell active around him as far as possible had become immensely useful to him, and his increased mana reserves allowed him to keep it active indefinitely.


    Already on his short ride he had detected many locations where only a short time mining would net him a ridiculous amount of resources, but he decided to explore further.


    Thanks to his shoulder unit, he had more than enough mana to speed along at a ridiculous rate, and he continued upstream, following the path of the stream through the sparse woods.


    [Hey! What the **** is that?] Silane called out, alerting Kothar to a vague movement in his peripheral vision.


    [Oh *****!] Kothar braked hard, turning away from the enormous being striding through the woods.


    Kothar could barely even see the top of the giant''s head, which on this plane would technically be a normal-sized humanoid.


    The giant was clad in roughly woven barkcloth and carried a heavy club slung over one shoulder.


    Furthermore, its wasn''t composed of flesh and blood. From this distance, the giant looked as if its flesh was made of living stone, and to Kothar looked like a roughly carved stature that had been brought to life and was now striding through the forest.


    Long green tresses of foliage tangled their way down the giant''s back, and Kothar felt a tremor shaking the air rhythmically.


    The giant was humming and took a leisurely stroll through the woods, stepping over the stream like it was merely an afterthought, while it had been a monumental find for Kothar.


    [Let''s follow it!] Silane exclaimed, as the giant walked away into the trees.


    [You''ve got to be kidding, it''d squish us like a bug. Actually, no. It''ll probably sneeze and send us flying halfway to who knows where.] Kothar protested.


    [Come on, Kothar. Don''t be such a wuss. Let''s learn more about this plane.] Silane chided Kothar.


    [Wuss? Where did you learn that? I demand an update to this malfunctioning AI.] Kothar teaser her back.


    [I''m afraid that this product is no longer supported.] Silane responded in her old, more robotic voice, before bursting into laughter.


    The pair of them continued to bicker and tease each other, as the Kothar followed the giant at a distance, making sure to keep as low to the ground and behind some kind of cover as he could.


    He didn''t want their journey to end with being confused for some sort of annoying bug,


    [Shouldn''t we turn back soon?] Kothar asked Silane, they had been following the giant for a great distance now, and enroute had seen some absolutely ridiculous creatures that populate Atla alongside the giant.


    [Just for a little while longer, Kothar.] Silane replied, her voice distant. She was busy cataloging the menagerie of odd creatures they had seen.


    Of note was an enormous pink blob that had a row of pale white tentacles along its back, and slowly wriggled through the forest.


    Upon seeing the creature, the giant had sprinkled a handful of a crumbly yellow substance, at the front of the creature, presumably where its mouth would be, then while it was distracted, had unsheathed a knife for its leather belt.


    The giant had deftly sliced off a few of the tentacles at the rear of the creature, the nubs that remained oozing a pinkish goo before rapidly healing shut.


    After muttering some words under its breath, the giant then stowed the tentacles away and continued on its walk through the forest.


    The trees thinned, and the relatively flat ground of the forest began to slope upwards. The giant picked up its pace and Kothar had to strain skittle to keep up, struggling to maintain the massive mana output that the Hoverbike needed to keep up the insane pace.


    The trees cleared to reveal a wooden palisade at the peak of a large hill, and the giant continued up towards the wide open gates at the front of the p[palisade.


    [Shall we follow it in?] Silane asked Kothar, now that there was a very real risk of being noticed by one of the giants, she was no longer as eager to investigate.


    [I''m sure we can easel;y sneak through a gap in the palisade, but just to be safe, we''ll wait till dark. Hopefully they also sleep at night.] Kothar replied, before riding the Hoverbike vertically up the side of one of the few trees near the giants'' encampment and finding a branch to wait on.


    Meanwhile, back at the willow that Kothar had made his home, Cieba had come across the dangling willow twig, and the many traces that Kothar had left. He almost stopped to investigate, but the Treasure Frond compelled him away, taking him directly to his target.

 Chapter 77 - 76-Enemy

    Kothar was settled comfortably in the curve of a small branch of one of the large trees nearer to the giant''s village.


    While he couldn''t see completely into the village due to the palisade, the giants'' left the gates of the palisade open, clearly not expecting any threats.


    But then, why the palisade? Kothar mused as he watched the giants go about their daily routines, not so different from a tribe of primitive humans.


    They varied in size and shape, with smaller giants who lacked the covering of moss and foliage that the older ones had, and frolicked and ran all about the camp.


    They varied also in the type of rock that they appeared to be made of, with some even having striking veins of ore that were striped across their bodies.


    However, unlike primitive humans, the giants didn''t seem to hunt for food, rather they all gathered wild growing roots and fruits and brought them back to their encampment, to share with the children and elderly of the camp.


    [They haven''t got it so bad, huh?] Kothar observed, remembering how the giants had celebrated upon seeing the tentacles that the giant he had followed returned with.


    [Would you rather have been reincarnated as a giant in an idyllic little encampment?] Silane asked, the mocking tone she usually had nowadays absent from her voice. Kothar was silent for some time.


    [No, but I can''t help but imagine what it would''ve been like. If I hadn''t been reborn on Eclat, perhaps I''d have given up completely on the idea of returning to the Alliance, with no knowledge of planes or magic. Likely, I''d be running about this plane with you being as snarky as ever trying to figure out what planet we were on.] Kothar sighed as he watched one of the smaller giants being swung through the air by one of the adults, eliciting fond memories of Ophil.


    [Did you notice that!] Kothar said suddenly. He had felt something cross into the weak electric field he had been keeping up since leaving his base. And it was moving closer and closer to him, with the unmistakably slow and patient pattern of a stalking predator.


    [Yes, but don''t move before you''ve got a spell ready. We want to catch him by surprise.] Silane replied, showing Kothar a projection of where their unknown adversary likely was.


    Simon stood nervously outside Tam''s study, in the many years the pair had known each other, Tam had never sent for him in an official capacity. Yet nevertheless, a letter signed ''Grand Marshal Tam of Balin'' had been delivered to him at his rooms in the Institute.


    A churning sensation deep in his stomach had accompanied Simon on the walk to Tam''s home, which was now guarded by the same staunch soldiers who had guarded the doors when Kultas had rebelled.


    ''Come on in." Tam''s low voice called out from within the study.


    Simon entered and was immediately taken aback by how different the room was. Gone were the ledgers and accounts that Tam had filled the room with while engaged in his merchant business in the years of peace before Kultas'' rebellion.


    Now the surface of the desk was invisible, and was covered in a multitude of maps, with a large stack of ciphered letters in front of him.


    "So, why the summons, Grand Marshal?" Simon ignored the fact that he felt quite ready to vomit, but tried to keep up the usual light-hearted and bantering tone he usually took with Tam.


    "Take a seat, Simon." Tam ignored Simon''s question, and gestured to the padded chair across the desk.


    Simon leant back comfortably in the chair, he had stayed silent under the most severe torture, he had kept secrets that would ruin entire kingdoms, but he was ashamed at how difficult it seemed for him to remain calm in the face of the possible displeasure of one of his oldest friends.


    Tam finally looked up from the coded message he had been reading, and gave Simon a long hard stare that almost made the Thief flinch.


    "I won''t waste either of our time, I know it''s impossible for me to get anything out of you that you don''t want me to hear. So I''ll ask you outright. I heard you think I''m overstepping in what I''ve been doing to the Ursten military and the taxes I''ve implored Rotan to raise." Tam said slowly, crossing his arms loosely across his chest. He was still dressed in his fine ceremonial armor, a hawk inlaid in silver wings outstretched across his breastplate.


    Internally, Simon let out a massive sigh of relief. If only Tam had known how close he had been to cracking under the pressure, he''d have never been taken seriously as a spy again.


    "Well, that''s putting what I said lightly. I won''t ask how you found out, but I must say I''m surprised you did." Simon paused and wondered if Boson had given him up to Tam, but then quickly dismissed the thought. Boson lacked the duplicity to betray Simon''s trust so, or he was the greatest spy that had ever lived and had been deceiving Simon for all the years they had known each other, in which case, he deserved the information he had gotten.


    "I didn''t think that my sister''s death would drive you so mad with grief that you''d up haul the kingdom entirely. Setting wild packs of naive young nobles to ravage our neighbors, and then so rapidly invading Phintus. And then the alliance with Newport! I know the Duke is one of the free who can match you, but as far as I know the man''s a drunkard and madman!" Simon''s words cascaded out incessantly, as he let out everything he had been dying to say to Tam for the past few months.


    "Anything else?'' Tam said tersely, his brow furrowed as his piercing blue eyes looked sharply at Simon out from under his dark brows. Tam''s hand fell to the sword at his belt, and he began to caress the hilt.

 Chapter 78 - Interrogation?

    Had Simon not trained for years at the Institute, he would have broken down at that point and either fled from the room or begged for his life.


    Even though Tam was not consciously exerting any pressure, Simon knew just how powerful his old friend had become, and if he had truly taken offense, Simon was well and truly f*****.


    "Well, how about abandoning me to rot in Kalun! If it hadn''t been for Kothar coming to rescue me, I''d have died in that city! Rotan''s never liked me, and so why would he even diplomatically try to get me back?" Simon decided to go full throttle, if Tam was going to retaliate for what he had said, he might as well get out everything he had to say.


    "I think you''ve made your point quite clear." Tam''s hand left his sword, no longer deep in thought. He looked Simon right in the eye.


    "You''re right. As much as it hurts for me to admit it, I''m sorry,I let you and Ophil down in failing to rescue you from Kalun." Tam paused for a moment and stroked the stubble that was growing in on his chin.


    "Kultas'' rebellion really got me to think about the future of Ursten, and when Ophil fell on the outskirts of Janul, that really drove things home." Tam choked up a little, his words catching in his throat.


    "For the longest time, the only real threat to us were the warriors of the Southern Tribes, and even then, they mostly kept to themselves. But when the Empire drove them north, and after we brokered peace with them, I think we became lax. Kalun should have never posed any kind of threat to us, and to think that they thought that they''d take Ursten together with Phintus. Over my grave!" Tam''s eyes glowed with a ferocity that Simon hadn''t seen for many years, and he remembered meeting the fierce Ursten warrior for the first time, in the cramped alleyways of Newport.


    "I know. I don''t hold any of that against you. I did get out of Kalun, and indirectly or directly the burning of Ranuth was-" A forlorn look came across Simon''s face as he remembered the night that he and Kothar had fled Ranuth, the glow of the burning cities following them for miles. But Tam interrupted him.


    "No. The burning and the war had nothing to do with the two of you. If not Ranuth, then Kalun would have found any other excuse to wage war, and finding none they would pull one out of thin air." Tam''s face warped into a grimace of disgust.


    "And as for that beast. From what you told me, it would be hard pressed for anyone to match him on the Isle. I hope we never see him within Ursten''s borders." Tam sighed and Simon noticed for the first time the new gray hairs sprinkled around his temples.


    "Agreed." Simon said quietly, internally elated as he realized his friend had not called him here to rebuke him or to retaliate against him for his words, rather, this had been Tam apologizing. Not only as his friend, but in his official capacity as a General and as Grand Marshal of Ursten.


    There was a short silence, as the pair of them both sat together in the study, alone with their thoughts.


    "What about all the Grand Marshall stuff? You have to agree, it does make you seem like a tyrant." Simon finally broke the silence, now that he had the chance to really talk to Tam. He wasn''t going to let it go to waste.


    "About that, I''m not doing anything I wasn''t before. I''m still counseling Rotan, and I''m still marshalling the armies of Ursten. It is true, though, that my authority is now cemented, and I could wield a lot more power politically, and rightfully so, but it''s mostly so that I can keep all the nobles in line. The way things were going, I wouldn''t have been surprised if Ursten split up into all the little baronies, duchies and princedoms it was eons ago." Tam spoke slowly, and his hand fell to his sword as he did so, as he did while deep in thought, but to Simon the effect was still quite disconcerting.


    "Regardless of your intentions, Tam. You have got to admit, this all makes it seem as if you''re setting yourself up to usurp the throne and to become a tyrant? After the most recent war, the people would be all for it, they''re singing your praises from Fisher''s point all the way to Janul. Even the people of Phintus are praising your foresight." Simon watched for Tam''s reaction carefully. In all his years of spy craft, he knew that even the most open and honest man had hidden depths, and try as one might, they would never truly know the heart of another.


    "Yes, but I don''t want to be a tyrant, all I wanted for most of my life was to serve my kingdom and to enjoy life with my family. Now, without Ophil and Kothar away at the Academy, Ursten is what remains for me." Tam''s eyes gazed off into the distance, misting over slightly.


    "But surely, Tam. You would make a far better king than Rotan, and you would have the support of the entire Kingdom at your back. The nobles, the common people, the soldiers and even Rotan would have no complaint. Perhaps only the merchants would begrudge you." Once again, Simon did his utmost to gauge Tam''s response, looking for even the slightest twitch of a muscle in his face, or a sideways glance.


    "No. Ursten must return to peace, and Rotan will be King then, as he will so long as I safeguard the Kingdom. For all his failures and weaknesses, he truly does wish the best for the people." Simon watched as Tam delivered his words clearly, without even the slightest change in his expression. Simon was convinced, either Tam truly was not seeking the throne and working for Ursten, or he was so utterly mad that Simon would never be able to tell if he was lying. Only time would tell.

 Chapter 79 - Samara

    Kothar whirled around, and immediately hurled the Storm Field spell he had prepared towards his assailant. The man was dressed in furs from head to toe, and was quite short, his frame hidden by the heavy furs draped all about him.


    His eyes wide, Cieba leapt back in surprise and swung at the incoming glowing ball of lightning with the Treasure Frond, missing it completely.


    Kothar''s mana manipulation abilities had increased by leaps and bounds since his last real battle, and he easily slammed the Storm Field into the ground in front of Cieba.


    The branch which Kothar had been resting on was now scorched black by the constantly striking bolts, and while they did no serious damage to Cieba, they did their part in confusing him and giving Kothar more time to assess his opponent.


    [His main weapon must be that massive golden palm leaf. It''s saturated with a strange mana, but so is he, it''s almost as if it''s part of his body, except his body has its own mana.] Kothar pointed to Silane.


    [Yes, and when he tried to block your Storm Field, it also disrupted the electromagnetic field around you, be careful Kothar.] Silane said seriously. Normally Kothar would have joked back, but the pair of them understood the seriousness of being attacked by someone who was so obviously not from Atla.


    Krieg was still hot on Kothar''s tail.


    As Cieba spun his Treasure Frond around his head, sending golden light running all over his body to shield him from the constant barrage of lightning bolts raining down on him, Kothar sent dark purple balls of energy all around Cieba, opening up miniscule portals all about the area.


    The tiny portals were a new strategy that Kothar had come up with, they were small enough that any enemy would have trouble firing attacks back to Kothar through them, and additionally they posed a danger to the opponent. As a portal would shear off anything that approached it at the wrong angle, presumably sending the now missing segment to the endless void.


    Now that the battlefield was set up to his advantage, Kothar began to charge up a Bolt Barrage. Any other enemy would have fled from such a disadvantageous battlefield, but Kothar knew that the stocky man was likely pursuing him, and it would take far more than an area spell and a literal spatial minefield to dissuade his pursuer.


    Now shrouded in a glowing golden light that flowed over his skin like honey, Cieba swung his frond swiftly through the air, sending glowing golden flashes of the same, liquid, golden energy silently streaking at Kothar.


    His physique enhanced by his days on Atla, as well as the Storm Field, Kothar easily dodged the slashes, but the slashes were far more powerful than he had anticipated, and his enemy''s goal was not to hit him.


    The branch fell away beneath the both of them, Kothar cursed internally, he could literally teleport, but flight was still beyond him. Meanwhile, Cieba was calmly floating down, his ever useful treasure Front acting like a parachute, as he drifted to and fro in the air, his eyes tracking the rapidly plummeting Kothar.


    Kothar spread out his arms and legs, and it felt like he was back in the atmosphere of a hostile alien planet, being dropped from sub-space to suppress a rebellion. He steered himself through the air toward one of the sturdier branches below him and braced for impact.


    He cast his strongest Lightning Aura spell on himself and aimed for the center of the wide branch.


    There was a loud boom, and a massive cloud of pollen and splinters was sent flying into the air. Cieba squinted at the branch, and grinned. There was no way the fugitive had survived that, it looked like his mission would be far easier titan he had expected.


    The pollen slowly settled as Cieba drifted closer and closer, but his face fell as he saw his target, curly hair wild in every direction, his already tattered clothing far worse for wear, with his left palm pointing directly at Cieba, who was a sitting duck in mid air. The Treasure Frond could slow his fall, but it was no pair of wings.


    Kothar grinned at the shocked face of the floating man, and sent a massive surge of energy to the Plasma Unit, and a massive flash of bright light blinded both Cieba and Kothar, as an insanely bright beam of plasma barreled at Cieba in a split second, leaving him no chance to react.


    The plasma easily burst through his golden shield, and burnt a massive hole right through Cieba''s midsection. The Freeman coughed up blood as he stared down at the hole in his torso. He had seen many weapons in his time, but that beam of death was absolutely ridiculous.


    [That was surprisingly easy.] Silane said wryly.


    [Yes, but I''m sure he won''t be the last, and we can''t be confident that Krieg himself won''t show up here. I guess we can be confident he doesn''t know exactly where we are, otherwise we''d be dead already.] Kothar looked down at the man who had attacked him, who drifted down, swaying and spinning through the air, a long helicopter seed drifting down from the massive tree.


    [I wonder who he was.] Kothar looked at the leaf as it grew smaller and smaller, wondering where Krieg had found such a strange man to come hunting for Kothar.


    [I''m sure there''ll be some clues on his body.] Silane said matter of factly, to which Kothar''s only response was a resigned sigh.


    [I''ll climb back up for the Hoverbike.] Kothar looked up the endless trunk stretching away from him, and took a deep breath before he started his grueling climb.


    Far below Kothar, the stalk of the Treasure Frond that had been clutched so tightly in Cieba''s hand was now wrapping itself tightly around the outstretched arm that held it, tiny rootlets digging deep into Cieba''s cold flesh.

 Chapter 80 - 80-Void Disk

    Amongst the scattered fallen leaves, twigs and the towering moss amongst the arching roots of the tree in whose branches he had just fought to the death in, Cieba''s body lay spread eagle.


    A massive hole burned straight through his chest, the edge of the wound charred and dripping with blood. His tanned and weather beaten face was now pale, and flecks of blood were scattered all throughout the short beard on his face.


    As his corpse lay there, the Treasure Frond continued to advance along his arm, wrapping it tightly, extending more and more tendrils into his lifeless body.


    The heavy furs wrapping his stocky frame were torn apart by the advancing roots, the shining gold of the roots glowing like golden veins all across his right arm.


    The tendrils reached Cieba still heart, and plunged deep into it, for a moment, all of the constantly spreading tendrils stopped. Then, all of a sudden, Cieba''s heart began to beat ferociously, almost thrusting itself out of his chest.


    The constantly leaking blood from his wound took on a golden sheen, and within a few minutes, it was as if molten gold was dripping from the hole in his torso. Once the blood had turned completely gold, the flesh and organs began to rapidly knit themselves together.


    By now, Cieba''s body had fully integrated with the Treasure Frond, his right arm no longer ended in a hand, rather the Treasure frond extended naturally from the end of his arm.


    Cieba''s heavy furs had been shredded by the tendrils, and his wiry frame lay bare on the forest floor, pulsing golden lines all over him.


    Cieba''s eyes shot wide open, glaring emptily up into the air, he let out a massive gasp, starved of air. The wiry Freeman sat up, a series of hacking coughs shaking his frame, as he coughed up globs of dried blood.


    Cieba, seemingly revived from death, stood tall and stretched out, and glared up into the air seemingly at nothing, but his eyes, empowered as his body was by the Treasure Frond, could make out Kothar speeding down the side of the tree on his Hoverbike.


    Cieba hid himself within a large mass of moss, waiting for the man who had killed him to appear.


    Kothar roared into the clearing where Silane had estimated that Cieba had fallen, to find the odd man nowhere to be seen.


    [That''s odd, maybe scavengers got him?] Kothar said to Silane.


    [No, look closer, there''s an odd pool of blood, it almost seems like it''s shining gold?] Silane responded, and Kothar took the bike in closer.


    As Kothar peered down at the blood, his felt a disturbance in the Lightning Field he maintained, and swung his head back to reveal a recovered Cieba.


    The mysterious pursuer was now almost completely nude, and covered in a network of golden vessels, a fierce =grimace on his face as he let out a bloodcurdling scream, leaping at Kothar, violently whipping the Treasure Frond at Kothar, aiming for his neck.


    "What the f***?" Kothar yelled out in shock, immediately sending his Hoverbike speeding out of the way, looking at the strange creature that his assailant had become in shock.


    "Ahchwdbwugwdiuyw!" A string of gibberish came out of the creature''s mouth, as his menacingly stalked toward Kothar. The sound was eerie, it sounded as if an entire chorus of people were screaming at Kothar. [Silane? Any help?] Kothar called out.


    [One moment. It appears he said, "We shall flay the flesh from your bones." That''s quite kind of him.] Silane said coolly.


    [What do you think, Silane, can we take him?] Kothar asked as he swerved the Hoverbike to and from, dodging a rapid flurry of whip like blows from the reawakened being.


    [I don''t think we have much of a choice, if we flee, there''s the chance he gives our location to Krieg.] Silane said grimly.


    "WE SHALL TORMENT YOUR SOUL FOR AN ETERNITY!" The chorus of voices screamed, and the revived golden streaked man leaped high into the air, barreling toward Kothar.


    [Now I wish I hadn''t asked you to translate what he was saying." Kothar complained, cleanly vaulting from the Hoverbike. He couldn''t easily cast from atop the bike, and it seemed like he would need all his magic to best this creature.


    The creature whipped out a succession of blows straight at Kothar, who quickly threw a portal in front of him, with no exit portal, the portal disintegrated the tip of the now oddly fleshy frond, which gave a tortured scream of pure rage in response.


    "YOU WILL PAY!" The voices screamed, as the frond quickly regenerated, Kothar was unfazed, taking the opportunity to charge up the latest spell he had learned.


    If not for the abundant mana on Atla and the increases in his mana cores, he would have found it impossible to cast it.


    Kothar had planted his feet wide, his palms wide apart, a pinpoint of absolute darkness appearing between his outstretched palms.


    The creature that was Cieba widened its eyes in shock, aware of the threat that pinpoint posed.


    Purple energy swirled all around the pinpoint, forming an ever widening disk. Kothar''s forehead beaded with sweat as he struggled to hold the Void Disk together, the slightest mistake would cost him his life.


    Kothar''s arms shook, not from any physical strain, but from the ridiculous pressure on him.


    Kothar looked up, it was as if everything around him had slowed down, he could hear Silane, but her voice was quiet and faded, as if she were far, far away.


    All he could see was the snarling face of the rapidly approaching creature, teeth bared and screeching in rage. Kothar''s eyes met the creatures, and he saw the raw fear and desperation in its eyes.


    The Void Disk had grown to the width of Kothar''s chest, and he knew that he couldn''t hold it much longer.


    With a loud shout of exertion, Kothar sent the disk spinning rapidly at the approaching creature.

 Chapter 81 - Pebble

    For generations, the people of Xiabla had not allowed the souls of their people to enter the cycle of rebirth, rather the souls of children born to the Xiabla were chained to their physical bodies.


    After death, the soul was placed into an appropriate vessel, this was how the first treasure weapons were made. The treasure weapons gave the Xiabla the edge they needed to gain dominance over their home plane, and soon, as all victors do, they turned their eyes to new frontiers.


    Unfortunately, the Xiabla were ill prepared for interplanar war, and soon became a fragmented people, joining the endless races who were scattered across the myriad planes, often due to the same foolhardy warmongering that befell the Xiabla.


    Cieba''s tribe had found safe haven on a long abandoned micro-plane, perhaps carved out of the very void by some powerful being eons past. He was the most recent of a long line of Freemen and mercenaries, bringing back valuables and technology on their journeys throughout the multiverse.


    Alas, he was to be the last of his line.


    The Void Disk sped through the air, slamming into Cieba''s body, the tortured screams of Cieba and his ancestors ringing out, the Void Disk emitted a screeching sound as it slammed into Cieba''s reinforced body, tearing through the golden material of the Treasure Frond.


    Kothar watched on, mouth agape, eyes wide, he knew the Void Disk would be powerful, but he had no idea it would be so effective.


    Kothar winced as he watched the reinforced creature being torn into shreds, desperately trying to heal itself, but being repeatedly pulled apart by the Void Disk.


    With a long final screech, the Void Disk and carcass of the creature pulled together into a dark pinpoint, which then winked out of existence.


    A solitary, oval shaped, glassy black object fell to the ground where the disk had disappeared, lying on the forest floor. There was nothing else left, no trace that anyone had been there mere moments ago, except for the shining pebble, from which an orange light blinked.


    [That was terrifying. Even though Krieg is back stabbing b******, he sure was right about the dangers of Spatial Magic, that could''ve just as easily been me.] Kothar shook his head in disbelief, staring at the odd oval lying on the ground.


    [You can thank my calculating abilities for the fact that we haven''t been deleted from existence by an errant Spatial Spell. Surviving even that, that thing has got to be ridiculously durable. If you were made out of whatever material that is, you wouldn''t even have to worry about misfiring Spatial Spells. We could cover you in those if we found enough of them.] Silane said half joking.


    [I am ever so grateful, O merciful AI, what would I ever do without you? Also, don''t even joke about turning me into some kind of odd shiny black beetle.] Kothar protested, walking over to the device.


    [There are no electric fields around it, but I can see an extremely concentrated pure mana within.] Kothar observed the oval carefully. It looked like a solid piece of obsidian, polished impossibly smooth, roughly the size of his palm.


    [You think it might be dangerous?] Silane asked Kothar, she couldn''t detect any kind of fluctuating electric field or even an energy circuit that would signal some kind of booby trapped device, In moments like this, she had always deferred to Kothar''s innate sense for danger.


    [If it were, that poor guy probably would have used it to defend himself or attack us.] Kothar said simply, reaching down to pick the object up.


    "Ow!'' Kothar yelled, the polished surface had somehow pricked him, though there wasn''t even the slightest sign of a bump on the oval. He looked down at his hand and saw the tiniest spot of blood beading out of a tiny prick.


    [I guess it was dangerous. If you pass out from poison I''ll call for help.] Silane laughed, if it were poison, they were well and truly f*****, what else could she do other than joke about it.


    [That''s not funny Silane, it might have really poisoned me.] Kothar protested, and began to reach for the object again, this time with his hand wrapped in his cloak, but was shocked at seeing the script of Ursten appear on the previously blank oval.


    "Welcome to the Pebble Network. Would you like to join the network? Simply place your palm on the Pebble to join." The text read, appearing just above the surface of the oval, seemingly projected into the very air. The device itself now emanate the slightest amount of heat, and if there had been a thermometer nearby, it would have measured the Pebble as being exactly at Kothar''s body temperature.


    Even after all the mysterious magical artifacts he had seen on Eclat, the Pebble was enough to surprise both Silane and Kothar, the pair were speechless for a long moment.


    [What the f****?] Silane was first to break the silence.


    [It must''ve gathered my DNA from the prick, but how did it know I was able to read Ursten, that''s amazing. It must be some insanely advanced technology, or a magical artifact? I guess there isn''t really a difference when a device reaches this point.] Kothar stared at the Pebble hard with his Mana-Sensing Lens, but only saw the same stream of extremely pure mana, still flowing in the same elegant, basic pattern as when he had first seen it.


    [Well, put your palm on it, Kothar. I want to see what this Pebble Network is all about.]


    Silane pulled Kothar out of his train of thought, lost in thoughts of what kind of civilization or individual had been able to craft such an amazing device, the speed at which it had managed to project the text of Ursten to him after pricking was nothing short of miraculous.


    [Alright.] Let''s do this. Kothar assented and placed his palm on to the waiting Pebble.

 Chapter 82 - Freeman

    "Welcome to the Pebble Network." Kothar felt a cool stream of mana flow into his hands from the Pebble, flowing around his body before returning to the Pebble.


    A numbered list of options appeared, reminiscent of the home menus that Alliance tech had often used.??


    ------


    1. Marketplace


    2. Encyclopedia


    3. Register as a Freeman


    -----


    [I wonder what a Freeman is?] Kothar asked Silane.


    [Let''s try the Encyclopedia.] Silane replied, a hint of excitement in her voice, this was the most complex technology they had seen being reborn on Eclat.


    Kothar tapped on the Encyclopedia option, and was immediately shown a welcome message.


    ------


    Welcome to the Encyclopedia.


    Thank you for contributing your genetic and energy profile to the Pebble Network.


    500 Credits have been deposited to your unique user signature.


    For more Credits, you may utilize the Marketplace, or you may contribute to the Encyclopedia.


    Note: Topics may vary in Credit price.


    Enjoy your research!


    -----


    A simple pictogram of a book appeared on the Pebble. And Kothar looked at it in confusion.


    [How the **** do I input information into this thing?} He complained. For such an advanced piece of technology/magic, it had neglected to tell him about how to input information.


    [Try talking to it. Genius] Silane scoffed at Kothar, obviously such an advanced device would not resort to archaic input methods like typing or writing something.


    "Freeman." Kothar lifted the Pebble up to his face and spoke directly into it.


    Almost instantaneously, a block of text appeared, blurred except for the larger title, which read ''Freemen''. A short message overlaid the blurred text.


    "This document is 0 credits. Discounted as part of the essential Pebble Network reading."


    Kothar immediately tapped on the blurred section, the Pebble projected the short document into the air above the Pebble, the writing easily legible.


    "Freemen are independent contractors available for hire through the Pebble Network. Since the Pebble Network is the most comprehensive interplanar method of communication, (barring some *unique* exceptions) the Freemen are often the first port of call for anyone looking to source a rare material, find information or secure interplanar fugitives. Of course, there are *conditions* that apply to Freemen missions.


    Note: Freemen are afforded special privileges on the Pebble Network, with access to new features, unique information and even the locations of trading planes.


    Become a Freeman *today*!"


    [I guess that clown who came after us was a Freeman, I guess it''s likely Krieg has put out a mission to find me.] Kothar sighed, his problems were far worse than he had expected.


    It was possible his pursuers could be communicating across planes, even now, hundreds of Freeman could be converging on his location. Immediately, he mounted the Hoverbike and sped back towards his hideout.


    For better or for worse, he would much rather be in familiar territory and away from the giants, who knew how they would respond to a mass of tiny people fighting on the outskirts of the forest.


    [I didn''t see him utilise the Pebble before you defeated him, Kothar. There must be some reason that they aren''t all cooperating to find you.] Silane sensed Kothar''s worry and consoled him.


    Kothar didn''t respond, his mind was filled with anguish and rage towards Krieg. Even though he had been so filled with expectation towards the mysterious mage, he was sick of Krieg at this point, the man had betrayed him, thrown him into a spatial rift and left him for dead, and now he had sent an army of interplanar mercenaries after Kothar.


    To add insult to injury, the artifact that had triggered Krieg''s betrayal had only been a nuisance to Kothar, sending him to the insect ruled plane of Idwa, and leaving him imprisoned with an odd man who had tried to bait him into a portal to who knew where.


    Kothar took out the artifact that had caused him so much trouble and looked at it, even now, it called to the Spatial Mana within Kothar, urging him to send it his energy and in return send him to unknown planes.


    If worse came to worst, Kothar could utilize the artifact to send him to a random plane, but he didn''t know when or if it would send him right back to where he came from, and he also didn''t want to leave this resource rich plane which he could so quickly increase his mana capacity as well develop his technology.


    If the Freemen arrived enmasse however, Kothar would have no choice but to leap blindly into yet another unfamiliar plane.


    As he neared his hideout, Kothar detected no electric field or mana disturbances that would indicate Freemen arriving to Atla.


    However, he still felt on edge, the odd small man had shocked him enough, with his uncanny ability to find Kothar, his odd weapon and reviving from the dead to form some kind of abomination.


    [What if the Pebble gives up our location to those Freemen tracking us?] Silane suddenly blurted out, Kothar''s anxiety rubbing off on her. She didn''t fully trust the device, it seemed too good to be true.


    [Well, if that happens, then we''re f*****. I don''t think so, I''m beginning to think that the Freeman we killed didn''t contact anyone, and if the Pebble had done something too then they would''ve found us by now.] Kothar''s innate sense for strategy cut through the tumult of emotions he was experiencing after the avalanche of events that had just occurred.


    [Why not register as a Freeman, I''m sure we''ll be able to learn more about the kind of people pursuing us.] Silane commented, frustrated by the non answer they had gleaned from the document.


    [I don''t know if I trust this Pebble Silane, it seems to be forcing me to become a Freeman. And what kind of name even is that, ''Freeman''? It all seems a little off to me.] Kothar looked at the odd oval sitting in one of the dips in the Hoverbike.


    [But really, what choice do we have?]

 Chapter 83 - An Old Enemy

    Deep within the endless plains of the Southern tribes, an enormous dark mass was encroaching, heading towards the heart of the plains. A closer look would reveal the numerous flags flying the standard of the hawk, this army was personally led by Grand Marshal Tam.


    Along with Tam''s massive host, many of the nobles had brought the bulk of their own forces, hoping for a war against the tribes, eager to take revenge for their fallen fathers in the great war between Ursten and the tribes.??


    "Where''s the bear?" Baron Leynish rode alongside Lord Ausman, one of the many cronies he had gathered on his campaigns deep into Kalun territory. Eager to loot and reap the rewards for the vulnerable state after Tam had decimated their finest commanders.


    "I think it just makes it all the more clear who this army owes its loyalty to, I wager it''ll be a long while before we see any army flying the bear of Ursten." Ausman, a tall fair haired man, with delicate features who looked like he belonged in the window of a boutique rather than the battlefield, spoke with shakily. His father''s death to the tribes had thrust authority onto him, and he had proved himself a capable leader of the heavy cavalry his father had left him.


    "I notice you''ve got your men wearing blue armbands like so many of the other fools, tell me Ausman. Are you going to fly Tam''s flag above that of your father also?" Leynish, though much smaller than Ausman, absolutely radiated rage. He had taken Ausman under his wing on his short campaign into Kalun and felt betrayed.


    "Can''t hurt to keep on the commander''s good side, Leynish. Y''know how he feels about all us nobles since Kultas'' rebellion." Ausman mumbled and squirmed in his saddle, avoiding Leynish''s fierce stare.


    "You fool, he''d be the obvious choice for heir with Kultas out of the way. You think this whole Grand Marshal business came out of nowhere. No way, I gather his father had been planning since Rotan was declared heir. You know that left a sour taste in many a mouth, why leave the throne to a soft naive fool, and leave the Last Hawk himself stationed on the border." Leynish spoke with an almost mad fervor, specks of saliva spraying the shrinking Ausman.


    "All that remains to be seen is whether that madman Anteris makes a move-" Leynish was right up in Ausman''s face by now, while the poor man had his eyes almost completely shut to shield himself from Leynish''s spit infused yells. Fortunately, he was interrupted by a booming voice.


    "Come now, Leynish. Leave off the lad for a while, he''ll be no good to us if you chew off his head before we get into battle. Save those chompers of yours for the Tribes, or the Empire, whoever gets in our way first." Boson grinned as he teased Leynish, his teeth shining out from behind his small opening in his dome shaped helmet.


    "Alright, alright. But tell me, Boson, are we really going to ally ourselves with these damned tent dwellers?" Leynish spat as he spoke, his face twisted in a mask of rage and hatred. He wished he could slap Boson right there for showing him up, however, he dared not to. Tam''s Lieutenants answered only to him, and many would consider them the most powerful individuals after Tam and Anteris. As for Rotan, he had been largely written off by the nobility at this point.


    "If the General''s predictions hold true, then we just might. Just keep in mind Leynish, they had already lost some of their finest to the Empire before any of them tried coming north into Ursten. You''d do well to respect their prowess." Boson''s grin disappeared as he admonished Leynish.


    "I respect their prowess Boson, only a mighty warrior could have defeated my father in his prime, but that doesn''t mean I have to like them. As for fighting alongside the dirty rats, I will of course obey the Grand Marshal''s commands." Leynish smiled mockingly at Boson, he knew how uncomfortable Boson was with Tam''s sudden increase in power and prestige. After all, it was common knowledge that the majority of Tam''s lieutenants had joined him in his adventuring days, when he had roamed the Isle.


    At the very head of the massive army, Tam rode a fierce beast, the color of midnight, dwarfing even the hybrid horses many of the nobles rode. The horse he rode had a pale blue horn rising up from its forehead, and lightning crackled around its hooves as it thundered along.


    He had chosen the beast in a rare sentimental moment, for while it would be an enormous asset in battle, the lightning that crackled around the beast''s hooves reminded him of his son, studying magic far to the north in Trinquile.


    Tam himself wore his usual dark blue armor, the hawk clearly emblazoned across the front. His hair had grown long, and flowed loose in the air behind him, he looked very bit the commander he was made out to be, fitting the picture of the tales told in the inns in the port cities of the Empire, where the common folk were beginning to hear ballads of Tam''s revenge, where he had had defeated two armies almost single handedly in a matter of days.


    Tam raised a gloved hand and closed his fist, immediately the flags of the army behind him lowered, and the soldiers all came to a stop. They were here.


    Tam gestured to Boson and Selene to ride ahead with him, the rest of the army would wait while the three of them talked with the clan leaders waiting ahead.


    Tam squinted his piercing blue eyes and looked at the waiting tribesmen. There was a cluster of tents pitched within the circle of weathered stone monuments that had traditionally been used by the clan leaders in their annual meetings, and just as he had expected, they had gleaned his intentions and awaited him.

 Chapter 84 - Summit

    "Halt stranger! You may pass no further. These stones mark the Hallowed Circle, no foreigner shall step within so long as I live!" A brash young warrior of the tribes, with a mane of fiery red hair and a short pointed beard, stared at Tam and his lieutenants with dark eyes, filled with fury. The young warrior was dressed in the traditional quilted armor of the tribes, and his hand rested on the hilt of a curved sickle shaped blade.


    "Step aside, boy." Tam gave the young man barely a glance, before spurring his horse onward, right toward the young man. There was a sudden gust of wind, and the young warrior was swept aside, in his place now stood a tall elderly man. The young warrior frowned from behind the elderly man.


    "Excuse my grandson, Tam of Balin, or shall I say Grand Marshal Tam? You seem to have grown much since our last meeting. I must ask you and your companions to leave your horses and weapons here. If you truly seek to parley with us." The man who spoke only wore a simple cream colored robe, his skin darkened by years under the fierce sun of the plains. His face was lined and weathered with age, and his bushy eyebrows almost obscured his sharp gray eyes. He was clean shaven but an enormous braid of thick white hair hung down his back, and was woven with silver trinkets that sang as he walked towards Tam.


    "I remember you well, Master Vaya of the Crow." Tam dismounted and gave the man a complicated smile, the hair was now pure white, with none of the gray that he had seen the last time they had met, but the hooked nose and permanent smile would be a face he would never forget. After all, he had been the man who had made Tam the Last Hawk, sparing him after slaughtering the entire Hawk Brigade.


    Selene and Boson followed suit, stowing their weapons on their mounts, before following Tam to where he stood a few meters from Vaya.


    "Follow me, please remember, there are to be no raised voices, threats of violence or insults within the Hallowed Circle." Vaya spoke in a solemn tone. Walking with slow deliberate steps towards a gap within the weathered stones.


    "Do not betray my trust, Tam. This is the first time one not of our people have stepped within the stones. If you have come to do war, let it be known now, and you can expect a battle with men. If you intend to attack us within the circle, then prepare yourself to face an army of demons, who will all fight to their final breath." Vaya turned to face Tam before he stepped within the circle, giving Tam a firm look.


    "I would never look to defeat the Tribes by treachery Vaya, my honor would not allow it. And I''m sure you remember, I must repay a debt I owe you." Tam replied, stepping past Vaya, into the circle of stones.


    Tam stopped short, he felt an invisible pressure descend upon him, it was as if there were an icy claw within his chest, gripping his heart. It squeezed slightly, but sensing no ill intent, it disappeared.


    "You thought our Hallowed Circle would be a place of tradition, no Tam, treachery is punished here by forces we can only hope to understand. Otherwise, those tribes with blood debts would have long broken the peace here." Vaya gave Tam a pat on the shoulder, before walking ahead, toward the large circular rug around where various tribal chiefs reclined on piles of cushions, sat cross legged or took a severe kneeling position.


    "Grand Marshaaal, so nice of you to join usss." A tall woman hissed at Tam as she lay reclined on a series of cushions, her long legs stretching out to the side. Her exposed skin tattooed with dark green scales, extending even to her face.  She lazily blew out a cloud of smoke toward Tam, before giving him a wink.


    "Mistress Ajyha." Tam nodded, and took a seat at one of the empty piles of cushions.


    "Why the army, Grand Marshal, you worried about a few tribesmen?" A gravelly voice grumbled, it was the voice of the man who rarely spoke below a shout, struggling to talk quietly within the circle.


    "Master Bhal, would you have taken me seriously otherwise?" Tam gave the heavyset man a smile. Unlike Vaya, Bhal looked as if hadn''t aged a day, his thick black beard hiding much of his face, his beady eyes squinting at Tam.


    "Hahahaha. Of course not, you would have had to battle the chiefs in their own domains for even a chance. I''m sure Vaya is kicking himself for letting you live all those years ago. He should''ve tied you up and brought you to live amongst the tribes." Bhal laughed raucously, his many silver bangles clashing and jingling around his thick hairy arms.


    "Enough chatter. Tell us, Grand Marshal Tam of Ursten. If not for revenge, for what reason have you brought this vast army into the very heart of these plains. This is hallowed ground, do not speak falsely." A stern-faced man, who appeared much younger than the others, knelt across from Tam. He wore many tawny feathers woven into his hair, and a cloak of feathers to match.


    "Asss impatient as always." Ajyha hissed at the younger man.


    "Straight to the point, he''d be a disappointment to his namesake otherwise!" Bhal guffawed, sending himself into another fit of laughter.


    "Come now, chieftains of the tribes, let the man speak. He has travelled far. There will be enough time for jokes after." Vaya''s solemn yet mirthful voice cut through the rest, and the chieftains settled down.


    "Thank you all, for welcoming me to your Hallowed Circle. I''m sure word travelled ahead, I am not here for war, or for revenge." Tam paused a moment, looking each of the gathered chieftains in the eye.


    "I am here for conquest." At Tam''s words, many of the chieftains rose to their feet, some growled, or hissed, while Bhal went so far as to bare his teeth at Tam.

 Chapter 85 - Freeman(2)

    "Freeman Benefits." Kothar spoke into the Pebble, he felt compelled to register, but something about the device just didn''t sit right with him. Especially after the device had rewarded him for contributing his genetic and energy signature, before he had even the slightest idea of how the device worked.


    As earlier, the title ''Freeman benefits'' appeared, with the blurred text covered by a short message.


    "This document is 0 credits. Discounted as part of the essential Pebble Network reading."


    Kothar quickly tapped on the blurred section, and a block of text appeared.


    "Freemen are afforded a myriad of benefits, the most notable of these is access to a personal interplanar map. Ordinary users must utilize credits to record visited planes, but due to the regular need to travel to and from planes, Freemen are afforded the benefit of recording visited planes at no cost."


    [That doesn''t sound bad at all, and along with the spatial artifact, this is something that could be immensely useful.] Silane exclaimed, unlike Kothar, she was still eager to explore new planes. Her research had stagnated within the Alliance, with how limited they had been, ever tethered to Kothar''s home galaxy, only travelling further afield to chase down rebels or preemptively attack an invading force.


    "Hold on, let me keep reading.] Kothar hushed the excitable AI, and continued reading.


    "Freemen are able to teleport directly via the Pebble Network''s portals, at no cost, in the process of carrying out their missions. Additionally, a Freeman can designate a home plane, within the same cluster as the designated mission, and be returned to the plane upon mission completion."


    [We can use the Pebble portals to extrapolate how to improve your spatial magic, Kothar. I think this sounds amazing.] Silane grew even more excited, if she had a physical body, she would have been bouncing on her feet.


    [It sounds almost too good to be true, Silane. Hold on a moment.] Kothar placated Silane and picked up the Pebble again.


    "Freeman Drawbacks." Kothar said quietly. The usual display appeared, except now the overlying message was slightly different.


    "This document is 400 credits. Discounted as part of the essential Network reading."


    [There you go Silane, why would the benefits document be 0 credits while this one is 400, there has to be something up with this system.] Kothar chided Silane, he had noticed that the AI had gained not only positive human traits like empathy and kindness but had seemed to gain an impulsive and insatiable curiosity along with her new found emotions.


    [Ok, your suspicions were warranted. But let''s have a read of this document.] Silane replied, her excitement dwindling..


    Kothar tapped on the blurred text to reveal the document.


    "Becoming a Freeman is a liberating choice, hence the name. There are no true disadvantages, but for the sake of completeness, the Pebble Network has included some common complaints from past Freemen." Below the first block of text, a number of complaints were listed.


    ------


    Once a Freeman, always a Freeman. Can a Freeman be free?


    I became a Freeman as a youngling, now my whiskers grey, and I yearn for the stars of my home plane, yet I am stranded far amongst the myriad planes.


    I saw a peerless skill on the marketplace, and became a Freeman to purchase it, yet here I lie, bleeding to death in an unfamiliar land.


    I sought adventure and fortune, and found only violence and death. A Freeman''s path is fraught with danger.


    -----


    [Well, that was ominous. But the greatest disadvantage seems to be the fact that one can only designate a home plane within the same cluster that a mission is in. I think a cluster would be similar to a galaxy, but with planes rather than stars. As these Freemen carried out missions, they ended further and further from their home planes, with no way to return.] Silane observed, her excitement returning. These supposed drawbacks would be nothing to Kothar.


    [Let me guess, you''re going to say that with Spatial Magic, we needn''t worry about traversing to new planes.] Kothar said, before Silane continued, he sensed her palpable excitement.


    [Of course, we''ll easily be skipping to and from planes. And we also have the spatial artifact, come on Kothar, there''s no downside.] Silane bubbled.


    [And what about the fact that one cannot stop being a Freeman? You think that has no bearing on this?] Kothar sounded terse, he wasn''t sure how he felt about this new side of Silane.


    [It''s just like being a contractor, relax Kothar. And don''t think I can''t feel your annoyance, I didn''t judge you when you messed around with that artifact for the first time, or when you decided to hop into the cell with that madman, Krieg.] Silane complained, and Kothar felt the beginnings of a headache.


    [Alright, Silane I''m sorry. Also, I think that having an argument with you inside my head would quite probably cause it to burst open, so let''s not repeat this in the future. I won''t be so reckless any more Silane, it was just that I wasn''t used to the raw emotions of my growing body.] Kothar navigated back to the main menu of the Pebble, ready to register.


    [Speaking of raw emotions¡­] Silane''s voice took on a teasing tone.


    [No. We are not having that conversation, just forget you noticed anything, please.] Kothar pleaded with the AI. He had never expected that after being reborn, his ever trustworthy AI would torment him like this.


    [Hahahaha, did I embarrass the great Commander Kothar? If only your men could see you now, embarrassed over a passing infatuation. It''s not such a big deal, sh-] Silane chuckled, continued teasing Kothar, but hr cut her off.


    [It was a hormonal response, Silane. Just leave it there, please.] Kothar sighed out loud, he knew that it would be brought up again, especially if they returned to Eclat.


    [Fine, let''s get this over with.] Silane decided she would save her teasing for later.


    Kothar tapped on the third option, ''Register as a Freeman.'' Even after his conversation with Silane, a pit of unease remained in his stomach.

 Chapter 86 - A Phantom In The Wind

    "Settle down all of you, do you dare to disrupt the Hallowed Circle?" Once again, Vaya was the voice of reason.


    "Why would he come to parley if he wanted to conquer the tribes? Let the man finish speaking." He ushered the others to return to their seats, and while disgruntled, they all followed his instructions.


    "I am here to propose an alliance. While both Ursten and the Tribes have been far more powerful in the past, I believe that with myself, Anteris and Master Vaya, we will have a good chance at defeating the Empire." Tam continued, looking at all of the chieftains, whose faces were a mix of shock, surprise, fear and even disgust.


    "You can''t be serious."


    "He''s mad."


    "Hahahahha '''' A mix of protests and objections sounded amongst the gathered chieftains, with Bhal rolling about in laughter.


    "If you aren''t willing to respect the sanctity of this holy ground, then leave the circle. Listen to the man, I for one, would love to go to battle with the Empire." A fire burned in Vaya''s eyes. He had only been Vaya when the Empire had driven the tribes north, and had taken up the Crow tribes chieftainship after the death of many of his elders.


    "Thank you, Master Vaya. Now, let me pose all of you here a question, for what reason did the Empire drive the tribes north, did they seek to settle the plains, did they attack in revenge, or perhaps, were they in search of a treasure hidden within the depths of the plains?" Tam stood tall, speaking slowly, speaking to each of the gathered chieftains for a moment, his attitude and magnetism had now fully captured their attention, and they sat patiently waiting for his next words.


    "No. They feared the warriors of the tribes. They feared your great Masters and Mistresses, and if the stories I have heard are true, attacked in a most cowardly and treacherous fashion." though he hadn''t raised his voice, Tam''s words resounded clearly across the entire Hallowed Circle. The fire in Vaya''s eyes was no longer alone, for once Bhal had a serious look in his eyes, and Ajyha had, in a rare moment, sat up straight rather than sprawling out amongst her plush cushions.


    "You may spout pretty words, and stroke the ego of the tribes, but Grand Marshal, only three great warriors will not be enough. Though the Empire lost many Advanced rank individuals in the battle with our tribes, they surely have more than three." The stern-faced man from earlier spoke again, however he seemed to be more receptive to Tam by now, almost hoping to hear a legitimate battle plan against the empire.


    "Of course, we shall not invade immediately, rather I would seek for your younger warriors to join with the nobles or Ursten, to polish themselves on the remnants of Kalun''s armies. With this, we shall soon have a powerful force that should be more than a match for the empire." Tam returned to his seat, he knew that nothing beyond what he had said so far would convince the chiefs of the tribes.


    "I would like for us to discuss these matters without the outsider, we must discuss amongst ourselves." Master Vaya said slowly, he looked visibly excited. Finally, there was a chance he could avenge the great blood debt he had with the Empire.


    "Of course, I will await your response." Tam nodded to each of the chiefs, and left the circle stones, heading back to the enormous army that waited. Unlike when he had first arrived, the chiefs barely gave him a second look as he left, for they were far too wrapped up in animated discussion of what such an alliance might mean for the tribes.


    Now back in the saddles of their mounts, Tam, Serena and Boson rode back toward the awaiting army.


    "I didn''t think that this would be your style, Tam, you really have changed." Serena said quietly, murmuring her words so that Boson had to lean in to hear.


    "What do you mean, Serena, making an alliance with the tribes isn''t my style? If we can conquer the continent, then we just may have a chance at a true expedition through the Fidour mountains." Tam replied, giving Serena a narrow eyed look.


    "You know that I''ve always talked about creating a true path to the mainland, without having to pay an exorbitant fee to the Academy for transport. And as the legends say, one cannot be sure of their power until they''ve tested themselves on the mainland." Tam added, his eyes gazing off into the distance, deep in thought.


    "I don''t mean that. I mean wrapping up these young tribesmen in your revenge against Kalun. I''ll be the first to admit that sending all these tiresome little nobles was a bold move, but I don''t know about this. Who''s to say how many of them survive to even face the Empire?" Serena gave Tam a complicated look, then without even waiting for an answer, she spurred her horse back towards her scouts. Her odd gray cat trotted along behind her, barely visible amongst the tall grasses.


    Tam looked towards Boson, and raised an eyebrow.


    "You know me boss. I''d never question your orders, you''ve always pointed me on the straight and narrow, since the day we went hunting for that giant Shadow Leopard. You saved me then and you''ve saved me many a time since, my axe is yours." Boson said solemnly, hand over his heart.


    "Of course Boson, I''ve never doubted you in the slightest." Tam nodded to the enormous man, who took his leave and rode back to the army.


    "Ophil, Ophil. I''ll fix you soon my love, just let me get strong enough." Tam muttered under his breath, looking vacantly into the air beside him." She was just there, he knew it. All he had to do was to become strong enough and he could pierce through to the phantom of his wife who grew clear by the day.

 Chapter 87 - The Cube

    "Welcome Freeman. Your journey of fame and fortune lies ahead." Kothar tapped past the corny welcome message and was instantly greeted by a garish projection.


    "Congratulations! The Pebble Network has gifted you a welcome mission, with a credit reward!" The message was lurid green and framed with pulsing red rings.


    [Awesome. Looks like even interplanar tech isn''t safe from integrated advertising.] Silane said sarcastically.


    [I don''t see why we shouldn''t check it out. After all, what harm could it do.] Kothar tapped on the glowing green ''ok'' button at the center of the promotional message.


    "Your mission is to investigate a nearby plane, rewards will be based on discovering new organisms, unique locations and rare materials. A minimum reward of 200 Credits will be deposited to your unique user signature upon acceptance."


    Once again, Kothar selected the ''ok'' option, and was now shown a relatively plain black and white message.


    "Designate the current location as Home Plane? Y/N" Without too much thought, Kothar tapped the ''Yes" option; he wanted to return to Atla, with its abundance of resources and dense mana.


    "Opening portal in 5,4" The Pebble began to countdown, and upon reaching 0, a black void-like portal opened up in the air nearby, and Kothar immediately stepped through.


    Kothar stepped out of the portal into a gray haze, the very air of the plane was filled with a fine dust that obscured the light of an enormous moon which hung ominously in the air above him. Immediately, Kothar wrapped a scrap of cloth around his mouth, he was fairly certain the Pebble wouldn''t send him to a plane where the air was filled with toxic material, but he didn''t want to be breathing in the haze either.


    The moon itself was missing a massive chunk of material on one side, forming a rough semicircle of starlight that barely filtered through the haze.


    [Are those bite marks?] Kothar said nervously, as he looked up at the distinct marking on the edge of the missing portion of the moon.


    [You''ll never learn, these aren''t Alliance portals that we''ve been stepping through. What else did you expect Kothar? Being sent to a plane populated solely by fluffy bunnies, where cotton candy grows on trees?] Silane said snidely.


    [That would be a nice change. Come on though, Silane, this hasn''t been unlike some of the blind missions we were sent on by the Alliance. You remember being sent into that radar impervious planet, don''t you?] Kothar laughed off Silane''s sarcasm, and tearing his eyes away from the moon, looked around some more.


    [Please, don''t remind me.] Silane gave a mental sigh, how could she have expected otherwise, taking on suicidal missions had been the status quo for Kothar, hence why he had been so adored by the entire Alliance.


    The plane was mostly featureless, covered in irregular rubble that still carried some hint of civilization, fragments of carvings and inscriptions on many of the rocks that were littered about.


    There were larger pieces of rubble also, and if Kothar looked carefully he could see the outline of where buildings had once stood, seeing different colors of rocks and specific styles of inscriptions confined to roughly rectangular areas.


    [Think you can translate any of this text?] Kothar asked Silane, picking up one of the smaller pieces of rubble and giving it a careful inspection.


    [It''ll be difficult without any complete segments, and I don''t think piecing together the ruined decorations of an extinct civilization was in either of our itineraries.] Silane showed Kothar her attempts to piece together a semblance of an alphabet from what information she had already gathered, but it was a futile attempt, much of the inscriptions were too far gone.


    A few kilometers away, the only distinctive landmark that Kothar had seen stood, it was an enormous cube, each side was at least 200 meters, and was carved with a single glyph.


    [Looks like something survived whatever happened here.] Silane remarked, recording the glyphs from the side of the cube facing them for later analysis.


    [Yes, let''s go check it out, I think that''s the kind of thing the Pebble is looking for.] Kothar said confidently, began to stride over the rubble towards the cube.


    [I''m sure there won''t be any danger near the ominous massive cube that is the only remnant of a long destroyed civilization.] Silane''s sarcasm continued, she had obviously begun to enjoy it.


    The walk to the cube was relatively uneventful, the cube growing to fill Kothar''s vision as he drew closer. The closer Kothar came to the cube, the more he felt as if the air itself was vibrating, and his electromagnetic field sensors began to give off a slow, steady signal.


    [That thing is definitely charged with energy, the mana density is extremely low here, so there must be an energy source within.] Kothar observed, peering through his mana sensing lens and seeing only wisps of sparse mana in the air.


    At the base of the cube, there was a  large square shaped corridor that led inside, Kothar instinctively walked toward the entrance, while Silane protested.


    [Come on Kothar! Coming near this thing wasn''t enough? Now you want us to go inside it?]


    [When did my emotionless AI become such a coward?] Kothar sighed, as Silane continued to protest.


    Kothar had left fear behind long ago, he knew that to become truly powerful, he would have to walk into the very jaws of death, again and again, until either he died, or overcame the limits of mortality.


    Without becoming stronger, there was no way he would defeat Krieg and his pursuers, let on stand a chance of returning to the Alliance.


    As Kothar''s eyes adjusted to the dark of the corridor, he noticed that it was lit with a soft orange glow from the ceiling, the walls completely featureless, soon enough the corridor branched off, heading in opposite directions.


    Kothar turned right, confident in Silane''s abilities to create a map, and eager to explore the mysterious cube.


    Far above, in the depths of the cube, another new arrival to the plane slumbered, its jointed limbs folded neatly into its abdomen, claws crossed, hanging from the ceiling.

 Chapter 88 - Ambush

    It seemed to Kothar as if there were more and more junctions within the cube as he walked further inside, the maze becoming more and more complex, with the passageways sloping upwards and downwards, seemingly at random.


    Sometimes, Kothar would be walking up a steeply sloped passageway, only to find the same passage sloping down all of a sudden. If not for the map that Silane had dutifully projected, Kothar would have been hopelessly lost within the cube.


    The map wasn''t random as he first expected, it formed the beginnings of a complex pattern that was reminiscent of the glyph that he had seen on the outside wall.


    As he drew near to the center of the cube, the electromagnetic field grew stronger and stronger, whatever was powering the huge structure would likely be found near the source of the field.


    [What do you think this was all for?] Kothar asked Silane, he could do with one of her sarcastic comments right about now, the featureless walls and endless corridors were beginning to get to him.


    [Whatever its purpose, it definitely isn''t carrying it out now. The electric field is characteristic of an idling device, so when turned on, it must utilize an enormous amount of power. As for purpose, I couldn''t say, it could be anything, a temple, a power plant, or perhaps even some kind of enormous engine.] Silane was slightly distracted, she had spent the past half hour trying to decipher the glyph they had found earlier, comparing it to the inscriptions on the rubble outside.


    [I wonder if the powersource is portable.] Kothar said excitedly, the cube might just give him the opportunity to create one of the things he had been looking forward to the most.


    [You want to stick whatever is powering this massive structure into that little spaceship schematic you drew up? It''ll probably take up the entire thing.] Silane sounded half baffled, half excited. As foolish as it seemed, she loved to experiment with completely unlikely designs.


    [Think of the possibilities Silane, and we''ll be able to explore all of these planes so much more intensively. Even on Eclat, people have scarcely considered exploring beyond their home planet, since interplanar travel is so ingrained into their lives.] Kothar was completely swept up in imagining all the possibilities of endless worlds with virtually untouched space around them.


    He was so engrossed in his imagination, that he failed to notice the slight fluctuation in the electric field around him, which registered only as a slight increase in the feedback from the belt.


    Luckily for Kothar, Silane''s attention was not so limited. She detected it instantly.


    [Kothar! There''s something around the next corner, and it''s moving.] Silane yelled out before Kothar could continue further down the corridor.


    [You think it''s alive, or some kind of machine?] Kothar asked, immediately wrapping his dark cloak around him and pressing himself against the wall of the tunnel.


    [The field is fluctuating, I''m thinking alive. Whatever it is, assume it is hostile. We can''t be too careful.] Silane showed Kothar a projection of what the creature might look like, and Kothar almost let out an audible gasp.


    It was huge, almost filling the entire width of the corridor, which itself was already large, it would have to be at least four times Kothar''s size. He could roughly see its shape, and whatever it was, it definitely was not humanoid.


    Kothar crept forward slowly, inching closer and closer to the corner. Before he looked around, he channeled some mana to his left eye, hoping he would see a mana signature.


    There it was, the creature''s mana was sparse, but it either wasn''t from this plane or absorbed mana actively from its environment, either of which were bad signs for Kothar.


    Now that he could see its mana, Kothar could see the structure of the creature, it was roughly the shape of a praying mantis, except much larger, and much, much sharper. It had a pair of savage claws crossed at its chest, and its legs ended in pointed blades.


    [Why is it always insects? First on Idwa and now here.] Silane groaned, insects were perhaps the type of organism she found least interesting, quite possibly because they could be found everywhere. It had been a rare moment for her and Kothar to find a planet without insects when they had been exploring for the Alliance, and it seemed exploring the multiverse would be the same.


    [I''m going to get a proper look at it.] Kothar ignored Silane''s rant about insects, he had heard it hundreds of times before, especially when they discovered a new beetle species on what they thought would be an uninhabited planet.


    Kothar peeked around the corner, and found himself staring into the wide open, multi faceted, massive eyes of the mantis.


    He almost threw himself backwards, but noticed the folded arms and neatly tucked in legs. The mantis didn''t move.


    [I think it''s sleeping.] Kothar remarked, noticing its antenna were not waving about as they typically would.


    [Or dead, I hope dead.] Silane replied, her inherent dislike of insects showing.


    [It could just be waiting for me to get close enough, I mean, that is exactly how mantises hunt, well, the ones back on the Garden at least.] Kothar didn''t dare to get any closer, he had seen first hand how a mantis would wait for its unsuspecting target.


    Kothar began to send an enormous stream of mana to his left hand, his shoulder unit had been well supplied on Atla, and he could afford to even keep mana intensive spells prepared.


    As the Bolt Barrage charged up, Kothar thought he saw one of the mantis'' antenna twitch very slightly, and stared even more closely at the mantis.


    "Oh s***!" Kothar yelled, as he saw the mantis gathering its mana in its pointed hind legs.


    Kothar threw himself backward, as the mantis launched itself toward him, its massive claws scything through the air, propelled impossibly fast by its mana infused back legs.

 Chapter 89 - Pursuit

    The mantis slammed into the outside wall of the corner, its enormous claws sliding against the dull black material of the cube with a loud screech, sending a shower of orange sparks into the corridor.


    Kothar looked back, and seeing how quickly the mantis scrambled to its feet, he immediately started firing off his Bolt Barrage.


    The bolts of lightning arced through the air, illuminating the dim corridor, the pale blue of Kothar''s Bolts revealed the mantis clearly. It was covered in a jointed carapace that was a shiny black color, with sharp blades on the inside of its legs and jagged serrated edges on its scythe like claws.


    As the first bolt slammed into the mantis'' chest, it let out an unearthly screech and so jarring that Kothar wanted to cover his ears, except his hands were occupied with trying to fry the massive creature with as much electricity as possible.


    The screeches continued to echo out from the mantis, and a disgusting burnt hair smell filled the corridor. The smoke from the successive bolts cleared, and Kothar saw that while the body of the creature was smoking and its head twitched erratically, it nonetheless continued to stalk forward, the serrated mandibles on its face clicking ominously.


    Kothar mumbled a string of curses under his breath, and sprinted away from the rapidly pursuing mantis, which managed to keep up even with Kothar''s lightning enhanced speed.


    [I knew we couldn''t trust that g****** Pebble, look at its neck!] Silane yelled, while she also analyzed the 3D map she had created to find the best possible escape route.


    [It could always just be chance, who knows how many Freemen Krieg hired to hunt me down.] Kothar looked back at the mantis, the black Pebble swinging from its neck by a knotted vine, he swore under his breath again, if this was the caliber of Freemen after him, he would have to be careful not to run into more than one at a time.


    Nearing a junction in the corridors that wound through the cube, Kothar charged up a pair of portals. He had yet to try dual casting in battle, but along with Silane''s high speed calculations it came easily to him.


    [Portal around the corner at the junction up ahead, it''ll take the mantis a long time to catch up, and hopefully it can''t track us through the walls.] Silane planted a blinked red target in Kothar''s vision, with her ever helpful capability to overlay things directly over Kothar''s vision.


    [Perfect. Let''s hope that Spatial Mana can pass through the material of this cube.] Kothar slung out both portals, opening the first one around the corner and throwing the other straight at the wall.


    Thankfully, the portal passed through, and the familiar distorted noise of a portal opening rang out. He leapt through the portal, the mantis hot on his heels, since Kothar had slowed down to aim his portals.


    The mantis swiped at a claw at the disappearing Kothar, who closed the portal behind himself.


    An anguished screech echoed throughout the cube as a section of the mantis'' claw was sliced clean through by the closing portal, spinning through the air and spraying the surroundings with a green goo. [Want me to translate all those screeches?] Silane asked, struggling not to laugh at the goo-covered Kothar, the sliced off claw laying at his feet.


    [No, thanks, unless it was yelling ''This is how we greet each other on my home plane!'', I don''t want to hear it. Let''s see what we can find out from this.] Kothar picked up the section of claw, which was surprisingly light, and the shiny black exoskeleton gave a clear ringing sound as he tapped it.


    [It was mostly telling you that it would torment you if you ran, and cursing you for the lightning. Try using a small spark on the exoskeleton.] Silane was just as, if not more curious than Kothar, the mantis had brushed off enough electricity to take down most.


    Kothar sent a small burst of lightning at the piece of claw and watched, dumbfounded, as the lightning barely travelled through it at all.


    [Just my luck, running into an enemy with a giant insulator for an exoskeleton.] Kothar frowned, and stowed the now warm exoskeleton away.


    [You could always try your new Lightning Spell, it''d probably cook it''s insides.] Silane suggested, according to her calculations, Kothar''s newly learned spell should be enough tot take out the mantis.


    [True, I could even use the Plasma Unit, or a Void Disk, but I''d rather not sue too powerful an attack and risk bringing this old cube down around my head.] Kothar looked at the walls, they looked as if they would stand for eons, but one could never be certain. Appearances could be deceiving.


    [Alright, let''s hope we can stay out of the mantis'' way until we leave this place. Speaking of, I wonder if the Pebble will let you leave.] Silane had added a pulsing green and black dot to the map that slowly moved toward Kothar, it was her best guess at the route the mantis would take to get to where Kothar had ported to.


    "Pebble, return to home plane." Kothar spoke into the Pebble he had stowed away in his cloak.


    "Returning to home plane will forfeit your reward so far of 1500 Credits. Would you like to proceed. Y/N?" The usual projection of words appeared, but this time it appeared in front of Kothar''s face, rather than just above the surface of the Pebble.


    Kothar furrowed his brown in thought, and declined the return portal. While the Mantis was dangerous, he was fairly sure he could outrun it, and he wanted to investigate whatever was powering the cube.


    [You want those Credits so bad?] Silane mocked Kothar, who simply smiled and tapped his electromagnetic sensor belt, from which the vibrations had increased to an extreme intensity.


    [Wow.] Silane was at a loss for words. An enormous door, at least 10 meters high rose in front of them, from behind it came a low humming sound.


    Kothar took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

 Chapter 90 - The Last Memory Of A Forgotten People

    Kothar stood still, and Silane joined him in silence. The pair stared astounded at the enormous contraption within the room.


    They had expected some kind of answer to the purpose of the giant cube, but what they found only raised more questions.


    Within the very center of the enormous central chamber of the cube, was a floating rock, suspended in midair by an unknown force.


    Kothar''s sensors showed nothing out of the ordinary, only that the electromagnetic field was the strongest near the rock, but as to how and why it floated gently within the center of the cube, Kothar could only guess at the answer.


    The rock itself was one of the most naturally breathtaking things he had seen. It looked as if it had just been pulled from the earth, all rough and jagged, a newborn treasure.


    It glowed, with a warm orange light that was a brighter version of the light that spread through every corridor within the cube.


    But the wonders only began with the cubes mysterious power source, now that he stood at the cube''s center, Kothar could see, the entire massive structure was made up of many interconnected parts, each of them very slowly rotating about each other.


    The rotation was silent, and each piece moved so slowly that one would struggle to notice from outside the cube, unless they stood watching it for hundreds of years.


    [Wow.] Kothar and Silane said at the same time, equally at a loss for words. The inscriptions that cover the walls were reminiscent of those on the rubble outside, but far more intricate and beautiful.


    [I think I know what these symbols meant.] Silane said in an uncharacteristically soft voice.


    [What?] Kothar automatically replied, far too lost in the wonder of the cube, slowly spinning about in a circle, looking up at the breathtaking craftsmanship.


    [Nothing. I would have probably spent years before being reborn trying to crack the code of these inscriptions, but now I know, it''s far more simple than it seems. The inscriptions are here for a purpose, yes, but not to convey any kind of meaning or message, no, they''re here simply because they''re beautiful. It may just be that this is all this entire structure is for. To be beautiful.] Silane almost sounded sad, and Kothar felt a great weight bear down on him at her words.


    What of the Garden, an entire planet dedicated to being beautiful, did some lone monument to the beauty of his home remain? No matter what, he would return.


    [We can''t possibly take this away now.] Kothar said, looking up at the stone that powered the entire structure. The cube was perhaps the last thing that remained of the fine works of the civilization that had once existed on this plane. How could they take it away, and risk destroying the last memory of a forgotten people.


    [You''re right, we''ll leave it here to remember them.] Silane replied matter of factly.


    An ominous clicking noise sounded out behind Kothar, in their preoccupation with the beauty of the cube, Kothar and Silane had neglected their pursuer.


    The creature stalked into the massive room, peering at Kothar and the stone above him with a tilted head, rubbing its enormous front claws together, making a jarring scraping noise. The portion of the claw that Kothar had severed had already healed, the beginnings of a fresh exoskeleton already covering the wound.


    "I didn''t think my luck would turn out like this." Silane translated the unnerving noises coming from the mantis'' mouth.


    "A fine piece of Imperium, and my prey, all in one package deal." The mantis continued it''s march into the center of the room.


    [He''s going to take the stone, we have to stop him!] Silane exclaimed, an uncharacteristic hint of nervousness in her voice.


    [I know, but I can''t fire off my Lightning Lance in here, who knows what would happen to the structure, it''ll fall apart.] Kothar knew that there was only one rational choice, and in that moment, he wished he didn''t have to make that choice.


    Ignoring the mantis, Kothar leapt up, and grasped the Imperium in both hands, there wasn''t even the slightest resistance. Kothar continued to sail through the air, to the far side of the cube.


    Immediately, he threw a portal out as far as he could, and just as he was about to cast another below him, the massive figure of the mantis filled his gaze.


    The mantis was screeching like a banshee, swiping up into the air, trying to snatch Kothar out of the air.


    It waited, claws poised, where Kothar would land and in that split second Kothar knew what he had to do.


    The Imperium clutched under one arm, Kothar held his portal ready, while his left arm pointed toward the mantis.


    Kothar sent as much power as he dared to the Plasma Unit, an enormous flash of light spreading out through the center of the cube. Kothar opened his eyes and looked at the enormous blade he had fashioned from the plasma, and mercilessly swung down at the stunned mantis, whose multifaceted eyes had suffered far more from the flash than he had.


    The plasma blade cut clean through the two of the mantis'' legs and through the upper part of the front claw that Kothar had already injured, and the creature screamed, a piercing sound that made Kothar''s eardrums feel as if they would rupture.


    Kothar swore, and landed cleanly on his feet beside the disoriented and mortally wounded mantis, and watched as its wounds healed over before his very eyes, and it already began to scrabble back to its feet.


    Wasting no time, Kothar conjured up the second portal, and passed neatly though, heading toward the outside of the cube.


    As he ran through the cube, Kothar heard Silane pipe up.


    [Kothar, we''ve got a problem] She almost sounded like she would cry.


    [You mean other than the regenerating bladed mantis on our tail.] Kothar almost  laughed at the absurdity of the situation.


    [Yes, the cube, it''s falling apart.] Silane said numbly. Kothar looked around as he ran, and saw that the previously smoothly interconnected pieces of the cube were beginning to pull apart, and grinding noises were ringing out around him. At this rate, the cube could just collapse with him and the mantis within.

 Chapter 91 - Collapse

    A loud grinding noise sounded out through the corridor, followed by a resounding crash, a piece of the cube had fallen into the corridor behind Kothar. Kothar kept his gaze forward, and continued on his breakneck sprint out of the cube.


    Again and again, he threw out portal after portal, leaping through them to sidestep the winding maze that wrapped through the cube. The orange glow that had filled the corridors was slowly fading, as life left the massive, moving structure.


    "A portal to your designated home plane is ready, would you like the portal to be opened? Y/N '''' The abrupt message from the Pebble appeared in front of Kothar''s eyeline, but he dismissed it immediately. He had no idea how long the Pebble would take to open the portal and furthermore, he no longer trusted the far too useful device after it had led him to the waiting claws of the mantis.


    [Before you say anything, Silane, we''ll take it once we see this through.] Kothar said as he dodged a massive chunk of falling rubble.


    [I wasn''t going to say anything. After single handedly tearing this place down, the least we could do is stay till the end.] Silane replied, a genuine hint of sorrow in her usually bright voice.


    [The mantis would''ve taken it if we hadn''t Silane, and unlike him, we could come back and rebuild this place one day.] Kothar replied, he wasn''t sure if he was trying to persuade Silane, or himself. But to be fair, if he had fought the mantis within the center of the cube, who knew how the Imperium might''ve been destabilized.


    All around them, as the ceilings of the corridors grew darker and darker, the cube truly began to fall apart, the faint light of the giant moon above in the hazy sky filtered through a massive chasm above Kothar, and he leapt upwards into the gap that had formed.


    At least in here, there was one direction where he knew that there wouldn''t be parts of the cube falling or moving.


    Kothar deftly leapt up the irregular edges of the cube, as the chasm widened. Pieces of the cube narrowly missed him as he made his way out of the monument. As the structure fell apart, the chasm widened, gradually forming a slope.


    A stray portion of the cube fell straight down toward Kothar, aiming right for him. Gritting his teeth, Kothar simply threw the widest portal he could make at the cube, opening another behind himself.


    By now, he stood at the top of the crumbling monument, all around him, he could see the ruined plane, the scale of this world astounded him. As far as he could see, the shadows of old structures remained, the rubble forming the remnants of great buildings and rows upon rows of houses.


    Far on the horizon, Kothar could see an enormous pile of rubble, and it took a moment before he realized what he was looking at, the remnants of another cube.


    Kothar sighed as he realized what had likely happened all across this world, the Imperium was far too precious to leave behind, no matter how wondrous the cubes themselves were.


    Turning away from the ruins of the other cube, Kothar leaped from one piece of the crumbling cube to the next. The collapse had slowed, as the empty spaces within the cube had been filled, and Kothar easily made his way to the foot of the enormous pile of rubble and portions of the intricate structure that were slowly sinking down,


    Kothar continued to walk away from the sinking monument, looking back every now and then to keep watch for the mantis, hopefully it had been crushed in the collapse, but Kothar knew that that was simply wishful thinking.


    If not for his recent power up on Atla, Kothar would have had a one way ticket to the mantis'' jagged embrace. It''s ridiculous speed, physical durability and regeneration made for a tough opponent, and the constant screeching that it made was uncomfortable to day the least.


    Now far from any stray rubble and debris, Kothar settled down against the remnants of a wall, wrapping himself in his cloak and sitting down on the heavy layer of dust and dirt on the ground.


    He sat in his silence, along with Silane, and the pair of them watched the slow collapse of the cube.


    The collapse was almost, almost beautiful, the slow sliding and falling of all of the irregularly shaped portions of the cube, and as they fell hints of the original inscriptions would reveal themselves.


    A massive cloud of dust blossomed up into the sky from the rubble, adding to the perpetual haze that hung in the air. The dust hung over the cube, high in the sky like a dry and motionless thundercloud. There wasn''t even the slightest hint of a breeze in the air, this was a truly dead world.


    Even as the rubble settled, there was not even the slightest hint of the mantis, it seemed as if the creature had truly been crushed, or more likely, it had left by a Pebble portal.


    After what seemed like an eternity, Kothar came to his feet, brushing the dirt and dust off of himself, the collapse had slowed to a point where he could barely see even the faintest trace of movement.


    The cube had stood for eons, even as the civilization that built it collapsed all around it, and now it too had fallen.


    It was time to leave.


    "Pebble, open portal to designated home plane." Kothar spoke into the device, a hint of anger in his voice, he knew that the fact that he ran into the mantis was not by coincidence.


    The introductory information he had read had made him more than aware of the Pebble''s ability to communicate between planes, and the device had sent him into the claws of the waiting mantis.


    For what reason, Kothar didn''t know, but he would find out.

 Chapter 92 - Marketplace

    Within a small hole in the trunk of a willow that hung over the nearby burbling stream, a black void opened up out of thin air. From it stepped out a disheveled figure, dressed in the tattered remnants of a heavy travel tunic and trousers, and wrapped in a dark cloak, the bottom edge torn and irregular from the miscellaneous bandages and cloth scrap that had been torn from it.


    Kothar had grown in height from his time on Atla, and the mana rich atmosphere felt refreshing as he stepped back onto the gargantuan plane. Returning to Atla mimicked the feeling of going to the countryside after a long period of time in a smog filled metropolis.


    "You have been rewarded 2000 Credits, the Pebble Network thanks you for your services." The bright colored message was accompanied by an animation of celebratory fireworks, at which Kothar only grunted and dismissed.


    [At least we''ll be able to browse the Encyclopedia or have a good lock at the Marketplace with this, Kothar. We might be able to find some of the technology we need for the ship on the Marketplace, rather than having to develop everything from scratch, like with the Hoverbike.] Silane tried to comfort Kothar, she was equally distraught and disturbed after the mission, but they couldn''t let their emotions get the better of them, otherwise nothing at all would get done.


    [You''re right, let me wash up first, and then we''ll see what we can find.] Kothar understood the undertones behind Silane''s words, after all, since their consciousness were so intertwined, the pair could get a sense for the other''s feelings easily.


    Kothar was covered in a layer of gray dust, it caked his skin and hair, as well as having worked itself deep into his clothing.


    Kothar descended the side of the willow, to a tiny puddle that was filled by the stream, which he had been using as a water source.


    Soon enough, Kothar had washed the worst of the grime off,and sat down to browse the Pebble.


    He started by opening the Marketplace, and was immediately bombarded by a massive projection shooting out from the Pebble, far larger than any message it had projected so far, taking up most of the space within the hollow he had created within the willow.


    There was row upon row of rectangular videos depicting items that had been listed on the Marketplace by users of the Network.


    There were items that were both strange but echoed things Kothar was familiar with, he saw a large sword like object, but it was blood red and pulsated like a heart would, another sword like object seemed to be an enormous frozen fish and there was even a sword of sparking diamond.


    The odd swords were only the beginning, Kothar saw all kinds of weapons, armor, tools and even vehicles. Whatever one could imagine, could be found on the Marketplace.


    Kothar could have spent days looking at every odd item that he came across, but he zeroed in on a set of basic metal working tools that would speed up his construction of his ship, however upon selecting the video, he received a warning message.


    "Warning: Please carefully read the description listed by the vendor, the Pebble Network only confirms that the description is accurate to the listed items, and takes no responsibility for any dissatisfaction on your part." The message was a glaring red color, and flashed intrusively.


    [That''s quite straightforward. It saves them the trouble of having to deal with returning items and dealing with replacements, there must be a multitude of dissatisfied customers across the multiverse.] Kothar mused, he expected that the items would be delivered via a portal, and knew that it was possible to have a protected portal, which would only let people or items with a very specific mana signature through, this would allow the Network to prevent any enterprising individuals from following a portal back to their stores, sending them straight to the void instead.


    "Basic metalworking equipment, durable and reliable for heavy use for at least 10 years. Multiple sets available. Make sure to select a size appropriate to your biology. Contact me via the Network for custom tools." The description read, the set of tools was listed for only 5 credits, either the creator of the tools was able to mass produce them easily, or credits held far more value than Kothar had initially expected.


    [Let''s just buy them, so we can see how it works.] Silane piped up, she sounded excited to know exactly how the tools would arrive.


    Kothar selected a slightly smaller set of tools than he usually would have, they would be helpful in creating the more delicate portions of the ship. Then, he tapped on the ''Purchase'' option, and a loud piercing tone rang out from the Pebble, along with a cautionary message.


    "Step away from the Pebble, a portal will be opening soon!" Within a few moments, a horizontally oriented black portal opened, and a large box, just larger than Kothar''s wingspan, dropped onto the floor of the hollow with a ''thud''.


    [That was quick, have you been able to get anything from the mana or electromagnetic signatures of the portals?] Kothar asked Silane, he had been watching the portals himself, and while he did feel some resonance to the portal due to his inherent Spatial Mana, he hadn''t been able to make any significant breakthroughs.


    [Unfortunately not, what I can tell you is the gated portal had a more rigid signature, apart from that, I haven''t learned anything so far.] Silane replied, she knew that the Pebble Network had to have precious information on spatial manipulation, and she was frustrated by her inability to extrapolate anything.


    [Keep gathering mana Kothar, my processing capabilities improve as you increase your mana pool.] Silane finally said, initially, she had only been able to awaken thanks to Kothar gathering mana, and according to her internal calculations, her energy reserves were still well below 10%.


    [Of course Silane, we''ll have to make Atla our base then, I won''t'' improve faster anywhere else, unless of course we find an even more mana rich plane.] Kothar said, moving to slice the twin that held the lid of the box shut.


    Kothar lifted the lid of the box to reveal the contents, and was pleasantly surprised.

 Chapter 93 - Imperium

    The box was packed to the brim with an assortment of metal tools, the spaces between them packed with sawdust and a rough oilcloth to protect the tools in transit. Kothar pulled out a dull black colored hammer, it had a rounded head on one side and a point on the other, useful for shaping curved portions and for punching holes.


    The hammer was made out of some alloy unknown to Kothar, and for its size, its weight was surprising. Since the seller had claimed that the hammer could be used for at least 10 years, Kothar was eager to find out what exactly the alloy was.


    He wanted to start building some better armor for himself, and while he could use Titanite, he needed something far more durable if he was ever going to face the Devourer in battle.


    [How long do you think before we can analyze the make up of this alloy?] Kothar asked Silane, while he knew the general methods they would follow, he was reliant on Silane for many of the purely technical aspects of their research.


    [With these tools, it shouldn''t take us more than a month to get a fully functional fabrication plant going, by then we can start creating our first circuits, and it''ll only be uphill from there. After that, it depends on what you want to prioritize, getting some Plasma Rifles and Titanite body armor, or some research equipment?] Silane already knew the answer, Kothar had always prioritized increasing the Alliance''s strength, he had been famous for saying, ''Strength is a prerequisite for negotiation, why would a far superior power negotiate, when conquest would be far simpler?'' No wonder he had so quickly become the poster boy for the Sentinels. After Kothar had been revealed to the wider public, the vast majority of the Alliance''s funds had begun to flow to the pockets of the Sentinel High Command.


    [You know me too well, alright, let''s use these tools before worrying about analyzing them.] Kothar laughed a little before tossing the hammer back in the box, and returning to investigate the multitude of items offered by the Pebble.


    On a whim, Kothar decided to see if he could find any Imperium on the marketplace, and he spoke into the device.


    "Imperium." Immediately, Kothar was bombarded by rows upon rows of listings, each price tag more surprising than the last. A fist sized piece of Imperium was listed for a hundred thousand Credits.


    Even more surprising was the fact that there were no pieces bigger than the fist sized piece, it seemed that the material was far too rare, and individuals preferred not to sell it.


    No wonder the mantis had become so entranced when it had seen the massive floating chunk.


    [Try searching the Encyclopedia for more information about it, let''s see if we can figure out why it is so precious, other than the fact that it provides so much power and seems extremely rare.] Silane''s curiosity got the better of her distrust for the Pebble, though it had led them directly into a trap, it seemed to be the only source of information they had for anything, anywhere within the multiverse.


    Kothar nodded in agreement, and the usual message popped up, this time requesting 10 Credits to read the document, Kothar tapped past this, he had more than enough after his most recent mission.


    "Imperium. A highly valued material throughout the multiverse, famed for its almost endless power generation, it is notoriously difficult to harness without the proper knowledge. Its uses are many and mysterious, some say that it can even allow some beings to attain a higher level of power¡­" The document ended mysteriously.


    [I can''t believe that this is what passes as information, this kind of thing is no better than a rumor!] Silane spat in disgust, she had much higher standards for what an Encyclopedia was, and to her, what the Pebble provided was an embarrassment to all Encyclopedias.


    [The worst part is, this is still useful information, since any information is better than none. We took so much for granted when we were with the Alliance didn''t we, especially all the tools and sensors we had access to.] Silane reminisced fondly of days when she had entire laboratories filled with robots she could control, using them to perform experiments and gather endless data.


    [Alright Kothar, I''ve had enough floating about in your head. We need to make that fabrication facility, so I can make some robots and start doing my own research. I can only take so many battles with strange interplanar bounty hunters before I get fatally bored.] Silane said in only a half joking tone, she had always been used to a fair amount of autonomy, and she had grown tired of spending all of her time in Kothar''s head in all of these new and unique worlds.


    [Of course, maybe we can finally build those battle bots the Alliance never approved, so you can help even more with all of these battles.] Kothar laughed, remembering the shocked faces of the High Command when he and Silane proposed armed autonomous robots controlled by Silane. Initially they had laughed, thinking he was joking, then their faces had quickly turned to shock when realizing he was serious.


    [I''ve got some new ideas myself, I''ll need a few mana crystals for some experiments. If only you could use that Spatial Artifact of yours to freely travel between planes, it would make life so much easier.] Silane complained, she wanted free reign of both Eclat and Atla.


    [Even if I could, I''m sure portaling back and forth willy nilly would attract far too much attention, no, I think it''s best we leave it to Pebble portals until I''m sure I can cloak the spatial fluctuations from any portals, Krieg will be looking out for them.] A frown came across Kothar''s face as he remembered his wizened ex-mentor.


    [You''re right, now how about taking a look at some of these armor sets, you wear these rags for any longer, and they''ll fall right off you.] Silane attempted to cheer Kothar up by directing him to the various strange armor sets flashing across the Pebble interface, and it worked, Kothar instantly perked up, and tapped on the first set that caught his eye.

 Chapter 94 - Multi Planar All Purpose Equipment

    Kothar looked over the simple sharkskin leather armor, in the description, the seller claimed that the armor was made from the hide from an enormous deep sea shark, which preyed on far larger whales.


    The armor claimed it would defend against slicing attacks and weak stabs, but you were on your own against projectiles or magic.


    [Seems like they''re just hoping to catch a fool.] Silane scoffed at the mostly useless armor, except for the fine textured design that was often sought out by nobles.


    [It is only 1 Credit per set, and I can see someone outfitting their guards with it in a statement of wealth. But yes, it really is mostly useless, let''s see if we can''t find anything better.] Kothar dismissed the sharkskin leather armor, and continued browsing the Pebble Marketplace.


    The next piece that caught Kothar''s eye was an exquisite set of armor, fire red and matte black in color, with a shining golden trim, the armor looking fit for a king.


    "Vainqueur''s Armor Set" Was written below the video showcasing the exceptional piece.


    "Rumored to be constructed from a scale shed by the legendary dragon of eons ago, Vainqueur, this armor set can withstand magma, intense flame, and is extremely durable, it can withstand a blow of up to 10,000 tons. Serious inquiries only!" The armor set seemed far too good to be true, and then Kothar saw the purchase price, and it all made sense.


    The ridiculously overpowered armor set was listed for over a million Credits. It seemed that while basic items were of very little value on the Marketplace, anything that was rare or powerful would be prohibitively expensive.


    Kothar flicked through listing after listing, none of which caught his eye, there was a set of armor made entirely off bright petals, that claimed to make the wearer irresistible to fairies, a set of bone armor which looked as if it were made of a peculiar set of shining human bones, a set of magnificent wings, powered by the blessing of an Ascendant, which required the purchaser to promise a century of service in order to wield and other strange and wonderful pieces of armor.


    After hours of endless browsing, and a budding understanding of the Pebble''s search function, Kothar finally found a set of armor that he liked.


    "Multi Planar All Purpose Equipment" was the label that was under the dark set of equipment. The armor was completely black, reflecting not even the slightest hint of light. It was made up of two main pieces, a long sleeved upper half and a piece for the lower body.


    The material looked like a cross between chain mail and the synthetic armor fibers that the Alliance had used. Along with the heavy duty material, there were also thin rigid plates of the same dark material.


    The description read, ''For those interplanar adventurers with a more fragile biology, assured to keep you from breathing in known toxins and contaminants, and even provide a few moments of survival for those foolish enough to find themselves in a vacuum.


    Will withstand extreme changes in pressure, temperature and humidity. The wearer will also be afforded some measure of protection from all kinds of hostile individuals or flora and fauna. However, the wearer is advised not to test the armor by finding the nearest set of jaws.


    Highly customizable, and a favorite of species with niche habitats, enter your proportions and  order your set today!"


    Kothar chuckled a little at the brazen but humorous sales pitch and returned to inspect the armor.


    The upper half was a single piece, with a rudimentary mask and goggles attached to the chest piece by a tube of the void black material, with a central rigid piece that would cover the mouth along with two small circular filters one each side.


    There was a rigid chest plate, shoulder, elbow and forearm pads, and jointed plating along the back portion which would shield the wearer from glancing blows.


    The lower half was of a similar construction, with pieces of the synthetic armor plating on either hip, thigh, knee pads and shin pads.


    There was a set of boots that came along with the set of equipment, these would attach easily to the leg portion of the armor, and were heavy duty, with a peculiar twisting mechanism to bind them shut.


    [Well Silane, what do you think? I have to say that I''m tempted to buy it, it seems like a steal for 1500 credits, and it''ll give me some peace of mind before we completely overhaul my biology.] Kothar had a hint of excitement in his voice, he was eager to get out of the rags he had been wearing for so long now.


    [Why not, it definitely won''t afford you the kind of blanket protection that would be ideal, but it''s better than nothing, and certainly better than the rags you''re wearing at the moment.] Silane sounded a little relieved, she had been wondering how long Kothar would take before he would pick a set of armor. The amount of time he had spent looking at the flower petal armor had worried her somewhat, surely he wasn''t enamored with fairies after living on a fantasy world. Surely he wasn''t so far gone.


    As soon as Silane agreed, Kothar tapped on the vibrant green ''Purchase'' button, and the piercing tone rang out, with a customary message.


    Kothar stepped away, and the gated portal appeared and opened up, dropping a gray box onto the floor of his willow trunk encampment, that was slowly being filled with various metalworking equipment, a functioning forge, and now a set of armor.


    Kothar stepped forward to the gray box, which was made up out of a resin coated pulp, and lifted off the grainy lid. Revealing the carefully folded equipment, the mask sitting at the top.


    Immediately, Kothar threw off his tattered clothing, and pulled on the new gear. He had expected a rough and coarse material, but it was surprisingly smooth, and clung to his frame, contouring itself around him. He pulled on the boots, which were comfortable and gripped the smooth wooden floor easily, thanks to the ridged bottom. His long dark curls cascading out of the top of the mask,  the rest of his face hidden by the mask and goggles sown into the tube of cloth that extended from the torso.


    He cut a menacing figure, dark, gloomy and vaguely threatening, Kothar strapped on his sword belt and completed the look.

 Chapter 95 - A Crestfallen King

    Within the shining keep situated in the center of the crevasse at the very center of Balin, a morose figure sat in a room high within the keep, looking out over the city. Rotan, once lively and animated, with his dark eyes that were once filled with a combination of curiosity, joy and amusement, was now an entirely different figure.


    The healthy glow had left his olive skin, and it now looked papery thin, and his veins crossed his skin like writhing green snakes. Dark circles lay under his dull eyes, that stared lifelessly out of the broad window that revealed Balin.


    Rotan could have easily been mistaken for a skeleton, and his figure disappeared within a heavy blanket.


    On the table beside him was an enormous platter, absolutely laden with food of every kind, one could imagine a dish, and it would be present, there were steaming hot entire roast birds, warm bread, golden butter, sweet and savory pastries and pitcher upon pitcher of chilled juices, all keep to temperature by magical equipment. Jonas had spared no expense, his King was wasting away, and he could not bear to watch it happen.


    "Please, your majesty, just a piece of bread, it may whet your appetite." Jonas practically begged, as he stood watching Rotan, tears filling his eyes. Unlike Rotan, Jonas still looked every bit the middle aged man, all except his silver hair, which gave him his particularly distinguished air.


    "Do you think I was ever truly King? Or has my entire reign been a lie, subject to the whims of Tam and the nobles." Rotan ignored Jonas'' pleas and launched into a tirade that Jonas had heard hundreds of times since the war with Kalun and Phintus had ended and Tam had become the grand Marshal.


    "My liege, of course you are King, you have been such for your entire reign and will be till your heir takes the throne." Jonas replied as best he could, taking a different tack this time.


    "My heir! What heir? I will never have an heir, even the greatest healers at the Academy could not rectify that, the throne would pass to either that c*** Tam or the b***** Anteris." Rotan flew into a rage, and threw a platter laden with bread rolls stuffed with cheese and pieces of sausage at the granite wall, ruining the delicate tapestry of one of his ancestors slaying an enormous serpent.


    "My liege, your legacy will live on for an eternity, you have done more for the people of this nation than even your father, and a long life remains ahead of you. We will find you a healer and even beyond that we will find you a partner who shall deliver you an heir!" Jonas desperately tried to improve Rotan''s mood, but he was so fatigued after day after day of trying to keep his King from fading away that he had brought up one of Rotan''s taboo topics.


    "Do you think those fools realize what those paved roads and patrols mean for them? No, all they see are the taxes that they spent! They could be standing on a mountain top and would struggle to see past their noses!" Rotan began to shed tears, weakly thumping the table, his mana reserves could only sustain him for so long.


    "Please my liege, you must eat, and rest. Be strong my liege, I trust his lordship Tam, he has stood by you all these years, he would not usurp the throne from you." Jonas passed Rotan a heavily buttered piece of bread, who began to weakly chew out at it, all the while staring blankly out at his city.


    Far to the west, amongst the dense jungles of Kalun, a small group of soldiers marched, at their head rode Tam, and five of his personal guards, proudly wearing the hawk emblem on their chests.


    The rest were a young Ursten noble, a Tribesman, and their warriors. The noble was Baron Fidi, a promising young noble who wielded an enormous spear that dwarfed him, and he had brought along his entire troop, who were fiercely loyal, and wore his coiled rope sigil proudly.


    The tribespeople were from the Bear tribe, like their namesake they were a boisterous bunch, but were led by Bhal''s son, who shared his father''s enormous stature and raw strength, but lacked his joking manner, and was a quiet island amongst his constantly joking soldiers.


    The group had made good headway through the jungles; they were heading towards one of the more remote trading outposts, one that often sent messages by river to Kalun''s only port.


    Tam''s strategy was simple, he would have his army, now bolstered by the tribes, take over the remote outposts and towns, effectively isolated the many jungle cities from each other.


    Most other armies would have struggled to do this, but thanks to the rapidly growing strength of Ursten''s nobles, and the addition of the highly skilled Southern warriors, a small group could easily take a small town.


    Suddenly, Tam held up a closed fist, and the entire group immediately came to a halt, during the journey to Kalun, Tam had made sure to drill the signals and commands he used to every single of the troops, one could never know when a quickly recognized command could turn the tide of battle.


    With even the normally loud Bear tribe silent, only the huffing of horses and occasional jingle of the harness of a shifting horse sounded out. Then, there was a loud cracking sound to the right of the group of soldiers.


    All the soldiers felt a chill run down their necks, which was immediately replaced by a suffocating feeling as Tam unleashed his pressure.


    "Everybody, scatter now, regroup when the noise stops." Tam growled out, drawing his gently curved blade, that already glowed with a blue light, and dismounting from his horse, throwing the reins to one of his men who led the horse away.


    As soon as the last soldier disappeared into the jungle, Tam began banging his blade against his arm guard, and let loose his full pressure.


    Tam let out a yell, which was answered by an earsplitting roar, shaking the leaves from the trees between Tam and the unseen creature, and blasting down several smaller trees.


    Tam turned to face the creature, prepared to battle.

 Chapter 96 - Phantom Lizard

    For a moment, Tam was stunned. In the space where he had expected to see an enormous beast or at the very least some kind of threatening creature, there was nothing. He was at a loss, he could feel the dense mana growing closer to him, so there must be a threat.


    Then, the shifting light and odd space where the trees appeared almost identical to those around them made complete sense, the beast had a reflective hide, and was mostly invisible amongst the irregular vegetation.


    Tam was taking no chances, and immediately cast his Hawk Aura, the dense blue aura shrouding him in a powerful urge of enemy, and the pair of huge blue hawk''s wings extending from his back.


    With a few powerful flaps, Tam flew into the air, hovering above the narrow track that he and his soldiers had been traversing. Awaiting the beast.


    It roared with rage, an aerial opponent was not a favorable matchup for it, but nonetheless, it had felt Tam''s power and knew that it needed to defeat the threat.


    Tam suddenly dove to the left, he felt the surging of mana that hinted at an attack, and dodged preemptively. Only a moment later and he would have been completely engulfed by the high pressure jet of water that shot through the air, and even at his level, it would have done some serious damage.


    During the entire attack, Tam had kept a close eye on the odd creature, and had observed its shroud falling during the few moments it had required to quickly charge up and fire the attack. Evidently, it could not maintain its camouflage and fire off its water pressure at the same time.


    It was a reptilian creature, obviously favoring Water Magic, and constantly kept up a shroud of shimmering reflective water over its scaled body to hide it from potential enemies.


    The scales behind the shroud were large and circular, and were a dull green color, with hints of black, perfect for blending with the depths of the swamps of Kalun.


    A long narrow crocodilian head with tiny glowing orange eyes, ran into a long serpentine neck, it had a relatively small body, and stood on two powerful hind legs, standing half upright, with its forelegs still close to the ground.


    Its rear legs led to powerful webbed feet, and a broad tail shaped like a paddle extended far behind it, which it also used to balance while it was firing the jet of water at Tam.


    The creature''s forelimbs however ended in sharp curved claws, attached to remarkably dexterous hands, that clenched and unclenched as it stared viciously at Tam.


    Then, it was gone again, hidden by the veil of shimmering water.


    Tam had heard of such a beast, the invisible terror of the swamps, known by the locals as the Phantom Lizard, it was notorious for slipping into the more remote villages in the dead of night, and carrying away an entire water buffalo. From its, those stories were likely true, the massive lizard could easily hold a full grown buffalo in its jaws.


    To keep the creature at bay, and to stave off further water jets, Tam slashed out attack after attack, carving up the ground around the creature, not too focused on attacking the beast itself, but still buying time so that his soldiers would have a good chance to get to a safe distance.


    The creature, forced on the defensive, snarled and growled angrily, as a few slashes broke through its shimmering veil and revealed it, leaving small nicks on its body that dripped dark purple blood.


    The Phantom Lizard was clearly outclassed, and it let out a defiant snarl at Tam before turning to flee back into the depths of the forest, but Tam wasn''t going to let it leave so easily.


    The pair of hawk wings at his back folded in, and Tam dove down, just like a hawk diving to catch its prey, aiming straight for the creature.


    He landed just behind the Phantom lizard, and the shimmering camouflage fell away, revealing its scaly hide.


    Noticing Tam, the lizard snarled, and attempted to turn toward him, but instead, its head fell from its neck, falling to the ground with a thud. A spout of blood sprayed high into the air, as Tam neatly walked away from the falling body, the confused eyes of the Phantom Lizard wildly swiveling in every direction.


    As the light faded from its beady orange eyes, the Phantom Lizard only registered one emotion in its mind, confusion.


    While Tam easily dispatched a reptilian threat to him and his men, the beginnings of Kothar''s ship and fabrication facility were taking shape.


    He had been hard  at work, and the once empty enormous hollow within the trunk of the willow was filled with metal contraptions and rudimentary machines, so much so that Kothar had needed to expand his new home.


    There was now an entire series of rooms dedicated to storing raw materials, they were stacked high with ores, wood, and reagents he might need.


    Another large room was filled with failed creations that he might be able to repurpose, even with his experience and with Silane''s assistance, creating the precise equipment required for his ship wasn''t simple.


    But now that the groundwork was in place, he could begin experimenting on the Imperium, since it was to be the power source for his ship.


    Kothar had created a separate room purely for experimenting on the Imperium, far from the main cavern and his storage rooms, since he didn''t know what might happen in the process of trying to harness its power.


    It was high up in the tree, connected to his main cavern by a narrow staircase that he had painstakingly carved with his Plasma Blade.


    Within, the Imperium lay in a cradle of Titanite, the alloy that had given the weapons of the Alliance their renowned strength and durability.


    Kothar summoned a portal next to where he stood, so he could easily escape in case anything unforeseen happened.


    He reached out his finger and summoned a small spark, sending it at the glowing orange rock.

 Chapter 97 - Surge

    The bright glowing blue tinged spark disappeared into the glowing Imperium, for a moment it seemed as if nothing would happen, there was a great sense of stillness about the small room that Kothar had created just for experimenting on the Imperium.


    Crack! An enormous bolt of electricity shot out from the glowing Imperium, shooting straight at Kothar, sending his body slamming into the side of the room.


    Now, the room was silent, the Imperium still glowing softly, and Kothar''s glowing body laying against the wall of the room.


    A small groan escaped Kothar, and then he stood up. He felt strange, his entire body had a tingling feeling, a sharp sensation as if thousands of needles were piercing every single inch of him, inside and out.


    Kothar looked down at his hand, and found it completely sparking with electricity, his body was holding the enormous discharge from Imperium!


    Kothar walked over to the massive metal brackets that held the Imperium, and peered into one to see his own reflection, and startled himself, taking an abrupt step away.


    Kothar''s eyes were completely obscured by the bright electricity sparking from them, and stray sparks flew out from his mouth and ran across the surface of his entire body.


    [Kothar, you need to discharge all this energy! It''s tearing you apart from the inside out!] Silane pulled Kothar out from his fascination with how his body was able to hold so much raw electricity, even though it was not formed with Lightning Mana.


    Immediately, Kothar sent a Bolt flying toward one of the walls, and the enormous amount of electricity within his body followed along, forming an enormous cord of electricity that slammed into the wall of the room, creating a massive explosion, sending shards through the entire room.


    Fortunately, this time Kothar had the foresight to jump into the portal he had prepared, closing it behind him, and reappeared down the corridor that led away from the room, breathing heavily.


    Ignoring everything else, even the enormous explosion from the room, Kothar sat down to assess what damage the surge of electricity had done to his body.


    He heaved a sigh of relief as he noticed that both his mana cores were intact, floating safely around his chest area, then, he directed his attention to the Mana Storage Unit within his shoulder and the Plasma Blade in his shoulder. The Magesteel used in creating both of them was extremely durable, and the inscriptions he had used were for channeling Lightning Mana and did a good job of preventing the Magesteel from taking any kind of burden at all.


    Apart from his mana cores and his augmentations, his body was a wreck, every muscle screamed in pain, and a charred smell emanated from him. The electricity had burned away a good deal of his hair, and Kothar reached up to find his eyebrows were patchy. If there was anyone else around to look at him, he would'';ve cut quite the comical figure.


    [Now that was a close one, in any other situation I''d get at you about being careless, but I think the results of the experiment speak for themselves. Even better, it shouldn''t be too difficult to harness the Imperium this way, all we need to do is create a rudimentary spark plug, and it''ll return an exponential amount of power, which we can use to keep the electricity flowing from the Imperium.] Silane sounded pleased, she had worried that they would have had to spend weeks trying to puzzle out a way to use the Imperium, but in one rash moment Kothar had found them a solution.


    [Sure, we can easily put it to use by doing that, but I do wonder how the civilization that built that cube managed to harness the Imperium. There were no visible sparks of electricity, no surges of power, just a regular fluctuating electromagnetic field.] Kothar had a melancholy tone in his voice, as he remembered the majestic sight at the center of the cube.


    [Once we get some decent sensors and equipment up and running, I''m sure I could optimize things even further and learn more about this. Plus by then, we should have some kind of automated fabrication process, so you''ll be able to focus on increasing your mana reserves and in turn, increasing my processing capability.] The obvious excitement in Silane''s voice could also be felt by Kothar, and he realized, just as some of Silane''s analytical and curious nature had rubbed off on him, his constant desire for power and improvement had rubbed off on her.


    [Alright, for now, let''s go and see what kind of damage I did.] Kothar heeded back up the winding staircase, the walls covered in the discord marks from his Plasma Blade as he had carved the passageway.


    A strong smell of burnt wood and ozone emanated from the room, and inside the Imperium was still intact, seated securely within the metal cradle.


    However, the floor was carpeted with splinters that had been sprayed all across the room by the massive surge of electricity.


    A crater like scorch mark now marred one side of the room, and was still smoking, adding further to the dense smell of smoke. Kothar pulled up the mask attached to his new armor, and began clearing the debris.


    As he worked, he started to hum. The song was filled with nostalgia and melancholy, and he remembered the Garden. One of the junior scientists who were assigned to care for him had taken him onto her lap one day after he had been drilled for hours on the biology of the Cygnus system.


    She had hummed the same song as she had rocked the boy with the chip implanted in his head, back and forth, who stared at her curiously, having experienced no human contact before.


    A strong vibration emanated from Kothar''s electromagnetic sensing belt, and he immediately began running back down toward the main cavern.


    His basic sensor array had detected movement, there was an intruder.

 Chapter 98 - Intruder

    Kothar crept around the narrow bend that led to the main cavern, he could hear the faintest rustling within, the intruder was moving through the cavern.


    Kothar could feel the intruder drawing closer thanks to his electromagnetic belt, now that the intense signal from his sensors had faded away. He sent a small amount of mana to his Mana-sensing eye, to try and see if he could see the intruder.


    Kothar stifled a gasp, the intruder''s mana was extremely dense, so much so that he even shone amongst the bright ambient mana of Atla.


    Other than Tam, Krieg and the instructors at the Academy, Kothar had never seen such dense mana before. While an individual''s mana density wasn''t a clear indication of their battle potential, it was more than enough to get a good idea, and Kothar knew that he had no chance against this person, who was likely a Freemen here to kill or capture him.


    The other Freemen he had faced so far had strange abilities and even stranger biology, but even when facing them, Kothar had known that he had a fair chance at victory.


    But going head to head with the unknown intruder would be a death wish.


    As the intruder strode further in, Kothar was able to make out some further details of the intruder, he was humanoid, but his fingers ended in claws, and from the silhouette that he saw from his Mana-sensing eye, Kothar could see that then intruder had a tail that snaked along behind him, and a relatively squat head.


    [I think it''s some kind of reptilian, and from the looks of it a very curious one.] Silane whispered, even though she was only audible in Kothar''s head, the tenseness of the situation meant she instinctively whispered. The reptilian was rummaging through some of the parts that Kothar had already made for the spaceship, and Kothar winced as he picked up a delicate component that would make up part of the engine circuitry, tossing it back down.


    [You think I can sneak out past it, or should I just use the Spatial Artifact?] Kothar had slowly backed his way back up the stairs, and had the diamond shaped artifact pinched between his fingers.


    [I think we should wait, from how powerful it seems to be, it must already know where you are, and I think it makes no sense to abandon all your hard work if this intruder is peaceful. Who knows, he might not even be a Freeman.] Silane had seen the reptilian rummaging curiously through the components that she and Kothar had fabricated, and she was sure that a Freeman only after a reward would have spent little time ransacking the place immediately in search of Kothar.


    [Are you trying to get us killed? Come on, Silane, that''s a ridiculous risk to take, and I thought I was supposed to be the reckless one.] Kothar was exasperated, if he waited much longer, he was sure he wouldn''t even have a chance to use the Spatial Artifact to get away, as the reptilian grew ever closer.


    [Don''t I get a chance to be a little rash, especially after you took a lightning strike to the face just a few moments ago. I just have a feeling, alright, and before you say that AI''s don''t have feelings about things, I do. I''m sure that whatever or whoever it is out there, doesn''t mean us harm.] Silane pleaded with Kothar, this just might end up being a powerful ally that they needed after being betrayed by Krieg.


    [Trust me Kothar.] Silane said finally, as the reptilian grew closer and closer, still picking up components of Kothar''s unassembled, unfinished ship and examining them carefully.


    [Alright, Silane. I trust you. But if this get us killed, then I sincerely hope we get reincarnated as a beetle.] Kothar still had the nerve to joke in such a tense situation, after all, humor was a tool he had often utilized to keep his cool in tense situations.


    Silane didn''t reply, only making a retching sound.


    Kothar crept back down the spiraling staircase, pressed up against the wood that was scorched and scarred by Kothar''s Plasma Blade.


    The reptilian intruder was just in front of the opening of the staircase, and Kothar would be able to see it as soon as he rounded the corner.


    Kothar braced himself, clenching his fist tightly around the Spatial Artifact, and stepped out from the staircase and out into the open.


    The mysterious intruder had its back to Kothar and with an orange scaled, clawed hand was currently holding what was supposed to be a bearing for a rotor that would propel it when flying within an atmosphere.


    The creature was tall, almost twice Kothar''s height, and was mostly obscured by a set of voluminous tan robes that wrapped all around it. The tip of a scaled tail was visible, twitching this way and that, peeking out from a fold in the robes.


    A large trident was slung across its back, with tines made out of a blue metal that shone in the dim light of the dying fire within the cavern.


    The robes ended well below the floor, but its feet were obscured by leather boots, with metal buckled straps at regular intervals.


    [It must know I''m here, why is it ignoring me?] Kothar asked Silane, confused by the indifference of the reptilian.


    [I''m assuming it doesn''t want to scare you, but it could be like the mantis we ran in to, hoping to lull you into a false sense of security.] Silane''s dislike of insects shone through again, and Kothar was about to reply when the reptilian turned.


    It placed the bearing back down on the floor, and flung back its hood to reveal a squat scaled head, with bright green eyes that shone like emeralds.


    The reptilian had a muzzle like face, and looked like a lizard, it opened its mouth wide while it looked at Kothar, baring hundreds of pointed shining white teeth, its bright red forked tongue flickered out and a long hiss came out from its mouth.

 Chapter 99 - Intruder(2)

    [Silane, what was that? A threat or is it just telling me to admire its very shiny, very sharp teeth?] Kothar backed up a little, a strand of Spatial Mana at the ready to send to the artifact.


    [I need for him to say a little more, look, at least that trident is still on its back and not pointing at you. That should count for something.] Silane replied, as she waited for the reptilian to say something other than the initial hiss.


    The reptilian stepped forward, pulling its robes up away from its hands, revealing densely muscled forearms, covered in the same orange scales that covered the rest of its body.


    It stood, arms outstretched to either side, palms empty and facing upwards. Its muzzle like mouth was now closed, its scarlet tongue darted in and out of the air.


    [I don''t think I need you to translate that, Silane. It means no threat, thankfully.] Kothar''s tense muscles relaxed, but he still kept a grip on the artifact, and kept a strand of Spatial Mana ready. After all, one could never be too careful.


    The reptilian let out another series of hisses and pulled a peculiar metallic box from the depths of its robes. It was covered in an angular pattern, that was all right angles and thick lines, engraved into the surface of the dull gray material.


    [So, what did it say?] Kothar asked Silane, by now she had to have a good idea of what the reptilian was saying. But Silane was silent for a long while, only speaking after a long pause.


    [He said, ''I am Sandstrider, you are my quarry. Surrender your weapons immediately.''] Silane paused for a long while before she continued.


    [I''m sorry, Kothar, I thought we could take this chance, it was illogical and now we''re in danger.] Silane said timidly, clearly embarrassed.


    [Hold on, this doesn''t make sense, his body language doesn''t match what he''s saying.] Kothar responded, watching as the reptilian pulled a Pebble out from within his robes, and placed it inside the box, before beckoning to Kothar with a clawed hand.


    Kothar walked closer, and saw that pieces of polished wood had been used to make many slots into which one could place a Pebble, and the reptilian had placed his on the right side. Kothar followed his lead and placed his device within the box, taking care to place his on the opposite end.


    Snap. Sandstrider closed the box with a loud snap, and gave Kothar another tooth filled smile, which was uncanny, given the many pointed teeth that it revealed.


    He drew a familiar looking cylindrical device from within his robes, twisting many rings along their length, before nodding to Kothar.


    [Kothar! That looks just like the translating device that Xerev had.] Silane exclaimed, showing Kothar a projection of the device that Xerev had used.


    [I know, he must have bought it from the Pebble Marketplace, it makes sense that he''d need something since he''s removed the Pebbles from the equation.] Kothar was anxious to see what Sandstrider would do next, but was still slightly on edge, he wasn''t sure what to make of the odd reptilian.


    "Apologies for the deception, but I could not reveal my true intentions without shielding any Pebbles nearby." Sandstrider gave Kothar a deep bow, revealing a series of stubby horns that ran down the back of his head, creating a small crest.


    "I am Kothar. Can you explain more?" Kothar returned Sandstrider''s bow, he was eager not to offend the powerful Freeman.


    "Of course, young artificer. Come, let us sit. This will take some time." Sandstrider said solemnly, before walking over to the flat rocks that Kothar had set around the fire that he used for light and warmth within the hollowed out willow trunk.


    The reptilian settled himself comfortably onto the stone, then drew a long ivory pipe from inside his robes, creating a spark by rubbing two of his curved black claws together.


    "Why did you lock the Pebbles away?" Kothar asked Sandstrider, watching as the reptilian closed both his clear inner eyelid and scaled outer eyelid and drew in a long breath from the pipe, before exhaling an enormous cloud of green smoke.


    [Kothar! The smoke, there is so much mana inside it!] Silane suddenly interrupted, Sandstrider was drawing in massive amounts of mana as he smoked the pipe, just the residual mana that he exhaled was far greater than the atmosphere on Atla.


    [I know, but first let''s see what he has to say about the Pebbles. We can ask him what he''s smoking later.] Kothar hushed Silane, he had been wary of the Pebble ever since he had run into the mantis by ''chance''.


    "This Pebble. It is a most blessed item. I have travelled far beyond my wildest dreams, I have seen the most wonderful sights and met all manner of creatures. But along with the blessing, it carries a great curse. Many of the lands I found, I led ravenous empires to pillage, many of the sights I have seen, were overrun by curious sightseers, and of the amazing creatures I met, there were many whose life I took with my own hands." Sandstrider spoke slowly, with long pauses between each word, as if it took him a great amount of effort to speak at all.


    Sandstrider saw that Kothar''s face was still filled with curiosity, and so he continued to speak.


    "The Pebble has an ancient history, the oldest records I have seen even make mention of this device. Without it, the myriad planes would have never flourished. Perhaps my people would still be living in the warm caverns near the Earthfire, ignorant of the wider world. Sandstrider looked at Kothar with his shining green eyes, they sparkled in the red glow, reflecting the flickering flames.


    "You must be careful of to whom you repeat what I am going to tell you, young Kothar." Sandstrider''s mouth hardened into a firm line, and he crossed his arms, setting his ivory pipe aside.

 Chapter 100 - The Pebble Network

    "Many, many years ago, long before even the earliest of days that you could possibly conceive. When the myriad planes were young, and one could slip between planes with such ease, that you might be strolling amongst the trees, trip over a root, and find yourself in a new world." Sandstrider looked deep into the fire, and blew a strand of bright green smoke into the flames, which created a flurry of dancing green sparks.


    "A great people, those that became known as ''The Wise Ones'' created many beautiful works. Grand cities that were one with the world around them; buildings that grew from the ground all by themselves, rivers that danced like fountains, mountains whose inside were akin to the greatest of temples." A misty look appeared in Sandstrider''s eyes, and he sighed wistfully.


    "I shall never forget the day I saw the great Saltator River. I had found the coordinates on a stone tablet, and being the young, foolish lizard that I was, I decided to follow them. I found myself, on the smallest fragment of a plane, and I could barely believe my eyes. A river, dancing through the air as it flowed, twisting, winding and writhing as it went. Unfortunately, I traded those coordinates to an Ascendant in exchange for my life, I hope it still remains in some corner of that Ascended''s plane." Sandstrider let out a sigh filled with tiredness and longing for days gone by, before he continued.


    "I have strayed from the topic long enough, forgive me, young Kothar, I have a great passion for the works left behind by The Wise Ones." Sandstrider shot Kothar a toothy grin, and though Kothar was relatively sure he could trust the reptilian Freeman, the many sharp teeth still made him uncomfortable.


    "This device is the creation of one of the greatest works of one of the Wise Ones. From what I have gathered, after my many years as a Freeman, and in my search for knowledge about the things that the Wise Ones have left behind, one of the Wise Ones created a sentient being." Sandstrider pushed a wad of a moss like plant into the round opening at the end of his ivory pipe, and lit it with another spark from his curved claws.


    "The Wise One sought to create a conscious being, and was successful far beyond expectations. The being that the Wise One created was intelligent, and consumed knowledge like other living beings consume food, or light or energy. And it learned so much that even The Wise Ones looked to it for knowledge of the more remote corners of the myriad planes, or for some knowledge that they had forgotten." Sandstrider let out another sigh of sadness.


    "You must understand, Kothar. This was not like the basic, mechanical assistants that some civilizations create. No, this being had true consciousness, it truly lived, and The Wise Ones recognized this, and taught it all they knew and more." The reptilian Freeman flicked away a glowing piece of ash from his pipe.


    "But then The Wise Ones went, to where, none know. Perhaps they found a way to travel even beyond the myriad planes, or perhaps they passed on, their lives at an end. But where they went, the being could not follow. And then, it was alone." The fire was beginning to die down, and so Kothar stood and threw some wood into it, as Sandstrider wet his mouth from a metal flask he pulled from his robes.


    "After that, the being became warped. It has never seen any of the beings of the myriad planes as anything more than scurrying insects, only good for the gathering of more and more knowledge. The network it has created serves this purpose, and if it thinks it can squeeze even another drop of new knowledge from you, it will wring it out in any way it can." Sandstrider gave the box that held the two Pebble devices a dirty look, and mimed a spitting motion in disgust.


    "It is not evil, but neither is it good. Rather, it seeks what most of us roaming the myriad planes do. Knowledge and power that would allow one to go beyond even the myriad planes, and truly grasp at the essence of being." Sandstrider now looked at Kothar expectantly, as if expecting a flurry of questions, but Kothar was taken aback by the sudden revelations, and took a moment to realize what Sandstrider was waiting for.


    "How do you know all this, Sandstrider? You say you''re hunting me, and now you give me this long explanation about the Pebble. How can I trust anything you''re saying?" Kothar asked in a straightforward manner, returning Sandstrider''s firm stare with one of his own.


    "You cannot. In this world we live in, you cannot truly trust anybody, especially as a Freeman. When I left the warm embrace of the Earthfire, I was with my brother, we had been inseparable since birth. He taught me many things, and the last thing he taught me was that none can truly be trusted. You shall just have to take my word." Sandstrider rubbed his side, as if remembered some old wound.


    Kothar sat silently, pondering on what Sandstrider had said. It was certainly a plausible explanation for the Pebble and the Pebble Network, and it would make sense as to why the Pebble had sent him on a mission that led Kothar right into the waiting claws of the mantis.


    And Sandstrider was so powerful that there really was no reason for him to deceive Kothar. Kothar furrowed his brow in concern, Silane was silent, he expected her to be celebrating how right she had been about Sandstrider by now, but she was completely silent.


    [Silane? You still there?] Kothar asked tentatively, he could feel the flurry of emotions that Silane was experiencing, shock, horror and most strongly, fear.


    [Is that my fate? Will I become some warped version of myself, preying on individuals in my never ending hunger for more information.] If Silane could, she would be sobbing right now, the hurt in her tone was so clear.

 Chapter 101 - Sandstrider

    [No Silane, you have to be different. You must have a soul, you reincarnated along with me. If you do end up becoming some warped creature, I''ll be there right along with you.] Kothar consoled Silane, trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her, he could feel the sadness radiating from her.


    [Alright, we''ll talk about this some more later. But for now, ask Sandstrider about what he wants. I''m sure he''ll want something in return for not taking you to Krieg right away.] Silane still sounded scared, but she pushed down her emotions and thought about the practicality of the situation.


    "Tell me then, Sandstider, what can I do for you?" Kothar asked Sandstrider, maintaining the straightforward attitude that he had always preferred, watching to see the reptilian''s reaction.


    "After seeing this craftsmanship of yours, I knew. You could be no thief, the man who hired all of us Freeman to eliminate you and return the artifact you have in your possession to him, must have lied, but for what reason? I think it is clear, you must be able to offer something of equal value to the rewards he offered." Sandstrider grinned at Kothar, and chewed on the end of his pipe.


    "This man, he is a great master of space, he would give many of Freeman what they want, great treasures filled with Spatial energy, which the Pebble will allow us to use to travel great distances. I think you must be able to do something similar, this is no simple device you are crafting." Sandstrider tapped the side of a massive wing strut that lay behind him, creating a ringing sound.


    "Why do so many Freeman desire Spatial energy so much?" Kothar felt sick inside, he knew that Krieg didn''t care if he lived or died, but to hear that he had hired people to find him an skill him only added insult to injury.


    "You see, bit by bit, the planes move further and further from one another. Many eons ago, it was a simple task to hop from one plane to another, but as time goes on, it takes more and more energy to travel from one plane to another. This holds true for everyone amongst the myriad planes, and the Freemen, so many of us being so poor in resources that we desire any amount of Spatial energy so we can travel beyond a small cluster. It would be like giving a man stranded on a desert island a great ship." The reptilian blew successive rings of smoke out through the smoke that rose from the fire, and the white smoke of the fire wove through the floating vibrant green of the rings.


    "I could help you. But not now, I do not think I will have anywhere close to the amount of Spatial energy that the man who hired you can offer for a long time. You would have to wait a long time." Kothar decided to be honest with Sandstrider, so far, as far as Kothar could tell, the reptilian Freeman had been honest with him. As far as Kothar could tell, Krieg was at the very least at the rank of an Advanced Mage and even with ridiculous mana density on Atla, it would be a long time before Kothar could near his old mentor''s massive mana reserves.


    "No problem, we Earthborn are known for our patience, and for our long lives. I will wait. For now, I shall mislead the Freemen in search of you, and give you an opportunity to complete what you are doing here and leave this plane." Sandstrider stood up and stretched his arms wide, revealing his enormous wingspan, and a hint of the bulging muscles hidden by his loose robes.


    "Record these coordinates, young Kothar. For now, you need not know what they are or where they lead, but once you know where they lead and that you can go to this place, then you must take me there." Sandstrider said solemnly, passing Kothar a piece of slate, upon which he had scratched a string of numbers with a sharp claw.


    "I will be able to contact you with the Pebble device, and you can do the same." He picked up the box that he had placed the Pebble devices in and gave Kothar yet another serious stare.


    "Be wary of what you say with this device nearby, and take care in accepting any missions that it offers to you." Sandstrider kept the box shut, waiting for Kothar to assent.


    "I''ve learned my lesson already. A ''welcome'' mission almost got me killed." The sarcasm in Kothar''s voice was palpable, and he nodded at Sandstrider.


    "I shall give you respite, as is the tradition of the Earthborn, for a dying and sickly enemy. But be wary, I shall not be so merciful if we meet again." Sandstrider''s voice boomed out loudly as he spoke firmly to Kothar. He took the Pebble devices from the box, tapping them together as he did so.


    The reptilian strode away, waving to Kothar before turning around and leaping out of the hollow within the tree, without a second glance.


    [That was something, wasn''t it.] Silane finally said, after Kothar had stood there dumbfounded for a while, surprised at how abruptly the Earthborn had leapt from the hollow after reclining so comfortably by the fire.


    [Whether he was telling the truth, or was just some eccentric powerful Freeman, I want to get this ship finished and get the *** out of here.] Kothar responded, clearly exhausted, first having been blasted by an enormous amount of electricity, then being tensed up from the expected intruder and finally being bombarded with a series of bizarre revelations about the Pebble Network. Just one of those things were more than enough to give him a reason to take a nice bath, meal and relax for a good while.


    But he was in no position to do so, for all he knew, the Freemen pursuing him drew ever closer, and now he knew for certain they were after his life. Kothar needed to finish his ship, and leave Atla as soon as possible.

 Chapter 102 - The Helmet

    Kothar had been working at a breakneck pace for the past week. He had finally constructed the robotic components that would allow him to begin automating the more complex portions of the process, having failed at creating some of the more delicate circuitry multiple times, Kothar sighed with relief.


    Now, above the main cavern, another massive room had been added. It was filled with the skeleton of what were to be enormous robotic arms that would allow Silane to begin working on parts of the ship independently of Kothar.


    One side of the room was taken up by a strange contraption, which spanned the entire wall. This was the transceiver, which would receive the information that Silane sent out and would also send information back to her.


    [You really think this''ll work?] Kothar looked at the ridiculous helmet that Silane had him rig up, the entire left side of the interior was densely packed with rudimentary electrodes that looked like the suckers of a metallic octopus. The outside was even more comical, with a large coiled copper antenna stuck straight up into the air.


    Overall, the helmet looked like what someone who had been told second hand what technology was, and was asked to draw a picture of a wearable device, might conjure up, and now it would be sitting on Kothar''s head for the foreseeable future.


    [You''re able to perceive my thoughts, and I yours, so I should be able to manipulate your brain waves in some way. After that, we just need to fine tune the receiver and I can start transmitting some semblance of binary. From then on, we''ll be good to go.] Silane paused for a moment before she continued, now with a hint of cheekiness in her voice.


    [If it doesn''t then we''ll have to abandon this plan altogether, and try something new, and you''ll be half bald for no reason too.] Silane chuckled, she had been waiting for the moment when Kothar shaved off his hair so that the electrodes could contact his head securely.


    [Alright, let''s get this over with.] Kothar looked down into the polished circle of steel that served as mirror, and looked at the rough face that stared back at him. After coming to Atla, he had grown much taller and stronger and by now, he would be near Tam''s height. But his long black curls and the beginnings of a beard and mustache made him look like a vagrant.


    Kothar picked unsheathed his razor sharp short blade, which he used for virtually everything, and slowly scraped away at the long locks that covered his head.


    The curls fell to the ground, carpeting it with dark hair, and soon enough Kothar ran his fingers all along the dark stubble that covered one side of his head.


    Looking at himself in the polished steel, Kothar frowned, and moved the blade to his chin, and shaved away the scraggly hairs that were sprouting there.


    Then, he took a basin of water and washed off his face, he felt refreshed.


    [Let''s get that awesome helmet on your head then, it goes so nicely with your fancy new armor.] Silane continued to tease Kothar, who had been extremely happy with the Multi Planar Equipment and had been wearing it constantly since he had bought it.


    [Technically, you''re wearing it too. And if it works, then all the better, it''s about time you started pulling your weight around here.] Kothar grumbled back, he wasn''t serious of course, if it weren''t for Silane, he probably would have died after rashly taking on some impossible to defeat beast in the wilds around Ursten, too overconfident in his battle experience.


    Kothar pulled on the helmet, and the metal edges dug down into his ears. The cool metal of the electrodes pressed against his bare skin felt odd, and brought back memories of empty white labs, and of being strapped down and sent into massive machines.


    [You got anything?] Kothar asked after a minute or so, Silane had been completely silent, obviously making a concerted effort to try and send some sort of real signal to the transceiver that was linked to the robotic arms.


    [No. Hold on, let me try for a little longer.] Silane, for once, sounded frustrated. It was odd for an AI like her to come across something that took a different kind of effort than processing or recording information.


    [Why don''t you try doing something with some of my Lightning Element mana. Maybe with a small enough amount, you''ll be able to send some sort of signal to the arms.] Kothar said, while Silane was able to really manipulate mana significantly, she had a wider range than him in which she could feel mana. Maybe she could use the Lightning mana to her advantage.


    [Alright, let me try.] Silane replied, before her voice trailed off, as she extended her awareness towards the swirling Lightning mana Core.


    [Ow! That was painful!] Silane yelled out, as tried pulling away a strand of the Lightning mana.


    [It must be too much, or the Core doesn''t recognize me, either way, your idea isn''t going to work.] Silane''s frustration mounted, and Kothar could feel the emotions building.


    [Try the mana in the Mana Storage Unit, there''s more mana, but it''s been transformed by the runes, at the very least, it''s worth a try.] Kothar encouraged Silane, she was very unfamiliar with pain, and it showed in the obvious hurt in her voice.


    [Alright, here goes nothing.] Silane tried again, this time aiming for the Mana Storage Unit in Kothar''s shoulder.] She used all her effort and grasped at  a strand of the swirling energy, which was perfectly suited for any devices that Kothar might want to add to himself in the future.


    The energy flowed like silk, and Silane guided it up towards the helmet, and a strand of energy flowed along behind, heading towards the electrodes on Kothar''s scalp.


    There was a slight fizzing noise, and the smell of burnt hair wafted through the air, as the electricity made contact with the electrodes.


    A loud grinding noise rang out through the room filled with the bare robot arms.

 Chapter 103 - Breakthrough

    The loud grinding sound continued, and the robotic arm closest to Kothar began to move. The blunt grasping claws that Kothar had smithed just days ago were opening and closing slowly, as the rudimentary motor at the base made loud whirring and clanking sounds.


    AS Silane gained confidence, more and more of the arms began to move, and before long, the entire room was filled with the sound of grinding metal and the whirring of engines.


    [Seems like all of this is going to need some grease. I don''t think I''ll be able to handle this racket for very long.] Kothar marveled as Silane expertly manipulated one of the arms to pick up a large wing section, and spun it about in the air.


    [I did it! Kothar, I did it!] Silane twirled the robotic arms in celebration. When she had been Kothar''s AI when he was a cyborg for the alliance, she had always been able to remotely control drones and at one point had control over entire fleets of warships, being so restricted for so long had truly begun to weigh on her, especially as she had begun to develop some emotion.


    Now, Silane had some capability beyond monitoring the information that Kothar took in, she could do something more than backseat Kothar as he adventured and battled his way across strange new landscapes.


    [You sure did, so, can I get on to researching this artifact?] Kothar said, as he began to walk out of the room filled with the clanking of machinery, the constant prickle on the left side of his scalp was evidence of what Silane was doing.


    [Of course, I just need you to bring all of the components, and the Imperium in here, then, you can spend all the time you want playing with that odd rock of yours.] Silane joked, she knew how important understanding the Spatial Artifact was to them being able to travel all around the multiverse, but sometimes she just couldn''t help but tease Kothar.


    It took Kothar the rest of the day to finish moving the components from the main cavern, and carry the Imperium as it was mounted in the metal brackets all the way to Silane''s new Fabrication room.


    By the time he was finished, his new armor was nowhere to be seen, having removed it after being sprayed with soot from one of the more newly forged propellers, Kothar had decided to wear his old rags for just a little while.


    Now, Kothar cleaned off the soot and grime as best he could, he would have liked to climb down to the stream that ran below the tree, but it would have interrupted Silane''s work, as the helmet would very quickly be out of range of the transceiver.


    Kothar sighed, and swept a clean area in the hollow, removing as many metal shavings and bits of sawdust as he could, before sitting down cross-legged and bringing the diamond shaped Spatial Artifact into the open.


    He stared down at it, as it sat in his palm, drinking in the gentle glow of the fire, sucking in all the light without reflecting anything in the slightest.


    How had something so small brought him so much trouble? If only he had the tome that he had found alongside the artifact, unfortunately, that was still back on Eclat, as unlike his weapons and most valuable items, he hadn''t been carrying it on himself when Krieg had pushed him through the Spatial Rift. Kothar tentatively extended a strand of Spatial Mana towards the artifact, taking care to sever the strand from the rest of his mana, he didn''t want a repeat of when the artifact had opened up the portal to Idwa.


    The artifact drunk up the mana greedily, and the resonance that Kothar had felt grew slightly stronger. So, he decided to experiment, Kothar continued to send small amounts of Spatial Mana into the artifact, and as he sent more and more into it, the resonance grew and grew.


    Beads of sweat began to form on Kothar''s forehead as the resonance grew to a degree where he could barely keep his mana away from the artifact, it wanted his mana.


    Kothar held his mana tightly, observing the fluctuations of Spatial mana around the artifact as it resonated with him, sending mana to his Mana-0sensing lens to watch it as well as feeling the fluctuations of the mana itself.


    Kothar sat and watched, completely still, no longer sending mana to the artifact, but watching the fluctuations around it, and as the hours went by, slowly but surely, the resonance began to fade.


    A curious look appeared on his face, and he created a small portal, not much bigger than his palm, before linking it up to another, carefully watching the pattern of Spatial mana fluctuations as he did so.


    Then, Kothar focused on a point just in front of him, and began to charge up another portal, holding the artifact clenched tight in his fist as he did so.


    He had felt something when he had fled from the mantis and he wanted to confirm it.


    He threw the portal to where he was focused on, and almost effortlessly, the second portal opened directly in front of him.


    A grin began to come across Kothar''s face as he moved his awareness to his Spatial Core, taking note of how much mana he had.


    Another portal flew out, the odd distorted noise ringing out, followed quickly by the opening of one nearby Kothar.


    Kothar followed this with another pair, then another, then another, and soon enough, the main hollow that Kothar had created was filled with the familiar distortions of Spatial Magic, echoing the similar racket of machinery going on above.


    Now Kothar dismissed the countless portals he had opened, the purple openings in space disappearing from the air, and decided to experiment further, sending tiny portal flying out as quickly as he could before shooting bolts of lightning through them. While this was something he had always been able to do, he had never expected to be able to summon accurate portals at this insane speed.


    "I''ve got it." Kothar murmured, not willing to disrupt Silane as she worked away on the ship above.

 Chapter 104 - The Artifact

    Kothar looked at the innocuous artifact in his palm with wonder, all this time, what he had thought to be random spatial fluctuations just to the nature of the artifact were in fact far more.


    Narrow tendrils of purple Spatial mana wormed their way out of the artifact, in a barely noticeable web, all around it, and upon reaching certain points, all the narrow tendrils would all gather together and burrow into thin air, like hundreds of tiny worms digging for food.


    This was the first thing that Kothar had discovered about the artifact.


    The artifact was finding areas of space, which, for lack of a better world, were far ''thinner'' than others, and this was how it managed to transport Kothar from Eclat to Idwa with only his paltry supply of Spatial mana.


    Furthermore, without years of research or pre established information of where a plane was, a Spatial Mage or anyone seeking to teleport from one plane to another would struggle to travel. However, the tendrils that found narrow areas of space, would not only find locations where portals would be constructed far more easily,  but the tiny tendrils would also act as a kind of anchor to the plane that the portal would lead to.


    The artifact anchored the portals all on its own, and it took all of Kothar''s willpower to not test his theory, as he could see a thinner region of space, and he knew for sure that if he channeled his Spatial mana through the artifact right now, he would surely end up on a new plane.


    Kothar suspected that Krieg used the Spatial rift as a makeshift beacon, that would create an area of spatial disruption that Krieg could sense from planes away. But such a technique seemed reckless and wasteful, since Krieg would not be the only one who would be able to sense the fluctuation of Spatial mana.


    Kothar also remembered the bare room that had been under the rift, and it seemed likely to him that Krieg was mediating beneath the rift, using the Spatial mana and fluctuations from the rift to accelerate his progress.


    Surely, if Krieg was so desperate to obtain the artifact, it would have a similar use. After all, it was already able to do everything else that Krieg''s Spatial rift could do, and more.


    The artifact, much like Krieg''s Rift, allowed for one to discover new planes that they had never visited without prior coordinates, but unlike Krieg, Kothar had far more input on what would happen with the portals.


    And he could easily return to the plane he had recently left as well as use a minimal amount of mana to travel away.


    But he was far too scared of the repercussions of interrupting Silane during her hard work, and if he wanted to see the ship he had dreamed of for so long finally assembled, it would be best for him to wait for her to be done.


    The artifact didn''t only help in traversing from one plane to another, but holding it while he cast regular Spatial magic drastically reduced his mana consumption.


    This benefit, along with his Mana Storage Unit for his Lightning Mana, meant that Kothar would easily outmatch any other mages of his level in terms of mana reserves, and along with his close combat ability which counterattacked the naturally weak defense of Spatial and Lightning Mages, Kothar was well prepared for a fight.


    Now that he had puzzled out some of the uses for the artifact, Kothar decided it was time for him to fashion it into a necklace. He should''ve made some kind of receptacle for it  long ago, but until now, he hadn''t seen it as anything other than an oddity and a nuisance.


    Kothar walked through the short passageway which led to the room he had created specifically for storing ores and refined ingots, and picked up an ingot of silver that he had refined and a smaller ingot of Titanite to alloy with it.


    Kothar took a wooden frame that he used for making molds, and filled it with a fine sand, then he sat down and began to craft the individual components for the necklace.


    He would create large heavy links that would be durable enough that he had no need to fear the necklace being lost.


    He carved a diamond shaped housing that would clutch the deep black stone with four large, heavy prongs, with a cut out at the back that would ensure the stone remained in contact with Kothar''s skin.


    An hour later, he had finished carving the basic shape for the necklace, then, he pressed these into the sand, creating an impression of all the components'' in the sand, before placing another wooden frame over the top, to fully capture the shape.


    After this, holes were run through the top layer of sand, through which the molten metal could be poured through.


    Then, Kothar took two crucibles, one larger one for the silver ingot, and another smaller one for the Titanite. The Titanite was already an alloy, but from his knowledge from the Alliance, he was sure it would create a strong alloy with the silver, while not wasting a larger amount of Titanite that would be needed if he were to make a pure Titanite necklace.


    Kothar placed the large crucible in the forge, and heated the other with a jet of pure plasma, Titanite required a far higher temperature to melt.


    Once the metals had melted, he poured the Titanite into the melted silver, and watched as the dull gray Titanite mixed in with the bright, glistening melted silver.


    Once the alloy was mixed, Kothar stepped over to the mold, and poured the shining molten metal into the mold, and steamed hissed out of the venting holes as he poured it in.


    Now he just had to wait, Kothar sat down, and began to gather mana, actively meditating on Atla was like meditating for 10 times as long on Eclat, and his body drunk up the mana like a thirsty camel.


    A few hours later, as the fires within the hollow had dimmed, Kothar stood up and stretched, the necklace had cooled, it was time to see how it had turned out.

 Chapter 105 - Silanes Project

    Kothar split apart the two parts of the mold, and the shining links and central mount for the stone fell out. The metal still shone, but had an added depth thanks to the Titanite that Kothar had added, and it was far stronger than traditional silver.


    Kothar picked up a file out from amongst the tools he had bought from the Marketplace, and began to strip away the excess metal from the mold, bringing out the final shape of the necklace.


    Next, he sanded down the metal, taking his time to buff every surface of the necklace smooth, it couldn''t be ideal to have a rough piece of metal constantly rubbing against his bare skin.


    Once he had done that, Kothar set the artifact within the central pendant housing, and with a pair of pliers, bent the prongs in place to hold the stone. The necklace was complete.


    Kothar gave the entire piece one last polish, before holding the necklace up to the sunlight that filtered in from the entrance and admiring it, the necklace had a central diamond shaped pendant that held that deep black Spatial artifact, and then square shaped heavy links formed the necklace.


    Kothar pulled the necklace around his neck and closed the clasp, and as the stone came into contact with his skin he could feel it resonating with his Spatial Mana Core, this was the closest it had been to it so far.


    Now, all he could do was wait for Silane as she assembled the ship, and so Kothar sat down and began to meditate.


    Meanwhile, above the cross legged Kothar, Silane''s Fabrication Plant was a swirl of activity.


    Pieces of the unassembled ship were piled up near each of the robotic arms, with a total of eight separate arms dominating the room.


    There were tools set nearby also, hammers, welders and rotating saws, purchasing these had depleted the remaining credits that Kothar had left.


    Currently, what was to be the engine of the ship was taking shape in the center of the room, this would take up most of the space within the ship, but Kothar and Silane didn''t need much room besides enough for valuable materials and  Kothar himself.


    The ship was to be propelled in two different ways. First, there were two rotors that could pivot to face in any direction, which would give the ship extreme maneuverability within an atmosphere. This would be ideal for using the ship within the atmosphere of any planets on different planes, so long as they had an atmosphere.


    Second, there was to be a superheated chamber, which would heat water onboard to extreme temperature, increasing the temperature to a ridiculous degree, which would then be ejected from the ship and be used to propel the ship in a vacuum.


    Silane had wanted to use a special liquid propellant, but buying the materials on the pebble Marketplace or even purifying them from Atla was not feasible, especially after buying the tools she had wanted and the narrow timeframe that they now had.


    She would have to make do with plain water for now, which was a blessing in disguise, since it was common on many planes that they knew of, and was cheap and readily available on the Marketplace.


    Two of the robotic arms placed the pre structured rotor assembly onto the axle that would connect them to the central motor, which housed the Imperium in a central housing, with an enormous spark plug which would kick start the energy extraction process.


    First the spark plug would send a spark to the Imperium, then, most of the produced energy could be routed to the engine, while a small remained was routed back to the Imperium, continued the release of energy,


    Modulating the amount of energy that was released from the Imperium would allow for the power output of the engine to be controlled, as well ramping up the power output to the insane amounts that would be needed to feasibly propel the ship through space.


    Next, the tank that would superheat the water was attached, it was well insulated, since Silane didn''t want the ship to become an oven that would slowly roast Kothar while he was sitting inside.


    The two rotors and the thruster tank formed a ''T'' shape, with the engine at the center, the glowing Imperium mostly obscured.


    Next came the water tanks, which were placed along  either side of the central portion of the ''T''. Pumps for the water were attached, and the heating coil was slotted neatly into the eating tank.


    The cockpit, which contained the controls and had a window of polished quartz, would sit the the very tip of the ''T'' forming a triangle with the two rotors at the rear.


    All these components made up the rudimentary structure of the ship, without which the ship would not even be able to leave the ground.


    Over this basic skeleton, the wings made of the same, thin layers of Titanite would shield the ship from the enormous amounts of friction that it would be under when entering or leaving orbit.


    The robotic arms placed the panels with inhuman precision, controlled as they were by Silane. Whirring noises and the clangs of the rivets being hammered into place rung out, and one of the arms welded the gaps in the outer plating.


    Initially, the ship would only be able to make short trips, as the internal pressurizing system was still rudimentary, but as the ship was upgraded they would be able to explore more and more.


    The ship slowly took shape, and formed a snub nosed, triangular craft, that was the dark gray of Titanite. Two enormous rotors took up the rear portion, and an oval shaped cockpit sat at the tip of the triangle.


    The lower portion of the ship held the thruster, and a nozzle that could be rotated to steer the ship.


    Silane controlled one of the robotic arms to hover over the open cockpit, and lowered down the stubby claw that made up the hand, and a spark flew toward the Imperium


    This was the moment of truth.

 Chapter 106 - Launch

    A low whirring sound filled the room, and below Kothar felt a strong vibration from his electromagnetic sensors, and rose to his feet with a grin on his face.


    "Already? It''s only been a day. I know most of the parts were assembled, but this is impressive." Kothar was impressed, he had expected the jerry rigged gear to hamper Silane far more, of course this was nowhere near what her efficiency had been like when she had had access to hundreds of labs and robots to do her bidding, but it was impressive nonetheless.


    [Thanks for the compliment, but why don''t you get up here, so you can get in the cockpit, and we can take this machine for a spin.] Silane piped up, now that her full focus was no longer taken up with constructing the ship, she could get back to helping and sometimes harassing Kothar.


    [My pleasure.] Kothar bounded up the tunnel that led to the room that he had taken all the basic components to, only a day ago.


    AS he emerged into the room, he was surprised by how regular the ship looked. Sure, it lacked a coat of glossy paint and all the bells and whistles that one usually saw on a space exploration vehicle. But if he had seen this ship amongst the Alliance fleet, he would have only given it a quick second glance, perhaps wondering why the pilot had neglected to have his ship painted.


    The ship exactly matched the schematics that he had designed along with Silane, and stood on three struts near the center of the triangle that the cockpit and wings formed, dominating most of the room.


    [Let''s do this.] Kothar said simply, before sending a surge of energy to his Plasma Blade Unit, forming the Plasma into an enormous saw, donning his mask to shield him from the fumes.


    Kothar cut away enormous chunks of the surrounding woods, the huge hunks of wood smoldering on the ground, leaving glowing red marks all along the walls.


    He cut further and further downwards, before breaking through to the main hollow, chunks of wood and Kothar himself falling into the main cavern.


    The main entrance was more than large enough for the ship, and all Kothar needed to do now was to steer his way out of the winding passageway that led into his makeshift home.


    Kothar sped back up to the robotic arms, and the waiting ship, Silane as eager as he was, maneuvered the robotic arms out of the way, and Kothar clambered into the cockpit.


    [Can I take off this b******* helmet, I can''t stand how it makes me look like a literal robot cosplayer.] Kothar grumbled, as he saw himself being reflected in the polished quartz of the cockpit window, the copper antenna bobbling as he buckled himself in.


    [Come on Kothar, there are no droves of admiring citizens on this abandoned plane here to disappoint, neither are there any passersby that need to be impressed by the young Mage. Live a little.] Silane hadn''t had this much fun teasing Kothar, she wished she had had some sort of understanding of humor when Kothar had been commander of the Sentinels, he had been such a stern and serious figure  then.


    Kothar simply grunted aloud in response, and tugged the helmet off of his head, the electrodes leaving bright red circles on his half shaved scalp. Now, he just looked like he had lost a battle with an octopus.


    [Yeah, now that looks sooo much better.] Silane said sarcastically, giggling away.


    [You''re lucky, I''m so happy about his finally being finished.] Kopthar smiled, Silane''s antics were tiresome, but they never failed to eventually make him laugh.


    Kothar gripped the paired throttles that would control the output to either thruster, and slowly pushed them up, the ship began to gently vibrate.


    Then, imperceptibly at first, the ship began to slowly rise up into the air, eventually hovering in the wide space in between the many robotic arms.


    [Come on!] Silane whooped and yelled with delight, this ship had been their most ambitious project yet, especially since Kothar had done the majority of the fabrication himself, only buying a few odds and ends from the Marketplace.


    Kothar now gripped the paired joysticks, and gently pushed them forward, and the ship shook slightly, before stabilizing and slowly moving forward through the air.


    As they emerged into the tunnel, Kothar reduced the thrust from the rotors so they would slowly descend into the main cavern, carefully steering around the piles of tools and debris that remained from his many failures.


    Once they were in the main tunnel, Kothar sped up, as his confidence with piloting the craft grew, he whizzed through the main tunnel, expertly twisting around the sharp corners, Silane prompting him to reduce thrust and change the angles of rotors when necessary, keeping the ship as stable as possible.


    Speeding through the tunnel, Kothar was brought back to one of his early missions, on WR-87 chasing after a pair of smugglers who had tried to pass themselves off as Senior Sentinels in an attempt to get access to a weapons cache, intending to sell the prized Titanite weaponry on the black market.


    Back then he had been in a similar state to now, barely modified and augmented, and barely distinct from your average person on the outside.


    As the missions had grown more difficult and serious, and his potential had truly been recognized, so had the modifications become more serious, before the greatest modification of all, the Starheart procedure.


    Kothhar remembered seeing the schematics for the first time, and feeling sick, until Silane had instantly pumped a dose of antiemetic into his system.


    The maiden voyage of his new ship now felt bittersweet, now that he had gun to remember the sacrifices he had made, and would have to make again, but he knew that they would all pay off in the end.


    What should have been a majestic and breathtaking experience became slightly melancholy, as Kothar and his new ship soared into the open air of Atla, soaring high above the enormous trees that lined the banks of the stream he had d near for so many months, soaring high up into the air.

 Chapter 107 - Into The Unknown

    The ship rose higher and higher, up into the air, and from this distance, and as the treetops grew further and further away, Kothar could almost pretend that he was on a normal sized plane.


    The trees stretched on in every distance, and on one side he could see the lake that he landed in when he had first come to Atla. Far off, in the other direction, was the palisade of the giants'' village.


    [What now?] Silane asked Kothar, their most urgent objective had been completed, but the resources on Atla were far too abundant to so quickly abandon the plane.


    [We''ll have a quick roam around the plane, and see if we can identify any threats, if not, then we''ll store the majority of the tools and Hoverbike here. Then we can designate this place as our Home Plane with the Pebble and try getting back to Eclat with the artifact.] Kothar replied, he had newfound confidence after figuring out the mysteries of the Spatial Artifact. Now that he was beginning to understand how the device worked, he realized how much of an advantage it would give him over other Spatial Mages.


    Of course, even with the artifact he was no match for Krieg, but he knew that he didn''t want his greedy old mentor to find this plane and pillage it, and risk him stumbling across all the things that Kothar had stored here.


    [I can tell you''ve learned something about the artifact but I can''t make sense of it. It''s not clear to me, like it''s more of a feeling than actual knowledge.] Silane''s confusion was clear in her voice, and she ran what she could glean from Kothar''s knowledge against her vast reserves of Spatial travel and teleporter related information that she had.


    [The portal we made with Alliance technology were completely different to the ones that go between planes. Portals within the same plane are piercing through the void in the regular three dimensions, but those that go from one plane to another are going further. The best way I can describe it is that they''re going ''sideways'' and into the new plane.] Kothar struggled to articulate what he had learned from the artifact, it made sense to him, but if it didn''t make sense to Silane then it would be one of the very few things that the pair of them didn''t share even the slightest hunt of understanding about.


    [Hmm. I think I see, no wonder the coordinates that Sadnstrider gave us were so odd. Not only were they giving the location of the place in space, but also in the fourth, the void.] Silane''s voice brightened as understanding dawned for her, and Kothar could feel the cheerfulness radiating from her.


    Kothar soared over the relatively untouched surface of the plane, cruising over clearing that were filled with dots milling around that were giants, he was about to swoop down for a closer look before the light from the sun suddenly dimmed.


    Kothar looked to the horizon, and an enormous shape had completely blocked out the light from the sun. Everything on Atla was already enormous, and the creature blocking out the very light from this region was massive even by the standards of this plane.


    Kothar shrank deep into his seat, even though he would be less significant than a gnat to the twisting creature, the sheer power that radiated from the beast made him cower.


    This was, by far, one of the most powerful entities he had encountered, and the most massive by far.


    Twisting across the clear blue sky, lit from behind by the shining sun giving it an angelic glow was an enormous dragon. This dragon lacked the enormous wings and heavy scales that Kothar traditionally associated with dragons, rather it climbed up on the very clouds itself by manipulating Water and Wind Mana.


    The winding body was a faint purple color, and it had a glorious mane of flaming pink hair that mostly covered a pair of tall stag-like horns.


    Its eyes were a shining yellow, and filled with intelligence, as it stared down at the milling giants in the village below. As soon as the creature had blocked the sky, they fled into their huts.


    But this was nowhere near enough to deter the majestic creature, it wound itself down to the palisade, ignoring all obstructions in its way, and reached a long fingered claw tipped with sharp white nails that were mirrored by its polished fangs, into one of the huts, and pulled a kicking and screaming giant out.


    Wails sounded out from the village, and Kothar stared on in horror, as the dragon twisted its way back into the sky at a ridiculous speed, soon disappearing completely from view.


    [I guess that explains their fortifications, not that they did them any good.] Silane said after a long period of silence between the pair of them


    [I think it''s time we left this plane. Let''s head back to the hollow and pick up any essentials and hide everything else as best we can.] Kothar responded, as eager to leave as she was.


    The small ship sped back to the willow tree by the stream, landing in the central cavern, and Kothar quickly tossed tool after tool in the cramped storage space, adding in the remaining ingots of Titanite and a bar of gold after some thought.


    [This''ll do for now, and we can always return.] Kothar said with finality. Of course, they would return, massive dragon or not, this plane was far too resource rich to abandon.


    Kothar took a deep breath, and pulled an enormous amount of mana from his Spatial Mana Core; he didn''t want to deplete the artifact of its own mysterious reserves, since it was his last resort escape tool.


    Kothar thrust his arm forward, clutching his right hand by the wrist as he threw the enormous ball of Spatial Mana outwards aiming for the thin spot in space, guided by the artifact, forming a portal three time his height in diameter, which, considering he had only recently been able to make portals big enough to fit through, was impressive to say the least.


    Now that the portal was ready, Kothar hopped back in the ship, and took off, flying into the portal, into the unknown.

 Chapter 108 - Journey

    The ship smoothly flew out the other side of the portal, instantly Kothar''s eyes were barraged by a sudden rush of colors and images.


    This world was by far the most unusual of all the places that he had seen so far, everywhere he looked, there were brightly colored plants.


    While the plants were now of a scale that he could now appreciate, spending so much time on Atla meant the change to a more normally scaled plane was nauseating.


    But Kothar had been through far worse and quickly adjusted.


    Kothar cruised by a bright purple plant that was made up of a collection of bulbs, each one pulsing gently. To the right was a stand of tall thin trees, a dark green color, having only one branch that extended straight up into the air, without any leaves at all.


    The trees were curving and coiling up and down like a whip, and they seemed to dance in unison, waving softly through the air.


    Kothar steered his ship away,  he judged it was best not to get too close to the odd plants, but they seemed to be everywhere he turned.


    [Now that''s a really odd looking one!] Silane exclaimed, she had been as engrossed as Kothar had been with the new plane, and the odd plants fascinated her.


    Silane pointed out the tiny plants, they had only a pair of large leaves, shaped like the wings of a butterfly, and each wing was covered in a vibrant yellow pattern, contrasting with the almost black, dark, dark green of the leaf.


    Kothar pulled the ship to a halt, and hovered there, watching the antics of the strange plants.


    They had a set of thin roots extending out from the main stem, not firmly anchored to the ground, rather they used them like legs, scuttling back and forth.


    The surprises didn''t end there, Kothar watched with fascination as a group of them took flight, as a large leaf from a nearby tree fell amongst them, and they scattered into the air, fluttering about.


    From afar, they would be indistinguishable from butterflies.


    [I''d love to hop out and get a sample for you Silane, but I''ve still no way of knowing how safe this plane is. Perhaps once we get a better sense of how things are here.] Kothar knew how interested Silane would have to be, after seeing plant life that was so mobile.


    [I think it''s safe to say that it''s extremely dangerous.] Silane said bluntly, as Kothar watched the whip like trees dancing in the air, slowly realizing that while initially it seemed as if they were dancing in the wind, all the other plants around them were moving, but to completely different rhythms.


    [What? Oh. I guess that rules your field samples out Silane.] Kothar saw that the fallen leaf, a bright blue leaf, had suddenly expanded, an enormous mouth-like orifice opening on one side, and it completely enveloped a large group of the flying leaves.


    But that wasn''t the reason for his disgust. Because right after that, the large leaf scuttled back towards the trunk of the tree that it had fallen from, and leapt into a bright red, damp opening in the bulbous trunk of the nearby tree, which notably had a large clearing around it.


    It had been like watching a predator catching its prey, then running back to another predator and hopping straight into its mouth Kothar wondered, then realized that technically the leaf was part of the original tree.


    Kothar realized that the bulbous tree with the bright blue leaves wasn''t the only plant with a large clearing around it, rather, all the plants had clearings around them. Either around the individual plants, or around a group of the same species.


    [Any theories on what''s happening here, Silane?] Kothar had some guesses himself, but he liked to hear Silane''s in depth analyses of new environments they came across.


    [My guess is at the very least, Carbon is scarce on this plane, and possibly other raw materials that plants need for growth also. Additionally, though the dim light reflects that getting as much light as possible is essential to these plants, their combative nature means that plants that grow too near to their neighbors are likely to be eaten, it seems that the survivors are those who can withstand a war of attrition.] Silane showed Kothar the percentage space that the plants they had seen so far had left empty, and bombarded him with several other statistics.


    [And don''t think I don''t realize you''re just asking for the sake of it. I know you aren''t that stupid, and I share your knowledge, Kothar.] Silane added sharply, but she sounded pleased at the same time.


    [I''m so sorry. I guess we''ll just cruise at a safe distance from these trees until I have enough mana to open another portal.] Kothar said with sarcastic tone, as he veered away from a pulsating red spike  plant, which turned its tip toward the ship as he flew by, as if sensing the movement.


    Kothar pushed the throttles up to full blast, as the tip of the spike opened up and a sharp spiked vine lashed out toward the ship, trying to ensure it.


    Kothar looked ahead, and released he was heading right for the stand of whip like trees, he pulled the joysticks back all the way in an attempt to avoid them, but the tens of pointed whip like branches managed to grab onto the ship, and they were tough, and though the ship had an insane amount of thrust, they still managed to grab on.


    If Kothar pushed any harder, the massive surge of energy from the Imperium would burn out the basic motors that powered the rotors, and all their work would be for nothing.


    Kothar charged up a massive amount of Lightning Mana in his left palm, and pulled up his mask. He hoped that the plants were susceptible to electricity, or he''d have to fight all of them for his ship.


    The cockpit opened with a hiss, and Kothar leaned out, ready for a fight.

 Chapter 109 - Journey(2)

    The whip-like branches of the trees were completely wrapped around the rear of the ship, and Kothar slammed his charged palm into the Titanite exterior of the ship, and the entire exterior of the ship was completely electrified.


    Sparks ran over the entire exterior surface of the ship, and the twisting green branches writhed and squirmed, and then fell away, allowing the ship to soar away into the dimly lit sky, completely enshrouded by a thick layer of gray cloud.


    [Aren''t you glad I made sure that the exterior shielding was insulated from the interior mechanics of the ship?] Silane said cheekily, knowing full well what Kothar''s answer would be.


    [Yes, I''m glad you fulfilled a very basic safety prerequisite Silane, now, how about we get off this plane. I''m in no mood to fight plants for another minute. Let''s try to avoid this plane if we have to hop through planes like this again.] Kothar sighed, and closed the cockpit, and a low hiss sounded as the interior was pressurized.


    [I guess you didn''t think to provide me with some way of making sure I could electrify the exterior from inside.] Kothar grumbled, knowing that the run in with the plants would have depleted some of their precious reserve of breathable air, if he hadn''t been so sure that such a plant dense world would be so oxygen dense, which was confirmed by the basic instruments on the ship.


    [If you had asked, I would have told you about the cable that''s lying coiled there, just a little to the right of your legs.] Silane snarked back, holding back a laugh.


    Kothar didn''t reply, Silane was getting to a point where she took far too much pleasure in teasing him, if not for the years that she had unflinchingly obeyed him as an AI, he''d have probably had some choice words for her, and there were also the splitting headaches he would get if they had an argument.


    Soaring over the multicolored patchwork jungle beneath him, Kothar wondered how his family was doing on Eclat, how his father was dealing with the aftermath of the war.


    He dismissed the errant thoughts with a shake of his head, soon enough he would back on Eclat, and he''d be able to find out for himself.


    Kothar charged up another portal, and searched for another ''thin'' spot that would lead them in the direction of Eclat.


    This was one thing he had gained for the artifact that he could not fully understand, he seemed to have an innate sense of direction for where planes were in relation to one another.


    The massive portal opened up in the air ahead, and Kothar soared through, to find himself staring at nothing at all.


    This plane was completely empty, rather than calling it  a plane, it would be better to call it the remnant of one, or perhaps even less than a remnant.


    Kothar could see, far off in the distance, the fading light of a sun that the residents of this plane had no doubt resided on.


    Of the planet that was their home, there was no trace, except a slightly larger asteroid far below, which Kothar now slowly orbited, taking in the desolation all around him.


    Perhaps, far off, there were flourishing planets in other systems within this plane. But to the average interplanar traveler, this was of minor interest. It had never occurred to them to explore beyond the confines of a planet, and this had created the concept of ''The Myriad Planes.''


    These were the planes that were like clusters of beads along an endless length, those planes whose planets had flourished thanks to the blessing of the Wise Ones, and who neglected to really explore the stars, for why turn to the stars, when with enough power, entire planes were no more than a step away.


    [Kothar, don''t you think you might be stepping on the toes of the Ascendants.] Silane had been following along with Kothar''s train of thought and chimed in.


    [Why? Are they the only ones who are allowed to properly explore planes? I don''t think so, they don''t care in the slightest about interplanar travel. Why would they care about some weakling investigating things that they don''t even pay the slightest attention to.] Kothar stared out at the glimmering stars of every color in the distance, and a pang of loss hit him as he remembered enjoying drinks on the bridge of an Alliance warship with his fellow Sentinels.


    [No, but we don''t know that much about Ascendants yet, it''s best we don''t generalize. And for all we know, the Devourer, it might not even be an Ascendant at all.] Silane''s voice was quiet and pained, she knew the likely outcome for the Alliance, but she didn''t want to breach the topic.


    [What interest could any of them have in me. It''s not as if my knowledge is valuable to them? They can literally step across planes and find any old civilization whose knowledge they can plunder.] Kothar was beginning to feel furious, remembering the Devourer set him off. How could a being be so cold and callous, threatening to destroy everything that Kothar knew because Kothar had tried to defend his home.


    Was it the power that had warped its mind, or was it simply its nature?


    As he waited for his Spatial Core to gather enough mana for a portal, Kothar''s thoughts continued to turn to the Devourer.


    There had to be other beings of its level, otherwise it would simply rule the entire myriad planes, and relax as everything was brought to it. Did the powerful Ascendants truly not value the knowledge of civilizations of other planes, like the Devourer did not? Or was it simply an aggressive, reckless and ignorant outlier?


    For him to really get a measure of how the myriad planes functioned, he would have to meet an Ascendant. And that would only be possible if he became far, far more powerful than he was now.

 Chapter 110 - Journey(3)

    Kothar steered the ship through yet another portal. This was the sixth one since the desolate world, and he felt that they were surely nearing Eclat.


    Three of the five earlier planes had been relatively mundane, he wouldn''t have been able to distinguish them from a region of wilderness on a slightly alien planet. But the other two had been decidedly odd.


    The first, was a frozen hellscape, battered with bone chilling winds, and razor sharp shards of ice that constantly flew through the air. There was a constant wailing sound that rang through the air, and the plane seemed devoid of life, but Kothar had not been too interested in investigating for any life. Since, he had gotten an eerie feeling as soon as they arrived on the plane, as if they were an unseen pair of eyes watching him form far off in the distance.


    As for the other strange plane, it had been blindingly bright, even with the protection afforded to Kothar''s eyes by his suit. Eventually, Fothar squinted and could make out the reason for the brightness. The star that the planet orbited had expanded, it now had a strong reddish glow, and took up a great portion of the sky.


    But contrary to Kothar''s expectations the planet itself flourished, it was filled with life. It seemed those denizens of the plane who had been relegated to a narrow and dreary existence of the deserts of this plane had established themselves completely.


    Everywhere he looked, there were flourishing cacti, and enormous scorpions that scuttled about.


    An enormous lizard basked on a rock, opening one eye lazily to look at the odd bird that soared through the sky, but not registering it as a threat, it closed the eye and returned to dozing away.


    [A relative of Sandstrider perhaps?] Silane joked, the lizard''s tan colored scales and massive scales meant he did look somewhat similar to the massive reptilian Freeman.


    [I think he might be a little offended that you would suggest that. To be fair, I  wouldn''t be surprised if this plane was a kind of hideaway for him, like Atla was for me.] Kothar studied the enormous lizard curiously, it had enormous feet that were at half meter across, which gave the lizard a comical appearance.


    [Atla is your hideaway, huh? I gather you''ll be hiding there getting cozy with that enormous creature we saw before we left?] Silane poked fun at Kothar, though she had been just as terrified upon encountering the creature.


    [That creature paying any attention to me would be like me going out of my way to bother a particular bacterium. I''m sure it''ll be fine.] Now that he was not face to face with the creature, Kothar found it was far easier to rationally assess the threat from it.


    Now that they had passed through the portal, Kothar looked around and, for a moment, was completely confused. Then he realized. They were completely underwater.


    Fish of every color darted all about him, and below him a massive reef, with brightly colored coral flourished in the depths.


    As the ship moved forward, the fish fled, and hid amongst the reef, hiding from the new massive fish that he appeared out of the odd hole that had opened up in their world.


    On the other side of the portal that Kothar had just closed, a few curious fish were becoming acquainted with a pair of vultures, who would develop a taste for seafood that they would unfortunately crave for the rest of their lives, yet never taste again.


    The rotors on the ship spun, and they acted just as well as propellers as the ship zipped easily through the water, sending fish after fish hiding into their nooks and crannies in the reef.


    Far away, an enormous shadow slid smoothly through the water. From the way it moved smoothly from side to side and the menacing silhouette, Kothar was sure it was bad news.


    [How''s that Spatial Core, Kothar? I don''t want to be making a new friend on this plane.] Silane had obviously also noticed the menacing silhouette, and asked Kothar, a hint of anxiety in her voice.


    [I''m getting better at gathering ambient Spatial Mana from the surroundings, so far most planes have had a decent density. But I am worried about what''ll happen if we run into a plane with no Spatial Mana to replenish from.] Kothar replied, steering the ship away from the shadowy shape.


    [I''m sure there won''t be a chance of that. All the planes we''ve been to have had at the very least a trace of pure mana in the air. And as for Spatial Mana, there''s not chance a plane won''t have any, since every plane is made up of space.] Silane said matter-of-factly, while she calculated the trajectory of the approaching shadow.


    [I don''t know, with how many different planes there are, don''t you think there''s a chance we might come across a plane that is devoid of Elemental Spatial Mana. At the very least, I think we''d best prepare for that.] Kothar seemed firm on this, after being caught off guard when being suddenly sent to Idwa by the Artifact, Kothar had been determined not to be caught unawares again.


    [All in due time, how about for now, you get us back to Eclat, and away from what''s likely an overly interested shark that''s definitely noticed us.] Silane now had a hint of urgency in her voice.


    Immediately, Kothar pushed the throttles up, taking the ship up to the fastest speed he could without damaging the craft.


    Not long after, he was able to open yet another portal, and they sped through, emerging into an open sky, droplets of water flying off of the ship.


    [We did it!] Kothar exclaimed. There was no way he could forget the way the mana of this plane felt, after all, this was where he had felt it for the first time.


    As he stared down at the coastline stretching out below, Kothar started to recognize exactly where he was.

 Chapter 111 - Touchdown

    Kothar found himself high in the air above Newport, he could see the two horns of the bay stretching out in a wide sweeping arc, and the lights from the patrol ships were like countless stars drifting amongst the ark of the ocean below.


    Kothar looked to the southern horn, toward the mansion, but the lights of the mansion were dark. It seemed that Duke Anteris was away from his home.


    Kothar was high up enough that he could see the endless plains of the Southern Tribes stretching away to the east, and the smattering of islands out in the ocean to the east, after which, there was only ocean.


    [This is far too convenient to be a coincidence , Kothar.] Silane interrupted Kothar as he took in the amazing view.


    [I think it''s the artifact, it guided me to the last portal it opened, the one from Idwa back to Eclat.I''m beginning to see it as less of a nuisance and more of a blessing. No wonder Krieg was so desperate for it.] Kothar subconsciously reached up and touched the dip in the center of his collarbone, feeling the lump of the diamond shaped jewel under his flexible armor.


    [Of course, praise the thing that got us thrown into that rift in the first place.] Silane said snidely.


    [Come on Silane, don''t you think it''s better we learned sooner rather than later what Krieg was like. He''s a terror, I''d rather he tossed me through a portal and have a chance of surviving than trying to take him on in a battle. And without being cast away, we wouldn''t be on this ship.] Kothar looked curiously at the mansion, he wondered what could be so important that it had taken Anteris away from his beloved city.


    [For now, let''s get this ship out of the sky before dawn. Otherwise, we''ll attract all the wrong kinds of attention.] Silane had immediately calculated the time left until sunrise and gave Kothar a countdown.


    [5 hours? That''s more than enough for me to hide the ship near Balin and head into the city in disguise. I''ll have to steal some poor farmer''s clothes though, I haven''t got any Ursten currency to leave them behind and leaving them raw gold would be far too suspicious.] Kothar pushed the hovering ship into gear, and they sped northwest, back to the capital of Ursten, Balin.


    [I''m sure they won''t miss a set of clothing. You can always return and pay them when things blow over, right?] Silane overlaid her estimated route back to Balin on to Kothar''s vision, it would only make a difference of a few minutes, but Silane was very particular about saving even the smallest amount of time.


    [Of course, they''ll be needing all the help they can get after the war, but I''m sure Rotan is being more than helpful.] Kothar watched as the coastline skimmed past beneath them, while the hybrid horse he had ridden had been amazing, riding in a ship was far faster, and for him, far more reliable.


    [Say what you want about him, but Rotan takes care of his people.] Silane agreed as they crossed the coastline and the ship started curving in towards the land.


    Within an hour and a half, Kothar had found a remote hill, completely overgrown with trees and made up of rough boulders that made it completely unappealing to climb.


    He was sure that for the time being, until he could find a better location, this would be as good a place as any to hide the ship. There were no mana fluctuations that would accompany some kind of precious material, and the land around was of poor quality with no water sources nearby. No one had any reason to come near this place, and without Lightning Element Mana and an understanding of the ship''s inner circuitry, they would be unable to access the ship.


    Kothar unpacked some basic gear from the ship, he decided to take his lightning blade, short sword, a few gold ingots, and of course, the armor that he was wearing.


    While the armor looked out, it was low profile enough that it could easily be concealed with baggy clothing and a cloak.


    Ready for the journey ahead, Kothar then closed the cockpit and began dragging branches over the ship. Thankfully, the Titanite that made up the ship''s exterior didn''t gleam or shine, so it didn''t need much to hide it, but for good measure, Kothar smeared some mud over the quartz cockpit window and on any areas left too exposed.


    With his ship hidden, Kothar began his long trek east, he had landed east of Balin, between Janul and Balin, it was the only area around Balin that wasn''t completely full of small towns and villages, since the land was poor and there was the ever present threat of monsters from Janul forest attacking.


    The ground was somewhat rough and rocky, there were tough and hardy grasses growing, and some low thorny bushes, but they were sparse and few in number, the land here was not fertile at all.


    The stars shone over Kothar''s lone figure, who was searching in vain for a light in the distance, which would signal the existence of a homestead or farmhouse, allowing him to steal the clothes he needed for a disguise.


    Once Kothar came across a path beaten into the dirt, he knew that he would soon find what he needed, there was sure to be someone living near this path.


    However, he only had an hour left before sunrise, and if he was spotted, then surely word would spread about the odd strange man in black wandering the remote farmlands, and Kothar didn''t want anything to happen that might alert Krieg to his whereabouts, and he wasn''t willing to kill a harmless farmer to silence them.


    Kothar was beginning to despair, when he saw a lone light on the horizon, flickering orange and red, the faint shadow of a house visible.

 Chapter 112 - Homebound

    Kothar crept close to the house, and peered in through the tiny window. It was a small house, the floor was covered in woven straw mats, and a thin dog slept by the fire.


    On one side of the room was a roughly crafted bed, in which a lone man slept, on the floor by the fire slept a pair of boys, one in his late teenage years, evidenced by his pimpled face, and the other still a child.


    Kothar didn''t want to risk going inside the house, while he was adept at being covert, he was no thief, and he didn''t want to risk alerting the dog.


    He crept towards the back of the house, hoping to find some laundry hung out to dry, and it seemed it was his lucky day.


    Kothar found a wide range of rough work shirts of various shades of red and brown and dark colored trousers hanging from a line that hung from one corner of the house to a pole that had been sunk into the ground.


    He quickly found a set of clothing that was just a little too large for him and bundled into it, concealing his odd looking armor.


    As for his boots, they would mostly be covered by the trousers, and he knew that anyone he ran into wouldn''t be interested in a farmer sightseeing in the capital, let along that farmer''s boots.


    Kothar was about to leave when he spotted something in the fields, and a little smile appeared on his lips, that would be the finishing touch to his disguise.


    As he left the small farm behind, Kothar now had an enormous and floppy straw hat on his head and a ratty cloak around his shoulders. The brim of the hat concealing his face in a deep shadow and leaving the scarecrow in the fields behind him hatless.


    As the light slowly lit up the horizon, Kothar had made his way from a series of tracks beaten into the dirt to the main paved roads of Ursten and was strolling along merrily.


    Only the rare farmhouse was visible, otherwise, this region was mostly desolate.


    [DOn''t you think a farmer trekking such a vast distance in the heat would be a little less cherry?] Silane''s voice was disapproving, Kothar''s jolly attitude couldn''t be good for staying undercover.


    [I''m just that happy to be back on Eclat, and besides, a simpleton like myself couldn''t possibly have anything in the world to be upset about.] Kothar joked, and returned to walking happily along the paved road.


    Before long a cart drawn by two broad shouldered horses, driven by a middle aged heavy set man, whose hair was only beginning to gray, had driven up alongside Kothar.


    ''Now that''s a sight. A cheerful youngster! I swear all the young uns I see nowadays are far too caught up in their imaginary sufferings. Why don''t you hop on up, and I''ll give ya a ride into the city." The man driving the cart was immediately taken with Kothar''s chipper attitude and offered him a ride.


    "Much obliged, where can I ride" Kothar squinted his eyes and slurred his words to the other farmer, knowing it would do a lot to obscure his facial features. Better to give him something to remember, or he''d focus on his face.


    "Hop on back and relax on that hay, just don''t go eating any of my vegetables or I''ll throw you off the cart!" The farmer warned, before snapping his reins at his horses, and continuing his journey to Balin.


    And that was how Kothar returned to the city he had been born in, in the back of a farmer''s cart, with the city guards giving him barely a second look, dismissing him as yet another young farmer boy here to take in the sights of the city.


    "I need ta go drop these vegetables off to their buyer, you''ll be alright from her, young lad?" The farmer asked Kothar, he was worried that the young man was a little slow, since he squinted fiercely when he spoke and slurred his words.


    "Of course! Thanks for the ride mister! My uncle''s got a little inn in the city, my da said I could stay with him! It''s my first time in the city you know and-" Kothar decided to drone on and on, it would be the best way to avoid answering more questions than he wanted to.


    "Alright, alright. No need to tell me your entire life''s tale, young lad! I need to hurry, goodbye!" And with that, the farmer rode off towards the east of the city, leaving the young farmer standing at the side of the road. A few of the city guard had watched the whole exchange and laughed. They saw many young peasants come in from the countryside to sight see in the city, but this one was a real character


    [Let''s hole up till nightfall, no one will be paying much attention to me, but they will pick up on a farmer trying to enter General Tam''s house.] Kothar said to Silane, as he headed for an out of the way bar, one that often served country folk in the city for business.


    "Gimme a half chicken, Inn keep, and something to drink. I''m treating myself!" Kothar immediately announced as he entered, giving the inn keep a goofy grin.


    The man was unfazed, and soon Kothar started with a steaming half bird in front of him, accompanied by a tall jug filled with cold beer.


    Kothar took his time with the food, and then played cards with a group of other sightseeing farmers, blending in with them seamlessly. Soon they began to trickle out, returning to their lodgings as night fell.


    Kothar trekked out soon after, keeping to the alleyways. Soon his farmer''s clothes disappeared and he blended into the night with his dark colored armor and the ratty cloak which he had decided to keep.


    Soon enough, he climbed to the roofs of the city,  it was time for him to return home.

 Chapter 113 - Reunion

    As Kothar neared the quarter of the city where his home was located, he noticed more and more obstructions, there were none spiked railings and irregularly shaped roofs to discourage exactly what Kothar was doing right now.


    But these would only discourage the opportunistic burglar, for the more serious individuals, complex runes arrayed the windows and attic doors of those houses that had them, defending against all but the most determined intrusion.


    Kothar leapt from roof to roof, nimbly avoiding the obstacles in his path. He spotted the flat roof of his home from afar, the plants his mother had always cared for were flourishing, which brought a sad smile to his face.


    Kothar leapt onto the roof, and headed toward the attic door, but then felt a sudden disturbance in the electromagnetic field around him.


    Kothar leapt forward, a masked figure had slashed through where he had just been standing with a pair of curved daggers, Kothar was about to retaliate, when he noticed that the gear was far too familiar.


    ''Simon?" He asked, his voice muffled by the mask. He didn''t want tor reveal himself just yet, he couldn''t be certain if this was an impersonator or Simon himself.


    "I''m not surprised you know my name, but I am surprised that your masters told you about me before sending you here to your certain death. I''ve taken care of far too many overconfident chumps like you!" Simon stalked forward, sending a pair of daggers spinning towards Kothar''s head, who ducked them easily, before leaping back to open some distance between him and Simon.


    [It has to be him, right, Silane? No one else could be so arrogant!] Kothar exclaimed, surely an impersonator wouldn''t be so blunt in their impersonation of Simon.


    [I haven''t noticed anything off, try something that only the two of you would know to mention.] Silane advised, she was fairly sure the cocky Thief facing them was Simon.


    [I''ve got a better idea.] Kothar responded, as he drew his lightning blade.


    "Where the **** did you get that? And what have you done with my nephew?" Simon flew into a rage immediately, dashing forward, flickering in and out of sight.


    "From Jotun, who crafted it for me!" Kothar sent Lightning Element mana crackling down the blade, and the edge began to hum, and he sent a bolt down into the space between them, simultaneously pulling his mask away from his face.


    "Uncle Simon! It''s me!" Kothar exclaimed, dropping the weapon and raising his hands.


    Simon immediately skid to a halt, and a look of confusion crossed his face.


    "What in the world are you doing sneaking around the city at this time of night, and trying to break into your house? You''ve got to know better than that by now." Simon hissed, as he pulled Kothar into a warm hug, his multitude of knives softly clinking as he did so.


    "Let''s get inside, so I can explain." Kothar said simply, before flicking his eyes from side to side, indicating he was worried about watchers.


    "Anyone nearby right now would have to be miles better than me at hiding, and I think anyone like that would be as rare as they come." Simon said cheerfully, but pulled up his mask anyway and led Kothar in via the attic door.


    [I know of one individual who''d put Simon''s skills to shame.] Silane muttered, but Kothar ignored her. He was in no mood to discuss the odd gray man right now.


    AS Simon led Kothar down to the kitchen, Kothar realized how much the house had changed, everywhere he looked was smiling with runes, the entire house was absolutely crawling with runic formations that would put even some Magic Academies to shame.


    While Ophil''s tapestries stills decorated many of the walls, many tables and shelves had been added to the house and all were absolutely laden with piles upon piles of documents and parchment.


    "What''s going on Simon? What''s with the house?" Kothar asked, he knew that things would be different after the war with Kalun but not to such an extent.


    "You''ve really been holed up with the books, huh?" Simon gave Kothar and odd look and set out a platter of cold cuts and cheeses for him. He knew that just like himself, his nephew enjoyed a hearty meal after travelling.


    Simon watched happily as Kothar tore into the food, not leaving even a crumb, before he began to speak at all.


    "You really don''t know what''s been happening in Ursten? Not even the war with Ralun?" Simon raised an eyebrow at Kothar, confused at how his nephew could seem so oblivious, surely he realized that his father had become the Grand Marshal. He had always been so perceptive and a sponge for information, those mages really had got to him.


    "I''ve recently been, for now, let''s say indisposed. Fill me in on what''s been going on at home." Kothar ignored Simon''s obvious skepticism and grabbed a pastry before following Simon to the seats by the enormous hearth, where a large fire was roaring in the grate.


    "Your father has been appointed Grand Marshal of Ursten, he has formed an alliance with the Southern Tribes and with Duke Anteris, who has been appointed Grand Admiral of the new royal fleet of Ursten. Currently, your father has almost completely decimated Ralun, hence why I''ve been watching out for spies trying to infiltrate your home. Desperate people will try desperate measures." Simon said with a hint of sadness, his thoughts turning far away.


    "What! Grand Marshal? But surely, my father wouldn''t accept such a position!" Kothar exclaimed in surprise, the Tam he had known wouldn''t  hold the kingdom so eagerly in his palm.


    "I''m afraid many would disagree with you. Most of the nobles of Ursten have come to think that rather than being appointed by Rotan, Tam effectively appointed himself Grand Marshal of Ursten." Simon looked to see how Kothar''s expression would change, at seeing his father in such a light.


    "Alright. So, Uncle, what do you think, did he do it?" Kothar''s expression remained serious, and he stared hard at Simon as he asked him.

 Chapter 114 - Reunion(2)

    "I don''t know. But what I know is that your father has not led me astray until now, and I would follow him no matter what." Simon''s response was simple and to the point, and Kothar internally sighed with relief, he didn''t know what he would do if he found that Simon and Tam were at odds.


    "Alright, I''ll be sure to ask you some more questions, but I''m sure you''re eager to know why I was trying to break into my own home." Kothar gave Simon a grin, diffusing the tense atmosphere that had developed in the room. Simon nodded in response.


    "I was betrayed, when I returned to Trinquile, my mentor became greedy for something I had found by chance and sent me into a Spatial Rift. I only just returned to Eclat, after many months on other planes. He cannot know I have returned, otherwise he''d hunt me down immediately." Kothar decided not to beat around the bush, and told Simon about what had happened as succinctly as possible.


    The room was quiet, only the crackling of the fire in the grate breaking the silence, Simon was quiet, his face pale with shock.


    He opened and shut his mouth a few times, but struggled to speak, only staring at Kothar with eyes wide open. Kothar would have laughed, if the situation were less serious, Simon looked like a fish out of water.


    "Oth-, oth-, other planes?" Simon stammered out, then took a few deep breaths to compose himself.


    "I''ve only heard of such things by way of rumor. Sure, it would explain the eccentric armor you''re wearing, but Kothar, on Eclat, travelling to other planes is something only done by those who have reached the limits of the Advanced tier." The looks of surprise left Simon''s face, replaced with a furrowed brow. Surely his nephew wouldn''t deceive in such a strange way. Why would he do it in this way? And his mentor could be a powerful Spatial Mage who would easily be able to send Kothar to another plane.


    Kothar watched as a series of strange expressions crossed his uncle''s face, seeing him so confused was a refreshing change from the usually calculated spymaster, whose outbursts were even calculated at gauging an enemy.


    "I wonder if this will do anything to convince you." Kothar handed Simon a sketch of the designs that had adorned the walls of the cube, he knew his uncle would be interested but didn''t want to answer any questions about the Pebble, which using the Pebble to project an image would inevitably bring.


    Simon took the sheet of paper, and rolled it out onto the table in front of him. He pulled over a magic crystal lamb and activated it by flipping a small lever on the base, a clear light illuminated Kothar''s sketch of the cube.


    Kothar had first drawn the cube among the desolate landscape, showing it from one corner, and then had drawn the sides he had been able to see before its collapse. Finally, he had drawn an image of the central room of the cube, which had completely enraptured him.


    At first, Simon was unimpressed, the cube seemed like nothing special. But the longer he gazed at it, the more it compelled him, the designs drew him in, and he struggled to pull himself away from them, then he turned his attention to Kothar''s drawing of the central room and his breath caught in his chest.


    Even though it was just a sketch, Simon got to see the absolute majesty of the room that Kothar had depicted, and he knew that there was no way that Kothar had seen anything of the sort while on the Isle.


    He must have gone beyond, whether to another plane, he didn''t know, but this was amazing, to say the least.


    Simon sighed, and looked back upon to the young man who had once quizzed him on the qualities of magical beast hybrids while still a tiny child.


    Who knew that this young man would bring him the most fascinating sight he had ever seen, and he wished that he had been able to see this magnificent piece of architecture himself.


    "Can you take me here?" Simon finally asked Kothar, who was slightly shocked at the question. He knew his uncle had an interest in ancient civilizations, but he had no idea that the cube would capture his interest.


    "I cannot, and even if I could, that building is no longer standing." Kothar said simply, obvious sorrow in his voice.


    "No matter, you have me convinced. I''ll have a set of armor brought to the house secretly, you can disguise yourself as one of your father''s personal guard and make your way to him in the west .Not many in the kingdom would dare question you then." Simon said with a grin, imagining his brother-in-law''s surprise when his son showed up as one of his own guards.


    "Alright, but why would I go join him in the west, surely he''ll be returning here soon?" Kothar asked, still confused, surely it would not take so long to conquer Kalun.


    "I think not, and I''d advise against going to visit Rotan, I''ve heard he holds no love for your father nowadays. He thinks that your father is carrying out Kultas'' legacy, but in my opinion, he is aiming for something far greater." Simon''s face was stoic, he thought back to his shock when Tam had told him of his plans, and shook his head, both father and son were equally shocking.


    "I''ll keep it in mind, I''ll rest here for a few days and then leave for Kalun." Kothar responded, he was keen for a bath and to finally rest in a bed after so many months of sleeping on makeshift hammocks and rough bedding.


    "Of course, I may have to leave urgently, but the guardsman''s armor will be here when you need it." Simon smiled at Kothar, and poured himself a cup of wine.


    Kothar thought long about the matter, surely no matter how bad things had gotten, he would be able to convince Rotan about the threat Krieg posed and convince him to send an official missive to the Academy.

 Chapter 115 - The King

    The next day, Kothar awoke to a clear sky, completely untouched by clouds, the sun beamed in through the small windows, set high in the walls of the room that Kothar had chosen to stay in, it was one of the guest rooms in the house, with a narrow bed that wasn''t too near the main street that passed by the house.


    All around the house were reminders of Ophil, but Kothar dared not to enter the garden, he wasn''t ready to experience that same intensity of emotion that he had when he had discovered that she had died, for now, seeing her many tapestries around the house would be enough.


    Kothar found a crate set outside his door, along with a hastily scribbled note.


    ''Urgent business calls, stay safe-S.'' The note read, as usual, Simon had been called off to some remote location on some covert endeavor or another.


    The lid of the crate slipped off easily and inside was a set of dark blue armor, along with a fine chainmail that would cover the wearer from head to toe.


    An embroidered cloak of deep blue wool joined the armor, as well as a fine helmet that would cover Kothar''s face, with a crest made of blue feathers.


    Another note sat with the armor, ''This will convince most you''re one of Tam''s captains, just take care in interacting with anyone who knows any of his men intimately.''


    Kothar smiled, the armor that Simon had chosen was of  size that would allow him to continue wearing the Multi Planar Armor underneath, Simon had thought things through.


    Kothar donned the armor, and draped the clock around his shoulders. He looked in the armor and grinned, though it was hidden by the metal of the helm. He looked every bit like one of Tam''s intimidating soldiers.


    Now, it was time for a family visit.


    Kothar strode right up to the gates of the keep, dismissing the guards who attempted to stop him with a wave of his hand and displaying a sealed scroll stamped with Tam''s sigil, which he had prepared in Tam''s study earlier.


    The guards, already nervous after seeing the massive blue hawk on the front of Kothar''s breastplate, were visibly shaken by seeing Tam''s seal and immediately stepped aside, giving Kothar full access to the castle.


    Now that he was inside, Kothar started walking toward the throne room, but it seemed that the rest of his little stroll through the castle wouldn''t be as easy.


    A middle aged man with silver hair and a fine set of black clothes waited for him in the center of the room, Jonas was waiting for him.


    "I''ve not had any word of any messengers being sent to see the King! Halt there or the castle guard shall have your head!"" Jonas declared sternly, slamming his cane into the ground, revealing a surprising strength.


    "That is exactly why I, a messenger, am here." Kothar hoped that his mask and helmet would be enough to mask his voice from Jonas, while he trusted that Jonas would keep the best interests of the king at heart,, he couldn''t say the same for keeping Kothar''s best interests at heart.


    "How arrogant! You cur, you would have never dared to act this way had Tam not been appointed Grand Marshal!" Jonas'' face took on a convoluted frown, and the usually calm and composed man''s face formed a grimace.


    "This is urgent, from the Grand Marshal himself. He instructed me that only the King was to see the contents of this message." Kothar responded, he was starting to get a little worried, the waves of mana emanating from Jonas indicated he would be a serious threat, and he didn''t want to get tangled in a fight right in the heart of Balin.


    "Alright, follow me!" Jonas turned abruptly, simmering down, and marched into one of the many doors that lined the great hall at the entrance of the keep.


    Kothar followed Jonas up countless corridors of the shining granite, and then they stopped in a small antechamber where Jonas halted.


    "Wait here, I must first talk with his majesty!" Jonas announced, before marching into the room, quickly shutting the door behind him so Kothar could barely even catch a glimpse of the room''s interior.


    After a long wait, almost half an hour, Jonas finally emerged.


    "His majesty will see you now!" He announced, with obvious displeasure. It seemed Jonas was not happy with the current situation whatsoever.


    Kothar  entered the room to find Rotan waiting for him, the energetic and alive King he had known was no more.


    Before him sat a shell of that man, withered and worn. Rotan''s cheeks were sunken and enormous dark circles hung heavy under his eyes, his hair looked thin and his mouth had hardened into a grimace that seemed wrought from his face.


    "Do the men of the Hawk not bow before the King of Ursten anymore? I see that Tam''s pride continues to grow." Rotan spat out with disgust, his voice carrying with an intense displeasure. In his surprise, Kothar had completely forgotten to bow before Rotan.


    "Apologies, your majesty, I forgot myself in my urgency." Kothar sank down to one knee and bowed deep. Upon seeing Rotan''s condition he had started to second guess hid decision to come to see him. Had his father truly wrested control of Ursten from Rotan, was he such a man? Or had Rotan merely taken the matter to heart?


    "Come on then, as useless as your lord might tell you I am, I haven''t all day to wait for you to deliver your message." Rotan chided the kneeling Kothar who was currently wrapped up in confusion.


    "My King, please, do not be alarmed, keep your voice low, this concerns my safety.'''' Kothar implored Rotan, before he stowed the scroll away and lifted off his helm to reveal his face.


    Kothar removed the mask that covered his mouth and revealed himself fully.


    "I need your help." Kothar said to the shocked Rotan, who was staring at what at first glance, he could only recognize as a young Tam.

 Chapter 116 - A Letter

    "You-, It can''t be-!" Rotan let out a strangled yell, pure terror on his face. He clambered away, and pressed himself against the table behind him, knocking down several platters stacked high with food as he did so.


    "You, you take my Kingdom, and now you rejuvenate yourself, and cheat death! So you come to mock me? No more! No more!" Rotan''s voice broke as he said, almost sobbing, and then the king fell to his knees and started sobbing uncontrollably, tears falling onto the heavy rug on the floor.


    "Your Majesty, it''s me, Kothar. I mean no harm." Kothar, already kneeling, bent down toward Rotan and said softly, trying to comfort the despondent king.


    "Kothar? Kothar, my good lad! It is you, I''m sorry, please forgive my outburst." Understanding dawned on Rotan''s face, and he suddenly composed himself, standing tall and returning to his chair, into which he sunk down, as if he were being swallowed by it.


    "Forgive me, things in Ursten have been tense, and you look so like your father, that the shock of seeing him from his younger days threw me for a spin. I didn''t expect that, especially since you came in disguised." Rotan''s voice took a hint of the strength that it once had, as he said pointedly, obviously wondering why Kothar had come in disguised.


    [Kothar, the man''s a wreck, I don''t know about you, but if even Rotan''s convinced that your father has taken the throne from him, then I think you''ll need to ask him some serious questions yourself.] Silane suddenly interjected, she was becoming increasingly nervous about the situation with Ursten, first the war, and now these rumors of Tam seizing power. War was something she could deal with, it was relatively straightforward, but political subterfuge had always confused her, not that it had mattered at the end of the day. It hadn''t mattered who it was that sat on the Sentinel High Command, Silane''s job had been to relay the orders to Kothar.


    "I''m in danger, your Majesty. My mentor at the Academy betrayed me, and I was almost killed. I came to you in disguise because I fear he is searching for me. Please, I would request that you send a message to the Headmaster in your capacity as King of Ursten, telling him about what has happened." Kothar bowed his head as he spoke, he knew that he had to do his most to ensure that Rotan saw that Kothar still saw him as King of Ursten, since Rotan was so sure that Tam had seized power.


    Rotan sat silently for a long while, his hands folded on his lap, staring at Kothar with an empty gaze, not looking at Kothar himself, but at all his resemblances to Tam. Then, a glimmer of calm appeared in Rotan''s eyes.


    "Alright! Of course, I can do you this favor, you''re family! I''ll write the letter immediately and have it sent to the Academy. This mentor of yours shall be punished promptly!" Rotan said with a large grin on his face, it seemed as if he had forgotten about Tam for the time being, and once again saw the young Kothar, who had been so useful in the battle against Kultas.


    "Enough about these things, come, enjoy some of these delicious foods with me. Jonas is always bringing me new things to eat, join me for a meal." Rotan smiled as he beckoned Kothar over, adjusting the platters he had knocked over earlier.


    Kothar happily joined him at the table, he was never one to turn down a good meal. For the first time in months, Rotan truly ate to his fill, and by the end of the meal, Kothar could visibly see the difference that it had made, Rotan''s cheeks looked a little less sunken and his face looked much brighter and healthier overall.


    Once they had eaten, Rotan poured Kothar a tall gas of the punch that was kept cooled in the enchanted vessels all around the table, and began to tell him tales of  himself as a child,, exploring the alleys of Balin.


    "Jonas will be getting worried Kothar, if you stay any longer he''ll suspect something''s afoot. I trust him with my life, but I don''t expect you to do the same." Rotan smiled at Kothar, and stood from the table.


    Kothar donned his mask again, and covered his head with the blue crested helm, once again looking every inch the Hawk guardsman.


    "Thank you, your Majesty. You''ve lifted a great burden from my shoulders." Kothar bowed deeply, he truly was grateful to Rotan. He knew the Academy would do its utmost to ensure Krieg was brought to justice.


    "You''re welcome, let me know if you need anything else, my lad!" Rotan said cheerfully, with a rare bright smile on his face.


    As Kothar was leaving, he passed Jonas in the halls, and he gave the man a nod as he passed him, to which Jonas'' only response was a slight grunt.


    Jonas made his way back to his king, he hoped the news from the Grand Marshal was good, he didn''t want to see Rotan''s condition become any worse than it was.


    Jonas entered the room, in which Rotan had been holed up for the past months, to find, completely contrary to his expectations, Rotan happily humming as he gazed out the window, a scared look on his face.


    "Your Majesty, you''ve eaten. I trust the news was good then?" Jonas tried to hold back the obvious joy in his voice, he never displayed much emotion, but he could not. It had been so long since he had seen Rotan in such a good mood, and he was beginning to look like his old self once again.


    "Yes, Jonas. The news was good. I think that the Grand Marshal will be extremely grateful to me very soon." Rotan''s smile grew even wider, and he said so cheerfully, that Jonas felt a chill run down his spine.

 Chapter 117 - In The Wake Of War

    Kothar strolled across the bridge that crossed the deep chasm that surrounded the keep, he had a spring in his step after getting Rotan''s assurance that he would contact the Academy.


    While it wasn''t a surefire way to ensure his own safety, at the very least it would keep Krieg off his back for the time being.


    [I''m glad that I managed to cheer Rotan up somewhat. Seeing him like that, it was troubling to say the least. I''m beginning to wonder how much Ophil''s death affected Tam. I couldn''t imagine seeing him wresting the throne from Rotan before this.] Kothar turned down a street that would lead him to the Army Stables, where he could easily request a mount for the ride west.


    [I guess you won''t know till you see your father.] Silane said, simply, she was at a loss as to what might have happened. She could easily calculate the humidity in the air based on seemingly random observations, but figuring out the intentions of a human, especially with emotions involved, was far too confusing for her. But, now that she was beginning to experience emotions herself, she was beginning to see why it was so difficult to get  a grasp on them, emotions could be completely illogical, and go contrary to everything that a person knew, but they would still be the major driving factor in some decisions.


    Kothar soon made his way to the stables, where he once again, utilized his father''s seal to get a horse and some provisions for the journey ahead, speaking as little as possible.


    He picked a relatively plain looking hybrid, one that was indistinguishable from most horses except for the pale yellow bands that were all around its hind legs and ran along its haunches.


    The stable hand had claimed that it was a horse with virtually inexhaustible stamina and Kothar put this to the test, riding until the sun had set, and the only light was the pale silver from the moon and stars.


    The horse rode on, it was as sturdy as the stable hand had promised, and unlike Kothar''s ride to Newport, he was far stronger now and with far greater reserves of mana, and easily rode on continuously.


    The sun was beginning to rise again as the sun rose again, and the ground around him changed from the rough and unwelcoming rockiness of the west of Ursten to the swampy edges of Kalun.


    A rush of memories flooded back to Kothar as he rode along the familiar path, coming into Kalun for the first time with Drummond and his caravan of merchants, rescuing Simon from the depths of the dungeons of Ranuth and their subsequent escape, and of course, the burning of the city which had precipitated the war with Ursten.


    Kothar rode on through the dense jungle, the howls and screeches of jungle creatures filling the air, and the occasional crashing of trees as massive beasts moved through the trees.


    Occasionally, Kothar felt powerful mana signatures, and upon assessing them with his Mana Sensing Lens found that they were massive creatures, with savage claws and powerful jaws, and decided that the middle of a jungle was no place for any recklessness.


    Of course, it was fun to test himself against the beasts that lived in the wilderness, but that could wait for the time being. For now, Kothar''s priority was finding his father and talking to him about Krieg as well as getting to the bottom of whether his father had decided to claim Ursten for his own.


    Kothar rode on through the jungle, and soon, he spotted a small village in the distance. He saw a man standing on the road and waved, but the man simply yelled an incoherent scream and ran off.


    By the time he arrived, the village was deathly quiet. There were stalls all along the street, and a lone orange rolled across the street, recently abandoned.


    [It seems these people fear strangers. The war must have been hard on them.] Silane said somberly, as they noticed the eyes peeking out at them from behind closed shutters and through gaps in curtains.


    [Or they fear the hawk on my chest. I hope my father hasn''t become a terrible man.] Kothar replied, a sinking feeling in his chest. It couldn''t be true, yes, Tam was a general, but he had never been cruel or unfair, there was no reason for these people to fear the Hawk, surely.


    Kothar quickly rode away from the village, he didn''t want to burden the poor villagers any further.


    The other villages he passed through were mostly similar, if the people didn''t hide, they would become silent and meek, not looking directly at Kothar or even walking near him.


    It was as if there was an invisible space around Kothar that they all avoided. Some of the villages bore the marks of war, entire houses that had been destroyed by spells, the ground carved up by errant slashes from warriors, and craters from head to head clashes between combatants.


    No wonder the people were all so afraid. Kothar rode for another day before he was near his destination, Kalun was a large country, islands of civilization dispersed through enormous swathes of jungle, swampland and wide rivers.


    Kothar first saw the smoke on the horizon, it seemed that Simon''s map had been accurate.


    As he rode on, he saw the tips of the tall flags, the highest depicting the all too familiar blue hawk with wings outstretched, but there were others also.


    Some he had seen before, but other strange designs that reminded him of Rana, the Southern tribe girl that had tried to take his horse all that time ago.


    The camp seemed to have sprouted from the surrounding jungle, it seemed that Tam didn''t give the jungle or its denizens the same consideration that the locals did, many trees had been felled to create a wooden palisade and an enormous gate had been fashioned from the logs.


    Kothar rode towards the camp, it was time for him to meet his father.

 Chapter 118 - The Intruder

    Kothar rode confidently up to the gate, and nodded at the guards, a Tribesman in dark green armor and a soldier with the emblem of a snake on his chest, likely from one of the nobles that was accompanying Tam.


    As soon as they saw the proud Hawk on Kothar''s chest armor, they stood up straight, and saluted him, the Tribesman beating his chest with his fist in a sign of respect.


    Kothar rode into the camp, which was well organized, there were soldiers milled about everywhere, a mishmash of individuals from the Tribes, Tam''s Hawks and from the nobles'' personal forces.


    Kothar heard whispers as he rode through the camp, many of them curious. The more observant soldiers speculated as to what kind of mission this guardsman of the Grand Marshal himself had been on, especially since his ornate armor and high quality horse signaled that he was at the very least a Captain.


    [I think you''ve just started at least 50 odd rumors just by riding through this camp. Look at the faces of these soldiers, they''re almost reverent. Just what has your father been doing in Kalun?] Silane noted, as the soldiers scrambled out of the way of Kothar''s horse, even those that were meters away.


    The camp was massive, and the tents were grouped in clusters, with soldiers from specific tribes clumping together, and those from the armies of respective nobles doing the same.


    That wasn''t to say that they were all completely isolated, Kothar saw Tribesmen chatting with soldiers from Ursten, and a group of Ursten soldiers enjoying a meal by the cook fire of a group of Tribesmen.


    There was an enormous ring of empty dirt around the center of the camp, around which groups of stern faced men wearing the familiar symbol of the Hawk patrolled.


    "Halt!" The nearby patrol called out to Kothar as he rode toward the cluster of tents at the center of the camp. Kothar hadn''t expected to be questioned by anyone at all until he met Tam, he was counting on the fact that they wouldn''t.


    "Yes?" Kothar answered gruffly, trying to give his best impression of an annoyed superior officer.


    "Sir, we''ll need you to provide this week''s passphrase, and the Grand Marshal isn''t expecting any visitors today, so we''ll need you to wait until the Patrol Captain gets here." The man speaking had dark bushy sideburns, and dwarfed his fellow soldiers, in width but not in height, giving him a very wide appearance.


    "Alright." Kothar steered his horse in the direction that they indicated, but pulled the reins and the horse came to halt. Even after the lengthy journey it had just undergone, Kothar''s horse was as sprightly as ever, skipping back and forth as the unfamiliar soldiers neared.


    "Sir, would you mind explaining what your business with the Grand Marshal is, so whoever goes to fetch the Patrol Captain doesn''t get their ear chewed off. He would  appreciate an explanation." The soldier with the sideburns said politely, but there was a hint of suspicion in his eyes, he was quite sure never to have seen a soldier in the Hawks who wore a full faced helm, and he was certain there were no ranking soldiers who wore full face helms, there was something fishy about his.


    "I cannot, apologies. It is strictly confidential." Kothar responded, as he dismounted his horse and removed the saddle, it definitely deserved a break after carrying him for so long.


    "Confidential? All right. Jon, go fetch the Patrol Captain and tell him we have an unexpected visitor." The soldier with massive sideburns said cheerfully, masking his distrust. As he did so, Kothar recoiled internally, he was beginning to think all of Tam''s Hawks would be collapsing on to him today.


    [So what''s next, Kothar, should have asked Simon for some of his Thief skills and just snuck past all of these men.] Silane was having the time of her life, especially since she could tell how much Kothar was squirming behind the helmet.


    [Very funny, Silane. But you make a fair point, I think it wouldn''t hurt to learn some new skills, or find some new spells to learn. But you''re more than capable of coming up with new ones for me, right?] Kothar knew that the comment would motivate Silane to come with a new spell but would also annoy her, since she knew exactly what Kothar was doing.


    [Fine, but don''t think that I won''t make a spell that explodes in your face.] Silane grumbled.


    [I''d be a poor Mage if I couldn''t even recognize a spell that did that.] Kothar laughed internally, and some of the stress he was feeling melted away.


    "Well, what do we have here!" A pompous voice called out, a man in fine clothing was striding across the ground that separated the cluster of tents in the center of the camp from the rest.


    He wore high leather riding boots that were a dark blue color, and still bore the speckled pattern of the beast that they had been harvested from. Unlike many of Tam''s soldiers he didn''t wear any armor, but instead wore a fine army uniform, that wouldn''t be out of place at ball, but like the rest of his fellow soldiers an enormous blue hawk soared across his chest.


    The man twirled his lengthy mustache, that covered most of his aged face, and stared at Kothar with his small brown eyes.


    "Explain yourself, Sirrah!" The Patrol Captain yelled, stamping one foot down suddenly, his attitude matched his appearance exactly. The thin sheath that hung at his side swung from the shock.


    "Sorry, on confidential business." Kothar gave him a terse reply, keeping his words to a minimum. In case any of the soldiers recognized his voice, as distorted as it was. He could have fought alongside many of them during the battle against Kultas.


    "No Sir! At the very least, you must have a passphrase! Nobody sees the Grand Marshal without a passphrase, nobody!" The Patrol Captain''s voice rose and rose in volume, and a clump of soldiers began to gather, with soldiers in the central cluster of camps beginning to poke their heads out to investigate.


    "I''m sorry, I really cannot say." Kothar did his best not to escalate the situation, but the Patrol Captain''s face grew red, and in one smooth motion, he unsheathed the rapier at his belt, and pointed it at Kothar''s throat.

 Chapter 119 - Tam

    Kothar raised his hands into the air, he didn''t want to start a fight, not while being suspected as an intruder, in the middle of the encampment.


    "Sirrah! Remove your armor and lay your weapons on the ground! You are suspected of being a spy!" By now, the Patrol Captain''s face was the brightest shade of red that Kothar had ever seen, and it wouldn''t surprise him if he saw smoke spouting from the man''s ears.


    At that moment, an invisible pressure swept out from the central tent, over the entire camp, but focused on the Kothar and the soldiers surrounding him. The Patrol Captain''s face changed so rapidly from a scarlet red to pale white that anyone would be shocked, except everyone around was too busy fighting off the pressure that was weighing down on them.


    Kothar felt it himself, this was like when he had faced off against Anteris on the rooftop, he could tell that Tam had similarly restrained himself, but wasn''t trying to truly harm anyone.


    "Let him through!" A voice boomed out from the center of the camp, cutting through the noise and clamor, immediately the soldiers and Patrol Captain backed off, hastily sheathing their weapons.


    "Apologies Sir! Just following procedure." The Patrol Captain dipped his head and moved aside so that Kothar could pass. Kothar walked past, heading directly for the source of the booming voice, he knew it had to be his father. After all, the voice was so familiar and who else could it be.


    Tam''s tent was an unassuming dark blue, and was guarded by a pair of familiar looking scarred soldiers, they had to be the same soldiers that had guarded their house during Kultas'' rebellion.


    They simply nodded at Kothar and moved aside, allowing him through. Kothar moved the heavy cloth of the tent''s doorway aside and stepped into the tent, which was brightly lit by many Mana Crystal Lamps.


    Within, there was an enormous table, a desk in one corner and a bed, as well as a stand for Tam''s dark blue armor which currently held the armor.


    Tam himself was standing at the desk, an annoyed expression that Kothar had never seen before on his face.


    While he still had the strong features that he shared with Kultas and Rotan, his black hair had grown past his shoulders and he now had a short beard. Additionally, Kothar felt an overwhelming coldness from his piercing blue eyes, which glared out at him from underneath Tam''s stern face.


    Kothar only felt a rush of air, and Tam''s curved sword was pointed at his throat. Tam held the sword with a simple elegance that few could hope to match.


    "Don''t make this any harder than it needs to be, who are you, and why are you trying to get to me? Don''t try anything stupid, your head would leave your body before you could move an inch." Tam hissed at Kothar, Tam was confused. The mana from the intruder felt both familiar and unfamiliar, it brought up a feeling of nostalgia, but he couldn''t pin it down.


    "It''s me, Kothar." Kothar could tell that Tam was serious, and so he didn''t beat around the bush. He knew Tam wouldn''t be convinced so easily, but he didn''t dare to try anything but the truth.


    "Hahahaha, so you''ll even try this. The people of Kalun have truly grown desperate, haven''t they. Every spy and every assassin have failed, so you try to send one pretending to be my son but don''t even have the decency to give him a decent disguise." Tam''s sword swung back, and the only thing stopping him from taking the intruder''s head clean off his shoulders was the intense feeling of familiarity that he had felt with the intruder''s mana.


    "Father, don''t be alarmed. I''m going to take off my helmet." Kothar said gently, and reached toward the helm that covered his face, as slowly as he could. And then, it struck Tam, the mana felt just like Kothar''s had only months ago, except far far more powerful, it really could be him. As far as he knew, there was no way to mimic a person''s mana signature. But he hadn''t survived so long by being so trusting, the sword remained pointed at the intruder''s throat.


    Kothar lifted the helmet away, and Tam saw the person behind the helmet. The lower half of his face was covered, but it was unmistakably his son, he saw himself in those eyes, and the eyebrows and the curls in the hair, those were unmistakable those of Ophil.


    Internally, Tam was elated, his son was in front of him. But his face didn''t betray the slightest hint of emotion.


    "Remove the mask." Tam commanded, he had to be certain.


    Kothar removed the mask, and then Tam saw his son, it was him, looking far older than when he had last seen him, fuzzy wisps of hair on his face and a squarer jaw, but it was Kothar alright.


    Tam''s sword fell to the ground, and he swept Kothar up in a hug, moving so fast that Kothar only noticed when Tam was already lifting him off his feet, and for a short moment Kothar thought his life was forfeit, and he had failed to convince his father.


    "My son, my son." Tam murmured happily, tears streaming down his face, but why had he come all the way from Trinquile, and in disguise?


    "Son, it''s good to see you, but why are you here? Have you developed a habit of leaving your Academy to come to this jungle nation? I''m sure you know, I''m more than capable of fighting this war all on my own." Tam grinned, clapping Kothar on the back and sitting him down on one of the chairs around the table.


    "I haven''t been at the Academy, Father. I was betrayed by my mentor, and sent to another plane, I only made my back to Trinquile a few days ago." Kothar said slowly, and Tam''s eyes bulged in shock.

 Chapter 120 - Trust

    "What? How? Only those who are at the very least of the Advanced Rank know about the existence of other planes, and only those who have truly reached the limits of Eclat dare venture further." Tam looked hard at Kothar, his son had always been a serious and diligent child, but every child had a rebellious streak, maybe this was his way of vying for attention since he had been away for so long?


    "Kothar, if you''re trying to play some kind of childish joke on me, it won''t work. Now be honest with me, what are you doing here?" Tam;''s voice filled with concern, sure his son had broken Simon out of prison all by himself, but that had been luck and during peacetime, why was his son roaming around Kalun during a war, especially when he''d be under threat as Tam''s son.


    As all these thoughts of why Kothar had come to see him whirled about in Tam''s mind, Kothar watched his father worry, and decided to save them both a lot of time and explanation.


    He hadn''t done this for Simon, but he knew that Tam could handle at least this much. Kothar lifted his arm up, and opened a portal in the center of the tent.


    Tam was filled with shock, his son was casting spells with such ease that was rare even among higher level mages, and had done so without any visible effort also.


    "There''s your proof, right there." Kothar said, sitting back down on his chair, Tam looked back and forth between Kothar and the portal, still processing what his son had done. Surely that wasn''t a portal to another plane, his son had to be having him on, the portal would probably lead to some comical location, dumping him in a puddle or something similar.


    Tam stepped through. The tent was quiet, and Kothar sat back and waited for his father to return.


    [Was that really necessary? Aren''t you revealing too much of your capability?] Silane said, she had always been extremely cautious and Krieg''s betrayal had made her even more so.


    [It may be reckless, Silane. But how long can anyone go without trusting a single individual. More accurately, how long can I go on as a human being without trusting anyone. If I was still being emotionally cauterized by the Alliance, that might be reasonable, but things are different now.] Kothar set out a tired sigh internally, the intensity of the past months was beginning to get to him, and though he had known tiredness before, when he had fought for hours and hours on end, the tiredness his mind felt was a completely new thing for him.


    Silane didn''t respond, instead she was busy trying to decipher Kothar''s response, her understanding of emotion had grown since their reincarnation, but it still paled compared to Kothar''s.


    A splashing, squelching noise emanated from the portal at the center of the room and Kothar turned to see his father, completely soaked through, grinning wide as he stood in front of the portal, a piece of seaweed caught in his long hair.


    "You really made it back! Even the most powerful beings on Eclat need assistance to travel from one plane to another, and yet you made it back here, unharmed, after being stranded with no idea of where you were." Tam''s voice was filled with joy, he had always known that Kothar was an excellent mage and fighter, but knowing that his son had been stranded, planes away and made it back all by himself was astounding to him.


    "It wasn''t easy." Was Kothar''s only reply, and he grinned back at Tam, before tossing him a towel hanging from a hook on one of the tent poles.


    "I thought you were playing some elaborate prank on me Kothar, that you''d dressed up and come all the way here for that, and I''d be dumped in a puddle after stepping through. Though I guess you did dump me in a puddle of sorts!" Tam started laughing uncontrollably, tears of joy forming at the corners of his eyes.


    Once Tam had dried himself off, he dismissed the men guarding his tent and sat down at the table with Kothar.


    "Alright, son. You''ve proven your tale, now tell me more of this betrayal." Tam fell into his usual habit of resting his hand on the hilt of his sword when deep in thought, and he leaned forward attentively.


    "While I was in Newport, I found an Artifact. It allowed me to do things with Spatial Magic that shouldn''t be possible for someone of my level. My teacher discovered this artifact and wanted to possess it, and pushed me into a Spatial Rift, stranding me planes away. But the artifact returned to me, and I was lucky it did. Without it, I wouldn''t have been able to return to Eclat." Kothar quickly summarized his story, getting straight to the crux of what had happened, a habit left behind from his debrief training.


    Tam''s eyebrow drew together, and his hand gripped his sword rightly, his knuckles turning pale, it took all of Tam''s willpower to stop from letting his anger rage free, but he knew the entire camp would be alerted the moment he did.


    "He did what? How dare he?" Tam grit his teeth together as he hissed, no longer looking at Kothar, he simply stared off towards the opposite wall of the tent. His hand opening and closing


    over his sword.


    "Speak of this matter as little as possible, from what you''ve told me, this artifact is almost miraculous in its capabilities." Tam said after a long period of tense silence.


    "And tell me, who knows that you possess this artifact?" Tam asked, wondering if there were hordes of people after Kothar.


    "Just you and Simon. Also, my mentor and the people he has told. I approached the King before I came here about sending a letter to the Academy, but didn''t mention the Artifact." Kothar didn''t mention Sandstrider or Xerev, not wanting to complicate things even further, after all, if they had wanted it, they could have taken it from him easily.


    "You saw Rotan?" Tam''s tone completely shifted, and his eyes narrowed.

 Chapter 121 - Father And Son

    "Yes, I did, he seemed quite happy to see me." From the look in Tam''s eyes, Kothar knew this would be a touchy subject to bring up, but he simply had to know what the situation of Ursten was.


    "I''m worried about him, he looked as if he hadn''t eaten in months, which is especially troubling since he would be the last person in the kingdom to worry about food." Kothar added, carefully watching Tam''s face for his reaction, but the stern look had faded away, replaced with one of attentiveness.


    "Yes, Rotan has been quite, hmm, troubled.'''' The hesitation in Tam''s voice was clear, he might be at the very head of one of the fiercest and most powerful armies that the isle had seen, but here he was, struggling to talk to his son about his own political machinations.


    "Father, I must ask you, there are rumors that you have taken-'''' Kothar decided that he would ask Tam outright, but was interrupted by Tam before he could finish talking.


    "No, it simply isn''t true. After all my efforts of trying to keep Rotan on the throne, why would I seize power. Initially I did intend to only remove the immediate threats to Ursten, but then my ambitions grew. What are far peaceful yet powerful neighbors but potential enemies? I need to forge peace for my people, while I remain!" Tam''s voice rose in fervor, and he slammed the table fiercely as he uttered the last statement, his eyes ablaze with passion.


    Kothar''s eyes reflected the same passion, he had also been driven by his passion to secure a peace for his people, and his people continued to drive him today.


    His constant drive to explore, to treat his strength, to grow in power, all of it was in service of returning to the Alliance. And in that moment, anyone who entered the room would have been stunned with what they saw, two men, one old and one younger, alike in appearance. With the same fierce passion burning in their identical eyes.


    "I understand, Father. Let me fight!" Kothar was caught up in the fierceness of Tam''s desire to fight for Ursten, he had grown his own attachments to the nation, and Tam''s fight echoed his own.


    "Son, your mother and I couldn''t be more proud." Tam said with an enormous smile on his face, coming to his feet and wrapping Kothar in a hug.


    "We shall conquer all. Watch us, my dear." Tam muttered inaudibly, his voice lower than even a whisper, as he stared into the empty space behind Kothar, a spark of madness dancing in his eyes.


    "For now, keep that helmet and armor on. I''ll let the rest of my men know that you were a soldier away on a special mission for me. You wouldn''t be the first to return from such a mission so it''d be no surprise to them." Tam patted Kothar on the shoulder, and handed his helmet back to him.


    "You''d best get some rest, the campaign in Kalun is practically over, but more battles await us." Tam''s smile was slightly off kilter, and a little disturbing, but Kothar was too wrapped up in the warm emotions of reuniting with him to notice.


    As for Silane, the AI was experiencing the feeling of dread for the first time. She wished she could retch and vomit, but as an incorporeal body, it wasn''t possible for her. She wanted to protest, and help Kothar realize how wrong everything seemed with Tam, but the memories of the last splitting headache kept her from doing so.


    He only seemed a little off after all, and serving in the Ursten army was no different to how they had been members of the Sentinels in the past. Kothar had even fought in a battle already, and like this, Silane laid her fears to rest.


    "Of course, Father, I''ll find myself a tent" Kothar gave Tam a warm smile before replacing the helmet over his head, then headed out to find himself a bed and some hopefully warm dinner.


    Tam watched his son leave with a smile on his face, he truly had grown into an exceptional young man, he and Ophil were so proud, the smile on her face was evidence of that.


    "Rod!" Tam said slightly loudly, but his voice projected exactly as far as he needed, and the young soldier came running in. He was thin and slight, with a bright red stubble that peeked out from the edges of his scalp that his helm failed to cover.


    As the young soldier stood at attention, Tam took a quill and quickly scribbled a note, explaining that one of his personal soldiers had just returned from a covert mission.


    "Take this message to all my Lieutenants, and find the soldier in question in a tent." Tam quickly stamped the note with the hawk seal that he wore on his finger.


    "Yes sir! I also have this for you, it arrived with one of the Duke''s men! He was exhausted, so he passed it on to me." Rod passed Tam a leather scroll case, completely sealed.


    "Alright, be on your way now." Tam commanded the young soldier, and then began to examine the scroll case in his hands.


    The rune formation on the case was still intact. While it wasn''t a powerful seal whatsoever, it did serve its own purpose. It was so complex and fragile that even the slightest disturbance by any means would collapse it entirely, which allowed it to serve as a means of securely communicating while being aware if a message had been compromised.


    Tam lifted off the end cap of the scroll case, and immediately the runic formation tore itself apart, leaving only a few remnants of mana and a distinct spiral shape marked on the casing.


    He tapped the scroll out, and broke the Duke''s wax seal, rolling the scroll upon to reveal Anteris'' distinctive scrawl.


    As Tam read the letter, a grin spread across his face, it seemed as though things were about to get very interesting.

 Chapter 122 - A Talk By The Fire

    Tam strode out of his tent, and the soldiers posted all around immediately stood to attention.


    "Begin preparations to leave in one week, I want the last of the Kalun army dragged out of whatever hole they''re hiding in. I want them finished, no matter what it takes." Tam said gruffly, and the surrounding soldiers gulped nervously.


    Tam watched as the soldiers scampered away to do their duty, remembering a time when he had been just as nervous when dealing with superior officers.


    The young soldiers from the nobles and the young Tribes people had grown tremendously during the invasion.


    While there had been casualties, Tam''s idea of having a core group of experienced soldiers along with all of the less experienced individuals had worked out tremendously well.


    The newcomers had learned from the veterans, and facing the brunt of Ursten and the Tribes'' finest warriors, Kalun didn''t have even the slightest chance at victory and had been crushed without much effort.


    Tam found himself walking through the many tents in the center of the camp devoted to the commanders, and saw the open air shelter that Boson called his tent.


    Once Boson had subjugated the regions that Tam had assigned to him, he had made it his mission to find and defeat every powerful beast near the camp.


    As a result, many grisly trophies were scattered around boson''s tent, and even his fellow commanding officers admired them.


    A furred head with a razor sharp black beak hung from a hook, still dripping blood, Boson''s axe resting up against one of the poles that supported his little shelter.


    "Put up a good fight?" Tam asked as he approached the massive man, who was currently bandaging his midsection, wincing as he did so.


    "The ******* almost gutted me, but I''m glad I fought it." Boson gave Tam a pained smile, he had been feeling an enormous amount of pressure to become stronger, he had always known that Tam was at the Advanced level, but now Tam was getting to a point where his strength had advanced to a point where the logic of the many tiers fell away.


    Boson had decided to solve the problem that he always had, by going out and finding some heads to bash in, chop and slice. Fighting the beasts of the jungles had been pushing his strength to a higher degree, but he didn''t think he was at the Advanced level just yet, especially since he still felt his ability to affect a battlefield was minimal.


    "You''ve grown plenty in these few months." Tam said kindly, patting Boson on the shoulder and taking a seat by the small fire next to him. Tam had noticed the pressure his Lieutenants were under, Serena had even been spending time with some of the Tribes people''s archers, desperate to push her techniques to the next level.


    Shale and Slate had pushed their combined magic to a whole new realm, taking out entire towns together, when working in tandem the two could be considered an Advanced Mage, but Tam knew that their dependence on each other was a great weakness.


    But he knew that forking out the funds that an Advanced Mage would desire was practically impossible, most were reclusive to say the least, and only a great treasure would be able to motivate them.


    "You think I''m at the Advanced level yet?" Boson asked Tam, with the loss of so many of their senior warriors, Ursten had also the Council which attested to the rank of its warriors.


    "I''ve always told you, Boson. The ranks are just convenient words that we use to describe an individual''s influence on the battlefield. Don''t be too focused on what rank you are, and instead push your techniques to their utmost." Tam poured Boson a mug of ale from the massive barrel that was stashed in one corner of the enormous man''s shelter.


    "I know, I know. Soon enough, boss, I''ll show you my techniques, one on one." Boson took the ale with a smile, it would dull the pain a little, but he would need to focus on recovering for the next few days.


    Tam smiled back and remembered the last time Boson had challenged him, it seemed so distant now, Boson had been hired by him to help on a particularly dangerous mission and had been offended by being ordered around by someone so obviously weaker than him.


    After a short duel, Boson had been more than happy to take orders for Tam, and the massive bruises he had from strikes from the flat of Tam''s blade helped make him more obedient.


    "In one week''s time, we will leave this camp." Tam said to Boson, and the Lieutenant''s eyebrows immediately rose up, and he spat out the ale he was drinking in surprise.


    "Already, boss? We can''t be ready yet?" Boson was shocked, he didn''t think that Tam would be so eager to start a battle with the Empire, it had only been a few months since the alliance with the Tribes had been formed, surely they needed more time to prepare.


    "We''ll make some stops along the way, It''ll be fine, Boson." Tam replied, but the numerous tattoos on Boson''s head were wrinkled from the worried expression that the man was making.


    "Just be ready, and trust in your abilities, you''ve grown far stronger than you might think." Tam stood up from the log that Boson kept next to his small campfire, and ducked out of the tent, the dripping blood from the hanging head barely missing him.


    "I''ll be ready! Grand Marshal, Sir!" Boson fell into a more formal salute as Tam was leaving, the man still marveled at how they had gone from being a rag tag group of adventurers to commanding an impressive army.


    Tam''s happy expression faded slightly as he strode away from Boson''s tent, now it was time for him to see his other oldest Lieutenant, and Serena had been particularly biting and harsh during their conversations recently.

 Chapter 123 - Serena

    Serena''s dwelling was as different from the other leaders as Boson''s was, but in a completely different way.


    Her tent was made up of a light gray fabric that brought to mind the web of an enormous spider. Outside her tent was a small cook fire, over which a pot hung, and a few cloth and wood seats had been placed and a few of Serena''s archers sat around the fire, with the odd gray cat that was always following Serena winding its way between their feet.


    The archers looked up to see who was approaching, and all immediately stood to attention and saluted.


    "Grand Marshal, Sir!" They all echoed, before filing off to their own tents, they knew it would be rude to be in earshot of a conversation between commanding officers.


    "Grand Marshal." Serena said coolly as she emerged from the tent, the hood of her cloak was down, a rare sight, and her raven black hair hung in a loose braid down her back.


    "Serena, we will be leaving in a week, prepare yourself and your soldiers." Tam met Serena''s glare with a relaxed expression, even though she was doing her best to glare a hole through his head.


    "Yes Sir!" Serena quickly saluted, then stood at attention, her stance was respectful, but the expression on her face was anything but. Her dark, almost black, eyes stared at Tam viciously and her face had a hostile expression.


    Tam knew he couldn''t change her mind, she had been upset ever since he had sent the young Tribes people and noble''s soldiers all over Kalun. As he walked away from her tent, Tam remembered the fierce argument that they had.


    "Tam, you''re throwing all of these soldiers to the wolves. They''re barely of age, and you want to lead them on conquest of an entire kingdom." They had been riding from the plains directly to Kalun, and Serena had marched, furious, to Tam''s command tent.


    "Let me put it simply, we need better, more competent soldiers, and this is the best and fastest way we get them. The only reason any of us are as accomplished as we are is because we fought in the war against the Southern Tribes. And as for Kalun, that hole is barely a kingdom, and they knew what would come their way if they failed to conquer Ursten." Tam said coldly, sitting at his desk, his hand on the hilt of his sword, defending his position on the surface, but internally deep in thought about what he had done.


    "You''re throwing the lives of all these young people away on some empty and lofty goal you''ve set. What''s happened to you, Tam. You were always the one who backed Rotan up in keeping Ursten peaceful and allowing it to prosper without violence. And now you''re a warmonger!" Serena was almost yelling by now, she had never expected that the warrior who she had fought alongside for so many years would suddenly shift his attitude.


    "We defended against the invasion, and even Phintus is a smoking ruin. Wasn''t that enough?" She added on, sounding more and more exasperated as she spoke.


    "No. It isn''t enough. It cannot be enough. We let Kalun lie to us for years, we let them cheat our merchants and go under our noses. And in return, they plotted to conquer our nation. This is their fate." Tam''s voice grew serious, and his voice contained the sheer anger he felt towards Kalun.


    "They were the ones who struck the first blow, and now you ask me not to see the fight through. Spare me your empty mercy, Serena, for it would only lead to more innocent countryside folk falling to a foreign army." Tam''s words were dismissive and harsh, and a pained expression appeared on Serena''s face; she had never expected Tam to be so abrupt.


    "I know you plan more than this, Tam. This won''t end here, will it? You''ll drag this nation and its people, and you''ll drag the Tribes also, into this empty dream you have of uniting the Isle, so you can go and become more powerful on the mainland." Serena''s voice dropped to almost a whisper, but it matched Tam''s hard tone.


    "You''re lucky on two counts, Serena. Speaking of such things openly would have earned you an execution, but you can thank our long friendship, and you can thank the runic formations around my tent. Otherwise, your head would be rolling along the ground." Tam growled out, he had never expected such disrespect from one of his most trusted Lieutenants.


    "My apologies, Grand Marshal Tam." Serena immediately fell to one knee and bowed her head. She had forgotten her duty as a member of the army in her frustration and anger with Tam.


    "No matter how much I disagree with your actions and decisions, I will endeavor to carry out all your commands to the best of my ability, you have my word." Serena continued, then raised her head.


    "I know you will, you''ve always been a true asset on the battlefield, and your defense against Phintus was commendable. Go now, you are dismissed." Tam commanded, and Serena nodded and marched out of the tent, head held high.


    It was a few moments before Tam realized what Serena had done in protest, rather than saluting him, she had bowed, as one would do to a king.


    It was clear, though she had been the one to report Simon''s initial misgivings about his actions to him, she was the only one who still believed that he truly had wrested the power of Ursten from Rotan, and had made her stance clear.


    Was she right? Serena wasn''t alone in thinking that Tam had wrested power of Ursten from Rotan, all of the nobles thought so too, and it was no wonder that they were all so eager to serve him as Grand Marshal.


    Rotan grit his teeth in frustration and slammed his fist down on the table in front of him, to clear his head.


    No! He was in the right, and if entire nations had to burn for Ursten to be safe, he would gladly pay that price.

 Chapter 124 - The Army

    For Kothar, the one week before they were due to leave passed by in a blur, he spent the majority of the time devouring the camp''s rations, and spent the rest of the time asleep.


    His time on Atla had propelled the strength of his body and mana to another degree, but what he needed now was real rest. Rotan was proof of the fact that, even those who had enormous mana reserves and could live without eating for a period of time, needed to rest from time to time.


    That morning, Kothar emerged from his tent, to find that rather than the throng of tents that he expected to see around him, there was bare dirt. The entire camp had been dismantled, but the soldiers had not wanted to disturb the mysterious soldier that the Grand marshal himself had vouched for.


    "Captain, Sir! I will take down your tent and stow it amongst the carts!" Rod gave Kothar an enthusiastic salute, and yelled out. Kothar grinned, and wondered what the young warrior would think if he knew that, under the helmet, was someone not too far from him in age.


    "You can just call me Rufus. Thank you for your help, Rod, I appreciate it." Kothar said gruffly, keeping his voice as low as possible, and made his way toward where the horses had been stabled.


    The camp was a hive of activity and soldiers of Ursten and the Tribes alike rushed in every way, carrying the massive logs that had made up the fortified walls of the camp, while others yelled orders and shepherded the younger soldiers into formation.


    [I wonder why Tam has decided to take the fortifications with us? They can''t be that useful can they, they''re only logs that have been roughly shaped.] Silane commented, she had been mostly silent for the past week, keeping silent rather than voicing her misgivings about Tam. Kothar could feel the unease radiating off of her, but like her, wasn''t willing to get into a head splitting argument.


    [I''m sure he''s got some use for them, or it could be some ploy to misdirect any enemy spies. The effort of carting all these logs around would be well worth misleading any enemy of our intentions.] Kothar said proudly, war was what he knew, and being able to go into battle with Tam again, was an exciting prospect.


    Kothar found an elderly soldier waiting for him, a look of disapproval on his face, but as he processed the covered helmet and fine armor that Kothar wore, he realized that he was looking at the mysterious soldier that had returned from a clandestine mission.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting." Kothar had noticed the gray haired man''s look of disapproval before it had been replaced with the empty look of respect one gave to a superior officer.


    "No matter, no matter, sir. I am more than happy to wait, I will do what I must for the army." The old soldier''s wrinkles folded into a smile, and he led Kothar to the horse that had brought him to the camp.


    The chestnut horse looked well groomed and its coat shone, the yellow bands had become distinct rather than faded.


    "You chose yourself a good horse, sir, and I daresay the exercise did it some good. These hybrids never really get to stretch their legs." A hint of genuine respect slipped into the elderly soldier''s voice as he handed Kothar the reins.


    "Thank you." Kothar took the reins, and the horse whinnied happily, shaking its head back and forth and butting Kothar gently with its head.


    The horse had already been saddled and the saddlebags were bulging with rations, rope, and gear for weapon maintenance. Though the old soldier had been disapproving, he had not neglected to prepare Kothar''s horse in the slightest, and had even polished the clasps on the horse''s saddle.


    Kothar joined the enormous column that was forming, at its head were Serena and Boson, as well as Shale and Slate, the Earth Mage twins.


    The Hawk soldiers had grown in number over the past week, as they had filtered in from all over Kalun arriving in small groups, but nonetheless all leading their own groups of a combination of young nobles'' soldiers and Tribes people.


    Kothar rode up to the column and joined those of the Hawks without a unit to lead, who had joined Tam''s personal guards.


    These were no doubt the soldiers that Tam had trusted with personal missions, and every single one had concealed their identity in different ways. While many wore a helmet like Kothar did, Some wore bandanas around the lower half of their and faces, and grew their hair long, others wore elaborately carved wooden masks that covered their faces completely. Another soldier wore a heavy colorless Mana Crystal around his neck, which powered a rune construct that made his face flicker and blur, only his dark eyes visible.


    All of these Hawk soldiers exuded a cold presence, and they all turned their heads to stare as Kothar approached, serious eyes shining out toward Kothar from being so many masks, helmets and devices.


    Kothar stared back out through the tiny slit in his helm, and focused his own perception toward them, he was beginning to understand the ''pressure'' that more powerful individuals exuded and tried to return the gesture of the solitary Hawks.


    As soon as Kothar did so, the cold presence disappeared, and they turned away from Kothar, apparently ignoring him, but nonetheless opening a small gap in their formation to allow him to join.


    Now, they all waited. The enormous column of five thousand soldiers, and the countless cooks, stable hands, smiths and carpenters that followed them, stretched out under the burning sun of Kalun.


    Then, a loud trumpet sounded out, and Boson rode out from the dense cluster of his shock troops, riding up to a small mound of earth so that he was more visible.


    "Everyone, turn around!" Boson''s loud voice bellowed out, and looks of shock appeared on almost all the soldiers'' faces.

 Chapter 125 - The Mask

    The surprise on the gathered soldiers'' faces only lasted a few moments, and then the entire column began to slowly turn, led by Boson and Serena, circling through the massive clearing where the enormous army camp had once stood, like a sluggish snake, after a good meal.


    "What? Aren''t we going home?" A few of the younger soldiers protested, their young voices filled with confusion. But a glare from their superiors quickly silenced them, every single individual who had invaded Kalun had become more powerful, and the commanding officers had become that more intimidating to their superiors.


    Once the column had settled down, Tam emerged from the shadow of the trees from the path that led west, a small group of about twenty soldiers surrounding him, each more intimidating than the last.


    Kothar saw the beast that Tam rode, and at that moment he knew that Tam had chosen the Lightning Hybrid in memory of the son he had missed.


    Slowly but surely, the massive column began to gather momentum and before long they were moving quite quickly through the dense jungle that surrounded them.


    "Feels weird, doesn''t it?" A raspy voice called out to Kothar, Kothar looked up and found himself eye to eye with an eerie Hawk.


    The soldier was one of those who wore the intricately carved wooden masks, and like many of the others, he had chosen his mask to be carved in the likeness of a hawk.


    The mask was extremely detailed, every single feather was carefully picked out of the wood, the individual barbs on each feather visible. The mask had also been carefully painted, so that while the mask was a dark blue, the colors mixed and swum together to confuse the eyes of anyone who looked at it.


    The mask wouldn''t only disguise the wearer, but any enemy would be wrapped up in the blurring and mixing of the colors and be distracted, making them easy prey for the pair of curved blades that the soldier wore on his back.


    "Hey, soldier! Don''t get caught by the mask!" The mysterious soldier exclaimed, noticing Kothar''s silence.


    "No, no. I was appreciating its craftsmanship, that''s all. What''s weird?" Kothar quickly tried to backpedal, trying his best not to reveal the fact that he wasn''t really a member of Tam''s Hawks.


    "You must have been out on the road a long time if you don''t know these masks. One of the fellows started carving them after getting back from one of his missions. The General, sorry Grand Marshal, allowed it since it was a rescue mission." The soldier scratched his head in embarrassment, he still wasn''t used to calling Tam the Grand Marshal, and many of the unitless soldiers shared the problem. Many of them had been dispatched on missions when Tam hadn''t even been a general, and to return to him being virtually in charge of Ursten was confusing to say the least.


    "I meant that being amongst an army for so long, sleeping and living amongst so many others, and then fighting with them also, it''ll be strange." The soldier added, his eyes had a strange orange glint to them, like that of a stalking tiger.


    "Of course, but you can''t beat having more rations than you can eat and the peace of mind of knowing there''s an entire army around you as you sleep." Kothar laughed as he responded, trying to defuse the other man''s suspicions.


    "Bahahahaha. Truer words have never been spoken! And who''s going to be after the head of some nameless soldiers, it''s the commanding officers who should be worried!" The masked soldier burst into roaring laughter, and a few of the other unitless soldiers in earshot joined in as they heard him, resulting in a chorus of rough laughter echoing out from the group.


    A few of the Captains nearby shot Kothar and the men near him a dirty look, and it was no wonder they did, since they had just said that they would be the most likely to be assassinated.


    "Come on lads,  just a bit of light banter. You''ll be safer than ever with us around anyway. Your big brothers are here, don''t worry!" The soldier yelled out again, he seemed determined to rile up the commanding officers, and the uproarious laughter that echoed out from almost all the unitless forces only added to the insult.


    "You! I''ll come over and show you who needs protecting!" The Patrol Captain had once again turned red in the face, and was being restrained by some of his men, who had gripped the reins of his horse.


    "Hey! Take it easy back there, or I''ll come over and give you all something to have a headache about!" Boson yelled out roughly, he had heard the commotion and was squinting back at them, a ferocious look on his face.


    Up ahead, at the front of the column, Tam had a smile on his face, though he had said that Kothar was one of his many soldiers that had been away on secret missions to keep his identity a secret, he was glad that Kothar had been able to mingle with the other so well.


    The column continued to make fairly quick progress through the dense jungle, and after only a few hours they came to a massive band of shindig water that cut through the river, the rough path that they had been following ended here.


    Tam had raised his arm high, and all the officers echoed his signal, and the column came to a rolling stop.


    Kothar looked ahead, there had been a ferry here once, that had been used to cross the river, but the dock and boats were long on, with only a few fragments of wood the only evidence of their presence, the war had visited every part of Kalun.


    "We''ll stop here, but don''t unload your baggage, I''ll have plenty of work for you all soon." Boson''s voice yelled out above the clopping of horses hooves and creaking and rattling of wagon wheels.

 Chapter 126 - Wiff

    While the army led by Grand Marshal Tam amassed on the banks of the Nerid River, a young messenger boy ran through the streets of Trinquile, running amongst the bright and colorful city.


    The boy had worked as a messenger for the King  for only a few months now, and had been elated to learn that he would be delivering a message to Trinquile.


    Many dreamed of visiting the city of Mages, and even the older messenger boys had been jealous of his luck, only a few of them had been given the opportunity to visit the city that, so many spent their whole lives wondering about.


    He had thought the tales of the city to be mere rumors, right up until the point where he had seen the first of the Mage Towers peeking above the horizon, it was at that moment that he knew that Trinquile was everything that it was rumored to be, and more.


    The Academy itself shone, proudly reflected in the lake, with the rest of the city merely huddled around the majestic Academy.


    And behind the Academy, the Mage Towers stretched out, towers of burning flames, bubbling magma, and with water cascading down every side.


    The messenger boy had stood, frozen in awe for a moment, before remembering his duties and running down toward the Academy, there would be time enough after delivering his message to take in the sights of the wonderful city.


    Now, the messenger boy ran right up to the gates of Trinquile, and found himself face to face with a serious faced man.


    The man wore a leather coat, with steel plates riveted all over and runes visibly swam over the entire coat, disappearing and appearing from the boy''s sight. The Man wore a dull black gauntlet on one hand and a soft leather love on the other. He stood in front of the wrought iron gates, an imposing presence.


    The boy gawked openly at the man, who simply ignored him, dismissing him as one of many curious tourists that visited Trinquile.


    "Ah, I''ve got this." The messenger boy forgot all of his training in etiquette and barely stammered out to the man, after all the sights he had seen on the way to the city, running into this strange man had been far too much for him.


    The man took the scroll case, and looked carefully at the seal that had been stamped on to it, and the tiniest flicker of surprise crossed his face.


    "I am the Gatekeeper, and you are?" The Gatekeeper asked gruffly, holding the scroll case with the gloved rather than his gauntleted hand.


    "Oh, excuse my indiscretion, Sir! I am Wiff, a messenger of King Rotan, I come bearing a message for the Headmaster of Trinquile Academy." The messenger boy was startled out of his awe and immediately fell into the familiar habits he had learned during his training, and gave the Gatekeeper and elaborate bow, sweeping his floppy hat low, almost sweeping the immaculate cobblestones in front of the Academy with it.


    "I see, a message from the King, this is of great importance. Thank you for bringing this to me." The Gatekeeper gave Wiff a kind smile, before tucking the scroll case deep into his coat and nodding at the boy.


    "Enjoy the city, young man, take in the sights." The Gatekeeper gave Wiff an uncharacteristically soft smile, and Wiff bowed and made his way into the mess of streets near the Academy.


    Once Wiff had disappeared from his sight, the Gatekeeper waited a short moment, before opening the gates very slightly, and disappearing inside.


    He strode through the gardens, ignoring the groups of frolicking students, all showing of the latest spells that they had learned.


    The students also ignored the Gatekeeper, not due to any disinterest on their part, but rather due to the fact that he simply didn''t want to be noticed, and the runes that covered his armor exuded a thin gray haze, which obscured him from the eyes of most observers.


    He entered the main building, the main door opening and closing imperceptibly, and while the Secretary who sat at the front desk noticed him passing by, she didn''t say a word or even recognize the fact that he was walking past.


    Then he turned down towards the East Corridor, and made his way up to the second floor. The hallway was lined with many vibrant doors, the mages competing with their office doors just as they competed with their Mage towers, it seemed that it was in the nature of all mages to show off.


    However, the final door in the corridor was a faint turquoise color, almost white in its lightness. It seemed that the Headmaster, at least, was not caught up in competing with his fellow Mages.


    The Gatekeeper knocked on the door, and after waiting a few moments, pushed the door open, which opened silently.


    The room was as sparsely decorated as the rest of the Academy, with only a large desk, a shelf and a small plant in one corner. In front of the desk were a pair of plain wooden chairs.


    The desk itself was made out of a slab of multicolored wood, with dark red, green and blue hues shining through the polished wood.


    Only a few papers lay on the desk, as well as a spinning device, at the center of which was a glowing green Mana Crystal, of such purity that one could go their entire lives without setting their eyes on a similar Crystal.


    Behind the desk sat the dignified figure of the Headmaster, who was currently poring intently over a heavy tome, the pages heavy with minute text depicting different runes.


    "You have abandoned the Gate, in the middle of the day, even. What is it?" The Headmaster raised his head slowly, like a stately old stag, his bright green eyes gleaming from under his husky eyebrows.


    "A message arrived. From the King of Ursten." The Gatekeeper withdrew the scroll from within his cloak, and placed it carefully on the desk.

 Chapter 127 - The Nerid River

    "Ah, now this is a matter of importance. It is Rotan who is the King now, isn''t it. I remember when his father came to see me, pleading to allow individuals into our Academy regardless of aptitude. He was a true visionary, it seems like only yesterday." The headmaster stroked his long white beard thoughtfully as he spoke, tossing the scroll back and forth.


    "Yes, Headmaster. It is Rotan who rules over Ursten. Will you be in any further need of my services, Headmaster?" The gatekeeper clenched his gauntleted hand over his chest in a sign of respect.


    "No, go on, return to your precious gates." The headmaster waved the Gatekeeper away, opening and closing the door with a faint gust of wind. Then, he turned his attention to the scroll in his hands.


    Once he had broken the rune construct around the case, he withdrew the scroll inside, and broke the wax bear seal that Rotan had stamped on to the scroll, closing it.


    He quickly read over the scroll, and a concerned look appeared on his face as he did so, reading the scroll over again to ensure he hadn''t read the words incorrectly.


    "Surely not, he wouldn''t dare." The Headmaster muttered under his breath, then he shredded the paper in a flurry of green blades of wind.


    "Lief!" The Headmaster called out, almost instantly, and the white uniformed quartermaster quickly opened the door, standing tall in the doorway, waiting for the Headmaster''s command.


    "Go find Krieg, immediately. Tell him I must speak to him urgently, break into that ridiculous tower of his if you have to." The Headmaster''s eyes had narrowed, and his green eyes looked like small chips behind his squinting eyelids.


    "Of course." Lief disappeared as quickly as he had appeared, his perfectly combed hair and immaculate mustache not shifting in the slightest as he did so.


    Back on the banks of the Nerid River, as the enormous expanse of water rushed by, the column of men had transformed into a hive of activity. Soldiers were rushing to and fro, and there were sounds of sawing and hammering sounding out from all corners of the column.


    The massive logs that had once made up the palisade had been removed from the carts, and were now being split and shaped by the soldiers.


    Boson marveled at Tam''s cleverness as he watched his soldiers work away, even if there were spies amongst the troops, no one would be able to respond quickly enough for there to be any real hindrance to the troops themselves.


    There were few remnants of the armies of Kalun, as the small groups that Tam had dispatched around Kalun had made short work of all the garrisons around the country, paving the way for the more experienced soldiers of the tribes people and of Ursten who hadn''t joined in on tam''s campaign against Kalun to establish a foothold in the nation.


    Until the very last moment, Tam had acted as if he was going to return to Ursten, with a unique mish mash of soldiers, but no, it seemed as if he was going to follow the Nerid River out to the coast of Kalun.


    Few would realize what this would achieve, except moving swiftly enough that the enormous column of soldiers would not be vulnerable to sabotage or guerilla attacks.


    Even a small unit needed time to set traps or carve out the tiniest of bases in the dense jungle of Kalun, and thanks to Tam''s misdirection, they would have set everything up in the exact opposite direction.


    "That''s the boss for you!" Boson chuckled out loud in admiration, when he had heard inkling of Tam''s plan he didn''t think it would be executed so swiftly, and it was only the beginning.


    Tam had always said to Boson, "Having more might is only winning half the battle, the rest is determined by who has better organization, communication and logistics. Remember this."


    While Boson was nowhere near Tam''s level, the simple yet clear commands he had developed with his shock troops thanks to his guidance had served him well in holding off the Phintus federation.


    "Lash the rafts together! And make sure you tie your knots securely, otherwise you''ll be the ones taking a bath! Bahahahaha!" Boson yelled out at the soldiers who were tying the first of the rafts together, in a few short hours, the first of the rafts were ready.


    Tam began directing his own men to cut down some saplings from the nearby jungle, to be sued as poles to push the rafts away from the banks and from each other as they floated down the river.


    Before long, the first rafts were afloat, and Tam and his men slowly floated out onto the river. As the burning heat of the sun faded to a warm caress, and the glaring light shifted to a soft orange glow, the last of the rafts laden hobble horses were floated on to the river.


    The floating rafts all floated down the winding Nerid river, the setting sun turning the clear waters of the river red, and while it made for a most beautiful sight, it also reflected the true purpose of all these men happily floating down the river.


    They had shed much blood all throughout Kalun, leaving cities destroyed and wrecked, and had, for all intents and purposes, crippled the nation.


    And now, as they floated down though the bright green jungle, along the scarlet river, they were on their way to shed much more blood, and if the man who led them had his way, to bathe the entire Isle in blood.


    At the forefront, on one of the rafts, Tam stood, peering into the distance.


    "Anteris, you best keep your word, or these men will be floating to their deaths." The banks rose higher and higher around the rafts, sloping away as the river carved deep into the rock below.


    Steep cliffs of stone now flanked them, and the faint light of the sun filtered down, and the first torches were lit.

 Chapter 128 - Ventus

    The Headmaster stared out the window, overlooking the grounds at the front of the Academy, a wistful look on his face. He remembered days long gone, when he had been the same, creating fascinating sculptures in seconds with flurries of razor sharp wind, to impress some and to outdo others.


    He smiled a little as he watched a young Fire Mage spin a ridiculously detailed Fire Serpent spell out of midair, which wouldn''t be much use in battle, but would immensely help the young Mage''s mana control.


    In the corridor outside, a faint distorted noise sounded out, and a large purple portal opened. Then a  faint knock sounded out at the door, and the Headmaster turned his seat back toward the desk.


    "Come in." The Headmaster called out, pushing the door open with the slightest gust of wind. A wrinkled old man crept into the room, light on his feet and quiet as a mouse. He wore the heavy leather robe of a Battlemage, and the runes flickering across the surface radiated power.


    "Ventus, you sent for me?" The old man''s soft voice filled the room, and he sat himself down on one of the wooden chairs, not waiting for the Headmaster to even reply.


    "That''s Headmaster to you, Krieg. It seems you still lack any understanding of how to act with the dignity that a Professor of this Academy must have." Ventus stroked his long mustaches, twirling them between his thin, spindly fingers.


    "Enough of this Ventus, tell me now, why have you disturbed my research?" Krieg''s soft voice turned hard and grating, and the face that usually looked like that of a kindly old man became the face of a furious demon.


    "Hold your temper. I received this from the King of Ursten, only a few hours ago." Ventus paused for a moment, pushing the tips of his fingers together and starting over them at Krieg.


    Krieg''s face stayed in the same state that it  had been in when he entered the room.


    "He demands that you immediately stop pursuing a certain student of yours, from Ursten, and that you personally make amends, whether they be financial or in the form of information." Ventus continued, a hint of anger appearing in his voice.


    As Krieg processed what Ventus had said , and the demonic look on his face grew even more severe, his frown grew deeper and deeper, and it was as if his eyes were sinking right down inside his head.


    "What is this? How dare he! Does he think that the Academy is his lackey, rather than the truth, that these kingdoms they create are nothing more than breeding grounds for future potential." Krieg stood up from his chair, and it fell to the ground with a clatter.


    "These so-called Kings, they only play a mere game of power, when a serious Battlemage could wipe them from existence. And this Rotan is the worst of the worst, he lost his Kingdom at the merest hint of someone with any real power." The words coming out from Krieg''s mouth became more and more unintelligible, almost sounding like the growl of a beast, and he was spraying saliva with each word.


    "Settle down, Krieg. Sit back down and let me finish." Ventus whispered so softly that it should have been impossible to hear him, but Krieg sat down nonetheless, his face still twisted with rage.


    "I have allowed your little indiscretions long enough. That rift of yours is an eyesore and a danger, and if you weren''t vital to our explorations, I would have had that rift closed and sent you packing." Ventus continued in his quiet tone, but the air in the room grew colder and colder as he spoke.


    "That ''rift'' as you call it is vital to your greed, and the greed of every single other Mage at this Academy who has even the slightest hope of truly advancing, remember that." Krieg gurgled and spat out at Ventus, he barely resembled the kindly old man that had initially entered this room.


    "That''s why you''re still alive, after drawing so much suspicion on this Academy. I''m giving you one chance, Krieg. Fix this and I''ll overlook it on this one occasion. If this happens again, then I cannot ensure that you won''t be punished." Ventus gave Krieg that narrow eyed stare that had made many Mages surrender instead of dueling him in his younger days, especially if they had heard about his reputation for viciousness.


    But Krieg was unmoved, his demeanor returned to the composed and kindly old man that he had been when he had entered the room, and he strode out, closing the door gently behind him.


    "I''ll never understand that odd little man." Ventus murmured to himself, and turned his chair back to the window, gazing at the frolicking young students.


    "How things will change for you all." He whispered, remembering the face that he saw every time he went to sleep, remembering the reason that he now slept as little as possible.


    "Nemoi" Ventus whispered under his breath, remembering the gentle soul that had entered the Academy with him, both Mages of the Wind element. Advancing together, becoming more and more powerful, sharing all the little tips and tricks they had learned.


    Until that fateful day, when deep in the Fidour mountains, the pair of them had come across a crystallized piece of wind Essence, thought to be merely a rumor by most. And then, Ventus had done what was necessary.


    As always, he justified what he had done to himself, there were only so many resources available for Mages, especially those desperately seeking to advance, and a Mage who couldn''t make the cut-throat decisions necessary to secure those resources would never survive very long anyway.


    What else could he have done?


    A tear formed in his eye, Ventus gazed down at the grounds, and saw Krieg striding out of the main building, and immediately opening a portal, stepping through it.


    "Good, now that''ll be one less annoyance." Ventus sighed.

 Chapter 129 - A Dark Request

    A young man in a wide brimmed hat whistled happily as he walked through the outskirts of Trinquile, a heavy bag of coins jingling in his palm. He had just gotten his monthly pay, and he was looking forward to returning to his family.


    Daisy, his young wife and Bo, his two year old son would be waiting eagerly for him, and in his pack jingled a variety of toys for the young Bo. A wide smile appeared on his face as the sun came out from behind the clouds, could his afternoon get any better?


    A distorted sound sounded out, and the young man was about to look around for the source of the noise, but then the young man let out a small grunt, and the front half of his body fell forwards with a dull thud.


    Krieg stepped out of the portal that had just opened, and onto the remains of the back half of the young man.


    "Oh ****. Look at all this filth, I''ll have to buy a new pair of boots." Krieg said with disgust and spat on the ground as he stepped forward.


    Then, he paused for a moment, and looked back. Within moments, another portal had opened beneath the remains of the young man, and he disappeared into the Void, removing the evidence of Krieg''s carelessness.


    "Best not to give Ventus any other excuses to bother me." Krieg smiled to himself, and opened another portal, stepping through.


    On the cobblestones that led out from Trinquile, a lone bloody boot print remained, the only remnant of the happy young man who had been so eager to return to his family.


    Krieg opened a succession of portals, taking more care with the subsequent portal; he didn''t want to attract unnecessary attention from any of his fellow Mages.


    A few hundred meters from Balin, amongst the tall grasses of the plains, Krieg stood, and opened another portal ahead of him, waiting a few moments before connecting to another that he opened on the bridge to the keep.


    He would have likely to teleport within the keep itself, but there were few individuals, if any, who could ignore the runes that were woven so thoroughly throughout the Magemetal infused stone that made up the keep.


    A pair of guards were dozing off at the gates, enjoying the light warmth of the evening sun, but were shocked awake by a strange noise, and looked up to find a large purple disc appearing out of thin air at the very middle of the gate.


    They both lowered their spears, and stepped forward, ready to defend their king.


    A wrinkled old man stepped through and nodded to the pair of them, before walking across the bridge.


    "I wish to see the King. He is expecting me." Krieg said softly, he couldn''t have acted more like a kindly old man if he had tried.


    "Sorry, sir. The King is not expecting any visitors, but I shall go and talk with my superior." The tallest of the guards said politely, before turning to open the small side gate. The gate opened before he could open it himself.


    "That won''t be necessary." Jonas stepped forward, his silver hair shining in the sun. He wore plainer clothing than usual, but the silver embroidery still shone, and an ebony cane was clutched in one of his hands.


    "Please, follow me. The King is expecting you." Jonas said coolly, and walked into the keep. Krieg followed, marveling at the interior of the keep, he knew that it was made up of a rare Magemetal infused stone, but to think that it was this enormous. To him, this was a massive waste, but he could not deny that it would serve as an exceptional defense.


    "Tell me, do you have a family member named Lief, you two could be brothers." Krieg''s soft voice sounded out as they dipped into one of the many doors that led off the side of the grand hall, completely ignoring the enormous chandelier and throne.


    "No, I do not. As far as I am aware, I''m the only member of my family still alive." Jonas replied curtly. They continued up the spiraling and winding staircases in silence, neither of them wanting to engage in any further conversation.


    Now, the pair stood in an antechamber, and Lief gestured for Krieg to take a seat, before heading inside.


    "He''s really here!" Krieg heard an elated cry from within, it seemed that the king was excited to see him, but that would soon change. The door opened again and Lief bowed slightly.


    "His majesty will see you now." Lief opened the door wide for Krieg, who walked in the well lit chamber.


    Rotan sat at a small table, he had regained much of his health, and currently a bright smile was plastered across his face. Immediately, he came to his feet, and reached out to shark Krieg''s hand.


    "My humble apologies for the disrespectful letter, but I had to do that to ensure you received my message and to maintain secrecy." Rotan sounded sincere, and his attitude was one of deference to Krieg, an odd way to behave for any king.


    "I''m glad it was only a ploy, I was worried that you had forgotten yourself." Krieg was elated internally, he knew it. No King could be so prideful so as to assume that they could order a great Battlemage like him around.


    "I know this goes without saying, but I would rather say it anyway. What we discuss now must remain completely secret." Rotan spoke in a hushed tone, though it was completely unnecessary, thanks to the layers upon layers of runes enmeshing the room they were sitting in.


    "Alright" Krieg nodded sagely.


    "What is your purpose in having me come here? If not for some empty attempt at chastising me?" Krieg added, tapping his foot, a little impatient.


    "I have a request for you, I would like for you to kill my cousin, the Grand Marshal Tam." Rotan whispered out, barely believing that the words he was speaking were coming from his own lips.

 Chapter 130 - A Dark Request(2)

    "Hahahaha, all of you are the same. Claiming to be royals, to be above these rest of those you have convinced to grow the crops that fill your bellies, and those that guard you with their very lives. But you are more treacherous and low than any of them. Let me guess, you want him to die because he has grown too powerful?" Krieg cackled and mocked Rotan, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "And why would I agree to be your personal assassin? I''m sure you realize that the pittances you could offer me are not much better than trash. If you want this man to be dead so badly, then go on and send an assassin after his head. I''m sure you could easily afford to do so." Krieg continued to mock Rotan, he could not believe the audacity of this foolish King.


    "I want him to die because he has taken everything from me. I have worked tirelessly for the people of this nation, to improve their lives in every way I could. And they have never supported me, but all it took was a single week of violence, and the entire Kingdom now sings the praises of Tam, the Last Hawk." Rotan''s voice cracked with emotion, and his raw frustration was clear.


    "I can offer you as much Magemetal as you desire, far more than you could even imagine. You have seen the walls of my keep, there was much Magesteel recovered in the shaping of the stones." Rotan crossed his arms, he knew that even the most powerful Mage would turn their head at the mention of the precious metal.


    Krieg''s face immediately became thoughtful, truly a large amount of Magemetal would be most helpful to his research and to his building of devices, and it would serve him well as a bartering chip with the other Mages.


    He could continue to milk this foolish King for as long as he wanted, for more and more in the future. The fool had told him everything he needed to know if the Mages hat the Academy had been made aware of this in the past, then Ursten as a Kingdom would not still be standing.


    "Alright, tell me more about this Tam. Then, we can discuss my reward." Krieg asked with a refined expression, but internally he was salivating over the thought of having all the Magemetal he could dream of.


    "He is the most powerful Warrior that Ursten has known in recent times, he is perhaps one of the few individuals alive today, who can hold a candle to those who were lost in the great war with the Southern Tribes." Once again, the enormity of what he was doing came crashing down on Rotan, but he was too far gone. If he tried to back out now, he knew the Mage would likely kill him where he sat, he had not expected such savagery from such a kindly looking old man.


    "Ah, yes. That incident. If not for that, then perhaps you would not be cowering where you sit right now. The balance of power was truly set askew, I remember those days well." Krieg chuckled internal at Rotan;s forlorn expression, he wondered how Rotan would react if he found out that the Academy had been responsible for the deaths of many of the injured individuals in the aftermath of battles, it had been simple to guide the Trinquile trained Mages to do what was best for the future of Mages.


    "I think you should take caution when you try to battle him, his strength has skyrocketed since the death of his late wife, he must at the very least be able to match a newly Advanced Mage." Rotan continued to provide Krieg with information, though he desperately wanted to stand up to the Mage who continued to belittle him. However, Krieg was right, without power of his own, or someone powerful backing him, Rotan could only sit there and listen to Krieg''s mockery.


    "I think he won''t be much trouble, and of course, I''ll test the waters. Now tell me, about this student of mine who I supposedly attacked? Where might he be?" Krieg''s expression turned ominous,, and a savage grin was now plastered on to his face.


    "Well, it''s funny you ask about him. Your target is actually his father, but I could not begin to tell you where he might be." Rotan grew more and more nervous, this was not what he had expected in the slightest. It seems that Krieg was growing more and more interested in Kothar, but Rotan had no intention of any harm coming to him. He thought that there might have been a minor disagreement between them, but from Krieg''s expression, it seemed as though the Mage would do whatever he could to track him down.


    "I want to know about this student, or I won''t be carrying out your petty plot. Tell me now." Krieg grew more and more furious, how could this simpleton think that he could even pretend to deceive him.


    "I swear, I have no idea where he could have gone. My best guess is that he would be hiding, where he would be, though, I couldn''t say." Rotan knew that the disguise he had used when he came to visit him meant that Kothar had likely gone to see his father, but he was not willing to give Kothar up, he had not fallen so low.


    Krieg frowned, and the vicious appearance on his face grew more and more severe, to the extent that he looked like a demon seated across from Rotan.


    "I see, keep your  scraps of Magemetal, you fool." Krieg spat, and a jagged purple lance formed in his fist, as he lunged toward the weakened Rotan.


    Rotan didn''t even have a chance to protest, when the lance of spatial energy plunged into his chest, and disappeared. A fist size hole had been put through his torso, and now blood began to drip down into it, as the wheezing and gasping King fell to his knees.

 Chapter 131 - Adrift

    The dark stone of the cliffs rose up impossibly high around the rafts, so much so that one would have to crane their heads to even catch the merest glimpse of the top. Small waterfalls trickled down the stone walls, having carved channels into the stone after years and years of trickling down the walls.


    Though the stone appeared as though it had been cleaved apart by a mighty slash, it was a rarity on the Isle, in that this was one natural formation that had truly been formed by nature''s slow and steady hand, throughout the ages.


    The walls of the cliffs had faint traces of ores within, criss-crossing veins of iron and silver, laid out like a mesh through the stone. But no one bothered to mine the stone, few wanted to brave the steep slick rock that would surely send them plunging to their deaths into the deep waters of the river below, and there would be no climbing out, since the walls of the cliffs rose so steeply upwards.


    Now that the first rays of the sun''s light were filtering through the thick clouds at the horizon, many of the soldiers gazed around in admiration, few of them had left their homes, and it was rare for a soldier on campaign to have a chance to think of something other than blood, guts and death.


    Even some of the more experienced men stared about in wonder, but Tam did not. He sat serious, cross-legged at the head of the many rafts, a worried expression on his face. The distance between the cliffs was growing wider, and in the distance the ocean was visible, but there was no sign of the Anteris'' ships. Had Anteris failed, or had he betrayed Ursten.


    While Tam worried about Anteris, Kothar stared about in amazement, true, he had seen far more fantastical and bizarre sights, when travelling from planet to planet or more recently, form one plane to another.


    But the raw, familiar beauty of the surrounding cliffs reminded him of the Garden, and he felt very slightly homesick.


    [We''ll make it back, Kothar. To whatever remains.] Silane comforted him, she had been mostly silent since he had pledged to help Tam in his war, preferring to stay silent than to spark an argument with Kothar, but she could sense the complex whirlwind of emotions that Kothar was experiencing, the wonder at the cliffs, the longing for his home and the all too familiar uneasiness at benign able to feel all of these things.


    [Thank you, Silane.] Kothar replied, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the Garden.


    The clam waters of the river grew more and more choppy, and the salty scent of the ocean grew ever stronger, a strong wind blew into the funnel that the opening of the cliffs formed. A few yells of surprise echoed out, as the wind sent a few careless soldiers toppling into the warm waters below.


    "Fools." The hawk masked man who Kothar had met before they had left the camp spat.


    "A soldier is always prepared. Only a foolish enemy would strike when you are prepared and waiting for him." The hawk masked man continued, and the other untiless soldiers around him nodded sagely in agreement, Kothar mimicking them.


    "They won''t be laughing and giggling like that for long." Kothar commented, he knew that the waters would become freezing cold soon enough, as they approached nearer and nearer to the ocean.


    As if on cue, the happily swimming soldiers yelped, and scrambled to get out of the now freezing and rough water, the enormous bulk of the freezing cold ocean counteracting any warmth carried by the Nerid river.


    The rafts now floated into the open ocean, leaving the cliffs behind, and the rafts gently rocked to and fro. Kothar cast a worried expression to the low cloud in the distance, that were visibly rolling towards the gathered rafts, floating precariously amongst the ocean.


    The waves grew higher and higher, and the winds grew stronger, blowing flecks of ocean spray onto the rafts. Those of the soldiers who had some experience of the ocean shared the worried expression that was hidden under Kothar''s helmet, and the face that Tam would be making right now, but as a commander, he could not cast all his soldiers into disarray by acting worried.


    They floated further and further into the ocean, and some soldiers began to fashion rough oars from the poles they had used on their journey down to the ocean, but they wouldn''t do much good in the open ocean.


    Waves began to splash up on to the sides of the rafts, and an air of anxiety began to spread amongst the Tribes people, many of them had scarcely dreamt of ever approaching the ocean. Now, they floated precarious amidst the great expanse of water surrounding them, as the majestic cliffs that flanked the Nerid River grew further and further away, growing ever smaller by the minute.


    "Boss! Where''s our man?" Boson called out to Tam, even he was growing worried, he knew he would be fine in the freezing cold waters surrounding them, but many of the young soldiers that made up the bulk of their forces would struggle to swim, and scaling the cliff behind them would be even more of a hurdle.


    "Don''t worry, Boson, he''ll be here soon enough!" Tam yelled out confidently, he knew that sounding even the slightest bit anxious now would crush the morale of the many of the soldiers, some of which were already sweating a little, though the air was cold.


    Tam thought back to his discussion with Anteris, they had both agreed that the message would only be sent if his ships were completely ready, just out of view of the Kanul coast, ready to swoop in. But where were they now. Tam could easily return to the mainland, just as Kothar and his Lieutenants and personal guard could, but the precious gems that were the soldiers who had grown so much during the war, they would struggle. The real war effort would be over before it began.


    Had they truly been betrayed?

 Chapter 132 - The Fleet

    The waves grew higher and higher and more and more anxious voices joined the few that were already calling out of their commanders, some of them crying out about how they could not swim, others wailing that their bones would be lost to the ocean, their families deprived of a chance at fulfilling their last rites.


    "Hold fast! Everything is going according to plan!" Tam yelled out, convincing himself as much as he was convincing the soldiers. The waves were as tall as man now, and the coastline was now hidden from, only a faint line on the horizon.


    Boson shook his head internally, surely the boss didn''t expect all the soldiers to believe this, there was nothing in sight, and they were out amongst the waves and wind without the slightest hope.


    Tam, resolute, strained his eyes in to the distance, the gloom of the heavy clouds laying over them. There! He glimpsed the flutter of what had to be a sail.


    Heavy raindrops began to fall, splattering down on to the soldiers, who were already soaked from the ocean spray.


    "Steady men! Sails on the horizon, soon we will be joining our allies!" Tam yelled out, he could see the silhouette of the black ships of Anteris'' fleet, sweeping through the water like hungry killer whales.


    All the others, Tam''s Lieutenants included, stared as hard as they could into the distance, but there wasn''t even the slightest glimpse of a sail, where were the ships? Surely Tam''s sight was not so much better than theirs.


    Even Boson, who had held true to Tam, felt a sliver of despair enter his heart, Tam was seeing ghosts amongst the gloom of the clouds, that would bring the storm that would surely swallow them up.


    "No, I see them! An entire fleet, black ships, ominous to most, but a blessing to our eyes!" The hawk masked man yelled out, pointing into the distance, projecting his voice as loud as he could.


    Gradually, more and more joined him, and soon enough, the despair and fear that had been on the face of most of the soldiers had turned to joy and relief.


    Their admiration for Tam only grew, he had coordinated an impressive feat, within a day of leaving the very midst of the jungles of Kalun, they were rendezvousing with ships off of the coast.


    No one could have expected this, Anteris'' fleet was supposed to be on the opposite side of the entire Isle, off the coast of Newport, what in the world were they doing here.


    [I have to admit, as foolish as I think this war is, Tam is both an innovative and though commander. This was a gamble to be fair, but well worth it. Nobody at all would expect the spearhead of Ursten''s forces to be on the opposite side of the Isle.] Silane sounded impressed, and her doubts were fading away.


    Kothar didn''t reply, he only smiled. He had felt the doubt and anxiety that Silane felt, and the rush of relief that had flooded her as he had spotted the ships, shortly after the hawk masked man.


    The first of the ships had a familiar figure on the prow. His long silver hair blew majestically in the strong winds of the sea, and his eyes met those of Tam, whose gaze mirrored his own. A mix of respect, familiarity and the slightest amount of madness. As their gazes crossed, the pair of them started to laugh uproariously, neither had expected the other to uphold their end of the bargain.


    Tam was sure that Anteris would lose himself in plundering the easy prey on this side of the coast, where few cities expected any kind of pirates or invaders. While Anteris thought that a man as careful as Tam, would truly take such a gamble, expecting the agreement to be nothing more than a test.


    When the ship was a few lengths away, Tam leapt easily from the raft he had been standing on, landing softly on the deck of Anteris'' command vessel.


    "I thought I''d see a few rafts, maybe with one of your Lieutenants." Anteris grumbled as Tam shook his hand.


    "And I thought you''d be plundering one of the Empire''s lackeys, I''m sure there are few pirates around." Tam grinned at Anteris, his respect for the man had grown.


    "I wouldn''t want to warn them of anything before we''re ready. Also, are you calling me a pirate! I''ll have you know that I''m a Duke, as well as a Grand Admiral." Anteris laughed, beckoning one of his men over, who held a bronze circular magical tool.


    "Pick up every single one of those soaked landlubbers off of those sorry rafts and their gear. If I find out you''ve missed even one or pilfered any supplies, I''ll have you keeled." Anteirs growled into the device, his voice sounded out across the many vessels.


    There were cheers all around as the men were hoisted up from the precarious rafts onto the far more secure decks of the ships. A few men who were vomiting, not able to handle the constant rocking motion of the ocean, made much worse on the rafts, passing out as soon as they reached the decks.


    "You''re all a mysterious bunch. Just don''t try anything funny, alright." A balding man with a large scare that crossed his face said with a clenched mouth, as he and his men helped the unitless soldiers and Kothar on board their galley.


    Murmurs of assent came from behind the many masks, helmets and devices obscuring their faces.


    "Where to now?" One of the Ursten soldiers asked a nearby sailor, who was helping up the last of the men from their raft.


    "I believe we''ll be heading for the Multas Islands. Should be plenty of drink, food and women once we''re done with the place. Not sure why we sailed all this way just for that. But I''m not complaining." The sailor chuckled, and began to whistle, running off to tie off a loose rope.

 Chapter 133 - Multas Islands

    The fleet sailed south, escaping the worst of the storm that had borne down on the rafts. Behind them, the rafts that had traveled so far along the Nerid were dashed into splinters against the cliffs, as the sea raged and roiled. The last hints of the Ursten army had disappeared.


    Meanwhile, that same army bore down on the Multas Islands, a small group of islands off the coast of the Isle, that were rich with resources, and unlike most of the forests and mountainous areas of the Isle, lacked the ferocious beasts that made exploring such areas so difficult.


    It was no wonder that the Empire had annexed the islands so many years ago, allowing the natives to continue living freely as they had done so for hundreds of years, so long as the Empire was given unfettered access to the lush forests and ore rich mountains.


    The Multas people couldn''t believe their luck at first, the Empire paid them handsomely in whatever they desired, weapons, fine cloth, advanced magical devices. Anything the Multas people wished for, they could have, all they had to do was to give up a small area of their islands to do so.


    They were happy to do so, after all, to them, the islands were vast, and they would always have enough forest to hunt in, and they would never give up their most sacred central island. But as the years went by, the area that belonged to the Multas people grew smaller and smaller.


    The pure streams became choked with waste from the mills and refineries, the forests thinned, and even the mountains grew shorter and shorter.


    Then, the Multas decided they must fight back, for it had become obvious to them that their home would disappear if things continue as they had.


    They had great weapons, and new knowledge that they had gained from the Empire, and they didn''t hesitate to use it against the people that were taking their home.


    It was an overwhelming victory for the Multas, because what could a lumberjack do against the sharp point of a spear, and what could a miner do against a lance of rock arcing through the air.


    The Multas were exhilarated, they had their land, and they had all the treasures they had gained, and as they feasted, the retribution of the Empire fell upon. Swift and decisive.


    Their Mages watched in horror as the spells they spent their entire lives to learn to cast, rained down freely from the sky, the ground turned to lava beneath the celebrating Multas and great winds ripped through the gathered revelers.


    It seemed as if nature itself was punishing the Multas on behalf of the Empire, but it was not so. A trio of Mages, and a small squad of Warriors to guard them had been sent, this small group had decimated the Multas.


    [Simon taught you about this place, didn''t he?] Silane flicked through the memories Kothar had made before she had been revived..


    [Yes, he told it as a great tragedy. But it was merely one nation being absorbed by a greater one.] Kothar replied plainly, he had seen it as no different to when he had subjugated rebellious planets for the Alliance.


    [I wonder, they had no idea of what they were giving away. Is it really that simple?] Silane didn''t enjoy having a conscience, and it was beginning to twinge, especially when they reminisced about missions for the Alliance.


    [I wonder where Simon is right now.] Silane quickly changed the topic, neither she nor Kothar was ready to engage in a moral re-examination of their actions as agents of the Alliance.


    [knowing him, he''d be on one of these ships. He could even be that hawk masked fellow.] Kothar chuckled, instantly lightening the mood.


    The soldiers around Kothar were laughing and joking about visiting the Multas Islands, talking of their beauty and the richness of the land.


    "And what of the people?" The hawk-masked soldier piped up, interrupting a soldier with a mask depicting a prancing horse, who had been on a long rant on how the waters of Multas tasted better than any other land.


    "And what of the people? The Empire has pressed them under their boot long enough, they will be grateful for our liberation." The soldier with the horse mask responded, laughing in an attempt to show that the hawk-masked soldier''s comment was ridiculous.


    "Yes, an entire fleet to liberate them from a measly Imperial Outpost. Not even fifty men, and perhaps a single competent Warrior and Mage amongst them. No, this is no detour of justice." The hawk-masked man paused, looking around at the gathered unitless soldiers. He had grasped their attention with a few words.


    "We have barely a fraction of the supplies just an enormous fleet needs, and the holds are filled with our men, not with supplies. We shall be doing the same thing that the empire has done, but we shall be appropriating the Multas Islands for our own purposes." The hawk-masked man continued somberly, his words had set a gloom over the gathered men.


    Many of them had spent years on missions to far off nations, and this gave them some inkling of emotion toward a strange and unfamiliar land.


    [That''s definitely Simon, it sounds exactly like one of his speeches.] Kothar commented to Silane, who giggled slightly, but an undercurrent of guilt ran through the pair.


    "So what, shall we starve ourselves and doom this whole endeavor?" The horse masked soldier replied, a hint of anger in his voice.


    "Of course not, Grand Marshal Tam has commanded it, and so we shall carry out his orders. I was merely adding to the discussion," The smirk could be heard in the hawk masked man''s voice. But the anger from the surrounding soldiers still faded.


    They might all have spent months, even years in different nations, for differing objectives. But they all shared one thing, their fierce loyalty for Tam.


    Perhaps more so than any of the Ursten army, these men, Kothar included, were ready to die for Tam.

 Chapter 134 - Docara

    The deep black of the ships perfectly melded in with the darkness of the night. It was a new moon, and only the faintest silver starlight shimmered across the surface of the water.


    All the torches and lights on the ships had been doused out, and every window had been shuttered tight. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of the waves against the hulls of the ships, and the murmurs of Anteris'' Captains as they spoke to their leader.


    In the distance, the outline of the islands could be seen, with faint points of light scattered around the coastline. These were the small fishing villages that the Multas people preferred to live in, when they weren''t staying on their main settlements, further in the forests.


    On the eastern side of the nearest island, the bright torches and lamps of the outpost shone in the light, if anything, the outpost was a deterrent to the people of Multas, a reminder of the military might of the empire.


    The garrison was small, and they had no way of repelling any real invasion, but also had no reason to fear one. The nearest nation was Kalun, and there was no chance that Kalun would jeopardize their flourishing trade with their Empire.


    "You lads, didn''t realize you were all so special. I''ve had a command from the Grand Marshal himself, says we''re to pack you in one of our raiding canoes and row you lot out there." The captain of the vessel strolled over to Kothar and the other masked individuals. No wonder they were all masked and ominous, he thought to himself.


    There were nods all around, but no voices rose out from amongst the gathered soldiers. The captain had a confused look on his face.


    "Well, who''s in command around here? Who''ll lead the battle?" The captain looked at all the blank faces, the only motion on the faces was that of the strange man with the magical artifact that projected blurred faces over his own.


    "No one. It''ll be fine." Many of the men piped up, along with a few chuckles, before another voice rose up. Louder than the others.


    "Anyone here got trouble taking someone out without waking the entire outpost up? No? Good. Let''s keep things quiet and try to incapacitate rather than eliminate. If you''re not well suited to combat, then hang back on the fringes." The hawk-masked man piped up after the murmurs died down, it seemed that a leader had appeared.


    "Looks like we''ve got a commander, what''ll it be, sir? Shall we call you Captain, General or perhaps, Commodore? Seeing as we''re on a ship and all?" The horse masked man seemed eager to provoke the man with the hawk mask, and there was obvious mockery in his voice.


    "Captain is fine, Docara if you''d rather not call me by a title. You can be Pony." The grin in Docara''s voice was obvious, and Pony''s body language made his embarrassment clear.


    "Share a nickname before we get close to the island, otherwise I''ll just call you ****head, and that''ll be it for the rest of this campaign. And keep it quiet." Docara seemed experienced with command, and expertly kept the many soldiers inline, though they knew little about one another.


    Kothar gave the name he had used on his way to Ranuth, Rufus. He would much rather have a name he was already familiar with responding to, and didn''t want a rude nickname from the Captain.


    [He seems far too comfortable with command than Simon, surely it couldn''t be him.] Kothar said to Silane, watching as Docara crouched down near each one of the unitless soldiers, having murmured conversation with each one.


    [I don''t know, Kothar, the man is a chameleon. I think if he were to disguise his face he''d be able to disguise himself through his mannerisms alone.] Even Silkaane, an AI, found it difficult to create a body language profile for Simon, with how much his actions could differ. It was as if he could become a different person entirely when he wanted to hide himself.


    A shallow bottomed canoe was lowered over the side, it was large, almost the entire length of the galley, and there was a soft splash as it landed in the water.


    Every single of the unitless soldiers, now Docara''s soldiers, hopped softly into the canoe, the sailors looking on in admiration, they could easily be experienced pirates.


    "I''ll need you lads to row, slice into the water, don''t slap it, or all this sneaking around will be useless." The captain of the ship had joined, this task obviously too important to delegate.


    Kothar joined the others and nodded, and the canoe slid smoothly through the water, only making the slightest whisper of noise.


    Docara tapped one of the men on the shoulder, gestured for him to take his oar, then stood up.


    He raised his palm up into the air, and Kothar used his Mana-Sensing lens to watch as a net of Wind Element Mana spread out over the entire canoe and the men within. Settling down and wrapping around everything, Kothar included.


    Docara stayed standing, and it took a few seconds for even Kothar, who had seen the spell settle over everything, to realize the effects. Every single noise that Docara''s web touched had been muffled, there was no longer any rustling of cloth or clanking of armor. The only noise that remained was a slight hiss, a fusion of the loudest parts of every sound that had not been drowned out completely.


    [Alright, it can''t be Simon. He doesn''t use the Wind Element.] Silane said, clear satisfaction in her voice.


    [He doesn''t use Wind Element Magic as far as we know.] Kothar corrected her, and laughed as she grumbled. Not using an element just to maintain a disguise would be exactly the kind of thing Simon would do to maintain a disguise.


    The canoe shot toward the hulking silhouette of the island, and the dimly lit shore was now in sight, the silver sands would soon be swarming with Docara''s fifty odd soldiers.

 Chapter 135 - Infiltration

    "Stay as close to me as you can." Docara murmured, he was clearly experienced with the spell he was using, speaking just loud enough that his voice would be slightly above the threshold for completely eliminating sounds.


    Kothar looked up to the walls, with his Mana Lens, he could see the shapes of a pair of guards on the walls of the outpost, the pair of them in an animated conversation, the pair of the were obviously at ease.


    Kothar waved to Docara and signalled to him, raising two fingers and then placing his hand over his eyes. Docara immediately understood.


    "Two watchers up on the walls, both relaxed. Rufus, keep those sensitive peepers of yours open, I don''t want any surprises. Any volunteers for our friends on the wall?" Docara swept his eyes around, virtually every single man on the point had raised one hand from their oar, eager to get into action. Docara sighed and pointed at two soldiers at random, nobody here could possibly fail at such a simple task, so this would have to do.


    The canoe slid onto the sandy bank, deep in the shadow of the outpost above, there was only a single window on this side of the building, if the guards were to even look down over the parapet they would see nothing but darkness.


    Kothar and the others banded together to pull the ship up onto the sand, Docara walking alongside, now sweating slightly, Kothar could see that the spell used a significant amount of mana, but Docara carried on nonetheless.


    Once the canoe was securely up on the sand, Docara gestured for the gathered soldiers to hunker down in the shadow of the wall, hugging the rocky foundation of the outpost.


    They were now practically invisible to the guards, unless one of them decided to lean right out over the edge and look down.


    Now, Docara''s spell that had been muffling the sounds all around came down, and the sudden rush of noise seemed loud, but it was only the small sounds of their breathing, and the rustling of their clothing.


    Docara flicked two fingers upwards, and the pair of soldiers who had been selected previously quietly made their way to the walls, both of them casting their own stealth spells.


    It seemed that Simon wasn''t the only Thief that Tam knew, as evidenced by the multitude of stealth spells being cast all around.


    Kothar stared up at the pale yellow stone of the  wall, and the murmur of the guards'' conversation drowned out any noise that the group was making.


    They clambered up the rocks around the base of the outpost, with large cloaks flapping in the ocean breeze, but not producing the slightest of sounds, Kothar felt as if he were watching a rare species of bat clamber up the side of the outpost.


    They easily scaled the wall, moving quickly and expertly, and then the pair looked to each other and nodded, before smoothly launching themselves over the top of the wall.


    A pair of muffled grunts followed by two soft thumps signalled that their targets were either dead or incapacitated.


    Now, Docara beckoned the rest of his group of ruffians to follow him up the wall, and Kothar joined them, a whole group of masked and hooded figures swarming up the wall.


    Gathered on the top of the wall, Kothar looked around the outpost, sending a steady stream of mana to his Mana Sensing Lens.


    The outpost was shaped like a pentagon with sides that curved slightly inward, and had large towers at each point of the pentagon. A pair of guards were posted on each of the remaining walls, along with another three on each of the guard towers. The center of the outpost was dominated by a large building, which was made of the same pale yellow stone as the walls, within were another forty soldiers, as well as the weaker mana signatures of what Kothar assumed were cooks and maids that serviced the outpost.


    However, at the very top of the tower, were three far stronger mana signatures, spaced evenly around the top floor, which would likely be reserved for the commanding officers.


    Kothar leaned over to Docara and filled him in on the numbers of the enemy, as well the threat posed by the stronger individuals in the central building.


    "You can''t tell me what kind of fighter they are?" Docara asked Kothar in a hushed voice, the hawk mask on his face peering at Kothar, sinister in the dim lighting.


    "No, I can tell you their location and that they''re stronger than the others, but I couldn''t say what their profession is." Of course, Kothar could make an educated guess, by looking to see which rooms had more Mana Crystals and likely more Magical Devices, but he didn''t want to make a guess that could lead to the deaths of his fellow soldiers.


    "Well, they all bleed blood at the end of the day." Docara gave a quiet chuckle and gathered in the surrounding soldiers with a wave of his arm.


    "We''ve got two on each other''s wall, and three in each tower. The towers probably have their alarm system, so make sure you neutralize them first. Ten men will take care of the men on the walls. The rest of us, we''re going down there, and finding any methods they might have of contacting the Empire and taking them out as we do so. We''re looking at forty men in a barracks on the first floor, and another three who''ll give us a headache if they''re woken. You feel even the slightest hint of a rune anywhere, you stop right here and wait. We''re not risking anything here. Understood?" Docara pointed at soldiers, seemingly at random as he spoke, but from how well the pair who had scaled the walls had worked together, it seemed that he had some understanding of the men''s capabilities.


    "You, you''re going to be our scout. Roam ahead and get rid of or tell me about anything unexpected." Docara tossed Kothar a device similar to the one the captains of Anteris'' fleet used, so similar, that he had likely stolen a pair from them.


    "Understood." Kothar nodded, and launched himself down into the courtyard leading to the main building.

 Chapter 136 - Stunning Surge

    Kothar crept across the bare ground between the inner side of the wall and the main building, keeping low to the ground and trying his best to keep his movements slow, and fluid, and his silhouette as irregular as possible.


    While the guards on the wall had been lax in their duties, it seemed that the rest of the guards in the outpost were not as lazy. The grass in between the building and the wall had been cropped recently, offering little cover.


    Kothar hoped that the ''common sense'' of the other soldiers on the walls would keep their gaze turned outward toward the open ocean and the forest.


    The building itself had three floors, and from what Kothar could see, even now, the majority of the soldiers had their rooms on the bottom floor, with a number of them on the second and finally the three strongest individuals on the top floor.


    [I don''t like this, Silane. I think we should have been given far more time to prepare.] Kpoothar grumbled as he slunk into the shadow of the building, aiming for a smaller side door.


    [It seems to me that Tam operates both based on his instincts as well as spending his time strategizing. Seems to have served him well so far, I guess you just don''t like being on the receiving end of one of his ''instinctive'' gambles, huh?] Silane teased, she knew that Kothar, for one, hadn''t naturally been reckless or impulsive at all. Before his Alliance missions, he would spend hours on mission simulations, repeating the simulation even when Silane had assured him of a 1000% success rate.


    Silane was beginning to learn that acting without thinking too much was both humans'' greatest strength and weakness. If the end result of the action was good, then the person who had decided so would be praised as ''instinctive''. But if the outcome was negative, then the individual would be considered ''rash'' or ''reckless'', it was fascinating to her, that two individuals could utilize a virtually identical decision or lack of decision making process, and only based on the outcome they would be treated so differently.


    [At least you''ll be able to trial that spell you developed. Should earn you plenty of praise from Docara if those work.] Silane said weakly, mostly occupied with her thoughts on humans and their response to rushed action.


    [Yes, it''ll be a good opportunity to try it out. It''ll be good to have a spell that''s guaranteed to be non-lethal, but I am surprised I haven''t seen more spells that were developed with that in mind, especially for Lightning Mages.] Kothar slipped his lightning blade out of its sheath, and channelled mana through the blade, and the edge began to oscillate, emanating the slightest of humming of noises.


    [I guess, this world, advanced as it is, still hasn''t linked electrical activity to movement. And Lightning is purely associated with destruction and damage, so the spells are designed to be as destructive as possible.] Silane responded, while Kothar slipped his sword into the slightest gap between the door and the door jamb, moving the blade up and down, encountering the slightest amount of resistance as it sliced through the latch.


    Thankfully, it seemed as though the Empire had neglected to use any kind of runic formations on the outpost, confident in the reputation of the empire as well as the walls and soldiers stationed within.


    There was the slightest of creaks as Kothar eased the door open, beginning once it was about an arm''s length away from the door. Kothar immediately stopped pulling the door open, and drew his blade across the ground, clearly marking out a line in the dirt, writing underneath it in the text of Ursten, ''noisy door''.


    That would have to do for the following soldiers. Kothar pulled the door shut behind him as he slipped into the warm building, to a chorus of quiet snores and the low crackling of a fire.


    Most of the soldiers were asleep in what was probably a large dormitory style chamber that was to the left of the corridor that Kothar stood in, but there was a pair in a different room, sitting on chairs, moving their arms in animated conversation.


    Kothar decided to take them out, it didn''t make sense to leave soldiers that were awake free to roam about throughout the building.


    Kothar crept along the dimly lit corridor quietly, those the building was stone, the warm climate and the roaring fire that Kothar hear even in this part of the building meant that it didn''t have the distinctive chill that a stone building usually did.


    He kept close to the wall, and within a minute he could hear the low voices of the soldiers.


    "One more hand, Duny, you''ve got to give me a chance to try and take my money back." The first voice was high pitched, and spoke with a wheedling tone. It seemed the language spoken by the Empire was not so different from that spoken in Ursten, Silane didn''t even have to translate and Kothar could mostly understand what was being said.


    "Alright, even though you''ve been saying one more hand for the past half hour, I''ll play another. Can''t say no to taking more of your cash." This voice was gruff, but chuckled at the end of his sentence, and Kothar heard the faint clinking of coins.


    A small amount of light radiated out from the room that the soldiers were playing cards in, and Kothar stood meters away, charging up his newest spell in each hand.


    Two small balls of blue colored lightning formed over each of Kothar''s palms, slowly rotating around, joined with a strand of twisting and crackling lightning.


    Though the spell made some noise, as did any Lightning Element Spell, thanks to low power, it was quiet enough that it was drowned out by the ambient noise in the building.


    This was Kothar''s latest invention, the new Lightning Element Spell: Stunning Surge.

 Chapter 137 - Stunning Surge(2)

    Kothar tapped his food softly against the bottom of the door, causing it to rock back and forth slightly and make the slightest rattling noise.


    "Duny, you hear that?" The high pitched voice asked, and the clinking of coins fell silent, as the soldiers stopped sticking and moving around their coins.


    "Yeah, must''ve been the wind. Or one of those damn cooks'' cats." Duny replied, and Kothar heard the scraping of a chair''s legs across the stone floor.


    As the gentle thump of the footsteps grew closer to the door, Kothar pressed himself right up against the wall, it would be best to wait until the last possible moment to take the soldier out.


    Click. The door unlatched, and slowly swung open, and a shaggy hair soldier stuck his head out.


    "Huh, hey Duny! There''s nothing out here." The high pitched soldier called out to the other.


    "Yeah, I told you, it was probably the wind, get back here, so I can take the rest of your money. I''ll be buying myself a new flask the next time a supply ship comes through again." Duny laughed at his comrade''s misfortune, and jingled his coins, mocking him.


    "Wait a minute, h-" The first soldier had turned towards where Kothar had pressed himself against the wall, and immediately Kothar sent the first of his Stunning Surges spinning toward him, one of the balls of lightning slamming into his chest, the other hovering outside.


    The soldier froze mid sentence, keeling over to the floor, hitting the stone floor with a dull thump. The ball of lightning still outside his body, hidden outside of Duny''s eyeline.


    "Hey, you alright? Don''t mess around now. Come on, that''s not funny." There was another scraping noise, and the thump of footsteps.


    Kothar dispelled his first Stunning Surge and the first man started to groan and mumble, trying to bring himself to his feet but still disoriented by the shock.


    "Hey, you''re going to have to speak more clearly, you''re not making any sense." Duny leaned over the body of his fallen friend, and Kothar''s next Stunning Surge hit him cleanly in the chest, sending him to join his friend on the ground with another dull thump.


    As the first soldier started to stir, Kothar knocked him unconscious with the pommel of his shorter blade, then dispelled his second surge.


    Duny, the bigger of the pair, received the same treatment, and the pair of them slumped over, lying unconscious on the stone floor.


    Kothar then dragged the pair into the room, which was lit by a few candles scattered around the room.


    The pair had been playing cards on a barrel placed in the empty space near the door, the rest of the room filled with shelves laden with crates and bags. One wall had barrels all along its length and there was a small high window that looked out to the surrounding courtyard.


    Kothar looked around the shelves, and quickly found what he was looking for, a long coil of rope, it would suit his purposes perfectly.


    First, he cut some lengths of cloth off of their clocks, creating makeshift gags that would prevent either of them from alerting their superiors. Next, Kothar bound them tightly together with rope, back to back,  their arms and wrist tied together, which was a trick he had picked up from Docara, who had spent a fair amount of time on the journey to Multas telling them of handy tricks he had learned.


    Tying prisoners up like this, would prevent any but the most desperate individuals from using magic to release themselves, as their hands would be tried together in such proximity that it made it impossible to damage the rope without harming the other person''s hands.


    Once had finished tying them up, Kothar left the first room and carved a short message into the wood of the door with his blade.


    ''Two soldiers, unconscious and bound." Before heading back up the corridor toward the dormitory style room, he repeated the process, carving in the number of soldiers in the room as well stating that they were all asleep, carving out a simple picture of the layout of the room.


    This information would be invaluable to the others, as though most individuals specialized in reconnaissance were able to gather information behind walls similarly to Kothar, the would do so with spells.


    This active use of mana was still susceptible to alerting those with particularly sensitive mana perception, but Kothar could simply channel mana to his eye and observe the mana the targets gave off all on their own.


    Now, Kothar kept exploring the first floor, he mostly lgnored those rooms with the weak mana signatures, marking them as ''Outpost Staff'' before moving onto the next. Finally, he found the wide staircase that led to the next floor, it was lit brightly with mana crystals, and the faint starlight filtered in through tall windows set high in the walls.


    This floor had many rooms, and around ten of them were occupied with soldiers with more powerful signatures than those people. Kothar also marked the doors of these individuals,


    ''One soldier, take caution.''


    Before moving on to the third and highest floor, this was where the real threats were located.


    There were three much brighter mana signatures, Kothar marked their doors also, ''One soldier, extreme caution.'' Then sat and waited for the first of his fellow soldiers to make their way to the top floor, he wasn''t going to risk taking on one of them while there was no one nearby ready to fight the other two.


    Sitting on the stair, Kothar looked down between his feet, and watched as the Ursten soldiers moved around, their mana signatures bright and the outpost soldiers'' mana signatures were snuffed out, while others dimmed and moved around very slowly.


    Evidently some of the men were not too worried about only incapacitating the enemy, with how many of the soldiers'' mana signatures were winking out.


    As he sat there, Kothar saw one of the brighter signatures slowly moving up the stairs, ignoring the second floor and making its way up the stair, the slightest rustle the only evidence that someone was on their way.

 Chapter 138 - The Trio

    Kothar watched as the edge of a carved mask peeked around the corner of the staircase, and heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the now familiar hawk face mask.


    "That you, Rufus?" Docara whispered as he stared at the ominous figure crouched silently at the top of the stairs with his blades drawn, he melded almost completely into the darkness.


    "It sure is, is anyone coming up behind you? We''re going to need at least three of us up where to take on these fellows, and I don''t think it''s likely we''ll be able to take them by surprise. I didn''t scout to close because I''m sure they''d feel my mana, they''re sure to have some sort of safeguards also." Kothar moved aside and Docara joined him at the top of the stairs.


    "You''re right. I can feel their mana fluctuations here myself. This''ll be a three man job at least, we''ll go ahead and take them out as soon as the next person arrives. Just because something hasn''t gone wrong downstairs yet doesn''t mean it won''t. If anything, it means it''s more likely for things to go to s***." Docara took in the surrounding corridor, the top floor only had one spacious wide corridor, the floor dominated by the four rooms that were hidden by polished wooden doors.


    Unlike the floors below, which were only decorated by suits of armor and the odd tapestry of a battle, this floor was far more opulent.


    There were small tables all along the corridor, some held vases with fresh flowers, others had beautiful enchanted sculptures that glowed every hue imaginable. One could imagine they were in the home of a healthy noble rather than in a remote military outpost.


    "Here comes the lucky winner." Docara whispered, as he and Kothar turned toward the soft footsteps coming from the stairs.


    "Pony, you''re a right vicious b*****." Docara muttered and shook his head, unlike Docara and Kothar, Pony was absolutely drenched with blood. His thick leather gloves and the naked blade held loosely in his hand both glowed a dull red in the slight amount of starlight that shone down.


    "Can''t help if some of these ***** wake up, gotta keep them quiet somehow, right?" Pony shrugged and callously wiped his blade off with a scrap of cloth hanging from his belt.


    "So, what the fuss, ladies, you really didn''t have to wait for me." Pony continued to jibe Docara, he had guessed right, he could tell that his killing of the soldiers had ticked the self appointed Captain.


    "Alright, no need for this Pony, let''s get the job done and you can settle whatever this is." Docara shook his head in disgust and turned to Kothar, clearly not interested in Pony''s ridiculous vendetta.


    "Rufus, what can you tell us?" He asked, and Pony also turned to listen attentively. Pony, as much as he wanted to antagonize Docara, knew that the man had a point, they would jeopardize the mission if they engaged in any needless bickering, and both of them had such strict loyalty to Tam they wouldn''t risk jeopardizing the mission in the slightest.


    "Farthest door on the right, Water Element. I''d say amongst our troop, he''d be in the top ten of fighters. Next, the closest door on our right. That would be an Elementless fighter, so that pretty much rules out it being a mage." Kothar was about to continue, before Pony interrupted.


    "I''ll take that one, please and thank you. I''ve no interest in tangling with any Mages." Pony said gruffly, not meeting either Kothar or Docara''s eyes as he did so.


    "Alright, then I''ll continue. Finally, we''ve got the closest door on the right, that''s got our Wind Element individual. I''d say whoever they are, they could easily go toe to toe with our strongest, theoretically." Kothar looked to Docara as he finished explaining, waiting to see who the odd man would pick as his opponent.


    "What are you waiting for Rufus? Isn''t it obvious, I''ll take on the strongest fighter. Now go take care of that Water Element clown, should be quite a good matchup for you." Docara gave a soft chuckle as he clapped Kothar on the shoulder and walked off toward the door, unsheathing his pair of long curved blades with a soft ''schnick'' sound.


    Pony nodded and did the same, his thin triangular blade now clean of blood, as he had been polishing it obsessively as Kothar had talked.


    [He''s suspicious. How on earth did you know you can use the Lightning Element?] Silane piped up as Kothar crept toward his target''s door.


    [I don''t know. I did use it to take out the soldiers on the first floor, so he might have figured out from the pair of them. But surely they''re still unconscious.] Kothar was equally confused as Silane, someone would have to be sensitive to Lightning Element Mana, or carry around the same type of crystal that Kothar had used in his lens to know exactly what kind of magic Kothar had used.


    [I think it would be best if you didn''t use your Spatial Element against this enemy. If Docara can somehow find out what element you;re using, then that would give you away for sure. A dual element Mage who uses both Lightning and Spatial lament has got to be quite rare.] Silane sounded genuinely concerned, Krieg frightened her and she wasn''t ready for them to tangle with him again.


    [Alright, this shouldn''t be too much trouble, anyway.] Kothar was right at his target''s door knob, and he turned to Docara and Pony, who were both waiting.


    Kothar gave them both a nod, indicating he was ready there were no runic networks around the door, which was unexpected but nonetheless a welcome surprise.


    Docara slowly began to count down on his fingers.


    ''5''


    ''4''


    ''3''


    ''2''


    ''1''


    The three masked and hooded soldiers slipped quietly into the polished doors in front of them, ready to wreak havoc.

 Chapter 139 - Whip

    The room past the door was lit by the dim starlight filtering through the window shutters, casting a dappled light across the spacious room. There was an additional door that probably led to a bathroom, as well as many exotic plants in pots scattered all around the room.


    But Kothar was far more interested in the large bed that dominated one side of the room, more accurately, he was more focused on the slumbering figure beneath the sheets, his target.


    Kothar crept forward, keeping low to the ground, taking caution never hurt, he couldn''t be sure if the sleeping soldier would awake and look around before he reached him.


    When he was only a few meters away, Kothar channeled a surge of Lightning Element Mana to his sword, it would be far easier to take the sleeping soldier out with a single burst from his Plasma Blade, but that was one weapon he wasn''t ready to reveal openly, at least not until he had some confidence in keeping himself self.


    Kothar raised his sword, grasping it tightly in the two handed stance that Tam had taught him, gathering his strength to end the soldiers with one powerful stab.


    He leapt forward, with all his strength, and stabbed straight toward the figure under the sheets, but as his blade stabbed through the air toward the bed, humming as it did so, there was the faintest high pitched tinkling noise.


    Kothar immediately launched himself backwards, and not a moment too soon, a thin line of water sliced through the air we had been standing moments before.


    Kothar spotted a flash of metal before it withdrew back into a narrow gap in the sheets. Next, the soldier in the bed leapt high in the air, throwing the sheets at Kothar, who launched himself backward once more, casting Lightning Aura on himself as he did so. This opponent was fast, perhaps even faster than himself.


    As the sheets billowed through the air, slowly fluttering down toward the ground, a small hand sized blade repeatedly stabbed out through the sheets, the attacker hidden from view, at least the attacker would have been hidden to any normal opponent, but Kothar easily dodged the blow, which might as well have been told to him in advance by his enemy.


    After all, he could clearly see his opponent''s distinct mana signature, shining brightly behind the sheets which were supposed to obscure Kothar vision.


    The soldier yelled out wordlessly, at the top of his lungs, in an attempt to rouse his comrades, but they were dealing with their own opponents. The dull booms that rung out from the room that Pony had slipped into were evidence of that.


    Kothar retreated back towards the door to assess the situation, foolishly, he had been taken in by a trick he had used quite often himself, there had been extremely fine thread wounds all around the bed frame, attached to tiny bells that had alerted his target.


    The lack of magical defenses had lulled Kothar into a false sense of security, and now he was paying the price.


    As the sheets settled to the ground, Kothar got his first good look at the soldier, he was a tall man, clean shaven with a dark ponytail. He had delicate almost feminine features, and wore a set of white silk trousers and loose silk shirts.


    In the soldier''s hands was a chain whip, which twisting and writhed in his hands like an unruly serpent, looking closely, Kothar could see the faint film of water that covered the whip, and the Water Element Mana that was constantly being sent through the whip.


    Unlike his own sword, the mana didn''t channel through the weapon, rather it was the water itself that wrapped around the links of the chain, and allowed the wielder to use it so fluidly.


    With a flick of his wrist, the soldier sent the blade at the end of the whip stabbing forward at Kothar''s throat, but he dodged it easily, the speed of his strikes then grew faster and faster, and before long Kothar was being forced to block his blows with his sword.


    [Kothar, stop testing yourself and end this, you don''t want him to feel desperate and do something reckless!] Silane could tell Kothar was holding himself back, not only was he not using his Spatial Magic, but he wasn''t using any offensive magic at all.


    [I just want to get a grasp on these Empire fighters, see what we''re up against.] Kothar explained, but he could not deny the thrill that he felt while testing his swordsmanship against the strange twisting strikes of the soldier facing him.


    Suddenly, the Water Element soldier grabbed the blade on the whip and slashed diagonally downwards. Initially, Kothar was confused, but then he spotted the thin line of Water Element Mana that was rapidly slicing through the air toward him, once again, this attack would have been invisible to anyone other than Kothar, but he simply sidestepped the thin slash.


    The soldier''s eyes widened as he realized what Kothar had just done, and he sent out a flurry of slashes, most of which Kothar dodged easily, without much trouble.


    A few stray slashes sliced right down through the armor he wore over his Multi Planar Equipment, but the investment he had made paid off, and those slashes too were stopped by it.


    Having fought against Freemen in such hostile environments, Kothar was simply in a different realm to this Empire soldier, who hadn''t the slightest chance of victory against him.


    The Imperial Soldier realized this, and spun the chain in an odd spiraling motion, sending a thick mist swirling all around him, quickly filling the room.


    Kothar looked around in confusion, what purpose could this possibly serve, there wasn''t a window big enough for any real chance of escape, and it was already clear that stealth wasn''t going to be a reasonable tool to damage Kothar.


    But the soldier''s target wasn''t Kothar. Kothar watched, alarmed, as the soldier made for a desk set up on one side of the room.


    [He''s trying to alert the Empire!] Silane yelled, a hint of panic in her voice.

 Chapter 140 - Timaeus Death

    In the moments that the Imperial soldier made for the desk, Kothar ran through his options to stop the soldier in his head. He could use his Spatial Portal to open a portal, but that would surely give away Kothar''s identity to Docara. Next, he could use his Lightning Magic, but his more powerful spells took time to charge up, and there was no certainty that he could stop the soldier with a weaker spell.


    Another option would be to lance the soldier clean through with his Plasma Blade, but that would leave distinctive scorch marks that would raise their own questions.


    In the end, Kothar decided for none of these options, he hadn''t practiced this before, but he was sure it would work, and besides, the Lightning Mana in the sword itself would do a significant amount of damage, additionally, there were Tribes people on the mission with them, and their weapons were similar enough to Kothar''s that he could use it freely.


    Kothar flipped his sword so that he was pinching the spine of the blade with his finger, and lifted it high above his head, throwing it with all his strength at the fleeing Imperial soldier.


    An anguished cry rang out as Kothar''s blade lanced the soldier clean through his midsection, and the Lighting Mana blasted all through his body, sending him convulsing down to the ground, within arm''s reach of the desk.


    The mist in the air dissipated, and Kothar walked slowly toward the man lying on the floor, a pool of blood slowly spreading across the floor, his once white clothing now dyed a dull red.


    Kothar pulled his sword free from the soldier''s body, and swung through the air, and the weak, desperate cries that had been ringing out stopped.


    Silently, Kothar cleaned his sword with a towel that hung from a clothwa hook nearby, and then headed out into the corridor.


    [Let''s go help Docara, his opponent seemed far stronger, and from his mana signature, I''m not sure if Docara could take him on alone.] Silane said dully, experiencing the negative swirl of emotions that came with fighting another person always put her in a subdued mood.


    [You''re right, and from all the noise that Pony was making while he fought, it seems that his battle is already over.] Kothar pushed open the door of the room, and was forced to leap through the air, sending himself flying before rolling as he landed, stopping himself from slamming into the stone floor.


    An enormous Wind Slash had flown through the air just as he had left the room, gouging the stone floor deep and tearing the roof above.


    "Good thing you''ve sorting things out on your end Rufus, might need a hand here!" Docara''s voice called out from the other side of the room, where he was dodging a flurry of Wind Slashes from a furious Mage, who was currently standing tall in midair, atop a swirling column of wind.


    "You! What have you done to Timaeus!" The thin, short man atop the column of wind yelled shrilly at Kothar, waving an arm to send half the crescent shaped blades of wind slicing toward Kothar, following him as he evaded them.


    The Mage was dressed in a surprisingly shabby brown robe, and looked more like a monk than a Mage in the Imperial army, especially considering his bald head and shaved face.


    Kothar cast Lighting Aura on himself, charging his sword with Lightning Mana to block the slashes that converged toward him.


    In any other situation, Kothar  would have simply opened a portal between himself and the slashes, but he was committed to keep his identity a secret.


    Docara himself was surrounding with a swirling shield of wing, and unlike the Mage he faced, each of his lower legs were surrounding with a whirlwind, as he dashed from wall to wall, bouncing around the corridor like a ball thrown hard against one wall, making it extremely difficult for the Mage to land a hit on Docara.


    They were in a stalemate, the Wind Mage could not take time to charge up a strong enough spell to take out both Docara and Kothar, as that would mean having to take down his defenses, as a Mage could only keep so many spells active at one point.


    Kothar couldn''t use any of his Lighting spells with a large area of effect, because he risked hitting Docara, even if he used a spell like Bolt Barrage, Docara''s current trajectory was constantly changing, to a degree that even Silane could only predict where he would for a few moments.


    Inspired by his recent attack against the man he now knew was named Timaeus, Kothar increased the mana he was channeling to his Lightning Aura as much as he dared.


    At this point, he was moments away from falling to the floor and convulsing like those that were on the receiving end of his spells, and even with his affinity to the element, the first hints of pain began.


    It was as if he was being stabbed all throughout the inside of his body with thousands of tiny needles.


    Sparks of lightning now covered his body, and emanated out all around him, Kothar grew faster and faster, and the Wind Mage watched in horror as both the enemies in the corridor with him now moved at such a speed that he couldn''t possibly hope to hit them.


    Now, Kothar sent an enormous surge of mana to his lightning blade, and sparks also flew from the blade in his hand.


    The Mage was now desperate, he could tell that his life would come to an end if he didn''t do something soon. He drew out a necklace from under his brown robe, and lifted it high, as it radiated a greenish glow.


    "Take cover!" Docara yelled, certain that the device in the Mage''s hands would be destructive in nature. Kothar dove toward the door closest to him, the empty room that had no one occupying it, while Docara dove to the stairwell.

 Chapter 141 - First Strike

    As Kothar and Docara dove for cover, the green light that emanated from the device in the Mage''s hands grew brighter and brighter, Docara sped down the stairs, while Kothar used his increased speed to throw himself into the adjoining room, finding himself in an opulent bathroom, he slammed the door behind himself, and it was not a moment too late.


    Boom! A thunderous explosion shook the entire building, and a flash of green light that was visible even from the fleet of ships anchored off the shore of the island radiated in ever direction.


    The force of the explosion, even behind so many walls, threw Kothar violently against the far wall, and blew the roof of the building right off.


    The entire top half of the floor had been ripped clean off, and the other members of the Ursten arms looked on from the walls, mouths open in shock, as a slight brown robed figure floated down in midair.


    "That''ll teach you rats!" He spat out, furious, how dare these puny soldiers attack him, a value Mage of the empire.


    "Docara, leaning against one of the walls of the staircase, grinned as he stood up slowly and crept up the stairs, a sneak attack would work well against this cocky Mage.


    Kothar p[pushed through the rubble that was piled by the remains of the bathroom door, and walked out towards the Mage.


    Now that the walls were mostly gone, the Mage immediately spotted him, and his eyes bulged, and his face went deathly pale.


    "You! How are you still alive! That device, it was supposed to be enough to wipe out at least a hundred men! The Empire''s devices are without parallel, how could this happen!" The Mage immediately increased the strength of the whirlwind he had been standing on, rising high up in the air, as he did so, he saw the full scale of what had happened.


    The walls of the outpost were no longer guarded by Imperial soldiers, rather there were many masked soldiers making obscene gestures toward the Mage, this was no assassination attempt, this was an invasion.


    The Mage looked at the device that he used to contact the Empire, but it had been destroyed in the blast from his desperate attempt to take out the invaders.


    "You see, we''re not on a battlefield right now, of course, in a packed battlefield, that device would have taken out a hundred men, but inside a building, I think you were being far too optimistic.'''' Kothar said coldly, as he slowly stalked toward the floating Mage.


    The Mage looked nervously at the crackling and humming blade in Kothar''s left hand, and the ball of lightning that was swirling in the other.


    The Mage began to swing his arms through the air, sending Wind Slashes rapidly toward Kothar, and then Kothar tossed the ball of lightning at the Mage''s feet, and the Mage grew pale. The Storm Field immediately spread out, and bolts of lightning fell down toward the Mage.


    The Mage scoffed as they failed to get past his swirling windshield, but that wasn''t the main purpose of the field, at least not this time.


    Kothar sprinted forward, his speed pushed to an inhuman degree by the full strength lightning Aura and Storm Field together, the Mage could only watch in horror as he drew closer and closer.


    The crackling blade stabbed out, flying straight to the Mage''s chest, as if drawn by some invisible string, as Kothar leapt gracefully through the air, right at the Mage.


    "Damn, Rufus, you''re something else." Docara whispered as he watched from the destroyed stairs, there were similar exclamations of awe from the men on the walls, as Kothar leapt through the air.


    Kothar''s vibrating blade stabbed clean through the Mage''s rough robes and chest, without even the slightest hint of resistance, and then discharged all through his body, with a loud crack.


    The lightning surged through the Mage''s body, had he been able to survive the initial blow, there was not even the slightest chance that he survived the explosion of lightning that had just occurred inside his torso.


    The whirlwind below dissipated and the Mage fell to the ground, with a loud thud, and chairs resounded from the walls, it was clear to the watching soldiers that the only real threat in the outpost had been defeated.


    "Would you look at that, looks like I''m the only one who kept my target alive." Pony strode out from the wreckage of the room he had chosen, dragging a gagged and bound soldier.


    The empty sheath at the man''s belt and the muscled and scarred frame marked him clearly as a Warrior, and from the various bleeding cuts all over his body it seemed that Pony had fought quite battle with him


    "I''d like to see you take out a Mage of his caliber, Pony. And besides, who was the one who ran away at hearing of a Mage." Docara chuckled as he emerged from the stairs, slipping his dual blades back into the sheaths at his back.


    "Alright, how are we signaling the fleet? I''m sure there''s plenty of young soldiers that''ll be more than happy to clean up this mess that we''ve made up here." Pony ignored Docara''s jibe and asked nonchalantly, as if he hadn''t even heard it.


    "Ah, I''m sure the Captain will be happy to relay the news on those handy devices that they have." Docara smiled and looked out toward the water.


    Slowly, more and more of the soldiers filtered up to the ruined top floor of the building, curious as to the source of the blast, some even made their way from the walls, joining the growing crowd.


    Many congratulated Kothar''s on striking the finishing blow, while others joked with Docara, poking fun at the fact that he hadn''t finished the Mage himself.


    After this mission they had truly become a team, and they were surely more missions ahead.


    As the first slivers of light appeared in the dark sky, the men grouped together and looked out to the ocean, watching the majestic fleet slowly make its way toward the shore. The weight of what they had done slowly sunk in, they were truly going to war against the Empire.

 Chapter 142 - A Twisted Game

    Within a forest of stone, a short man stood. The pillars of stone towered over him, and he giggled maniacally as he walked towards the assigned meeting place.


    "Now, this will be fun." Krieg chuckled, his face twisted up and grimacing, like a demon wearing the skin of a human.


    Krieg emerged onto a rocky outcrop, and gazed down at the gathered creatures; they were far fewer in number than when he had assigned the mission to begin with, but that was natural.


    Portalling to unknown planes always carried an amount of risk, and even though there had been a stipulation to ensure cooperation, that didn''t stop the Freemen from giving each other false and outright dangerous intel, leading them to the most hostile planes possible.


    "Freemen!" Krieg yelled out, reminiscent of the first time he had gathered this strange collection of creatures. The mantis-like creatures, with its bladed claws and limbs stood tall amongst the creatures, and the reptilian in tan robes also remained. Krieg had pinned the two of them as the more powerful of the Freemen that had been summoned, and was not surprised at their survival.


    Another one seemed to have come across some good fortune while searching for Kothar, this Freemen now held a stone sword, glowing with an eerie blue light. Upon further inspection, as Krieg looked more closely at the hand that grasped the sword, it seemed as though the Freeman''s good fortune had masked a curse. The fingers grasping the hilt would deathly pale, and unlike most swordsmen, the man did not adjust his grip in the slightest as he walked, rather it was as if his fingers were tightly locked around the sword.


    All of the gathered Freemen looked to the source of the voice, and some watched attentively, while others looked furious, wondering why they had been recalled during such a high stakes mission, with every second, the target might flee further through the myriad planes.


    "The mission is over!" Krieg yelled, to answering cries of indignation and rage from the gathered Freemen, some even drew weapons, while another nocked an arrow to her enormous bow and drew it back.


    "How dare you!" Krieg yelled out, his voice thundering out as he let loose the full weight of his pressure on the gathered Freemen. The crushing dark pressure weighed down on all of them, except for Sandstrider, the mantis and the man holding the cursed sword. The rest of the gathered Freemen fell to the ground, some even losing consciousness.


    "Their puny attacks could not have harmed you. Was there any need to display your domain?" The clicking noises uttered by the Mantis were translated by Krieg''s pebble, and the mantis casually stabbed an unconscious figure, lifting it up high towards his jaws.


    "Just showing how serious I can be, and besides, this should simplify what I''m planning to do next." Krieg grinned wide, as he opened up a menu screen on his Pebble.


    ------


    Mission Settings


    -Mark as completed [Y/N].


    -Edit mission parameters.


    -Abort mission (A penalty will be deducted.)


    ------


    Krieg grinned as he entered the new mission parameters, this was something he always enjoyed doing, sometimes even creating Pebble missions just for this.


    A soft tone rang out from each of the Pebbles, harmonizing to create a resonant sound. The faces of many of those who were just recovered from Krieg''s domain paled, and others screamed in horror and immediately activated portals, jumping through them blindly.


    "You can''t be serious, this can''t be permitted?" The woman who had been about to shoot Krieg had turned and now aimed her bow at the furious humanoid mole that was charging at her. She released the arrow, and it slammed into the moleman, exploding as it struck, ripping a hole right through his chest.


    "Of course I can, what better entertainment can there be." Krieg laughed uproariously, this was the best. All he had to do was to change the mission parameters enforcing cooperation, and change the end goat to ''survival''. It was as simple as that.


    The relatively peaceful clearing in the stone forest had transformed, in mere moments, into pandemonium. Those that had the spatial energy to power their Pebbles had teleported as soon as the message had appeared, but even some of them had been pursued, others seeing opportunity in those portals still open.,


    A Freeman lay screaming on the ground, his arms had been cleanly removed by a closing portal as he had tried to pull a fleeing Freeman back.


    Those that remained were one of two groups, those that were confident in their combat capabilities, and those that lacked the sufficient Spatial Energy to muster even a short range portal, to another plane within the same cluster.


    The mantis had let out a triumphant screech, the cooperation clause had been so stifling to it, and it charged into a clump of Freemen who were trying to broker an alliance, reducing them to shreds with a few swipes of its enormous claws.


    Sandstrider, however, remained still, leaning against one of the stone pillars, appearing relaxing but with his trident gripped in one hand.


    He watched astonished as the Freeman with the cursed blade was dragged around by his stone blade, as if he was the enormous tail on a tiny fish, as the bloodthirsty blade plunged through creature after creature, making no distinction between its targets, only avoiding those that radiated power far beyond what it could currently handle.


    "New recruits, it''s always the same." Sandstrider sighed, blowing out a small puff of green smoke. He watched as a group of Freemen in leather armor, with rabbit ears hopped speedily out of the clearing, bounding to where the stone trees were denser.


    As they did so, the mantis let out a joyous cry, this would only make the hunt that much more entertaining for him. The bladed mantis leapt high into the air, spreading out a pair of clear, membranous wings as it glided out over the stone forest, sweeping its head, looking for the most entertaining prey.

 Chapter 143 - The Nighthawk Unit

    Anteris'' fleet was currently moored just off the shore of what the Multas natives called, unimaginatively, Outpost Island. It had only been mere hours after the initial invasion, when the diminutive yet densely muscled natives of the islands had come to negotiate with their new overlords.


    From these ambassadors, the Ursten forces had learned much about the islands, they had learned that the islands formed a large archipelago, and that the largest of them, named Multas, the namesake of the people who lived on the islands, had on its coast a large natural harbor.


    This revelation had put an enormous smile on Anteris'' face, and he had returned to his flagship vessel, and was preparing for the fleet to go and moor in the calmer and safer waters of the Multas harbor.


    The ambassadors, clad in the finest Imperial silks, tailored to fit their oddly broad frames, had left dejected. Tam demanded far more in the way of their natural resources, and he wanted them to give up their forges and mills to his own carpenters.


    "But how will we eat?" They had asked, in stilted and uncomfortable Imperial, clearly not familiar with the language.


    "How did you live before the Imperials?" Was Tam''s only reply, after which the ambassadors had a dejected and deferent expression on their faces. They knew well that they could live well, but these new masters had many more troops than they had ever seen the Imperial brings, and the burden of feeding these men alone would ruin them, no matter how much gold they traded.


    For gold was only worthwhile if there was someone to trade it with, otherwise it was nothing but a useless lump of metal.


    After the ambassadors had left, Kothar, who had observed the evening''s proceedings, along with Docara and Pony, all of whom had been called to the relatively untouched dining hall previously, were left alone with Tam.


    Tam was sat at the head of an enormous table of polished wood, and all around the room there were Magical Lamps at regular intervals, as well as fine portraits of unfamiliar faces that could only be famed individuals of the Empire. All the figures in the portraits wore colorful silks and had extreme slim, long oval faces.


    "Surely it wasn''t necessary to demand so much from them, after all, we have brought our own supplies, and Anteris'' ships were also laden with supplies." Kothar asked, after the ambassadors had left.


    "Of course, the situation is not dire at all. Our men can easily extract what we need from the islands, and Anteris'' vessels can easily double as fishing vessels. But letting the Multas know that we had no use for them whatsoever would have triggered a seed of rebellion. How could they trust an invading army that didn''t need anything from them, they would do all they could to come back under the boot of the Empire. This way, they''ll think twice before they even think about rebellion." Tam explained, and Kothar slowly nodded. Though he had little experience with politics, he had been familiar with negotiation in his past life, even if that negotiation had been limited to showcasing the awesome power that he had at his fingertips.


    "Now, back to the matter at hand. You three dealt well with the outpost, and Docara, good job on carrying out my orders to the letter, I''m impressed." Tam nodded at Docara, who rubbed at the back of his head awkwardly. All of the men had thought that they had some say in who would become the leader of all the unitless soldiers, but it seemed as though Tam had been a step ahead.


    "From now on, you and your men shall be known as the Nighthawk unit, I will inform the rest of our forces of this, but I want you all to maintain your anonymity when carrying out anything as members of the Ursten army. Understood?" Tam''s voice grew serious, and he gave each of them a piercing stare, even Kothar, fully communicated the magnitude of what he was commanding.


    "Understood!" The three of them saluted, behaving for once like good soldiers of the Ursten army.


    "Very good. Now, remember this well, I will only issue commands to any of you personally, Rufus and Pony, follow Docara''s orders as if they were my own." Tam smiled slightly at the sight of their salute, surprised that his son was so familiar with the etiquette of the army.


    "Rufus and Pony, I may issue you independent missions of your own, on those occasions, so long as they aren''t needed for an essential mission, you may tackle command of up to five soldiers from your own Nighthawk unit, or up to twenty soldiers from any unit other than my personal guard." Pony''s eyes widened as he heard Tam, he had served Tam for years, and this sudden increase in responsibility was enormous for him.


    "Alright, head on out. Rufus, I need to talk with you, stay behind." Tam dismissed Docara and Pony, and they left, Pony still dazed from what he had just been told, was a little dazed and Docara had to guide him out.


    "Seeing as though your mentor decided to betray you, I''ll do my best to fill you in on some of the things you should''ve learned." Tam gestured for Kothar to sit, and Kothar took a seat at the massive dining table.


    "Come now Kothar, there''s no need to disguise yourself for now, why don''t you remove that helmet." Tam said with a kind smile, he was proud of his son, especially after he had heard of his battle with the Water Element Warrior.


    "Of course, Father." Kothar removed the helm, setting it down on the table, pulling down the mask from the Multi Planar equipment also. For the first time in a while, he felt the cool air against his face. He had kept the mask on since they had left the camp on Kalun, and from then on it had been one thing or another. Going from the rafts, to the ships and then on to an invasion, all of them, Tam included, had been getting by with short naps.


    For the first time in days, Kothar felt able to relax.

 Chapter 144 - Mage, Warrior, Thief

    "Now, then, I''m sure you''re aware of the difference between a Beginner and Novice?" Tam asked Kothar, getting up from where the polished wooden chair, and pacing the walls, peering at the many paintings.


    "Yes, I know that a Beginner Mage is able to control mana beyond the range of their body, I assume this applies to Warriors and Thieves also?" Kothar''s eyes followed Tam, it wasn''t like his father to be so restless, he would usually sit patiently while talking to anyone.


    "These distinctions, Mage, Warrior and Thief. They are purely arbitrary, based only on the fact that the schools that teach one to control their mana for the purposes of combat were created by individuals of a specific profession. Of course, the Mages rule supreme, for they have never stood at the forefront of battle, preferring research and long range attacks." Tam paused for a moment, and then returned to his chair, realizing how restless he must appear to Kothar, and he didn''t want to give his son any reason to worry.


    "Additionally, their preference for long range attacks has always meant that mages prioritized long range mana control, which is why they technically would have higher ranks than Warriors or Thieves." Tam''s eyes still scanned the room, as he watched the portraits carefully, as one might watch an enemy.


    [Something seems off about Tam, you''re seeing this too, right?] Silane had held her tongue about Tam previously, but this was completely out of character for Tam.


    [It must be the stress of the invasion, Silane. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an AI remembering even the tiniest of details for them. I''m sure he''ll be alright.] Kothar dismissed Silane''s words, but they were enough to plant the slightest seeds of doubt about Tam''s motivation for the war.


    "What about Warriors, and Thieves?" Kothar knew that he was brushing whatever was on Tam''s mind aside, but if Tam had wanted to discuss the invasion with him,  he would have already done so. He wasn''t the type to hold back his words.


    "The most important thing to a Warrior is who can stand on the battlefield the longest, so obviously Warriors specialize in their mana reserves. In this way, a Warrior might be able to outlast multiple Mages in combat, all the Warrior must do is defend against their initial attacks. Which is easier said than done." Tam took a moment to sip from a tall glass of the fruit punch that the Multas had brought barrels of as a tribute.


    "Next are Thieves, the most secretive in their teachings. You might think that Mages are the most well-read of all. But that isn''t the case, it is the thieves who have the most precision when it comes to controlling mana, and in their exploration of mana control methods, they have the best understanding of the mana channels that run through one''s body." Tam''s voice grew quieter and quieter as he spoke, while the existence of Warriors and Mages was commonplace knowledge, only those that had crossed paths with Thieves were those who were even remotely aware of their existence.


    "Though lacking in firepower, they can easily slip through a Warrior''s defense and catch them unawares, they are probably the greatest threat a Warrior faces on an open battlefield. Remember, all of these distinctions were based on their applicability on the battlefield. Thieves should more accurately be called Assassins, but it is in their nature to disguise themselves, hence the kinder name, Thief." Tam let out a large sigh as he explained the last portion to Kothar, memories had come rushing back to him, of an impassioned argument between Ophil and Simon, when Simon had first told them what he was really learning.


    "So, Mages have the most power when facing groups of weaker enemies, Warriors are most powerful in face to face combat, and Thieves most powerful when it comes to unexpected stealth and assassination." Kothar asked Tam, who was now back on his feet, pacing the room once again.


    "Correct, and as I''m sure you''ve gathered, the Nighthawk unit I''ve placed you with, the majority of them would be classed as Thieves. Learn as much as you can from them, your fighting style has already incorporated aspects of Warriors and Mages, and it wouldn''t harm you to learn a thing or two from them." Tam stopped at a particularly detailed portrait of a man wearing an enormous crown, and stared it in the eyes.


    "Of course, Father. But what about the difference between the different levels?" Kothar asked Tam, he had learned much about the different types of professions, but he was still curious about the real difference between the ranks.


    "Ah, of course, I knew I would have to answer some difficult questions." Tam said with a small smile, and turned away from the portrait he had been examining.


    "It varies between the professions, but there are three main factors that are taken into account. Your mana reserves, your area of mana control and finally your precision of mana control. Each of these things are given a different importance depending on your profession, but these differences begin to matter less and less as you become more powerful." Tam''s hand had returned to the hilt of his sword, as it usually did when he was deep in thought.


    "From the Novice to the Intermediate rank, you''ll usually know you''ve achieved this rank from your teacher or superiors, depending on wherever you study the intricacies of mana."


    Tam took a deep breath, he was unsure whether this next piece of information should be revealed to Kothar, but he had to teach his son, if he did not, who else would.


    "The true hurdle one must overcome is that of domain. That is what truly separates those at the Advanced Rank from those at the Intermediate Rank. Some will go their whole lives without even touching the edge of having a  domain, while others will come to so easily it is as if it''s in their nature." Kothar nodded eagerly at Tam''s words, this was what he had been eagerly waiting to hear about.

 Chapter 145 - Domains

    "I''m sure you''ve experienced what it is like to be on the receiving end of someone''s domain before. It is that invisible pressure that those who are more powerful can put out, sometimes defeating enemies without making even a single move. This is merely an extension of the ''awareness'' that you use when drawing in and manipulating your mana. Understand so far?" Tam looked at Kothar, it had taken Tam years to even gain a shred of understanding on this topic, so he expected to see Kothar with a dazed look on his face, instead Kothar nodded eagerly.


    "Of course, you displayed the barest hint of this, when you first joined up with the Nighthawks, though the unit was nameless then." Tam smiled, it was at that point that he decided that it was time for Kothar to learn about domains.


    "This ''awareness'', it allows you to manipulate and control mana, it is honed through experience, as you train for years on end. Now, Kothar, think about this, what would happen if I were to try and manipulate the mana within your body, would your ''awareness'' be sufficient to stop me?" Tam asked, a serious expression on his face.


    "No, I don''t think so." Kothar answered, a chill running down his spine, the magnitude of the pressure he had felt from Arteries and Krieg began to sink in, no wonder Anteris had been so shocked at his resistance to the pressure.


    "As this awareness grows, it will allow you to carry out greater and greater feats, and only through the growth of this awareness is it possible to progress as you grow, otherwise one would spend their entire lives drawing in the same amount of mana as they did when they were novices." Tam smiled again at how easily Kothar seemed to be taking everything in, however this was not the case, the fact was that Silane had recorded everything Tam had said, word for word, and Kothar would be spending much time trying to pick apart what Tam had said.


    "There are many more intricacies to manipulating and using one''s domain but even I am still learning about these, and teaching you about these would only needlessly complicate things for you. Don''t bite off more than you can chew, alright." Tam gave Kothar a gentle smile.


    "I''ll keep that in mind, Father." Kothar smiled back, he truly treasured the new family he had gained in this new world.


    "Alright, dismissed soldier." Tam returned to being a commander of a vast army as he handed Kothar his helmet, so that his son would once again be disguised.


    Kothar saluted, and walked out into the corridor, where he found Docara and Pony waiting for him.


    "You got yourself a special assignment already?" Pony grumbled at Kothar, a hint of jealousy in his voice.


    "No, just discussing a possible assignment. Don''t worry Pony, I think Docara''s more than enough competition for you." Kothar said in a light hearted tone, attempting to diffuse the brewing tension. It seemed to work, as both Pony and Docara began to laugh.


    [So Silane, what do you think? Care to explain how exactly this domain thing works?] Kothar asked the AI, who had been uncharacteristically quiet.


    [No, I can''t. At first, understanding mana was alright, it was analogous to my experience with electricity, especially when it came to rune constructs. But this talk of ''awareness'' and pressure, i can''t even begin to understand it.] Silane''s voice was shaky, as an AI she had always either been able to carry out simulations or seek new information to understand a topic, but this was something where it seemed neither of those things would be helpful.


    [Hmmm, I think it''s something that you have to experience. Why don''t you try manipulating some pure mana? Since you were able to control the mana converted by the Mana Storage Unit well enough."] Kothar''s had been wondering for a while about the potential of Silane also being able to manipulate mana, that might mean an additional core to draw on, as well the ability to simultaneously cast more spells and more easily cast difficult spells.


    [Don''t think you can hide how eager you are. Yes, I think I''ll try that. It''ll give me something to do while you spend a third of your time sleeping. Fortunately, that''s one thing I haven''t been cursed with after being reincarnated.] Silane teased Kothar, she spent most of the time Kothar was asleep running simulations or brainstorming new ideas for weapons.


    "Hey Rufus! Hey! You still with us?" Docara''s raised voice pulled Kothar away from his conversation with Silane.


    "Seemed like you were in your own little world for a while there. I''ll fill you in on the plan again, then. Just make sure you''re listening this time." Doacara shook his head, but laid off on teasing Rufus too much, he knew that whatever the Grand Marshal had discussed with him must have been extremely important, no wonder the poor fool was so lost in his thoughts.


    "We''ll be taking a ship, and stopping by one of the Multas'' villages, just making our presence known, just as many of the other units will be doing. Unlike the rest of them, we won''t be taking an extended holiday like they are. We''ll only be staying a week, just enough time for you to get your rest, relaxation and whatever else you might want." Docara''s tone was lighthearted, and prompted a chuckle from Pony, as they walked to the many canoes that were pulled up on the beach outside the outpost.


    "After we get some well deserved rest, we won''t be sticking around, instead, we''ll be the scouting party for the whole army, and try to carry out the same miracle that we did with this place." Docara continued, and then put an arm around Kothar''s shoulder.


    "And lucky, lucky you Rufus, since you''re so perceptive, you''ll continue being our scout. So you''ll be the scout for the scouting party for this entire army." Docara burst into laughter at his joke and was joined by a wheezing cackle from Pony.


    "Thanks, Father." Kothar said quietly, under his breath. It seemed as if Tam''s parenting style hadn''t changed in the slightest.

 Chapter 146 - Exuga

    A featureless gray expanse, stretching out as far as the eye could see, this plane was known to most as one completely devoid of life. But underneath the cold gray shell of the surface, lay the complex machinery of a great interplanar civilization.


    The caverns below were absolutely enormous, they were so large that if you weren''t aware that you were in a cavern, you would have no reason to think that you were. Cool breezes, powered by enormous fans, flowed through the cavern, and a warm, orange glow bathed them in light.


    The light came from enormous glass tubes that ran the length of the roofs, and smaller tubes illuminated the interior of the structures below.


    In one of the lower caverns, a thin, spindly man sat in front of a square shaped device, made up of thousands of cubes threaded through rods that constantly spun, displaying different characters on each of their faces.


    The thin man, skin and bones, was nervously chewing away at his lower lip, and staring intently at the spinning cubes.


    "Almost, almost, almost. Yes!" The man screeched loudly, leaping up from the short stool that was placed in front of his device. This outburst resulted in strange looks from the many other individuals sat in front of similar devices, all of them equally as thin and malnourished as this man, all of them constantly staring at the devices in front of them, occasionally twisting rings on a large cylinder that was placed just in front of them, below the square shaped device.


    "Oh, Master Xerev is going to be so pleased with me, perhaps I''ll even get an increase in my ration, or even a promotion." The man cackled to himself as he left the cavern, navigating the many criss-crossing corridors with ease, clutching a cylinder tight to his chest.


    "Hey! Bottom feeder scum! You''re not permitted in this quadrant!" A tall guard, hidden behind intricate plate armor, slammed the end of a staff into the thin man as he scuttled into a wide corridor.


    The small man fell to the ground, writhing in pain, all the while clutching the cylinder to his chest.


    "Important message, for Master Xerev. Most confidential, he does not like to be kept waiting." The short man wheezed out, taking short gasping breaths, he now felt a sharp pain in his chest, after being struck by the guard.


    "Hey, I know you. You''re that scum that''s always following Xerev around, Exuga. Little ****, get out of my sight, or I''ll do the world a  favor and get rid of you like the little parasite you are." The guard aimed a kick at Exuga''s head, but by now he had already scampered away, disappearing quickly into the corridor behind the guard. The guard spat in Exuga''s direction and shook his head, he never knew why Xerev allowed that little parasite within his sight.


    Exuga continued to make his way towards Xerev''s quarters, wincing as he drew breath, the guard must have cracked his ribs.


    "I''ll show him, Master Xereve will give me command of my own group of soldiers someday, and I''ll show all of them." Exuga muttered to himself, as he scuttled through the corridors.


    The light grew brighter and brighter as he drew closer to Xerev''s quarters, with more and more of the glass tubes filling the corridors.


    Exuga paused for a moment, he always walked down this corridor whenever he went to see Xerev, there was a small balcony here that looked down into one of the Caverntowns of this quadrant. The first time he had seen it, he couldn''t believe his eyes. It was brightly lit, so bright that he had to squint the first time he had come, lush vegetation grew all throughout, and people smiled and laughed as they went about their days. It was a stark contrast to the smog filled, dust choked and grime covered Caverntown he had been raised in, working in the factories as soon as he was old enough to carve stone. Exuga stared enviously at the children milling about below, he knew that this was the childhood he deserved, as surely as he knew that the aptitude tests were rigged.


    They had to be, why else would someone as intelligent as him be assigned such a mindless and tedious task, it made no sense, he should have been a commander of men, a general whose strategies entered the realm of legend.


    Once he had gained Xerev''s favor, then his great plan could begin, then he would take his rightful place in the hierarchy.


    Exuga turned away from the sight as his eyes began to moisten, he couldn''t bear to keep looking at what should have been.


    He walked faster and faster as he approached Xerev''s quarters, as his excitement grew.


    By now, the lighting tubes were so numerous that Exuga would have thought he was walking beneath a sun, had he ever experienced such a thing.


    By now the guards were more numerous, but unlike the quadrant guards, they were well aware of Exuga''s identity, and either didn''t want to risk offending Xerev or had better things to attend to than harassing a mere peasant.


    Out of breath, Exuga arrived at Xerev''s door, where he received a dull stare from the enormous, muscle bound woman standing in front of the door, her face criss crossed with scars. She looked him up and down before nodding and moving aside.


    "Master Xerev! I bring news!" Exuga wheezed out, almost doubled over from the pain of the cracked rib. There was a dull clatter and then a chorus of high pitched voices, before Exuga heard any reply.


    "Won''t be a moment, my good lad." Xerev called out, and there was a slamming of drawers and a few high pitched giggles before Xerev opened the door.


    "Oh, Exuga. I didn''t realize it was you." Xerev''s cheerful expression disappeared for the shortest moment, but returned immediately, he hadn''t expected to see Exuga for another few months at least.

 Chapter 147 - The Miracle Garden

    "If anybody comes by, let them know I''m taking a walk in the gardens. Understood." Xerev instructed the guard standing next to the door of his chambers, whose only indication that she had heard Xerev was an imperceptible nod.


    Xerev was dressed in a black velvet coat, with silver embroidery around the edges, as well as a ruffled white shirt underneath. He wore trousers of the same material, but he still wore his usual heavy duty boots.


    "Alright, you. Let''s take a walk." Xereve didn''t even look directly at Exuga, instead looking at the air above the diminutive man''s head. He didn''t want to give off the slightest hint that he considered Exuga anything but dirt, as someone of his status should.


    The pair walked in the directions of the gardens, traversing the tunnels hewn from the dull gray rock. While they walked, Exuga piped up.


    "Master Xerev, I''ve finally got it, after all this waiting, I can-" Exuga rubbed his hands together, still hunched over with pain, but was cut off by Xerev.


    "Yes, I''m so grateful that you found the name of that woman I happened to glance at while roaming the Second Quadrant, but please, withhold her name, I wouldn''t want anyone else snatching her away." Xerev gave Exuga a sickly sweet smile, the smile stopping at his eyes, which gave him a cold, steely glare.


    "Oh, yes. I''m sorry, Master Xerev. I have her name written down here, would you like it now?" Exuga bowed and simpered, seething internally. Of course, he knew that Xerev didn''t want him to talk about his findings out in the open, but he wanted to gauge just how valuable the information was to Xerev, and it seemed very valuable indeed. Previously, Xerev had just brushed off any time that Exuga had ''accidentally'' leaked some information that Xerev had requested. Perhaps he would find some others who would be interested in this information.


    The light from the glowing tubes grew brighter and brighter, and the corridor grew wider and wider, and before long they emerged in to an enormous dome shaped structure.


    Here, the ceiling was so densely packed with the light tubes that one could not even look directly at the ceiling, especially someone like Exuga, who had spent most of his life in the dark of the Fourth Quadrant.


    Exuga''s mind, which had been swarming with pilots and plans, and had been a hurricane of cunning, ideas for betrayal and sinister thoughts, suddenly quietened down. All he could was take in the magnificent sight before him.


    This, this was far beyond anything he had ever seen, tears trickled down his yes as he took in the astonishing beauty of the gardens. The Caverntown that he had marvelled at so often was nothing compared to this, this place, it was reminiscent of the stories he had been told as a child, of a place filled with lush vegetation, and clear springs of water.


    Xerev and Exuga walked along one of the clear streams that bubbled down the gentle slop that led to the center of the dome.


    Exuga looked around, once again a wide eyed, innocent child, filled with amazement, as he took in the fragrant purple flowers that were heavy on the boughs of the trees they walked under.


    Just this one tree would have been enough to amaze Exuga, but this row of trees was only one of many, and the tears continued down Exuga''s face as they meandered between the rows, some trees laden with fruit, others with flowers, and other with leaves of every color.


    In the spaces between the trees were smaller plants, bushes and ferns, and around the paving stones that they walked on were dense mosses.


    Every inch of this cavern was absolutely teeming with life.


    Exuga heard a soft whistling noise from above, and snapped his head upwards, a strange machine was propelling itself through the sky, he watched, confused as it flapped its wings, there was no rotor or propeller, what an inefficient design.


    Then it hit him, that was a living creature!


    "That''s a bird Exuga, I''m sure even you have heard some stories about them." Xerev said quietly, he had been watching Exuga all the while, smiling as the man''s face changed from a mask hiding layers upon layers of deception to that of an innocent child.


    "I see, Master Xerev. Thank you for showing me this, I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to be able to see such a marvelous sight." Exuga bowed low to Xerev.


    "No matter Exuga,. You have done me a great service, and you have been so loyal to me, how could I not reward you." Xerev responded as Exuga rose from his bow, and saw the hint of guilt flash across Exuga''s face. At any other time, Exuga would not have betrayed himself so, but he was so taken aback by the gardens, that he gave way.


    By now, they had reached the center of the dome, and the plants grew closer and closer together, until the path of paved stone they had been walking on was only wide enough for one person to walk through, Exuga walking ahead.


    The center of the dome shaped cavern was a vast pool, still and clear, from where Exuga stood, he could clearly see the pale white fish swimming through the water. He had heard talk of fish before, but never in his life had he even imagined that he would see one so easily.


    "Before I pass out from amazement, Master Xerev, I believe that this is yours." Exuga paused, and reached into one of his many pockets to find the cylinder he had brought.


    "Thank you, Exuga, this shall be a boon for our people." Xerev smiled warmly at Exuga, as he took the cylinder and tucked it into his velvet coat.


    "So, Exuga, tell me, what do you think of these fish?" Xerev asked as they continued strolling toward the pool in the center, placing a hand on Exuga''s shoulder in a friendly fashion.

 Chapter 148 - Coordinates

    "To think¡­ That such creatures exist, and the graceful way they move through the water, I simply have no words. Master Xerev, this is a great reward indeed. Thank you." Exuga, with tears in his eyes, knelt at the edge of the pool, eyes wide, filled with wonder. As his shadow fell over the water, the fish sped towards it.


    "Then you will be even happier to know that I''ll allow you to become intimately acquainted with them." Xerev''s hand was still on Exuga''s shoulder, and he had fallen into a half crouch next to Exuga, smiling as he saw the fish approach.


    "How so? I''m practically inside the pool with how close I am, is there some kind of way for me to go underneath the water and look at the fish?" Exuga was simply overwhelmed with all the new sights he had seen, and he didn''t even notice the cruel smile that flickered over Xerev''s face.


    "Yes, just like this." Xerev said softly, and sliced his elbow towards Ex Exuga temple, knocking him unconscious easily. In one smooth motion, he grasped his limp body below the armpits, and threw him into the pool.


    Exuga splashed into the still waters. And Xerev walked off, without a backwards glance. The cold water of the pool woke Exuga, and he began to flounder in the water, slowly sinking below the surface.


    "This isn''t funny, Master, Xer. elp!" His words grew shorter and shorter as he barely kept his head above water, then, the waters around him began to froth up violently.


    Then, the first fish bit Exuga, and he let out a bloodcurdling scream as it tore away a chunk of flesh/


    The screams grew in volume but grew shorter and shorter as Exuga struggled to stay on the surface, and within mere moments, the garden was once again filled with peace and quiet.


    Xerev looked back toward the pool, and smiled, a red flower now bloomed in the center of the waters, slowly spreading out onward the edges.


    Xerev casually strolled out the garden, nodding at the guards as he left, and now made his way towards the very center of the First Quadrant. It was time for him to meet with his dear leader.


    Xerev returned to his quarters, which were now clear of his earlier guests, and then took out his finest ceremonial clothing. A long coat, embroidered with silver inscriptions that sung praises of the Supreme Ruler of the Aemos. He washed his face and hair and took great care to tailor every aspect of his appearance to perfection. Not that Xurha cared in the slightest how Xerev looked, all he wanted were results.


    But others did care, and they would talk about how he presented himself to the highest authority of the Aemos.


    After a half hour of painstaking preparation, Xerev was ready. He had shaved his face, and his angular features were now clear to be seen; he had also applied the jagged patterns that were traditionally worn when meeting with the Supreme Leader, applying the black paste under his eyes. His long hair was held back by an onyx hair clasp, and he looked every bit the famous frontier explorer that he was.


    His ability to gather information on new planes all on his own, and return alive, was the only reason he was still able to live in the First Quadrant, anyone else who was such a disgrace to the customs of the Aemos, and so visibly in violation of the rules that allowed the Aemos to function, would have been executed long ago.


    That didn''t stop Xurha from taking any opportunity to torment him, and Xerev shivered as he prepared to leave his quarters. He took a deep breath and composed himself, before pushing his door open and striding toward the throne room.


    Xerev, deep in thought, navigating the corridors on the way to the throne room automatically, psyching himself to face the single most terrifying individual that he had ever meet, and that was saying something, for Xerev had been face to face with many Ascended, on his adventures through the myriad planes.


    The corridors grew in height, soon forming into tall arches that towered high above Xerev, with only the bottom section of the corridors lit, which gave the effect of an endlessly dark ceiling.


    Xerev turned into the large corridor that funneled into the throne room, and strode confidently onwards.


    He strode confidently into the enormous chamber, and the enormous figure seated on the throne didn''t even twitch.


    The throne was even darker than the Fourth Quadrant, though most associated the amount of light their residence received with status, all these notions disappeared when in the presence of the Supreme Ruler.


    Xerev walked to the foot of the throne, suppressing the urge to hunch over in the enormous pressure that weighed down on him as he grew closer and closer.


    "Your Supremacy, I bring promising news." Xerev bowed down deeply, one knee touching the ground, and his head parallel to the stone floor.


    "Xerev, if this is some ploy for you to go and engage in whatever degenerate activities you chose to on some far off plane, I will have your head. I care not for your past achievements." Xurha''s voice rumbled out of the deep darkness that cloaked the dais that his enormous throne was placed on. Only his thick scarred fingers were visible, clutching the stone arms of the throne, the rest of his body hidden by the gloom., only his glowing red eyes shining out from the dark.


    "I have found the coordinates of the plane, your Supremacy. The Freeman mission has concluded, and I received an intercepted communication today." Xerev couldn''t hold back the wide grin that spread across his face, and he waited for the sure praise that was to follow.


    "You bumbling fool!" Xurha''s voice thundered out, and shook the very earth around them, pieces of the ceiling fragmented and rained down all around Xerev, who shrunk down into a ball, shielding his head from the sharp shards of rock.

 Chapter 149 - Good News/Bad News

    "Your Supremacy! I don''t understand! I have brought you the location of the energy rich plane that I promised so long ago. What is wrong?" Xerev quaked in fear, and slunk even lower, bringing himself as low as possible. He dripped with sweat and his hands shook, he slowly raised his gaze and to his horror, saw that Xurha was approaching him.


    "You! You had the coordinates at least a half hour ago, didn''t you. Yet you spent all this time prettying yourself up like some *****!" Xurha''s boots were now visible in the edge of Xerev''s vision, but he kept his head bowed. How had Xurha known that  he received the coordinates so long ago, and why did he even care?


    "Do you take me for a fool! Play your silly games of imaginary power and maneuvering when it doesn''t concern such an important matter. And you''d do well to avoid making any more messes in my garden!" Xurha picked up Xerev by the throat, holding him high. The thick fingers wrapped around Xerev''s throat slowly grew tighter and tighter, and Xerev stared, terrified, into the inhuman, glowing red eyes of the best before him.


    The broken face, the deathly pale skin and thin crown around his brow all only contributed to the terror Xerev felt, Xerev shook more than ever, and if it weren''t for the fact that he hadn''t had anything to drink this day, he might have wet himself in fear.


    "Trash." Xurha said with a disappointed tone, pulling the cylinder from within Xerev''s cloak, and tossing it on to the seat of his throne.


    Thwack! One of Xurha''s thick hands backhanded Xerev, knocking him unconscious, and then Xurha tossed the explorer aside, he had no more time for this fool, he had a war to prepare for.


    Many, many planes away, on a plane rich in both history and culture. On a small piece of land known to the natives as the Isle, a report had reached the Grand Marshal of the Ursten Army that had turned his mood completely, he had been so pleased at the success of the first step of his expansion southward, but this had changed everything.


    "My dear, if only you were here in the flesh." Tam whispered, gazing into an empty space slightly in front of and above him, with a wistful gaze, half lifting one of his hands to reach out into the air.


    He leaned back into the chair, a tired expression on his face, and massaged his temples for a moment. Then he stood up straight, and strapped on his sword belt.


    "Rod, where are you lad!" Tam yelled out as he poked his head out from his tent, thanks to the many obscuring and defensive runic constructs on the tent, he could yell constantly without anyone hearing.


    "Right here, Sir!" The young soldier came sprinting out from the network of tents around Tam''s own. They had camped on Multas, and now that the soldiers were sure of an extended campaign, many small ''arenas'' had formed throughout the encampment, where soldiers constantly dueled and trained.


    While it made for a far less organized encampment, Tam had no complaints about something that made his soldiers stronger in the long run.


    Tam watched the skinny soldier come skidding to a halt in front of him, the red stubble had grown into a frizzy red halo of hair around his scalp, made worse by the constantly changing air of the Multas Islands. He was still thin, but he had spent a fair amount of time training and Rod now had a wiry strength around him.


    "I need you to go and fetch a soldier named Rufus, from the Nighthawks unit. Understood?" Tam said to Rod, who currently stood as strictly to attention as he had when he had first joined up with Tam''s army, some things never changed.


    "Of course, sir. Will that be all, sir?" Rod looked visibly pale as he heard the name ''Nighthawks'', the soldiers were all mysterious and many of them picked fights with other soldiers, no matter the other soldier''s strength or standing. And they often won.


    "Ease up Rod! They won''t be picking on new blood like you. You can take it as a sign of respect even if they do." Tam chuckled and gave Rod a reassuring pat on his shoulder.


    Rod nodded, and gulped a few times, he then marched off briskly, still looking a little pale but with an expression of firm resolve on his face.


    Tam headed back into his tent, and pulled a bronze device with a small green Mana Crystal set in the center. It was one of the devices that Anteris'' fleet used to communicate with each other, the devices themselves were ingenious, they used Wind Mana to communicate the speaker''s voice to the other device, which would amplify the sound that it received.


    Tam frowned in concentration, and then turned the dials on the face of the device, trying his best to remember Anteris'' instructions. Then he picked up the squared shaped device, and took it outside, just like his voice, the mana from this device wouldn''t escape his tent, since it would be shaped mana, touched by a person.


    "Anteris, it''s me, Tam. Let me know if you can hear me." Tam spoke tentatively into the device. A few minutes passed, and then a soft clicking noise came from the device, and Tam flicked a switch.


    "Yes, I can hear you, I thought you''d stop with that ''Can you hear me?'' business after the first few times. What is it?" Anteris'' voice, slightly annoyed, came from the device.


    "I need to see you. Come as soon as you can." Tam spoked seriously and clearly into the device, there was no answering reply, but Tam knew Anteris would be hurrying over right this minute.


    Since Tam hadn''t sued any of their agreed upon code words, he would know it was something unexpected and urgent, and that meant something, trouble in Ursten.

 Chapter 150 - Bad News

    Tam stood outside the tent, his arms crossed, it wouldn''t be long before Anteris arrived, Tam''s eyes kept scanning the sky. There. Off in the distance, a flaming comet rocketed up into the air, travelling in a high arc, aiming right towards Tam''s tent.


    Anteris was surrounded in a flaming aura, and he had a large grin on his face, this never got old for him; he looked down at the shocked faces of the Ursten soldiers as he flew through the air over them.


    "Everybody back up, the Duke wants to show off today!" Tam frowned slightly, surely Anteirs wouldn''t be so reckless as to crash into the tents of his men.


    Within a few short moments, the men all around Tam had created a large clearing, and there was a thunderous crash as Anteris slammed into the ground with a flash of flame, throwing up a large cloud of dust.


    The dust slowly settled and Anteris walked out from it, to the amazement of the many gathered soldiers, they had had many debates with the soldiers while they whiled their time away on the ships, wondering whose leader was stronger, and until now, none of them had believed that Anteris could even hold a candle to Tam, but this display had changed their mind, and rejuvenated their confidence in the might of their army.


    "Nothing else to see here, clear out of here, all of you!" Anteris grinned at the awestruck soldiers as he yelled at them, only half serious. The gathered men saluted as they filtered back to their tents and makeshift arenas. Tribesmen and noblemen alike mingled as they discussed Anteris'' strength, and wondered if there was any army that could stand against both of their might.


    "Good to see that you haven''t decided to hunt down every magical beast on this island, I heard some fine tales of your escapades on the mainland." Anteris smiled as he shook Tam''s hand, it had only been a few days since they had occupied Multas, but both men had been far too busy dealing with the logistics of such a large army.


    "Hahaha, go on and wait inside the tent, I''m just waiting for a soldier who''ll join us. He shouldn''t be too long." Tam moved the tent flap aside for Anteris to enter, and stood waiting for Kothar. Inside the tent, Anteirs wondered which of Tam''s soldiers were so trustworthy that he''d allow them to join what seemed to be such an important discussion.


    Anteris sat down on one of the many chairs that surrounded the enormous, polished wood table that dominated Tam''s tent, covered with maps, and encoded letter after letter from what Anteris suspected was a comprehensive spy network that spanned the Isle.


    Tam truly was full of surprises, if it hadn''t been for the information that Tam had, much of which Anteris suspected had been gathered by the infamous Nighthawk unit, Anteris would not have joined this ridiculous mission against the Empire.


    Anteris picked up a small carved wooden boat from the map, and smiled at how accurately it portrayed one his vessels, he held it up to the light, it even had the correct number of oars.


    "I see you''ve made yourself comfortable." Tam said as he entered the tent, joined by a soldier who wore a helm that covered his face, and ornate armor that designated that he would be a man of some importance in Tam''s personal guard.


    "Who''s this now?" Anteris asked in a confused tone, this wasn''t any of Tam''s lieutenants, and he hadn''t seen this man in command of any units whatsoever.


    "Rufus of the Nighthawks, at your service." Came the light hearted reply from Kothar, who removed the helm and revealed his face.


    "Kothar, my good lad! It''s good to see you, now why are you hiding away as one of those reckless Nighthawks!" Anteirs practically leapt at Kothar, wrapping him in a bone crushing hug, and tousling his hair as he did so.


    "It''s a long story, Duke Anteris, but long story short my mentor from the Academy is after my life.:" Kothar squeezed out a tired grin, and Anteris dropped him back onto the ground.,


    ''How preposterous! I shall show him what''s what, how dare he!" Anteris yelled, and if not for the runic constructs on the tent much of the camp would have heard him.


    "Let''s get to the matter at hand, Duke. I''m sure Father has good reason for summoning us both here." Kothar pat Anteris on the shoulder to calm him down, and the Duke nodded as he deflated a little, but his eyes still had a spark of flame within them, his fury still bubbling beneath the surface.


    "So, what is so urgent that you''ve brought both myself and young Kothar here? Anteris asked , almost growling, still furious. The three of them were so alike in appearance that one could confuse them as Grandfather, Father and Son, especially with the piercing blue eyes that they all had.


    "It''s Rotan. The King is dead." Tam said bluntly, but even he could not hide the hint of grief in his voice. Kothar sat there numbly as he heard the words coming out from Tam''s mouth.


    It couldn''t be because of the letter he had asked Rotan to write, could it? Kothar sat silent, as the words echoed over and over again in his head.


    "What was the cause of his death?" Kothar swallowed the lump in his throat and asked, his voice choked with grief.


    "I can''t say for sure, but I believe he was murdered, by a skilled Spatial Mage." Tam said softly, putting a hand over Kothar''s. Immediately, Kothar''s mind swum with images of Rotan, when he had first met the King and he h ad congratulated him on his service, when Rotan had allowed them to pick whatever he liked from his treasury and how eager he had been to help Kothar.


    Kothar was wracked with guilt, it could only be Krieg who had killed him, and he felt as if he had sent Rotan to die by Krieg''s hand himself.

 Chapter 151 - Loss(2)

    [What was I thinking? That letter was no better than having Rotan send a signed death warrant to Trinquile, Krieg, the absolute *****, I''ll end him!] Kothar screamed out internally, though Ophil''s loss had upset him, that had happened on the battlefield, where death and wounds were expected, this was completely different, Krieg had killed Rotan in cold blood.


    [We don''t know all the facts yet, Kothar. And besides, this is exactly what Krieg will want you to do, to get enraged and go searching for him] Silane consoled the furious Kothar, who quickly took a few deep breaths and gathered himself.


    Kothar looked up and saw both Anteris and Tam watching him, looks of genuine concern on their faces.


    "You alright?" Both of them said in unison, and Kothar simply nodded in agreement,


    "If this is too much for you Kothar, I can give you the details some time later" Tam said softly to Kothar, patting his son on the shoulder, he had never expected his son to be so bombarded by tragedy. First his mother, and then betrayal, and now the death of Rotan.


    "I''ll be alright, please continue." Kothar composed himself, taking deep, even breaths, and he felt the flood of emotions subside, everyday, as he grew older and older, it seemed his emotions were more and more difficult to keep under control.


    "This is what I know. A battlemage, who fits the description I have off Kothar''s mentor, arrived at the castle, he met privately with Rotan, on Rotan''s own request. They talked for a while, and then he left. But when Lief returned to Rotan, he found that he had been killed, with a lance of spatial energy through the chest. Traces of Spatial Mana were around the wound, and it was characteristic of wounds from Spatial Magic, as the missing flesh had been removed entirely, and the edges of the wound were far too clean for any other weapon to create." Tam slowly stated the facts as he knew them, all the while watching Kothar, making sure his son didn''t take the news too harshly.


    Kothar''s rage boiled up into his gut, and he felt as though he might explode in manager, as it roiled within, Silane''s soothing voice faded in and out of his awareness, but he managed to pull himself together.


    "I think his purpose was to bait you Kothar, which is why, even though you would be the most obvious choice to take the throne, I won''t be sending you to Ursten. Understood?" Tam rubbed his sword hilt deep in thought, even his brows were furrowed in anger, how had Krieg dared to murder Ursten''s kind right in his castle, only fifty odd years ago a Mage from the Academy would not have even dared to spit in the streets of Balin, but now they took the life of his king.


    As long as this campaign was successful, Tam reassured himself, then the Mages would fear him, not only those of Trinquile, but all of them.


    "What do you mean, Father? Why would I be the obvious choice to take the throne?" Tam''s words roused Kothar from the spinning thoughts of anger and hate for Krieg, and he was filled with confusion. Surely Tam would be a far better choice.


    "Rotan left no heirs, and while I might have a far better claim to the throne, I have already thrown all my resources and efforts into this campaign. And besides, Anteris has-" Tam started explaining to Kothar but was interrupted by Anteris.


    "I''ll be the one to tell him. Kothar, my lad. In the absence of my son, I have decided that it is you who shall have Newport after my death or departure from this plane. But I truly do hope that during this war with the Empire, I manage to reclaim my enslaved son. However, hope is merely an empty promise with ourselves, in order to bear on during hard times." Anteris said with a resigned sigh, slouching back into his chair.


    "I cannot return to the mainland either, who else will command this fleet? We cannot leave Ursten without a King while we roam the rest of the Isle. What''ll it be?" Anteris added with concerned looks to both Tam and Kothar.


    "Many will think me a fool for this appointment, but I would recommend Baron Leynish as Regent, to hold the throne until either myself or Kothar return to Ursten. He has grown much since our first clash with Kalun both in battle prowess and in maturity, and he has a good troop of experienced soldiers around him." Tam''s voice had the slightest hint of uncertainty within it, but he was truly out of options. But Tam consoled himself with the fact that he had the bulk of Ursten''s manpower with his army, and if Leynish were to even consider rebellion, he would be thoroughly crushed by the might of the Southern Tribes and the Ursten Army combined, after all, Tam would still be Grand Marshal.


    "Does he have a claim?" Anteris asked, the nobles would not accept anyone on the throne who didn''t share blood with the royal family.


    "Yes, his father was a second cousin of Rotan''s grandfather, and with how much more powerful he has grown recently, I think he''ll be able to keep those nobles that remain in Ursten in line." Tam''s flashed a rare sly grin, he couldn''t wait to see how the nobles tried to push around ''little'' Leynish, how they''d react when they faced him as he was now.


    "Alright, I''ll be off them." Anteris strode off, and the soldiers who had returned to their fires now all craned their necks and watched in amazement as the comment streaked through the sky again, back towards where the fleet was docked.


    "I know this''ll be weighing on you, Kothar. That''s why I''m giving you an assignment to carry out. You''ll split off from the Nighthawks on your next mission, understood?" Tam pulled a listless Kothar to his feet and gave him a hearty slap on the back, before unrolling a map of the southern half of the Isle.

 Chapter 152 - A New Mission

    At the top of the map, the middle of the Isle was drawn, it was filled in as a gray haze, and in green ink, the cartographer had written ''Northern Barbarians''. Kothar looked at the map curiously, and Tam saw him looking and chuckled.


    "That''s what the Empire calls them, since they are North of the Empire. It''s a lot less nice, thanks to what we call them and for good reason, the Tribes were encroaching onto the Empire''s vassals for many years. No wonder they pushed them so hard in their conflict, we wouldn''t have had a chance if they hadn''t been so weakened after their war with the Empire." Tam explained, tracing the large dip in the coast on the west, which was just east of the Multas islands. This water-filled expanse separated Kalun and the westernmost of the Empire''s vassal states, the Principality of Downe.


    As he looked at the map, Kothar was reminded of his sessions with Simon, learning the limited knowledge there was about the Isle, the fact of the matter was, magical beasts were so much more powerful than humans that it made expiration and travel beyond one''s immediate surroundings impossible.


    Especially in the wilder regions like the Fidour Mountains, and the wide ocean expanses that surrounded the Isle on each side, trade was largely accomplished by heavy, wide bottomed barges that hugged the coast, which made privacy all the more profitable for Anteris.


    The Empire dominated the bottom half the Isle, a red and gold striped section on the bottom of the maps, but all around it were small multicolored sections, these were its vassal states.


    They had been taken over by the Empire long ago, and though they still fought amongst each other, they still paid regular tribute to the Emperor, and were for all intents and purposes, part of the massive Empire.


    "You and the Nighthawks will be infiltrating the Principality of Downe, I want you to masquerade as agents sent by another state, all you need to do is take out a few important figures and the fools will race to pin the blame on whoever their last spat was with." Tam smiled grimly, he hated having to take advantage of the emptiness of the men in charge of these smaller states, but this was what it would take to uproot the bastion that was the Empire.


    "I want you all to split up, and create as much chaos as you can along the border with the Empire and in as many of the vassal states as possible. Stay away from any Imperial Officials, so it seems like you''re employed agents of the other states. I want you all to create all the chaos that you can. That''ll give Anteris and I the opening we need to strike at the Empire''s southern underbelly." Tam''s finger stabbed at the capital of the Empire, which was on a peninsula that jutted out in the south.


    "Remember Kothar, Krieg did this to incite a reaction from you. I want you to keep your mind on the mission, try not to let this get to you. If you can''t, then I''ll fly us both to the mainland right now and we can go and tear down that ******* Academy and mentor of yours together!" Tam''s eyes burned with passion as he gripped Kothar by the shoulders and spoke intensely to him.


    "I''ll be fine, Father. I appreciate the thought, but I''d rather not have you wage more than one impossible war at once." Kothar gave a weak chuckle, and gave Tam a loose hug, before leaving.


    Tam stood, shocked, and for good reason, this was the first and only time that his son had initiated a hug with him.


    Kothar stood on the bow of their ship, once again, the coastline was in sight, while the coast further north had been lush and green, here, it was dry and yellow, and a faint haze hung over the land, evidently displaying the heat of it. The surrounding sea was far calmer, and Kothar watched as great shoals of fish swam beneath the boat, occasionally being chased by shadows larger than their ship, darting every which way.


    Kothar had spent the past few days of the journey in a haze, still reeling from the news of Rotan''s death, agonizing over what he had done wrong, by asking Rotan to send a letter to the Academy, and even Silane couldn''t persuade him otherwise.


    But now that the coast was in sight, and there was a mission to be carried out, he pushed those thoughts out of his head.


    Just as they had in Multas, their ship would not come into dock anywhere, rather they would come ashore on one of the canoes kept on board the black ships of Anteris'' fleet.


    Docara and the captain, whose name they had learned was Jeb, had grown quite close over the course of their journey, and loudly laughed and joked with each other. Jeb was a short, wiry man, and from the occasion spar he had with Docara, was deadly with a sword, able to hold off a flurry from Docara''s twin blades, with a single cutlass of his own.


    "We''ll be leaving all you mystery men for dead this time, I''ll be bringing enough men to row your canoe back, orders from the ol'' Grand Admiral himself!" Jeb said with a grin on his face, but the smile couldn''t hide the genuine worry on his face.


    "Hahaha, it''s only so that we work harder, we''ll have to earn the privilege of going home." Docara laughed in response, though he knew the truth of the matter. Once Tam was confident that enough turmoil had been brewed to draw the Empire''s armies north, the Nighthawks would travel south, attempting to pierce through the army''s advancing north to settle the squabbles that they had brewed.


    It would be like walking a tightrope along razor wire, but Docara was confident that he would be able to pull it off, especially with these men.. They had all proved themselves in the initial raid on Multas.

 Chapter 153 - The Mask(2)

    "Before we leave, come over here, Rufus! Lucio and I have something to give to you." Docara waved Kothar over, standing next to him was an enormous member of the Nighthawks. He towered over Docara and his mask was quite possibly one of the most elaborate that Kothar had seen amongst the Nighthawks. It was an impossibly accurate depiction of a crying woman, all accurate to life, except the woman cried tears of blood. That mask had been enchanted so that the tears ran down the face, and the longer you stared at the mask, the more it seemed that it was not a woman you were staring at, but a terrifying demon that was escaping from the mask.


    "This is for you." Lucio rumbled, holding out a thick canvas bag, clutching it in delicate long fingered hands that didn''t fit his stature at all. He wore a large rough canvas tunic and leather boots, and only his mask seemed to have real care put into it. Even Lucio''s hair was scraggly and tangled, and a mess of blond locks tumbled all around the frightful mask he wore on his face.


    "We call this, the wailing widow." Lucio said to the engrossed Kothar, tapping him on the shoulder so as to stir him out from the trance that the mask had pulled him into.


    "Lucio''s been making these masks for years, your Father had them issued to many of his men who were on clandestine missions, on account of their inherent quality of being able to send even the most rigid and resistant minds into a trance." Docara said in a lighthearted toner, and nodded at the bag.


    "Thought I''d ask Lucio to make you one, on account of how it''ll be getting far too hot to be wearing that heavy metal helmet everywhere. But to my surprise,  he''d already finished a mask for you." Docara crossed his arms and nodded in approval as Kothar took the bag, and opened it.


    [How beautiful/terrifying.] Kothar and Silane exclaimed together, as they took their firs look at the mask. It was clear that Lucio had spent much time on it, and the mask rippled and shifted before Kothar''s eyes.


    The eyes of the mask were wide and glaring, and the brow angled upwards in an almost vertical frown, before ending in graceful swirls. The nose jutted forward, and had similar carving patterns carved into it around the edges.


    The mask''s mouth was opened in a permanent snarl, thick purple lips drawn back over jagged white teeth, and a scarlet tongue that seemed to twist and taste the air before Kothar''s eyes.


    Kothar sent mana to his mana sensing lens, but he could not see any clear runic constructs, all he could see was an increased mana density within the mask. It seemed that Lucio''s art went beyond what Mages knew of enchanting items, and instilled them with some hypnotic quality.


    In his studies with Simon, Kothar had come across passages that described such gifted individuals, who were able to create intricate works that instilled their own brand of magic within them, without the use of standardized runes or techniques.


    All together, the mask seemed to portray the face of a demon, and depending on how one looked at it and for how long, the entire multi-colored demonic face would either look as though it were grinning maniacally or snarling at the viewer.


    "That''s got to be one of his best works yet, and those colors would set a man''s head reeling all on their own!" Docara exclaimed as he peered over Kothar''s shoulder to get a decent look at the mask.


    "They stay on so well that you''ll wonder if they''ve got suckers on them that attach to the skin, and they''ll even stop an errant blow from a weapon in a pinch, treasure it well." Docara rapped his knuckles on his own mask before walking off to continue exchanging jibes with Jeb.


    "This mask, it is the face of the demon that play the drums of the storm. He is the one who creates the thunder and the lightning, good mask for you!" Lucio rumbled, and then strolled away, leaving Kothar to stare at the mask in his hands.


    [That''s really something, huh, guess he was impressed by your performance at the outpost.] Silane commented, as she also took in the mask, it was grotesque, yet still somehow beautiful, especially in the craftsmanship of even the small wrinkles at the corner of the eyes, and the fine pustules on the tongue.


    Kothar went below decks to exchange the stuffy helm for the new mask, and found an unoccupied cabin. They had slept in bunks, with many of the soldiers covering the side of their bunk with a sheet, for even amongst the Nighthawks, they concealed their faces.


    Kothar removed the helm, and the mask from the Multi Planar Equipment, letting it rest under the top of his breastplate.


    Docara was right, the mask gripped his head as though it had suckers, and stayed secure even as Kothar swung his head side to side to test it.


    [If anyone was watching you swing your head about, they''d laugh.] Silane commented, laughing a little herself at Kothar''s antics.


    Kothar only smiled to himself, before tucking the helm under one arm and returning above decks, where all the members of the unit were slowly gathering, bringing their bedrolls and gear, Kothar included.


    One by one, as the sun grew lower and lower in the sky, they climbed over the side of the ship. And into the waiting canoe. Soon, a man sat at each oar, and they began to row, backs to the coast, pulling away as the sun set in front of them.


    They were all silent in their thoughts, for all of the Nighthawks knew that they would be initiating a period of bloodshed and destruction that the Isle had never seen before, and if they were successful , would never see again.

 Chapter 154 - Luon

    Kothar stood amongst a stand of trees that covered the upper part of the hills that encircled the small town below. He had split up from the Nighthawks a few days ago, fifty men was far too many to continue being clandestine. Some had stolen horses and made for the vassal states far to the east.


    A string of murder, assassinations and theft that spread slowly from west to east would be far too obvious. It had only taken Kothar half a day in foot to get to  the town of Luon, and then he had camped out in this stand of trees.


    Thankfully the citizens of the town didn''t seem too interested in hunting, their food and grain arriving in large river barges, via the river that the town stood on either side of.


    The town mined emeralds, and the deep scars that were gouged into the hills evidenced that, Kothar found himself watching the miners off in the distance when he ate his dinner, usually a small bird that had been unlucky enough to be zapped by one of the Stunning Surges he sent spinning through the trees.


    The town itself was modest, mostly wooden buildings that the miners would fill in and out of at dawn and dusk. The town itself was covered in a thin film of grime that was thrown up by the mines. There were a single Earth Mages whose jobs it was to move aside the larger obstructions, but from what Kothar had seen she was not very powerful, only able to float a small boulder away at a time.


    For what competent Mage would work in the mines, when they could easily be the bodyguard of nobility or a wealthy merchant.


    AS for those houses that were made out of the stone that was occasionally quarried out of the mines, those were occupied by the initial prospectors who had founded Luon, it being a young town of only about sixty years.


    Within one of those houses also lived Kothar''s target, the nephew of the Prince of Downe, who had been gifted these lands forty odd years ago, as a gift, when it was believed that there had only been a single vein of emeralds in the rock.


    Fortunately for the young Earl, what had been a courtesy parcel of land had made him far richer than many of his peers. However, he lacked ambition, and had decided to spend his days lounging around the town of Luon, which made him so wealthy to begin with.


    He was mostly left out of the power struggles within the Principality, but would be a target ripe for inciting a war, because only a foreign nation would target him.


    [Don''t you feel guilty, Kothart? The man is innocent, all he has done with his wealth is live a life of luxury and excess.] Silane had been reluctant in crafting a plan to infiltrate Earl Dubois'' little estate, now that she had developed her own compass of morality.


    [This is far better than the indiscriminate destruction of entire planets we carried out for the Alliance. Sometimes I wonder if many of the battles I fought were truly for the benefit of the Alliance, or were merely fought according to the whims of the Council.] Kothar responded, and while Silane didn''t reply, he could feel the guilt radiating from her. As a pair, they had been the perfect sentient killing machine, Kothar with his razor sharp reflexes and intuition for battle, yet with much of his mind and emotions dulled by hormones and drugs pumped into him. And Silane, who could instantaneously compute the ridiculous trajectories required for interstellar combat, while also directing Kothar to the next target that the Alliance wanted gone.


    [The way I see it, Silane, is that there can be no privilege without risk, the greater ones'' privilege, the greater the inherent risk to their life. As a noble, Earl Dubois should be well aware of the fact that he may be a target for assassination. After all, why else do the nobles of this world build such great castles and keeps, and even the politicians of the Alliance, why else did they insist on armed escorts and radar jammers around the Garden. It simply is the price they pay.] Kothar had thought long and hard the couple of days he had been waiting in the small stand of trees, watching the comings and goings of the people of the township, and the few soldiers that were likely the town guard.


    It wouldn''t be a difficult mission, the only requirement that Kothar enter and leave completely unseen.


    As night fell, Kothar made his way down the gentle slope of the hills, walking next to one of the many streams that fed into the river below, eliminating much of the traces he would leave behind.


    Getting his boots wet was a small price to pay in exchange of not being pursued, and soon enough, a string of assassinations across the Principality would leave the army effectively crippled, wondering which way to direct their retaliation.


    A quick portal allowed Kothar to enter the town completely unnoticed, and he found himself in a back alley, behind one of the rickety wooden houses the miners lived in.


    Fortunately for Kothar, there wasn''t much in the way of criminals in the backstreets, the miners that lived in the wooden houses had little in the way of possessions, many of them slaves purchased from the Empire.


    Another portal, and Kothar was on the roof of the house, crouching as he passed through the portal, not wanting to create a racket on the roof and wake the miners.


    From here on, Kothar could see the small estate at the center of the town, it was made of a fine white stone, and a series of small gardens surrounded it, and finally a wall twice the height of the average man.


    Kothar smiled, this would be even easier than he had first imagined.

 Chapter 155 - The Earl Of Luon

    Kothar leapt from roof to roof, only the slightest of thumps and the swish of his clock moving through betraying that he had passed by. Had there been anyone else up on the roofs of Luon with him, they would have taken him for a demon, with the eerie mask covering his face and the enormous bat like cloak.


    It was only a few minutes before Kothar found his way to the residence of the Earl, and looked down at the front entrance, where a lone guard was asleep against the wall, slouching against it, while also propping himself up with a spear.


    The residence itself was quite simple, two stories of white stone, a cube shaped building, with most of the beauty of the place coming from the elaborately manicured gardens.


    [Doesn''t look too comfortable, but I guess humans will do whatever they can to slouch off, I don''t think I''ll ever understand that.] Silane commented. Meanwhile, Kothar circled around to the southern side of the estate, he didn''t want to risk alerting anybody at all, even sleeping guard was too much of a risk.


    After sweeping the surroundings with his Mana Sensing Lens, Kothar swept his gaze around, and seeing nobody in sight, leapt down from the roof. A quick portal put him past the wall, and instead of trying to find a door or window to break in, Kothar simply ran across the gardens, careful to only tread on the paving stones, and then portalled directly to the upper story, into an unoccupied room.


    As he exited the portal, Kothar found himself in a finely furnished guest room. It had a plump bed, with satin sheets and a finely carved wooden headboard, inlaid with the emeralds that had given the Earl his wealth.


    There was also a washbasin, a set of drawers and a full thing mirror, next to what Kothar presumed was the wardrobe. All over, the craftsman who had created the decor and incorporated the use of the emeralds, not overly so, but adding just enough color to the finely carved wood that even Kothar stopped for a moment to admire the craftsmanship.


    Kothar unlatched the door, and walked out into the corridor, if the intelligence that Docara had passed onto him was correct, he would find the Earl sleeping in the largest, northernmost room.


    Kothar crossed to the other sight of the estate, and as passed the stairway, he shook his head upon seeing yet another guard asleep, this one sitting on the stair and leaning his head against the banister.


    Kothar used his Mana Sensing Lens as he approached the door, and saw the bulk of the unmistakably large Earl of Luon asleep. But while Docara''s informant had been clear on the size of the Earl, they had failed to mention that his doorway was protected byu a runic construct, which if Kothar had not had the Mana Sensing Lens, he would have either activated the construct or noticed it far too late, when he was in range of it.


    Kothar squinted at the slowly rotating rings and inscriptions, all created from pure mana, and tried to puzzle out the purpose of it. From his own understanding of Runes, the construct would explode if triggered, incinerating anything in a one meter radius, but he wasn''t certain.


    [Silane, you got anything on this construct?] Kothar asked, peering carefully at the edges, trying to figure out if the construct extended to things inside the room or the walls. The main issue was, that while Kothar could easily make out the central components of a construct, the portions of it that were used to detect intruders were often so delicate that they blended in with the ambient mana, making it hard to find out the exact range of a construct.


    [Our Earl definitely cheaped out when he had this door enchanted. Any real Runecrafter would have extended the sensing filaments throughout the walls, but he only included the door itself and the latch. I think you can ignore this one and just portal through one of the neighboring rooms.] Silane sighed in disbelief at the foolishness of however had crafted the construct, it was practically useless in the face of any intruder with more than a shred of intelligence.


    Kothar nodded and followed the path that Silane had highlighted for him in his vision, while ulcer creating a red zone that would keep him away from the activation range of the construct in the door.


    Kothar let himself into the room on the right side of the Earl''s doorway, a storage closest for linens, and towels. From inside, contrary to his usual habit of opening the destination portal first, Kothar cast the entry portal.


    Since portals always made noise, no matter what, Kothar decided to have as little time as possible between when he would be in the room and when his portal inside the room would open.


    Kothar opened the portal inside the Earl''s bedroom, and braced for the inevitable explosion of the rune construct, hearing nothing, he linked the two portals and stepped through. His short blade at the ready.


    But there was no attack waiting for Kothar on the other side, only the massive bulk of the Earl of Luon, snoozing away on an enormous bed, that dominated a large portion of the already spacious room. Similar to the guest room, finely crafted furniture was tastefully placed all around the room, as well as a large bowl of candied fruit and pitcher of wine next to the bed. It seemed like the Earl liked to snack.


    The Earl was an extremely large man, Kothar hadn''t seen anyone of his size since he head been reborn on Eclat, but the Earl would fit right in with the wealthy and powerful that he had often seen on the Garden.


    The dry heat of the climate south of the plains meant that the Earl lank, long hair was plastered to his scalp, and he snored loudly in his sleep.


    [You''re lucky his snores drowned out the sound of your portal opening, I don''t think your next missions will be as easy as this one.] Silane grumbled, she still wasn''t happy with the mission but nevertheless made an effort to engage with Kothar.


    [I agree, this first wave of attacks is only going to make all the vassal states more vigilant.] Kothar replied, still taking in the room, psyching himself up to end the Earl''s life.. HE had done similar things before, as a Sentinel, but it was one thing to take a life as an unfeeling immoral half man half machine and another to take one as a flesh and blood person with all the emotions and morals that came along with being human.

 Chapter 156 - The Earl Of Luon(2)

    Kothar stared down at the sleeping Earl, he had no idea of what his name was, Docara hadn''t divulged those details to any of the men.


    "Better to keep things as impersonal as possible, wouldn''t want you lads feeling pity for the poor fools." Docara had joked, half serious, the humor in his voice undercut with seriousness.


    [Kothar, do him a favor and make it look natural, all it''ll take is a small portal in his brain stem. He''ll stop breathing all by himself and pass away in his sleep, with no one the wiser.] Silane''s guilt was catching up with her, and she called out desperately. How had she been so blind on mission after mission, razing and burning entire civilizations to nothing, all for the ''offence'' of refusing to come under the wing of the Alliance. She was beginning to think that her new-found emotions were more of a curse than a blessing, especially since she remembered her past life in such detail. And now it seemed as though they were going down that very same path.


    [I can''t do that Silane. The whole point of this is that it looks like an intentional attack, we need to stir the vassal states into war. If it looks too much like an accident then there''ll be absolutely no point to his death. Silane, you were always the one giving me commands to carry out similar attacks, and now that you can feel guilt your stance has completely changed? I''m sorry Silane, but this is for Ursten, and for Tam.] Had there been anyone else in the room, they would have seen Kothar, standing over the bed, seemingly frozen, but in a fierce internal debate with Silane.


    [Alright, Kothar. Just remember that I was against this.] Silane fell silent, she knew that she was in no position to judge Tam''s or Kothar''s actions, since she had been the one who had red flagged many planets all on her own, as potential threats to the unity of the Alliance.


    Kothar sighed, and opened a portal. The Earl''s eyes flew open, wide and glaring, uncontrollable spasming all around the room, and as Kothar stood there, in his terrifying mask, for the merest moment, the Earl''s eyes met Kothar''s and the moment stretched for an eternity.


    A flash of confusion, followed by a moment of fear, and then, upon making sense of what he was seeing, uncontrollable terror, and then, nothing.


    Just as quick as his eyes had opened, they fell still, and the short, sudden gasps disappeared all together. The tiny portal that Kothar had opened in the Earl''s skull had cut off all blood flow to his brain, and had the added effect of filling the skull with blood.


    Tears of blood began to flow from the Earl''s wide staring eyes, and a pink froth formed around his lips, while even more blood dribbled from his ears and nose.


    Kothar sighed, and then walked over to the chest at the foot of the bed, opening it silently, slowly easing the lid up.


    Within was a finely crafted blade, in a gold sheath inlaid with emeralds and fine silver vines, that lay upon layers of fine velvet clothing. They must have been a gift, for the Principality was far too warm for anyone to even consider wearing velvet.


    Next to the blade, sat a heavy black bag, Kothar pulled it open slightly, and even he gave the slightest gasp of surprise.


    Finely cut and polished emeralds, swimming within the darkness, glinting so slightly in the imager light that filtered in from the small window. Kothar tucked the bag away, Docara had been clear that they should take anything valuable with them, to make a weak effort at disguising the killings as burglaries, just as an amateur might do.


    It would do much to keep anyone from catching onto the actual culprits behind the assassinations.


    Kothar took up the fine blade, and walked over to the corpse of the Earl, still lying in his bed, just as he might if he were asleep.


    Then, he raised the blade high into the air, and brought it stabbing down violently, aiming straight for the dead Earl''s heart.


    All around the northern vassal states of the Empire, the same scene was repeating itself. The sons, daughters, siblings, nieces and nephews of the ruling families of the various vassal states, were all under threat. Some had already been sl;ain, while other fought for the lives, and some still slept, unaware of the looming threat.


    Docara, currently in fierce combat with a pair of women, they appeared to be twins, and fought together. Moving as one unit, one with a long spear, and the other with a pair of short blades, similar to Docara.


    He had already killed his target, and unfortunately for him, the late Duke of Cierland, had been sure to install safeguard after safeguard, Docara had spent painstaking hours finding way around his extensive network of runic constructs, all around the castle, before finally finding his way to the Duke''s bedchamber, slaying him with a quick Wind Slash to the throat.


    But the Duke had one final trick, his very life was linked to a rune construct that had alerted the pair of guards that Docara now fought.


    The guard with the spear kept stabbing forward, allowing the other to recover from intense head on clashes with Docara.


    Docara sighed, and reached into his cloak,  this would be getting very ugly, very quickly.


    Far to the East, but not yet at the coast, Pony strolled through the streets of the outlaw town of Ridgeback, he had no idea why Docara had assigned him this mission.


    His target, a son of one of the ruling families of the merchant nation of Antion, had made things far too easy for him.


    His informant had told him that he often frequented the red-light district in Ridgeback, and Pony had thought he would break into his room, but now that he was freely walking the streets, it would be simple for Pony to take him out, after all, accidental scuffles often broke out in such towns.


    As his target turned into a dark and narrow alleyway, Pony smiled a savage grin, this was it.

 Chapter 157 - Pony

    Pony gave his surroundings a quick scan, and seeing no one watching him, he dashed after his target. Pony''s hands closed into fists, and they began to glow with a milky white light.


    He was longer wearing his horse mask, since he had decided to mingle amongst the locals to trail his target.


    Instead, he wore an enormous cloak, with a large hood accompanied by a small scarf that obscured the bottom half of his half. This wasn''t uncommon for Ridgeback, since there were many men of status and power who wished not to be recognized when they visited the grimy city.


    Pony turned the corner, and where he expected his target to be facing away from him, defenseless, the young merchant stood waiting for him, a sharp pointed dirk in his hand, glowing a slight yellow color.


    "Oh, ****" Pony murmured, as the merchant stabbed toward him, sending a sharp spike of stone flying toward Pony. Pony didn''t even blink, he just punched straight out at the incoming spike, and it disintegrated into dust. It came into contact with the light radiating from Pony''s fists, the vibrations emanating from his hands causing the stone to crumble.


    "Not a good matchup for you, kid. Why don''t you just give up here and give me your valuables." Pony mocked the shocked young man, who had probably never seen Pony''s unique brand of magic. To be fair, few had seen Pony''s unique brand of magic, and none had lived to tell the tale.


    "I''d sooner eat dirt than be a coward. Tell me, who sent you!" The merchant spat out at Pony, as he backed away from Pony, towards the wall of the alleyway. The merchant stomped down, causing the ground between them to crumple and shift, but it made no difference to Pony.


    "Eating dirt would be fitting for you, mud boy!" Pony mocked the man, doing his best to embrace the young merchant, the more emotional an enemy, the more likely they were to make a mistake.


    Pony''s feet began to glow also and practically danced across the shifting and surging earth of the alleyway. The young merchant realized that he was outmatched, and he turned tail to flee, stomping down to create a column of stone that propelled him upwards and over the wall of the alleyway.


    "Oh ****." Pony leapt after the fleeing merchant, using the column left behind to launch him over. The merchant was running at a breakneck speed, slamming his fist into the walls of the stone buildings to either side of him, sending stones tumbling loose from the walls, in a feeble attempt to stop Pony from following him.


    "This has gone on long enough." Pony spat, and took on a wide stance, tracking the fleeing merchant carefully with his feet, he sank down low to the ground, and then punched out, his muscles rippling visibly, even beneath the layers upon layers of fabric cloaking him.


    There was a loud crack and the merchant fell sprawling forward, and coughed out blood, spraying a red mist out into the air.


    The young man reached out weakly toward his fallen blade, but his insides had been practically pulverized by Pony''s attack, and excruciating pain spread out through his body.


    Pony shook his head as he approached the fallen man, how had he allowed himself to be so sloppy. This weak little merchant shouldn''t have even been able to go more than a few meters before he had taken care of him.


    There was a dull thud as Pony finished him off, without a second thought, and began to rifle through the fallen man''s pockets. He knew he wouldn''t find much, but just as the other members of the Nighthawk unit had been instructed, Pony had also been instructed to do an amateur job of making the assassination look like a robbery gone wrong.


    Pony stuffed the contents of the merchant''s pockets into his own, and with a quick glance to his surroundings hurting off, into the gloom of the narrow alleyways of Ridgeback.


    While men of status and power fell all across the northern vassal states of the Empire, the men who had planned the events currently taking place sat across each other, in a small tent, with a rickety wooden table between them, a pitcher of wine, a few slices of bread and a few cheeses set out on the table between them.


    "It''ll be happening now." Anteris folded his arms and stared at the Magic Crystal lamp set on the table, lighting the tent in a warm, yellowish glow.


    "Yes, It''ll be another week or so before we even hear whispers of what''s happening. And hopefully the Imperial Generals won''t catch on for another few months. Enough time for the last few pieces of our plan to fall into place." Tam sipped from his cup of wine, his face frowning in concern.


    "Be honest, Tam, you''re more worried about that boy of yours, than you are about everything going to plan. I''m sure it was you who told me of the saying, "Plans are just there, so you have something to do before everything goes to absolute ****." Anteris laughed loudly, unlike Tam, he was drinking straight from a bottle of his favorite Dragon''s Breath liquor, and had steadily become more and more rambunctious.


    "Yes, I am, but I swore to myself that I would raise him as my father raised me. Thrust directly into the grinding gears of war, all on my own, without the permanent safety net that most nobles give their children." Tam murmured, thinking back to his own days as a common soldier in the Ursten army, working his way up the ranks.


    "Give your boy the credit he is due. You''ve seen him in action, haven''t you? He''ll be a match for those Lieutenants of yours soon enough." Anteris punched the air with his crystal flagon, almost tipping over on his chair.


    "You''re right, Anteris. The boy will be able to handle whatever comes at him, I''m sure of that." Tam smiled to himself, remembering Kothar''s battle with the Wind Mage at the outpost.. His son had turned into a fine warrior.

 Chapter 158 - Aznur

    The Isle. Most of its citizens live their lives within the boundaries of their villages, not even thinking twice about the world beyond. But while most of the people of the Isle continued on with their lives, unaware. A war was brewing.


    On the southern coast of the Isle, a long peninsula extends into the ocean, the part of the peninsula closest to the mainland of the Isle, is a patchwork of farmland and small villages, and as you travel closer to the tip of the peninsula. The dwellings grow closer and closer together, and the materials turns from wood and straw to brick and stone. The houses come closer and closer together, the paved roads transforming to city streets, and halfway along the peninsula, the city is divided.


    An enormous wall of shining white stone bisects the city, the wall is thin, yet the entirety of its surface glows with magical runes, people from all over the Empire travel thousands of kilometers to gaze upon this wall, and unlike most of the sights of the Empire, this is one that the common man can approach and touch.


    Once one is close enough to touch the wall, the thousands of shining white bricks that make up the wall can be seen, the hairline separation between each one barely visible, so flawlessly were they pieced together.


    These walls had been crafted with the expert input of Dwarf and Gnome craftsmen, the Empire had paid the hefty price they typically required.


    Soldiers man these walls, wearing shining plate, that also glow with runes, and their open face helmets reveal their bearded faces and dark skin, from the days upon days out in the sun, tirelessly manning the wall.


    While the wall is an imposing sight, and the soldiers manning it are constantly alert, not even stopping for a moment, their eyes constantly roaming the horizon for potential threats, the wall has not even been tested once.


    The Empire has crushed any army foolish enough to question its supremacy well before they even had the chance to take a glimpse at the crown jewel of the Empire, the capital city of Aznur.


    Beyond this first wall, is the second great sight that people from all over the lands of the Empire come to see, the great Arena. It is an equally imposing sight, an enormous ring of dark gray stone, with men and women constantly streaming in and out of the open doorways dotted around its base.


    The Arena lacked the glow of runes, and the stones were roughly shaped and looked as if they had been piled rather than fitted together carefully, but this only added to the rough beauty of the structure.


    Once within, the true majesty of the structure is revealed, a shallow cone shape has been created by the Ogres who lifted and placed the heavy, enormous stones that made up the Arena, creating row after row of seating, that lead to a wide open circle, without even a wall or fence separating the spectators from those fighting in the ring.


    An unknowing onlooker might take that step, not noticing the ring of white paint that separated the darker stones of the surface of the arena from the stands, curious about a battle taking place.


    That onlooker would step into their death, for anyone who stepped even a hair''s breadth inside the ring was considered to be a contender, and the men fighting in the arena did not take kindly to contenders joining mid-battle.


    The Arena was where slaves, citizens of the Empire and foreigners, were all alike, fighting for status and glory within. All for the slightest sliver of hope, the hope that on the day that they fought, the shaded pavilion erected high on one side of the Arena was occupied, and the Emperor recognized their prowess, and honored them.


    Stories were told that as a young man, the Emperor himself had stood upon the blood stained stones of the ring, and had offered his head and the right to the throne as the prize, and had been set upon by all within the stands that day.


    And the reason that this event was only spoken about in rumors and myth, was because that all those present that day, were slaughtered, to the very last man.


    Now, beyond the first wall, and the Arena, and the fine mansions within the wall, constructed for the Generals and officials of the Emperor, at the very tip of the peninsula, is the structure which resulted in Aznur being called the crown jewel of the Empire.


    The greatest craftsmen of the Isle had been called upon in creating this grand structure. The Imperial Palace. The mansions and storefront and guildhalls suddenly stopped, and there was a large expanse of open ground, after which a gentle slope rose up, at its top was a low wall of the same shining white stone that made up the outer wall of Aznur.


    But this wall shone even more densely with runes, and the mere gaze of the soldiers manning the palace wall would make most men quail.


    Beyond this first wall, hidden from the view of the city, were the Imperial Gardens, but few were even aware of their existence, and even fewer had actually seen them. What all admired, and gazed upon, were the shining spires of the palace.


    They rose up, like spiraling staircases to the heavens themselves, shining brightly over the city of Aznur. The tall spires were a topic of great interest to those that lived in the capital, one could never be sure how many there were, when one sat down to count them they instead became enamored with heir beauty and lost themselves gazing at the fine patterns of pale silver that wrapped all around the thin towers.


    At the base of these towers, was the Imperial Palace proper, and within it, the place where the gears of the great empire turned, the Imperial Court.


    "I implore you all, this must be some great conspiracy, how else could so many men and women of importance be killed, simultaneously even?" A certain blonde haired man currently addressed the court.

 Chapter 159 - The Imperial Court

    It had been years since Simon had last stood in this hall, yet even though he had seen the court before, its splendor managed to leave him breathless each and every time that he returned.


    How could one not be astounded by the sheer beauty of the place. Built right up against the south wall of the palace, the wall was covered in enormous glass panels, that stretched from roof to floor, allowing a clear view of the ocean beyond.


    The other three walls were of stone, a deep dull red and color, that took in the heat of the shining  sun and warmed the room, shielding those within from the chill that was ever present this far south.


    While the stone of the walls was beautiful, it wasn''t so beautiful that it would leave one lost for words, no, it was the carving that covered each of the stone walls.


    The artisans who had lain the stones had created an mural by carving the stones, and gold had been inlaid into all the grooves, so when the warm light of the sun flooded the rooms, the walls glimmered, as if on fire. All the carved beasts within the murals appearing to dance.


    The floor was a fine ceramic tile, enchanted so that the tile patterns constantly shifted and swam about, dancing all around the feet of those who walked through the hall.


    The roof rose up, impossibly high, and if one craned their neck to look upwards they would discover one of the most beautiful sights, even within the Imperial Palace, already so filled with wonder and beauty.


    Upon the roof, the famed artist Rulaad had painted the figures of the founding mother and father of the empire, their names now lost to history, yet their images so clear on the roof above.


    They had been painted facing each other, a complex look that seemed to communicate both great joy and despair within their eyes, as they faced off, a weapon in one hand.


    The male figure held a sword, and brandished it high in the air, clad in nothing but a simple robe. His other hand, lowered, held a small bundle of wheat.


    The woman, in a similar pose, brandished a spear, the tip pointed at the throat of the male,


    While her other hand held a bunch of grapes. Many made guesses to what the paintings represented, but none had come up with a definitive answer.


    The simple robes of the figures above were the complete opposite of the sheer opulence below.


    The descendant of the two figures upon the throne was currently seated on an exquisite throne, his back to the southern wall, so that one could not directly look at him without the sun glaring against their eyes. The light creating a sort of halo around his silhouette.


    Simon knew that this was intentional, even a ridiculously powerful man such as the Emperor wanted to throw his enemies off as much as possible, and keeping them uncomfortable when they visited his Court would do much for that purpose.


    "It has been a long time Scholar Piatt, where have you been? My evenings at court have been so droll without you." A silky voice called out, and Simon immediately turned back to the throne and bent his head in deference. The glaring light meant that he could only make out the hints of a golden robe and a pair of fine leather boots that were worn by the Emperor.


    "Your Imperial Majesty. I managed to stumble across a particularly intrigued set of ruins, I set myself to recording the information I found, and before I knew it, a few years had passed." Simon plastered an empty-headed smile on his face as he bowed deeply, if the Emperor had even the slightest glimmer of suspicion of his identity, Simon''s life would be forfeit.


    "So, do you have any news of what I asked you to look into?" The Emperor asked, his voice slithering its way through the courtroom, its smoothness going beyond pleasing to the point where it was disturbing.


    "Unfortunately not, but your Imperial Majesty shall be the first to know of any breakthroughs that I make." Simon dipped his head, he looked not much different from his usual self, but none would recognize him at first glance.


    His eyebrows appeared a little further apart, the small noose that he shared with Ophil now far more prominent, and his mouth now had a pair of thin, almost invisible lips.


    "Alright. Please, continue with what you were saying." The Emperor sighed and reclined back onto his throne, a smirk on his face as Simon turned back to face the gathered generals and Officials.


    "My noble lord and ladies, as I was saying earlier, such a string of attacks, occurring simultaneously amongst all the northern vassal states, must be the work of some powerful enemy. Hoping to draw our attention away from the Empire itself, and then strike at us when our attentions are elsewhere." Simon slowly paced the ring of gathered officials as he talked, looking each of them in the eye, pausing to add greater emphasis to his words.


    He had scarcely believed Tam when he proposed this plan, being within the palace while the invasion was being laid in place was quite simple for him, he had lain the groundwork years ago. But actively encouraging the Imperials to stay in their capital, encouraging them to go completely contrary to their plan, that was an astonishing stroke of genius.


    "My lords and ladies. This man is a fool, he claims to be a scholar, yet pokes his nose into the business of war that should not concern him, for he has no knowledge of these things.. I implore you, come with me in suppressing these conflicts, for the Emperor!" A gray haired man, elderly in face but with the stride and build of a young man, called out, as he strode out into the empty floor, joining Simon there, giving him a deathly glare.

 Chapter 160 - The Storm Generals

    "General Regis! Are they not vassal states for a reason, so that they may govern themselves and resolve their own petty disputes. If they were truly a part of the Empire, then one could justify defending them. But I have heard of the stirring of a great power forming in the North, and I think this has all the makings of a trap." Simon addressed the General, standing tall, though Regis towered over him. Regis was a middle aged man, but his eyes looked as though he had year after year of suffering, and his hair and eyes were a pale gay color.


    "Piatt, you have always been one to give wise counsel, even though you spend your days digging around dusty ruins and unearthing moldy skeletons, which is why you are even given the chance to attend this court. But know your place, I did not become a General so that a bookish little worm like you could insult my intelligence." Regis'' voice grew stern, and the surrounding air began to crackle with energy, and the gathered Officials began to murmur. Regis was far taller than Simon, and he currently wore a leather breastplate over a dark-colored tunic combined with a pair of leather sandals. A large broadsword was strapped to his back, the enormous handle sticking out over his shoulder. A small short cape hung loosely at his back, and his bare arms and legs were covered in scars.


    Many myths surrounded Regis himself, known as the Burning Storm General, both for his attitude and for his dual Lightning and Flame affinities. He had foregone the Mage training that he could have learned, rather training as a warrior, and honing himself in the Arena.


    "My aim was not to insult you, Sir! I only implore the gathered court to consider all possibilities before dispatching the bulk of the Empire''s forces to the north." Simon responded, his voice still clear and calm in the face of the General''s intimidation.


    "You have some spine, Piatt. But I stand by my position, we cannot allow this unrest to ignite into a full scale war, if all the states that have had men assassinated, chose to start a battle, then the north will devolve into a storm of lawlessness." Regis simmered down, and his eyes which had been filled with sparks of red and blue now returned to their pale gray color. He crossed his enormous arms, as wide around as Simon''s legs, and looked the scholar up and down. He had gained some respect for this tiny man.


    "Regis! Why do you bully the poor scholar so? Let him speak his mind instead of unleashing your hotheadedness on any who question you. No wonder so many of your men have come asking to come under my command." In contrast to Regis hoarse voice, this person spoke smoothly, though with a similar deep tone as Regis. The Officials moved aside as an extremely tall man, taller even than the mountainous Regis, walked out to the open space at the center of the court.


    "Nevus! If you don''t have anything to say about the unrest then I refuse to speak with you." Regis frowned, and the air around him began to crackle again, as his thunderous brows began to brown. He stared daggers at the slender, tall man dressed in voluminous green robes who walked out toward him.


    This was Regis'' counterpart in the Imperial army, the Galestorm, Nevus. His beginnings were a mystery, and he had suddenly appeared, rising through the ranks of the army meteorically. He was rumored to have three elemental affinities, and it was said that he had fused all three of his cores together, which had given him command over the very weather itself.


    "Come now, Regis. Aren''t we friends, or at the very least, comrades?" Nevus smiled at Regis, his long black hair formed into a braid, and his features delicate, and if not for his broad shoulders and deep voice, one might mistake him for a woman.


    By now, Simon had retreated into the mass of gathered Officials, he had no interest in being caught in between an argument between the two most powerful figures of the Imperial Army.


    Regis only glared silently back at Nevus, he knew that the man liked to enrage him, he seemed to take a sick pleasure in irritating others, picking at their soft spots.


    "I think that our good scholar Piatt made a good point, why should we concern ourselves into the petty disputes of those vassal states. Yes, I would like to find another rebellion to squash, but the disputes between our vassal states should be below us. The Empire rules those states, it is not a mother intervening in a fight between children, so long as they pay their dues, they can do as they wish." Nevus smirked at Regis, and the air around the hot headed general began to crackle once again, while a gust of wind began to swirl around Nevus. The sun shining into the room dimmed, as clouds began to gather around outside, beginning to cover the sky above.


    The gathered countries began to sweat, surely the two generals would not start fighting outright before the Emperor, but it wouldn''t be out of the ordinary for the two of them, each of them were just as mad as the other.


    A turquoise glow began to surround Nevus as he stepped closer to Regis, his lean frame towered over the already tall man.


    The red and blue sparks swirling around Regis coalesced into a purplish aura, and he began to exert his pressure around him, which Nevus answered in turn.


    A few of the weaker Officials groaned out and fell over, passing out from the pressure of the generals, untrained, their own control of their mana not even able to resist the edges of the generals''.


    Regis'' face twisted into a fierce snarl, as the two grew closer and closer, while Nevus'' grin grew wider and wider, he couldn''t believe his luck, would he be able to get Regis to fight him in the Imperial Court itself?

 Chapter 161 - The Storm Generals(2)

    The court was filled with gasps and muttering, but no one moved top stop either of the two Generals, no one dared, for the only individual capable of commanding them was the Emperor himself.


    The clash between the pair intensified, and more and more of the Officials began to quail under the pressure coming from the pair.


    "Enough." The voice rang out through the Imperial Court, it was high and melodic, and a soft glow suffused the room, and a warm feeling enveloped those that could not handle the clash between the two generals, and they felt the pressure weighing them down lighten considerably.


    But the two Generals felt the impossibly heavy pressure of the Emperor weighing down on them, it was as if they were being pressed down upon, from every direction, and the mana within their bodies turned sluggish and somehow, at the same time, unruly.


    "Regis. Nevus. The two of you are the pillars that support my Empire, please settle down, the both of you. Such an uncontrolled and unpracticed display of your domain is embarrassing." As the Emperor spoke, the clouds cleared, and the sun shone down once again, filling the room with bright and warm light, banishing the gloom.


    "Forgive me, your Imperial Majesty." Both of the Generals fell to one knee, bowing before the Emperor, their heads bowed in apology.


    "I could never remain angry with the two of you. Now, before any others become involved in this heated debate, I shall decide on this matter. Whether or not this is some ploy is irrelevant. It could be a distraction, or it could be one of the states making a series of planned attacks, trying to usurp the others. Whatever it is, I want the pair of you to take your armies and suppress this threat." The Emperor''s voice was soft, but the air of command in his tone was unmistakable.


    "But, your Majesty. What of our lands, surely one of us should remain behind to ensure the safety of the Empire?" Regis, who had previously been adamant to go and suppress the unrest, asked, his voice still shaky from the Emperor''s admonishment.


    "This unrest must be answered. It seems to me that those fools have forgotten that three is a reason that they are mere vassals of my Empire. Don''t worry yourselves about what will happen to this Empire while you are gone. After all, I am here." The Emperor''s teeth flashed from within the glow that made it hard to make out his features, but he wasn''t unmistakably smiling.


    The two generals only nodded, there was no way they could object now, they couldn''t even stand against the mere pressure that the Emperor had used to settle them down, how could they have questioned the Empire''s safety?


    As the two generals left, heads hung low after their embarrassing display, the court began to disperse, no one else wanted to ask the Emperor something so soon after he had chastised the two Storm Generals.


    Simon filtered out with the others, blending in seamlessly with his fine clothes and perfumed and pinned hair.


    "Scholar Piatt! Scholar Piatt!" A voice called out, and Simon picked up his pace. There was always one minor official that tried to arrange a meeting with him whenever he visited the court.


    They were all convinced that Simon had the air of the Emperor, or was some relative of the Imperial family, and so they desperately tried to curry favor with him. They couldn''t be more wrong, Simon had requested to examine the fine paintings of the Imperial Founders many many years ago, and somehow he had chanced upon a meeting with the Emperor, and then he had received his first summons to the Imperial Court.


    It had been so lucky that even he had questioned if some elaborate trap had been laid for him, by some enemy of Ursten, but it was not the case. The Emperor was simply interested in whatever Simon might find out about his ancestors, and wanted Simon available at the Court whenever he could be, since he never met with anyone outside of that, except in the most special of cases.


    Simon hurried out through the long, airy corridors, with high arches that took up half of the walls, open to the outside air, allowing the palace to remain cool. His boots clicked on the tiled floor, and he took in the sight of the distant palace gardens as he walked toward the exit.


    He wished he had some valid excuse for exploring the gardens, those who had been granted the Emperor''s favor had the opportunity, and every one of them sung praises of the fine gardens.


    Simon would have liked to take in more of the palace''s beauty but the official looking for him weighed on his mind, and he hurried out of the palace walls, he reassured himself, surely he would be unable to enjoy the palace once the invasion was successful. And if not, then he would be unable to complain.


    The white stone of the palace was replaced with the gray stone of the Arena and surrounding buildings as Simon made his way out towards the city wall, and then as he passed even the outer wall, he found himself in more comfortable surroundings.


    Rough, ramshackle wooden buildings, like those he had often frequented as a youth, were now all around him, and as much as he enjoyed the beauty of the palace, there was great comfort in these surroundings.


    Simon made his way to the room he had rented from an elderly woman who had since passed, and had been replaced by her son, who managed to make breakfasts even more delicious than hers.


    Once back in his room, he opened the trunk at the foot of his bed, he would have to leave the city as Scholar Piatt, and lose the inevitable tail on him within the wilderness, as there were always curious officials with far too much money to spend who would hire men to follow him.

 Chapter 162 - Thibault

    Yorub watched as the man he had been tasked to watch left his home, a room he had been renting for almost twenty years. It was an odd assignment, following the eccentric scholar Piatt, a man who was spoken of as both foolish and a man of rare genius.


    But why would somebody want to tail a man like him, Yorub wondered, then cast the thought aside, what did he care, the man who had hired him had paid him for weeks worth of work, and promised twice the sum once he had completed the mission.


    As he tracked the man, being careful to keep at least three or four people between himself and Piatt, he smiled smugly. This was too easy, it was like getting paid to sit around and wait.


    But now Yorub''s mentor''s voice echoed in his head, ''Yorub, if something is too good to be true, then it is.'' His mentor had screeched at him, before rapping his knuckles with a cane, as he did whenever he wanted to emphasize a point.


    Piatt had pulled up the hood of his cloak, which was a little strange, seeing as the weather was mild today, there was no hellish heat beating down on the pedestrians, nor was there a freezing rain.


    Yorub continued to follow the cloaked man, and then, he lost sight of him in a throng of people. He panicked slightly, worried he had lost his profitable mark, but then heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the distinctive black clock with an orange stripe running down each shoulder.


    He followed easily, but then a frown appeared on his face, and he ran closer to the man wearing the cloak, all thoughts of secrecy cast out of his mind. Why was Piatt walking so strangely, he had such a brisk and even pace before, and now he slouched, walking slowly, as if afraid to fall on the slightest change in the road.


    "Hey! Stop right there!" Yorub called out, grabbing at the shoulder of the cloaked man, who turned around with a confused look on his face.


    "Whaddaya want, eh?" A broken toothed, wrinkled beggar sneered at Yorub from beneath the hood of the cloak, gripping Yorub''s fingered with a surprising amount of strength, and leaving them off his shoulder.


    Yorub was silent, and it slowly hit him, Piatt had obviously switched his clock with the beggar, and then disappeared into the crowd. Yorub swore, and the beggar swore back, reaching under the clock for a knife, not realizing that Yorub''s ire was directed at the disappeared Piatt, not himself.


    "Sorry, sorry! I mistook you for another!" Yorub waved his hands at the beggar and backed away slowly, and the beggar spat towards him before wrapping his newly acquired cloak around himself and scurrying away.


    Yorub groaned, it looked like he wouldn''t be able to claim the reward, but he was happy enough with what he had already been paid, and besides, he might be able to sell this information in someway, many would be interested to know the name of the man who had ordered him to follow Piatt, and possibly even the fact that Piatt was aware he was being followed.


    Now that he had consoled himself into a better mood, Yorub whistled slightly, walking back to where the Official that had hired him was currently staying, and made up his mind to try and squeeze even a few more coins out of the man.


    As Yorub headed back to an Official who would soon be extremely disappointed, Simon was inside the backroom of one of the many inns that were scattered around the outskirts of Aznur.


    He had worn another, shorter and less conspicuous cloak under the black one that he had just given away. It was an old trick he used, but it was nonetheless very effective, and hadn''t failed him since.


    Simon pulled a small mirror out of the many pockets on the tawny colored cloak, and set it against one of the shelves, it was time to get to work.


    First, he pulled off the flesh colored putty that had covered his nose, rolling it up for future use. Next, the putty around his mouth to make his lips smaller was removed, and then he removed a small bottle of a colorless, jelly like substance from within his clock.


    This would remove the glue and paints from his face, and Simon liberally applied this to his face, and as he rubbed it into his skin, the face that his family was familiar with appeared.


    But he wasn''t done yet, he wouldn''t show his face in Aznur, there was far too much risk involved that he would risk being recognized.


    First, Simon used the water from a barrel in the corner to thoroughly wash the remnants of his previous disguise away. Then, he liberally applied a black dye to his blonde curls, using a brush and bottle that he had taken out from the seemingly endless pockets within his cloak.


    Next, as he waited for his hair to dry, he took out another kind of putty, this one darker in color, and created a puckered scar that ran from the corner of one eye to his chin.


    Sometimes, the best way to avoid recognition, was to give the onlooker something else to remember, this way, people would only see the scar, ignoring the rest of his face.


    A touch of the putty on his chin to lengthen it, and a little more to make his nose appear flattened, and his face was once again unrecognizable, not even close to his own face or that of Scholar Piatt.


    Simon then stared in the mirror at his new face from every angle, committing the features to memory, after all this identity could be necessary in the future, and he would have to be able to recreate his features if required.


    "Alright, Thibault." Simon nodded into the mirror, naming the new face allowed him to more easily remember it and create a backstory.. Finally, Simon pulled a rough shirt and breeches from the bundle he had carried, hidden under the larger, black cloak, and with that, Thibault was ready, for the next stage of Simon''s mission.

 Chapter 163 - Thibault(2)

    Now with a new face, Simon found a nearby stable, and purchased a mount, it was nothing impressive, just a hardy roan, the kind of horse that didn''t need too much in the way of food and water and would suit most travelling across the arid lands of the Empire.


    Having shaken off his tail, Simon could move at a more leisurely pace, and rode out of Aznur at a canter, most people moving to make way for the viciously scarred stranger, nobody wanted to get into a fight that they didn''t need to have.


    The sun was high in the sky when Simon left Aznur, and it was low in the sky, almost setting, when he arrived at the ramshackle hut, northwest of the capital.


    The hut was hidden from the road, locked within a narrow cleft in the rocky cliffs that were all around the south-western part of the Empire, and furthermore, appeared completely run down from a distance.


    But this was not the case, the door was made of sturdy wood, and there was a heavy lock on the door, which would be enough to deter all but the most determined of curious passersby.


    Simon unlocked the door, and entered the hut, he reached around in the darkness, only taking a few moments to procure a lamp and switch it on.


    The room was lit by the soft glow of the Mana Crystal powered lamp, and lit up the piles of supplies and various odds and ends that Simon had stashed away.


    Simon ignored all of these things, rummaging around in a small chest that was locked by a rune enhanced lock, before pulling out a bone white whistle, carved from a large hunk of ivory.


    Then, Simon pulled out a trio of tiny leather scroll cases, as well as a roll of paper. On the paper, he wrote the same message, repeated three times.


    "The forecast remains true, I look forward to our reunion." The message was not so cryptic that Tam and Anteris would fail to understand it, but it contained no real information on their plans, other than they would stick to what had been planned previously.


    Simon stepped outside, the cleft he was in now completely cloaked in darkness, the light from the setting sun setting the clouds above him on fire, it made for an interesting sight, and Simon paused a moment before heading out from the cleft and blowing the whistle hard.


    No sound came from the whistle, at least, none that humans could hear.


    He waited a few minutes between each time he blew the whistle, and before long, the distant beating of wings could be heard.


    Simon smiled as the hybrid birds flopped down and landed in front of him, each one lifting a leg towards him, waiting for the cases to be attached to one of their legs. They had been trained well.


    The birds themselves were the first of an experimental cross, and as such had yet to be named, but Simon knew they would be popular, for their use in battle and for their passive nature.


    They still retained much of the appearance of the messenger pigeons they were descended from, but were a bright green color, with an elaborate crest of yellow feathers that flowed down toward their equally flamboyant tails.


    However, they were far larger than their pigeon counterparts, three or four times their size and with claws that looked as though they could do real damage if the bird was angered.


    Once the messages were attached, Simon blew the whistle hard again, this time continuing to blow as long as he had breath, and the messenger birds flew away, heading north east, their silhouettes a beautiful sight against the red sky of sunset.


    While Simon enjoyed a peaceful evening, bruised and battered Nighthawks filtered into an encampment. They were within the depths of a dense forest that most people avoided, thanks to the peculiar carnivorous deer that lived within. This meant that this forest was as far from civilization that one could get on the southern half of the Isle, and as such, was a perfect meeting place for the Nighthawks.


    Currently, less than half of their number had returned, and Docara had recently taken to anxiously pacing around their fire, peering out into the dark, for any sign of his missing comrades.


    "You know that staring out into the gloom won''t make them return any faster." Pony said gruffly to Docara, he had grown less uncomfortable with Docara''s authority, especially with how well Docara had executed the orders given tot hem, sending the vassal states up in flames in just over a week. Everywhere Pony had looked, on his journey to their rendezvous, the fires of war had been burning.


    Marching armies, entire cities a smoldering ruin, and the wailing and screams that accompanied the blazing fury of war.


    "I know, Pony. But I fear we may have done our jobs too well. Even I struggled to get here, all the states have set up ridiculous amounts of checkpoints, and I swear you could spit and hit a battlefield. I fear for our comrades." Docara sighed and sat down on a log next to the fire.


    "Staring out into the gloom won''t do anything, but it sure helps me feel like I am doing something. We can only wait for another week, and then we have to leave, no matter how many of us have returned. The next phase of our mission awaits us, and if this invasion is to be successful we must carry out our duty." Docara adjusted his mask slightly, and in doing so was reminded of Lucio. Even Lucio, as strong as he was, hadn''t returned, where were his men?


    Docara swept his eyes around the camp, where the few that had returned were laughing and joking with each other, as part of their past missions, all these men had been to hell and back, and could remain lighthearted in even the most dire of situation.. Who was he to doubt them, surely they would all return.

 Chapter 164 - Trapped

    Kothar was crouched within a large clump of bushes, only a few meters away freliminated om a pair of soldiers, who were deep in conversation. It had been a few days since he had eliminated the Earl, and things had taken a turn for the worse.


    "Why knew things could go to **** so quickly, and here I was, thinking that we were all fine and dandy with the Principality, and then go and declare war on us for murdering some backwater Earl, and we blame them for killing our Colonel Thames? I mean it did happen a few days later, but that strange masked man everyone''s talking about didn''t look like no Downenish  man I''ve ever seen." One of the soldiers said to his companion, who was currently peering toward the bushes, a torch held high in one hand. Kothar was thankful for the cool breeze that made the flame flicker, and also the fact that the Republic of Nevisse didn''t have the funds to issue their soldiers with a Magic Crystal Lamp each.


    "Why would a demon like that be skulking in some bushes, he''d surely be far far away right now, especially with how fast the rumors say he is." The other soldier bumped the one looking toward Kothar with his hip and, with a flick of his head, indicated that they should move on.


    "You''re right, I''ve got no clue why the General has us combing the countryside like this." The first soldier scoffed, and the pair of them strolled away, much to Kothar''s relief.


    [I''m beginning to suspect that Tam had more to his plans than us stirring up a little mischief all through the north. This should have taken much longer, but it was as if they knew they would be going to war soon. Their armies were at the ready and the borders were blockaded only a few days after I killed the Earl of Luon.] Kothar said to Silane, he was learning more and more of the depth of his father''s plans as he grew more and more embroiled in this massive war.


    [You''re right, and the masks themselves, just like you were caught fleeing the barracks after eliminating the Colonel, some of the others must have been seen, it''ll only add to the chaos and confusion. All the states will think that one of the others had secretly developed a trained group of assassins, and then they''ll grow more and more battle hungry. As much as I hate to admit it, this plan to incite all these states to war will only succeed.] Silane''s tone was one of begrudging admiration, Tam would have been a valued asset where he was in the Alliance, perhaps he would have even sat at the Council.


    [His plan might be a success, but as for us getting out of here in one piece, I''m far more skeptical of that.] Silane grumbled, she had been chastising Kothar ever since his fight with the Captain a day ago had grown to such a scale that it had roused the entire camp, and Kothar had been left with no choice to attack him in full sight of the gathered soldiers.


    And as much as Kothar had been a cold, calculating machine of destruction in his past life, the morality and emotion he had gained on Eclat would not allow him to indiscriminately slaughter the entire encampment of men just to hide his presence.


    Even if he had wanted to, there were many soldiers who, all fighting together, made him question his chances of victory, so his only option had been to flee, using his Lightning Aura to boost his speed to an extreme degree, disappearing like a bolt of lightning into the dark night.


    [If you had just kept using your Spatial Magic we wouldn''t have had this problem. I told you that all the noise lightning makes would be loud enough to rouse a light sleeper. Spatial Magic only makes that distorted noise, which isn''t even that loud, and you can even open the destination portal right inside the target.] Silane launched into the complaints that Kothar had been hearing for almost a day of endless pursuit. He had decided to preserve his mana, rather than utilizing it all on magic to travel faster.


    His mana would leave more of a trace, and since the Colonel''s surprising strength, Kothar wanted to be ready for any enemy he might run into.


    [Alright, I''ll admit it, I was being reckless and foolish. I can''t help that all the hormones this teenage brain is soaked in are messing with my decision making. Why doesn''t it affect you?] Kothar finally gave in, and slowly started creeping out of the bush. Thankfully none of his pursuers could sense mana beyond the range he could see  with his Mana Sensing Lens, so he was easily able to keep a fair distance from the more powerful of the members of the Nevisse army.


    [I don''t think that''s true Kothar, it''s definitely made a difference to me.] Silane replied, her voice glum. While Kothar had to go through her to access the full reserve of his memories of their days in the Alliance, Silane had retained her AI capabilities, this meant that every engagement, suppression and negotiation was there to keep her company.


    Day by day, the guilt wore on her, its weight seeming to grow heavier, and she promised herself that when they returned to the Alliance, or whatever remained of it, she would bring true justice to the people of the Alliance, not the twisted shadow of justice that she had helped them enact for so many years.


    While Kothar felt the complex emotions she processed, he was unaware of the full scale of things, neither her emotions about the Alliance nor the vast amount of information about their missions and their repercussions.


    Silane chose to keep things this way, keeping perhaps the greatest victim of injustice, blissfully unaware, filled with dreams of returning to his people.


    All the while, Kothar continued speeding through the forest, hunched over so that anyone who saw his movement would assume it was an animal, low to the ground.


    As he ran, he drew in more and more mana, if he wanted to get to the Nighthawk''s meetup point before their cut-off date, he would have to break through at least one blockade.

 Chapter 165 - Trapped(2)

    Kothar scanned his surroundings, sending as much mana as he dared to his Mana Sensing Lens, apart from a few animals, there was no one nearby, thankfully the soldiers from earlier had moved in the opposite direction, obviously keen to return to the warmth of their camp, for while this part of the Isle was far warmer than Ursten, the nights were also much colder.


    A fine smudge of brightness in the distance indicated somewhere where there was a lot of life, it could either be a group of animals, people or plants. Unfortunately for Kothar, it was hard to distinguish what was what by looking at mana signatures alone, so he had been avoiding any such places.


    This meant that he had been travelling across mostly open land, with only the odd tree or clump of bushes to hide him, but he didn''t need to hide often, only when running into at least one group of soldiers was inevitable, and then he would choose those with the weakest mana.


    He was headed south east, to a location he had initially thought to be a joke when Docara had told him about it. Kothar had laughed off the talk of Man-Eating Deer when he had first heard it, but upon hearing the seriousness in Docara''s voice, his laugh had faded away. After all, Kothar had seen far more ridiculous things than a mere Man-Eating deer, he had seen a deer thousands of times larger than himself, so why couldn''t the Man-Eating deer exist.


    It was a small forest, located in the band of barren land that served as a border between the Empire and its vassal states. The forest was typical of the border, and served as a reminder of the Empire''s strength to the residents of its vassal states.


    The Empire could send a small unit who would be more than capable of securing a transport through the border, while its vassals would have to send almost a small army to protect their offering to the Empire.


    The ground underfoot grew more and more gravelly, transforming from the dry and dusty earth that was characteristic of Nevisse, Kothar was getting closer to the border.


    As if on cue, a dfim glow in Kothar''s Mana Sensing Lens indicated that he was approaching the blockade.


    It wouldn''t be too difficult to break through, but they would  inevitably send up an alarm and Kothar would have to spend precious time knocking them unconscious, as well as covering his tracks. So that he wouldn''t lead half of the Colonel''s forces back to Docara and the other Nighthawks.


    Kothar sped up, going from a half crouched, slouching walk to a gentle jog, the soldiers'' torches were now visible, and he could hear their faint voices now also, as they argued back and forth.


    Kothar cast Lightning Aura, sending all the mana he dared into the spell.


    "****." Kothar cried out, clenching his teeth to brace himself, after casting the spell he felt an excruciating, stabbing pain all over his body. It seemed that he had been pushing himself too hard.


    He had never used Lightning Element Magic on its own so much before, and using so many spells that used the element directly on its body was taking its toll, it was the the tingling, pins and needles he had gotten when he had first drawn in Lightning Element Mana, except magnified many, many times over, to such a degree that it was painful.


    Kothar ignored the pain, and continued running toward the small group of soldiers, who were spaced out, a hundred or so meters between each of them and drew his sword, the blade crackling to life as he sent another surge of mana into the blade.


    The hum of the blade had grown higher pitched as Kothar''s magic grew more powerful and thanks to the vibrations causing the hum, it tore through most materials like butter.


    And though Kothar had no plans to actually cut through any of the soldiers, the lightning would do its part in intimidating the soldiers.


    Small strands of Lightning crackled all around the spine of the blade, tangled in amongst the intricate rune work that Kothar had designed so long ago.


    "I see him, he''s coming this way, and fast! Rutherford! The flare!" A voice yelled out, one of the torches in the distance moving up and down excitedly, clearly indicating which soldier had been the first to spot Kothar.


    "Form up, lads. We can at least hold the demon off before reinforcements arrive!" Another soldier yelled, and there was a chorus of agreement, and the flickering torches all began to converge toward Kothar.


    Kothar sighed, and dashed toward the yells, he would have to be the first to go. The soldier barely had a chance to react, to Kothar, it seemed as if the soldier was moving comically slowly, but it was just that he had been sped up so much by the Enhanced Lightning Aura.


    The soldier barely had a chance to reach for his sword, when a loud thwack rang out, as the flat of Kothar''s sword slapped into the back of his helmeted head, the shock from the lightning and the impact knocking the soldier unconscious.


    Though Kothar had been fast, crossing the distance at a speed that he himself could scarcely believe, it was too late.


    A loud screech rang out, starting out extremely loudly and then fading away, and Kothar turned his head toward the source of the noise. Bang! There was a loud explosion, and the flare exploded high in the air, casting out a brilliant red glow that hung in the air as the flare slowly fell toward the ground.


    Kothar was illuminated in the eerie red glow from the flare, the lightning sparking all around him and the demonic mask only adding to the soldiers'' fear that they had built up in hearing all the rumors of the Lightning Demon.


    As Kothar dashed toward the first soldier, he immediately began screaming to his fellows for help, as the terrifying, masked figure closed in on him.

 Chapter 166 - Onwards To The Empire

    A dim red glow hung over the barren piece of wasteland, at first glance, no one would have given this piece of land any importance whatsoever, but it was the beginning of the border region with the Empire.


    Kothar''s sword slammed into the back of the soldier''s skull, the spear clutched in his hands falling to the ground as he lost consciousness and fell to the ground.


    "He truly is a demon, with me, lads!" A burly soldier, covered in thick black hair, only his eyes peeking out from his bushy beard that obscured most of his face, yelled out.


    The burly soldier was joined by two others, who fell into a formation, the pair of them guarding his sides, as they slowly stalked toward Kothar.


    Kothar sighed, did they really think that this was all it took to stand up to him, but then again, they hadn''t been there to watch his battle with the Colonel.


    Crack! Crack! Crack! Three Bolt spells spat out from the tip of Kothar''s sword in quick succession, each of them slamming into the approaching soldiers'' chests, and they fell to the ground, spasming and twitching from the residual electricity.


    While their remaining comrades watched in horror, Kothar quickly slammed the pommel of his sword into each of their heads, making sure they were truly unconscious.


    "He doesn''t even let dead men lie, for our fallen comrades!" Another soldier had taken it upon himself to rally the remaining soldiers, some of whom were already slowly backing away. They didn''t want anything more to do with this demon.


    The yell allowed them to gather their wits about them again, what were they doing, backing away from a lone soldier? There were still more than ten of them, they could easily take him.


    Kothar watched with a grin, as they all formed a loose circle around him, weapons pointing toward him in the center, and they gradually began to advance. Kothar began to charge up a ball of lightning in his empty left hand, and the gathered soldiers watched nervously.


    His Mana Sensing Lens allowed him to see as they charged up their mana and sent it toward their weapons, readying to strike him.


    However, none of them had Elemental Mana, which would restrict their style of attack.


    The charged Storm Field slammed into the ground, and radiated outward along the ground. Shocked into motion, the soldiers around Kothar all struck out, all using Force emission to strike out at Kothar, sending slashes and stabs flying at him from all directions.


    But the combination of Lightning Aura and Storm Field meant that even the flying slashes and stabs moved like snails for Kothar, as he elegantly danced around them.


    His sword darted out, again and again, as he moved around the encircling soldiers, a dull thud sounding out as they all fell to the ground, one after the other.


    [Show off. Nobody''s watching, you know.] Silane piped up as Kothar finished off the last soldier, who had enough time to notice his comrades were all falling around him and had a terrified look on his face as his eyes met Kothar, right before the flat of Kothar''s blade slammed into his helmeted head.


    [I don''t  know about that, you were watching, and I even got a comment out of you.] Kothar still had a smile on his face. He was glad that there was enough of a gap in power between him and the soldiers that he was able to take them all out without actually harming any of them.


    [Shouldn''t admire your handiwork too long, there''ll be reinforcements coming soon enough.] Silane said, as Kothar sheathed his blade and took a moment to get back his breath.


    [Alright] Kothar replied, dispelling his Lightning Aura and the Storm field spell, and immediately the pain that had been stabbing through his body subsided, and he almost fell to the ground in relief. But he had to keep going, and so, he sped away, taking great leaping strides, heading to the southwest.


    Only about ten minutes after Kothar had left, the sound of hoofbeats and the yells of soldiers filled the air. The cavalry unit from the Colonel''s army had arrived, but they were too late.


    The lifeless bodies of their comrades lay strewn all around, a few lay off to one side, while the remains were in a loose circle, it seemed they had tried to surround their target.


    "Looks like Colonel Jeffard''s killer got away, and it looks like the killer took out an entire squad all by itself. It must be some sort of demon! Let''s track the ****** down!" A proud looking man with a fine suit of black and gold armor called out from atop his enormous black stallion.


    "Will, don''t be in such a hurry, it seems that our men are still alive, just subconscious!" Another soldier responded, this man''s army was the same black and gold but had faded, evidently from years of use.


    "Captain, we should pursue him, we must get revenge for the Colonel!" Will yelled back at his superior, his noble upbringing meant he often spoke out of line with his superiors, and his status meant they often had to ignore his poor attitude.


    "Will! Dismount and help these men immediately! That''s an order!" The captain yelled at Will, who begrudgingly hopped off his horse, and began softly tapping at the shoulder of one of the unconscious men, raising his water flask to the man''s lips.


    "Be at ease, Will! The demon''s initial tracks lead south, so soon enough he''ll be in Imperial territory, and the things they do to intruders, well, that''ll be justice enough for the Colonel for me!" The captain yelled out from the south, as he stared down at the ground, his eye''s half shut as he felt for the mana residue around them.


    As the unconscious men''s comrades roused them, Kothar was walking within a stream, it would much to hide his tracks and the cool water also soothed his cramped and painful muscles.


    Finally, he was getting closer and to the Empire.

 Chapter 167 - The Fleet Launches

    As the Nighthawks gathered in the forest that lay on the border of the Empire, and the two Storm generals marched their armies north. Far to the northwest of Aznur, the Ursten Army was beginning to stir.


    Tam and Anteris were both looking at a tiny scroll, the message from Simon scrawled onto it. "The forecast remains true, I look forward to our reunion."


    "He just loves to be cryptic, doesn''t he? I''ve heard so much about this Simon, I''d love to meet the man who has been dancing all around the Isle, making all the mighty kings and rulers dance to his tune." Anteris grumbled, he was currently in a set of red dyed leather armor, his long silver hair in a braid behind him, his beard similarly braided. This revealed his aged and craggy face, his piercing blue eyes and pointed noise a mirror of Tam''s.


    "It''s good he was, there should''ve been three of these messages, looks like the poor things friends either got shot out of the sky, or were dinner for a flying beast." Tam gestured to the bedraggled blue bird that was huddled in one corner of the command tent, tearing into a fish.


    "I''m guessing that the Storm generals are both heading north, as planned. And it seems that he''s still maintained his disguise, so he''ll be waiting in Anzur or nearby. That''ll be useful." Tam murmured, brushing his long black hair back, still damp from the morning bath that had been interrupted by the squawking of the messenger bird.


    Tam wore a set of white training clothes, unlike Anteris, he hadn''t had the time to prepare himself in his armor.


    "I''ve got no clue how you got that from his message, I mean, now that you''ve said it, I can see it. But really, unless someone already knew what we had planned in advance then there''d be no way to understand this nonsense." Anteris frowned at Simon''s note, before a look of realization dawned across his face.


    "Oh! Nobody would be able to make heads or tails of it, either." Anteirs chuckled a little, but his serious expression returned immediately, and he turned to Tam, who was now staring at the map that was spread out on the enormous table that dominated the command tent.


    "How soon can your ships be ready?" Tam asked Anteris, as his finger traced the sea route from the Multas Islands to Aznur, his other hand on the hilt of his sword, his brow furrowed, deep in thought.


    "We could launch right now, as soon as I give the order, my men could be sailing out of here within minutes." Anteris grinned at Tam, then realized it sounded as if he were ready to leave the bulk of Tam''s forces behind at any second.


    "The ships are already packed with supplies, we only unloaded the bare necessities when we came here, and my men prefer to sleep on the ships. Besides, since my ships are mostly used for raiding *ahem* patrolling my waters, my men are used to having to launch at any time." Anteris realized what he was saying, as Grand Admiral of Ursten, he couldn''t admit to piracy so casually.


    "Anteris, there''s no need to try and maintain appearances with me. And believe me, compared to some of what these nobles get up to, piracy is almost a wholesome hobby to have." Tam gave Anteris a reassuring clap on the shoulder.


    "Alright, let''s say we leave today. Staying out of sight of the coast, how long until we get to Aznur." Tam asked, as Anteris joined him in looking at the map.


    "That complicates things. Ordinarily, I could''ve made the journey in a week, pushing my men to their limits, of course. But with your men on board, and all the siege supplies, and with us staying out of sight of the coast, it''ll be about two to three weeks, depending on wind conditions." Anteris stroked his beard as he spoke, deep in thought, estimating the changes he would have to make and the additional men weighing the ships down.


    "Alright, we leave before night fall, we''ll leave a small unit behind to man the outpost and to make sure the locals don''t get any ideas about trying to warn the Empire once we''re gone." Tam said, striding toward the exit of the tent. Anteris shook his head and he followed, the two of them were supposed to be equal in status but most of the time it seemed to Anteris as though it was just natural to follow Tam''s instructions, though he was far younger.


    The day passed by in a blur, the Ursten forces, the Tribes people and Anteris'' sailors all working together throughout the day to load the ships with the necessary supplies. Boson strode out with entire ballistas balanced on one of his enormous shoulders, and Shale and Slate levitated large flat rocks piled high with supplies in order to hasten the process of loading the ships.


    Tam and Anteris watched with approval as the work proceeded quickly, with all the separate groups of soldiers working together seamlessly. It seemed that the time on the Multas Islands had allowed them to mesh together well.


    "Hey, whose men are those?" Tam asked Anteris, as he spotted a group of men carrying a bundle of rune enchanted bolts for the ballistas to one of the waiting ships, wading through the water toward the ship.


    "Hah, I''m surprised you took so long to notice them." Anteris laughed a little, a twinkle in his eye as he watched the men, clad in roughly spun clothing made of plant fibers, give all their effort in carrying the bolts.


    "Those are natives of the Multas Islands. It seemed some of them have some grudge against the Empire, those men and the young ones who want to see somewhere other than these islands, joined up with one of my crews." Anteris smiled at his good fortune, the Multas were strong and well built and were hard workers also, they would be a great asset in the coming war.


    By the time all the ships had been loaded, and all the soldiers were aboard the ships, the sun was dipping below the horizon. The enormous fleet of black ships floated, one by one, out through the narrow channels between the many islands, into the open sea.


    They formed up into a roughly diamond shaped formation, and began their long journey south, all the men and women electrified with excitement, for even though they weren''t sure of their actual mission, they were all certain, there was a great battle coming.

 Chapter 168 - The Wasteland

    It had been a half day since Kothar had left the nation of Nevisse far behind, he was currently traversing the barren wastelands that separated the Empire from its vassal states.


    The ground underfoot was dry and gravelly, almost desert like, but still cool enough that Kothar was able to continue wearing his cloak, the pockets filled with odds and ends.


    The loose gravel of the ground crunched as Kothar continued at the light jog he had been travelling at, slowly but surely changing his course from south-east to eastward, toward the forest that the Nighthawks had planned to meet at.


    [I wish I had a horse right now, trying to draw in enough mana for my body to recover while also making sure I travel fast enough to meet up with the rest of the NIghthawks is killing me.] Kothar grumbled to Silane, the seemingly endless landscape stretching out before him.


    [What I would give to stop hearing your ceaseless complaining.] Silane replied, with a slight chuckle. Kothar sighed and didn''t reply, turning his attention back to their surroundings.


    Kothar constantly kept scanning his surroundings while utilizing his Mana-Sensing Lens, most people would have crossed through the border region in this amount of time, but there were two reasons for Kothar to stay in the wasteland that bordered the Empire.


    Firstly, his destination was within the same wasteland, and while it would be safer for Kothar to cross completely then loop back to the forest, it would take far more time than he had.


    Secondly, Kothar was far less likely to run into any other travelers or any members of the Imperial Army so long as he stayed in the wasteland.


    Knowing this, Kothar continued on his way, and his mind was lulled into a daze by the monotony of the surroundings.


    He was running along, his mind mostly switched off, when he felt that something was different.


    Kothar looked around, and spotted nothing, it was the same featureless landscape, with only a few stunted trees and thorny bushes. With only the occasional large rock that added some variety to the landscape.


    [Kothar. Kothar! Kothar!] Silane finally got Kothar''s attention, the constant fighting and running had taken its toll on him, and his mind was half asleep.


    [What is Silane? It better not be one of your jokes, I''m sure that there''s something wrong.] Kothar said dismissively, still scanning his surroundings with his Mana-Sensing Lens, but not finding anything out of the ordinary.


    [That''s what I''ve been trying to tell you about! It''s your electromagnetic sensors, they''ve been going off for the past few minutes!] Silane''s frustration boiled over, and she yelled out at Kothar, who slowly moved his hand to the belt he wore at his waist, which was buzzing very gently.


    [Oh. I almost forgot that I had it, that''s odd. I wonder if there''s some magnetic deposit or some precious material around here.] Kothar said, as he stopped and looked around, focusing toward his right side, where the vibrations were strongest, but he didn''t spot anything out of the ordinary.


    [Wait, Kothar, it''s getting stronger!] Silane yelled, and if she were yelling outside of Kothar''s head, it would have echoed all around.


    Kothar looked all around, but he couldn''t see anything out of the ordinary. Then, he stopped sending mana to his Mana-Sensing Lens, and then, as the vibrations from his electromagnetic sensor belt were reaching a crescendo, he spotted the blur of movement to his right.


    The gravel and sand of the ground exploded out, and an enormous scorpion, twice the size of a human, sand colored with gray speckles, burst out of the ground, lunged toward Kothar.


    The scorpion''s tail, with an enormous stinger at the end, the size of Kothar''s hand, swung toward Kothar''s head, venom dripping from the end of it.


    Kothar swore as he leaned back as far as he got, with no time to do anything else, the stinger slammed into his mask, with a loud scraping noise, carving a gouge out of it, that fizzled and smoked afterward.


    As the stinger swung past, Silane yelled for Kothar to duck, and he slammed himself into the ground, moments before the stinger swung back toward the scorpion, almost hitting him in the unguarded portion of his head.


    [Now that was unexpected.] Silane said dryly, projecting possible trajectories for the scorpion''s next attacks over Kothar''s vision.


    [I''m lucky I made the electromagnetic sensors, otherwise I''d be done for. It seems that the scorpion relies on the fact that it can attune its mana signature to the ambient mamna in the environment to ambush its targets.] Kothar flicked the Mana-Sensing Lens on and off, and saw that the scorpion seamlessly blended into nothingness as he looked at it through the mana sensing lens.


    The scorpion itself looked as if it had been pounded flat by an enormous mallet, which was what allowed it to hide underneath the loose, gravelly ground of the wasteland, awaiting its next target.


    [Be careful Kothar, this creature will probably be quite physically tough, it would have to be to compensate for the fact that it has no ability to reinforce itself with the paltry amount of mana it contains.] Silane warned Kothar, as the Scorpion inched forward, clicking its claws menacingly as it scuttled toward Kothar.


    [I''m sure this''ll do the job.] Kothar drew his long curved sword, and channeled a ridiculous amount of mana to the sword, so much so that the Magemetal was barely visible due to the massive shower of blue sparks that sprayed from the blade.


    The blade itself hummed loudly, the edge vibrating from the raw energy held within it, and Kothar pointed the blade directly at the scorpion, in one of the combat stances that Tam had taught him


    The scorpion, shocked that it had encountered prey that had evaded its initial attack, was slightly on edge, But it had never failed before, so it raised its stinger high, and clicked its claws as it rushed toward the puny humanoid with the shining sword that was standing before it.

 Chapter 169 - First Strike(2)

    Kothar launched himself forward, he was determined to take out this scorpion with swordsmanship alone, he sliced down toward the scorpion''s head.


    The scorpion raised its claws, blocking the slash that carried all of Kothar''s strength behind it, a flurry of sparks exploding from where the edge of the blade impacted the tan colored exoskeleton of the scorpion.


    As soon as he felt the resistance of the scorpion''s tough exoskeleton, Kothar leapt backwards, anticipating the scorpion''s next attack, as its stinger was propelled by its powerful tail, stabbing down where Kothar had stood moments earlier.


    The only mark left on the scorpion''s tough exoskeleton was a black scorch mark, evidently, the scorpion made up for its lack of mana reserves by strengthening its body as much as possible.


    [That''ll be a tough shell to crack.] Silane murmured, projected possible weak points in the scorpion''s exoskeleton. From her initial examination, the mouth, and the joints of the limbs were the weakest points, but all of those points would entail Kothar getting into striking distance.


    Kothar let loose a flurry of rapid blows, and the scorpion met them all head on, using its flattened pancake shaped claws, like large shields, and fending off Kothar''s attacks.


    [Alright, that''s enough playing around.] Kothar said, casting Lightning Aura and Storm Field concurrently, he had been using the two spells so frequently that casting them had become second nature for him, he could cast them as easily as waving his hand.


    The lightning crackled all over Kothar tall frame, he was growing taller and taller by the day, and while his demonic mask obscured his features, his long black curls were beginning to cascade down to his shoulders around his mask, and the lightning made his hair stand on end, forming a crackling mane around the mask.


    The lightning from the storm field spread out in every direction, centered on Kothar and the scorpion, and Kothar looked every bit the lightning demon that Lucio had pictured him to be.


    [I''d like to see it block this.] Kothar took another stance, this time crouched low to the ground, his sword held close to his body, elbows tucked in with the sword held horizontally, pointed straight at the scorpion.


    Kothar focused all his power on launching himself forward as fast as possible, he wanted to recreate the attack he had used on the Multas Islands, if he was able to use it consistently, it would be a perfect tool to use against enemies that relied on their tough defense while staying immobile.


    He shot forward, like a bolt of lightning, the point of his sword aiming directly at the scorpion''s mouth, the scorpion''s claws slammed together, and the stinger pierced down, but all they caught were the sparks trailing behind Kothar as his sword slid cleanly into the scorpion, piercing its mouth at a slightly upward angle, and then sending the strongest possible bolt spell to fry its nervous system from the inside.


    Thud. The lifeless corpse of the enormous scorpion fell to the ground, an acrid burning smell in the air, and wisps of black smoke emanating from the scorpion.


    [You''ll have to name that attack, especially if you''re going to be using so much. Don''t you know, everyone on Eclat names their spells and attacks.] Silane said, half jokingly.


    [I''ve had a name in mind for it for a while. First Strike. Since when I sue, I''ll always be the one to strike first.] Kothar replied, naming the technique he used, which combined his spells, the sword he had designed and his father''s sword stances, helped him solidify the technique in his mind, as strange as it might seem.


    Kothar walked off into the distance, the smoking corpse of the scorpion behind him, even in death, melding into the featureless gray and sandy colored landscape.


    It was another half day of walking before Kothar saw the first hints of the forest where they were to meet. The forest had no name, there was no need for it to be named, it was just one of the many parts of the wastelands that the people of the Empire and the vassal states avoided.


    They mostly kept to safe corridors that ran through the wasteland, where few beasts were found and the terrain was predictable.


    Kothar had seen similar oddities in the Wasteland on his way, forests of a similar size, small regions of mountainous ground, and even picturesque lakes. But they all had something in common. A massively powerful mana signature that made Kothar thankful he had his Mana-Sensing Lens, since without it, he might have gotten closer to investigate, only feeling the powerful presence until he was much closer, and possibly losing his life in the process.


    The forest which held Man-Eating Deer had been chosen as the beast that had guarded it hadn''t been sighted for many many years, but locals were still loath to go near it, not wanting to deal with even the weaker deer in the absence of their ruler.


    It seems that the Nighthawk''s intelligence was correct, Kothar didn''t see the strong mana signatures he had seen in the other locations, only a number of weaker signatures roaming all throughout the forest, mostly alone, but some, presumably mothers and their children, in duos or trios, with one stronger individual.


    Kothar scanned the forest, looking for any sign of the Nighthawks, and for a moment his heart skipped a beat, thinking he had missed them, but then he spotted the inevitable cluster of powerful mana signatures, deep within the forest, milling about slowly, presumably about their daily tasks in the camp.


    He made his way towards the forest, he had made it to the meeting point with a day to spare, and from the looks of it, there were still ten Nighthawks who had yet to arrive.


    Unless they arrived at the meeting point or sent a message, the latecomers would be considered dead, doing otherwise and waiting any longer would jeopardize the greater mission.


    The conquest of the mighty Empire.

 Chapter 170 - The Nighthawk Unit(2)

    Kothar had grown used to travelling across the dull, gray landscape of the borderlands, and as he entered amongst the sparse trees that fringed the forest, he slowed down from the breakneck pace that he had been travelling at for days on end.


    The trunks of the trees surroundings Kothar rose straight up toward the sky, and their trunks were gnarled and worn with age, while their canopies were filled with thousands upon thousands of dark green, almond shaped leaves that completely blotted out the light from the weak afternoon sun that was filtering through the clouds.


    Kothar felt as though by walking into the first, he had somehow also walked into the night. Thick gnarled roots crisscrossed in the empty spaces between the trees, and Kothar could see the well trodden paths, filled with hoof prints and a myriad of other tracks, of the beasts that lived in the forest.


    The Man-Eating Deer weren''t the only creatures that lived in the forest, but they were the apex predators of the forest. Of course, there had to be other creatures living in the forest, since unlike their name, the deer didn''t only eat humans, rather they were named such because they could, and they had eaten humans.


    While Kothar felt fairly confident that he could take on the deer, he didn''t want to needlessly tangle with them, especially since they had such a ferocious name. Instead, he carefully navigated through the forest, steering clear of the strong mana signatures that indicated the presence of a Man-Eating Deer.


    Before long, Kothar could hear the faint voices of the gathered men, all of them murmuring quietly to one another, discussing their most recent missions throughout the vassal states.


    It was a simple encampment, in a small clearing in the forest, with a small bonfire burning in the center, a pot of unidentifiable liquid burning over the fire. There were no tents, only rough lean-tos that had been constructed out of blankets and cloaks, more for privacy than shelter, since even the slightest hint of wind didn''t penetrate the forest.


    "Look who finally shows his face, I thought you''d be one of the first here." Docara called out as Kothar padded into the clearing.


    "Ran into a little bit of trouble." Kothar laughed back, as all the men turned to see who had arrived, a lull falling over the rough encampment. All the men had high expectations of the man known as Rufus, especially after his fight with the Wind Mage.


    [That''s got to be one of the biggest understatements I''ve ever heard.] Silane chuckled.


    "A little bit of trouble, huh? If that''s what you call the target you were allocated, I''d be shocked to see what you call actual trouble." Docara said with a hint of surprise in his voice. Out of all the Nighthawks, being the leader, Docara had the most knowledge of the members missions and the strength of their targets, and had expected Rufus to take some amount of time to return.


    "Alright, I''ll be honest. I probably had a quarter of the entire Nevisse Army looking for me for the past couple of days. I only got them off my tail a day ago, they''re a persistent bunch. With good reason, though, I took out one of their Colonels in plain sight of all of his men." Kothar decided to be upfront about his mission, from the conversations he had heard when entering the camp, it seemed that the men who remained didn''t worry too much about keeping their missions confidential after the fact, freely talking about who they had eliminated and how they had gone about it.


    [I just said it was an understatement, I didn''t say you should brag openly about what you did.] Silane said with a hint of disapproval, as the gathered Nighthawks erupted into rough cheers and a few of the men even walked over to pat Kothar on the back.


    "The Nevisse, huh? They''re a hardy bunch, a completely military nation. You took out one of their colonels? That''s some impressive work, maybe I ought to give up my position as captain to you?" Docara whistled in appreciation, and his tone held clear admiration.


    "Thanks, Docara. I''d rather not tangle with you over who gets to be captain. You can keep being captain." Kothar joked, but he remembered the way that Docara had fought the Wind Mage on the Multas Islands, and knew that even he would have trouble keeping up with Docara.


    Kothar looked around the clearing, even with their masks, elements and devices covering their faces, it was clear how much of a toll the missions amongst the Empire''s vassal states had taken on the gathered Nighthawks.


    One of Pony''s bulky arms was tightly bandaged, a dark red stain clearly on the white bandage. Lucio, as big as he was, had one of his arms in a sling, but he still waved excitedly at Kothar with the uninjured arm as Kothar looked in his direction.


    "I''m glad you finally showed up, I thought we might have to make the journey to the capital without those sharp eyes of yours. If everything is going to plan, there''s a pair of some of the most powerful men on the continent heading north, and I sure as **** don''t want to be running into them." Docara had walked over to Kothar, and led him over to the fire as he talked, handing Kothar a bowl of pale green liquid, with many odd tubers and plants floating inside.


    "Don''t worry about what it looks like. Lucio foraged most of what''s in there, and he''s as good a cook as he is a carver, just give it a taste." Docara noticed Kothar''s hesitation in taking the bowl, and reassured him.


    Kothar took the bowl and walked over to a clearing that Docara had pointed out to him, finally sitting down after what felt like endless days of fighting and running, and for the first time in a while, felt like he could truly relax.


    "Rest up while you can, Rufus. We''re only here for another day, and then we leave for the Empire.." Docara chuckled as Kothar let out a sigh of relief, and then walked off to his own little section of the encampment, grabbing a bowl of stew for himself.

 Chapter 171 - And So It Begins

    All around the Isle, the pieces of Tam''s grand plan were in motion. To the west, countless black ships sailed across the rough waves, slicing through the water like countless razor sharp swords, all aiming for the jewel of the Empire, Aznur.


    Aboard this mighty fleet, were two of the mightiest warriors the Isle had known, Grand Admiral Anteris of Newport, and the Grand Marshal Tam, of Balin. With them, was an army that Tam, had handpicked, and had been forged into one cohesive unit by battle after battle, the army that had completely conquered Kalun, from the tiniest little village deep in the swamps, to the mighty cities that stood abreast entire rivers.


    And to the south of the center of the Isle, amongst the many fragmented states that lay beneath the plains of the Tribes People, the vassals of the Empire were caught up in the fiercest war they had fought since they had been conquered by the Empire. All of them convinced that one of the others had orchestrated the string of attacks targeting the rich and powerful across the many vassal states.


    All of them were so confident that they knew who the culprit was, since each and every one of them had been forewarned by a trusted advisor, known to all of them by different names, and by a different face, but unbeknownst to them, the same man. Simon.


    The mighty Storm Generals rode north, both of them forcing their armies to move as fast as they possibly could, as always, in fierce competition with the other, eager to gain the favor of the Emperor.


    And known only to Tam and Anteris, another fleet had launched, weeks ago, from Newport itself, travelling south, it''s aim the same as the fleet that mirrored it, the jewel of the Empire, Aznur.


    A few weeks later, in the Imperial Court.


    Today, the glass wall of the court that looked out toward the empty ocean did not show the clear blue skies that those of Aznur had grown used to. No, the absence of Nevus was truly felt by all citizens of the capital.


    "Your Imperial Majesty, what of the news of the ships?" An official decked in voluminous deep purple robes, with an enormous, bushy gray beard and mustache his head shaven, strode out into the empty space before the throne, where all who wanted to speak would stand. The enormous amount of cloth that clad him, struggled to constrain his enormous bulk.


    "What of it? Speak clearly, Tomas, or you shall regret the day you begged to become Master of Coin." The Emperor''s soft voice murmured from the throne, though the sky outside was overcast, without even the slightest hint of sun in the sky, it seemed as if, as always, the sun shone from behind the throne, and online the barest silhouette of the Emperor could be seen.


    "Your Imperial Majesty, I meant no offense. I simply feel that we should take some precautions, I have heard more and more reports from fishermen. They all report the same thing, a fleet of black ships, sailing toward the capital." Tomas had the face of a man who drank often, swollen red, with a nose to match. He bowed low in apology, and then he addressed the Emperor in a booming voice, nevertheless, the unmistakable quaver of fear was clear in his voice.


    There was no reply from the Emperor, only silence, as Tomas nervously looked to the throne, afraid that he had truly offended the Emperor.


    "Tomas! Why the scaremongering and gossip. I thought such things would be beneath you?" Another man strode out to join Tomas in the empty space. This man wore a similar set of robes, made of a fine fabric, but lacking in decorations, his were a deep blue color and were draped loosely around his lanky frame.


    He had shiny blonde hair, which had been shaved into a bowl, and his enormous beak shaped nose was made even more prominent by his virtually nonexistent chin.


    "Christoff! I speak of a multitude of reports, my contacts have made many reports confirming the presence of these ships." No longer having to converse directly with the Emperor, Tomas regained his confidence, and drew himself as he boomed out at Christoff.


    "A mighty fleet of black ships, heading for our capital. The only man who would be so capable of mustering such a fleet is that drunkard, Anteris of Newport." Christoff scoffed as he spoke, pausing to look around at the gathered officials.


    "Such a fleet would approach from the East, but what dear Tomas has neglected to mention, is that the same fleet had been sighted from both the east and the west. I say that this is mere superstition. A rumor spread amongst the fishermen, and in fear they have hallucinated it." Christoff said with finality, and with a smug grin at Tomas, walked back into the throng.


    There were murmurs of assent all around, and Tomas looked increasingly nervous, his bald head beading with sweat.


    "My Emperor, please, forgive me. But I only spoke so out of a desire to protect your Empire. Please, even if you have me punished, ready what troops remain in the capital and send word to the Storm Generals. I feel there is something dreadful afoot." Tomas fell to one knee, and his voice quaked with emotion. His emotion touched all those gathered, who felt a trace of guilt for agreeing so readily with Chirstoff.


    "Look at the fool, now he seeks to play on our pity." Christoff hissed, but the only response he got were dirty glances from the other officials.


    "Tomas, you have convinced me, if you feel there is a threat, I give you leave to see that the capital is adequately defended. Confer with Captain Jeremiah of the City Guard." The Emperor said softly, and Tomas visibly sagged with relief, almost falling to the floor.


    "And to all of my subjects, I leave you with this. The eye may deceive you. One moment, I am here.. The next-" The Emperor''s voice filled the room, an almost hypnotizing quality to it, and the light that silhouetted him brightened for a moment, and then, just like that, he was gone.

 Chapter 172 - A War To Remember

    The skies over Aznur were just as gloomy and dull as they had been for the past few days, it constantly seemed as if there were a storm looming over the city, and the citizens often looked nervously to the sky, nervous about the clouds that were so uncertain as to whether they would rain or not.


    A young boy, barely twelve years, played on the docks of Aznur, which could be found slightly west of the Imperial Palace, a cleft within the peninsula that naturally afforded the ships that came into harbor protection from the elements.


    A pair of boom towers stood at each side of the opening of the bay, standing strong like sentinels. These towers would be able to raise a heavy boom chain, which would sit just under the surface of the water and prevent ships from sailing in or out of the harbor.


    The boom chain of Aznur''s harbor would be considered a precious treasure by many, made of an extremely dense alloy, which had Magemetal inlaid, so the chain could be enchanted with runes, further increasing its strength.


    The boy tossed a ball made of a sheep''s bladder up and down, bouncing it off of walls around him and launching it into the barrels that heavily muscles dockworkers carried as they walked by.


    As usual, the docks were crowded, but today they were even more so, for Captain Jeremiah and his guards had been patrolling the docks for a few days now, on some errand from Officiant Tomas, who feared some sort of invasion by sea.


    "You hear about why Captain Jeremiah''s got us stationed here?" As the boy playing with the ball ran past, a tall and well built guard standing with his spine straight as a ruler commented to his companion, the pair of them scanning their surroundings for any threat. They might not feel the posting was the most glamorous, but they were well trained enough that they took every job seriously.


    "Who hasn''t heard the story by now? Officiant Tomas scared himself by listening to too many fishermen''s tales, and he managed to persuade the Emperor that we need to be here, to defend an invasion from the sea. Hah! The fool, who would dare invade Aznur, no one can match the Empire for our might!" The other guard, this one a woman with an almost shaved head, scoffed at the thought of an invasion.


    "Truly! I say this is all nothing more than rumors and hysteria. But if this will soothe the hearts of the good people of Aznur, then I''m happy to enjoy the ocean breeze." The other guard responded, then inhaling deeply, taking in the scent of the ocean, and the many pungent smells of the dock. It wasn''t a pleasant spell, but neither was it truly unpleasant, rather it was a blend of all the things that made the docks what they were.


    "Aiiiieeeeeeeeeee!" Just then, a piercing scream rang out through the docks, and all heads turned toward an elderly fisher woman, her eyes fixed on the horizon, the net she had been repairing with her gnarled fingers had fallen to the ground.


    Slowly, she raised a scrawny arm up, with one finger extended, and pointed to the horizon.


    "It was true, and now they''re here!" The elderly woman screeched, before falling into a slump and almost falling head first into a pile of crates, had many of the dockworkers not rushed to her rescue as soon as they saw her pass out.


    "So much for rumors and hysteria." The taller, male guard murmured to his partner, and they jogged off to the eastern boom tower, to hello with the raising of the boom chain. They might spend many of their days guarding the outer wall of the city or the walls of the Imperial Palace, but every single guard was intimately aware of the procedures that needed to be carried out in the possibility of a likely invasion.


    Meanwhile, on the flagship of Anteris'' fleet, Anteris stood at the stern, a long bronze eyeglass raised to his eye, as he stared at the absolute pandemonium erupted on the docks of Aznur.


    He tracked a boy, screaming as he ran, his ball forgotten where he had last thrown into into a battle, and shook his head.


    Anteris had been watching since the docks were in sight, and it had been a good hour before anyone on the coast had spotted them, it was truly embarrassing. He had watched as all the guards stationed there, had kept their eyes roaming the people of the city, not even imagining that there could be an external threat.


    "Looks like your plan paid off Tam, there were about fifty guards stationed at the docks, but that''s nowhere near enough of a serious effort. They definitely didn''t expect us." Anteirs laughed, and passed Tam the eyeglass.


    "I''ll agree with you there, based purely on the fact that they''re raising their boom chain only now." Tam smiled as he set the eyeglass back down. Both Tam and Anteris were geared for war, Tam, was in his dark blue armor, a stylized hawk symbol inlaid on the metal of the breastplate in silver, and with his greaves and bracers to match. His long name of dark hair was held back with a silver ring, and he had a short beard, barely more than stubble, on his face.


    Anteris'' armor was far heavier than Tam''s he wore a full set of plate armor, and like Tam''s armor, it swam with runes, except Anteris'' armor almost glowed where Tam''s only shimmered, the quantity of the enchantment between their two armors was clear.


    At his side, Anteirs held a halberd, with a heavy, wedge shaped blade, that curved wickedly, with a sharp edge on one side and a hook on the other, perfect for trapping the swords of inattentive opponents.


    "Shall we wait? The way I see it, sailing into the harbor so soon will only open us up to the full force of their siege defenses." Anteris said  Tam, who was still looking through the eyeglass.


    "Of course, we''ll wait. Don''t worry, Anteris, we''ll give them a war to remember.." Tam''s voice was cold, but there was unmistakably a hint of joy hiding within.

 Chapter 173 - Wolves In The Flock

    The pandemonium and fear within Aznur grew further and further, as more and more ships appeared on the horizon, it seemed that there truly was an enormous fleet on its way to invade the capital.


    It had become common knowledge that the Storm Generals had rode north to suppress the unrest and war amongst the vassal states. This information had been spread by agents of the Empire, since it was important to reassure their population that something was being done.


    But unfortunately, the news that had been spread to raise morale ended up having the opposite effect, and without the Storm General''s to protect them, the people of Aznur were well and truly scared.


    As more and more black ships crept over the horizon, forming a black line in the distance, out of range of any preemptive attacks from the anti siege weaponry of Aznur, the Imperial Court was astir. Ther officials yelled at each other and their voices grew more and more hoarse. The fear and confusion in the room was palpable, and all the while, the Emperor sat silently, watching his courtiers run about and screech at each other like a bunch of chickens.


    "Enough. This is a time for my people to band together, and yet I see you all here, trying to pin the blame for this matter on one another. I am the one who is responsible, Scholar Piatt, and Tomas, I owe you an apology." The Emperor stood from his throne, still a vague silhouette, even though the dark clouds outside had grown so thick it made the noon appear no different from a dark evening.


    "Your Imperial Majesty! I could not! An apology from yourself is unbecoming from a man of your stature!" Tomas protested, while Simon graciously bowed and disappeared back into the throng of officials.


    "You presume to tell me what a man of my station can and cannot do?" There was chilling bite to the usually soft tone of the Emperor, and instantly, even the slightest of murmurs died down in the court, and they all stared at the center of the room, sure that Tomas would receive some great punishment from the Emperor.


    "No, sire, please, I spoke out of turn. Forgive my ignorance, please!" Tomas fell to his knees and begged the Emperor, who then ignored Tomas and nodded to one of the many guards dotted about the room, all dressed in red and gold surcoat, with the emblem of  blazing golden sun on the front.


    Tomas yelled in protest, until one guard stuffed a dirty rag into his mouth, and then he grunted and squealed in fear as he was dragged away, presumably to some dungeon.


    "Let us get back to the matter at hand. It seems that we have some unruly visitors. Christoff! Send word to the Storm Generals! Spare no expense, I want them back here as soon as they possibly can return. Captain Jeremiah, escort me to the docks, I wish to get a better look at these invaders." As the Emperor called out his orders, those commands scrambled to fulfill them, Christoff striding out of the court, trailed by a gaggle of hopeful officials, keen to help Christoff and claim some fragment of the glory he might receive from the Emperor.


    An elderly yet stout man, in full plate armor, only lacking a helmet, now stood before the Emperor, at attention, saluting as the Emperor rose from his throne.


    "Captain Jeremiah, shall we go." The Emperor said softly, and the Captain squinted his eyes as he looked at the Emperor.


    "Sire, that thing, It makes it hard to see around you." Captain Jeremiah pointed at the orb of pure light that floated behind the Emperor, which gave him the constant silhouette, as it shone brightly from behind him.


    "Ah, how could I forget." The Emperor snapped his fingers as he and Jeremiah left the Imperial Court, and the orb of light disappeared into thin air.


    As the Emperor was making his way to the docks, and the fleet was forming up off of the coast of Aznur.


    Word of the ships had spread quickly throughout the capital, and each and everyone of the people had created some plan of escaping the sure war that would come.


    The legends of the wall were so common that every person was certain what the wall would save them, even in the face of certain death. And so, a great number of the people of Aznur flocked toward the inner city, desperate to get within the outer wall.


    Amongst this throng of people, were a number of individuals, they had foregone their distinctive masks, and wore deep clocks and rags about heri faces in the fashion that many beggars did.


    This was the moment the Nighthawks had been waiting for.


    The streets were packed from side to side with individuals trying to make their way into the city, and the Nighthawks easily slipped between the crowd, growing closer and closer to the open gates.


    The guards on the outer wall had been ready for any threats to the wall itself, coming from outside the city or even within, but what they hadn''t been ready for was the sudden influx of all the people of Aznur, desperate to find a p-ace within the shining outer wall.


    Kothar was amongst the throng of people, he watched, impressed, as the other Nighthawks seamlessly slid in between the crowd, easily slipping through the wide open gates.


    The gates should have been shut as soon as the ships were sighted, but the Empire had been caught unprepared, and only the cruelest of commanders would shut their gates on a horde of people, driven by fear, all anxious to secure their lives and the lives of their families.


    But as the guards ushered in all who tried to enter the walls, they were unaware of the wolves within the flock of sheep that flooded through the gates.


    Kothar emulated his comrades, and he too easily slipped though and found himself within the inner city, trying his best not to shoot looks of admiration at the fine architecture of the wall, since he had to play the part of a common citizen of Aznur.


    It was done, the Nighthawks were inside the city.

 Chapter 174 - Ascent

    Captain Jeremiah gestured to the palace guards they passed on the way out of the Imperial Palace. They fell into formation around the Emperor, forming an impromptu guard around him.


    They had abandoned their posts, but their true purpose in guarding the palace was to guard the Emperor, and they were still carrying out this duty.


    The guards and the emperor formed an impressive sight, and by the time the group exited the palace and emerged into the Inner City, they were almost fifty men around the Emperor.


    They were an impressive sight, the guards wore rune enchanted plated armor, the armor itself covered in a red enamel, giving it a bright scarlet color with the Imperial lion etched in gold on their breastplates.


    However, the guards themselves paled in comparison to the Emperor. The onlookers were left dumbfounded as he passed, jaws agape, forgetting to even bow in the presence of the Emperor, a grave offense.


    People stumbled over themselves to get a second glimpse of the beauty of the emperor, and all the people they passed knew, without a doubt, that this was their famed Emperor.


    The man who had fought for years in the Arena, without allowing even a single attack against him, with not even a single scar from his opponents.


    His armor was almost plain in comparison to the guards, a silver Magemetal alloy that was dense with runes, glimmering and shifting below the surface of the armor.


    The plates of the armor were shaped so that each piece was as angular as possible, and the elbow and knees ended in elegant yet vicious spikes.


    On the breastplate, the same lion the palace guard wore on their chests stood, yet the green eye of the lion was a gleaming emerald.


    A thin long sword was strapped to the Emperor''s waist, the sword belt made of bone white scaled leather, made from the hide of a Magical Beast.


    A short cape, made from the same leather, hung from the Emperor''s shoulders, attached to the armor by gold clasps, made in the shape of a lion''s paws, grasping on to the shoulders of the armor.


    His helm was tucked under one arm, made in the likeness of a roaring lion, with delicate gold leaf and a pair of twin emeralds gleaming where the eye''s should be.


    But all of this was a mere afterthought to the people of Aznur, their eyes only followed the Emperor''s face, for it seemed the rumors were true, the Emperor was the most beautiful individual the Isle had seen.


    His features were ethereal, almost otherworldly, surely  too delicate and too perfect to be those of a human being, and some, men and women alike, swooned at the sight of him.


    A sharp angular jaw, a pointed nose and large green eyes, that gleamed the eyes of his lion helm.


    His hair was as black as a moonless night and it was tied back in a simple ponytail, held by a clasp formed in the shape of a small lion, curled about itself.


    It had been years since the Emperor had been seen, so long that the stories of the young man who had fought in the Arena had become mo0re myth than reality, that the people of Aznur felt as if they were in a dream, first the invading ships, and now the appearance of this man who seemed to be all the tales of the Emperor brought to life.


    But soon enough, the people of Aznur realized that this was no dream, and the air was filled with cheers and yells.


    "The Emperor has come to face the invaders!"


    "Please, your Imperial Majesty, do not fight, let us fight in your stead."


    "We''re saved! The Emperor is here!"


    The people of Aznur were so caught up in the sheer presence of the Emperor, that they forgot the threat of the invasion, and they felt as though nothing at all could go wrong for them, for their almost mythical Emperor had come to fight.


    The Emperor and the throng of guards around him, made their way down toward the docks, for the Emperor felt it was time for him to set eyes on the invaders who had dared stand against him.


    Now, as his guards kept the crowds of admiring civilians back, the Meeporr stood at the docks, which had been abandoned moments ago, but were now filled with admiring civilians.


    He faced out toward the sea, his eyes locked on the larger ship, right at the center of the fleet, anchored just out of range of the ballistas and catapult that lined the coast.


    "Move aside." The Emperor''s voice was soft, but nevertheless it was heard by all surrounding him, and even the men and women who had been in wildly cheering for him stepped away, leaving a empty space around the Emperor, who had knelt down onto one knee, his eyes still locked on the flagship of the invaders.


    Slowly, the Emperor placed his helm over his head, and it slotted into place with a resounding "click."


    Then, he began to glow, softly at first, initially it seemed as if he were just becoming more radiant in the eyes of the onlookers, but the light slowly increased, growing brighter and brighter, until the surrounding soldiers and civilians had no choice but to look away.


    There was a brilliant flash of light and then a light shone down from the sky, beaming down over the Inner City.


    The Emperor rose up into the air, borne by two angelic wings made of pure light, and sighs of admiration and of sheer wonder echoed out all over the city.


    "I never thought I''d live to see the Emperor take flight again." An extremely aged man stood in his window, tears in his eyes, as he watched the Emperor float in the sky, motionless, the pair of wings slowly flapping behind him.


    Across the open ocean that separated the enormous fleet from Aznur, a pair of men stood, and they realized that though they had managed to send away the Storm Generals, the true defender of the Empire remained.

 Chapter 175 - Fire And Light

    Anteris and Tam stood on the stern of the ship, eyeglass forgotten, cast to one side. For nobody in or around Aznur would need aid to see the sight of the Emperor flying above the harbour, a clear challenge to the invaders.


    The pair of them had yet to exchange any words since the Emperor had taken flight, boht of them had just watched as the Emperor had manifested his wings of light and ascended into the air.


    Finally, Tam broke the silence.


    "I haven''t fought a Light Element User since the war with the Southern Tribes, they''re as rare as they come." It was a matter of fact statement, nothing was said about how they hadn''t expected anyone who was at the Advanced Level to remain at the capital. Even Tam''s extensive intelligence network had only gathered some rumors about the Emperor''s exploits.


    Anteris felt the extreme surge of mana as Tam prepared to take to the air, and then he placed a hand on Tam''s shoulder.


    "Let me, I haven''t had a good fight in years." Anteris grinned and sparks began to swirl around him as his red aura formed around him.


    "Bring my helm!" Anteris yelled out, and one of his black garbed sailors rushed over, clutching a dark red helmet, squarish in shape, with a cross shaped slit for the wearer to look through. Like any worthwhile set of armor, the slit was enchanted to give the wearer a better field of view than it would traditionally allow.


    Flames spun all around Anteris, forming a whirlwind, and they grew in intensity, yet the men on the ship felt no heat, and they didn''t scorch the wooden deck below.


    The flames grew more and more numerous, until Anteirs was concealed by the red whirlwind of fire spinning around him, and then there was a low boom.


    A ring of fire blasted out from around Anteris forming and the sailors and soldiers who had been watching dumbfounded all threw themselves down to the ground. Tam only stood there, and the flames dissipated as they washed up against him, unlike the soldiers, he was well aware that Anteris'' flames would not burn what he didn''t intend to burn.


    As the ring of fire spread out in every direction, the men and women aboard the ships and on the coast alike, all gazed upwards in amazement as Anteris skyrocketed upward, a pair of wings of pure flame streaming out behind him, his heavy halberd held in one hand, all the while his eyes locked on the angelic figure whose wings slowly beat above the harbor.


    Stunned by the display of such high level magic, it was as if both the people of Aznur, and the invading forces of Ursten, had all forgotten that they were here to do battle. The sailors whispered to the soldiers aboard.


    "That''s the Duke''s famed Fire Aura, see, I told you lads you weren''t the only ones with a leader who could take flight." The sailors bragged, caught up in the impressive display that was happening.


    It was as if everything stood still for a moment, above the fleet of black ships, a broad shouldered knight, covered in a flaming aura, wings of fire spreading out behind him, his heavy halberd clutched in one arm, a shield of flame forming in the other.


    Across the stretch of ocean between the ships and the coast, floating above the harbor, an angelic figure, long sword drawn, shining with light, wings of pure light stretched out behind him.


    And then, with one powerful flap of the Aura formed wings, far faster than most of the onlookers could see, the two combatants shot toward each other.


    Anteris slashed down at the Emperor, a blazing slash of pure fire shooting ahead of him, doubly fast due to his speed.


    The Emperor sliced through it with ease, his wings folding in as he dove through the gap he had created in the flames before him, spinning rapidly, sword held at an arms length in front of him, piercing toward Anteris.


    Anteris let out a loud yell, and the flaming shield on his left arm suddenly expanded in size, becoming almost life-like, only the wisps of flame around its edges betraying its nature, an extension of Anteris'' Aura.


    The Emperor''s sword was covered in a blinding light that formed an ethereal sword that extended over his long sword.


    The two flying figures collided and the sword of light met the shield of fire.


    Anteris braced for impact, but the sword of light pierced right into the shield, shattering it completely, and flames burst out in every direction.


    Under his helm, Anteris'' eyes widened in shock, he hadn''t expected the Emperor to blast through his defenses so easily.


    The shining sword pierced toward Anteris'' throat, a weak point in any suit of armor, magical or not. The Emperor wasn''t looking to test his opponent''s strength, he was here to defend his empire.


    At the last moment, Anteris pulled his halberd inward, placing the blade between him and the sword stabbing toward him. Anteris felt as if an entire mountain had slammed into him, and he was sent flying backward through the sky.


    The Ursten forces watched in horror, as the Grand Admiral flew backward, his wings of flame folded shut, his shield shattered.


    Even the Nighthawks, Kothar included, had stopped in their steps, their respective missions forgotten, as the grand battle played out in the skies. Seeing the two truly powerful combatants once again ignited Kothar''s thirst for strength, and he watched, awestruck as the civilians around him, so that Silane could commit every single moment of the awesome battle playing out in the skies above to memory.


    Tam braced himself, gathering his mana, ready to leap into the skies to join the aerial battle, but he didn''t cast his Aura spell just yet, Anteris'' Aura was intact, and if Tam interfered while Anteris was still able to hold his own, he knew the battle hungry old Warrior would never forgive him.

 Chapter 176 - Fire And Light(2)

    A blanket of silence fell over all those watching the battle unfold in the skies, the people of Aznur watched on, hoping in their hearts that the flaming demon that had come to attack their home had been extinguished, while Anteris'' men hoped desperately that their leader would keep fighting.


    As Anteris continued to fly through the air, his wings of flame trailing behind him, like a meteor arcing down toward the ocean.


    But then, Anteris'' wings snapped open, and he flew upward, rising up into the air, an enormous ball of flame clutched in his left hand.


    He had used the time that he had been  flying through the air to channel a spell, and the Emperor''s respect for his opponent grew, the man he faced was truly worthy of his power, he had the mind to match his prowess.


    Anteris paused in mid air for the slightest moment, his wings beating mightily to stop him from going hurtling backward as he blanched the enormous ball of fire forward, into the air between him and the Emperor.


    The Emperor looked on as the ball of fire flew lazily through the air toward him, moving far too slowly to have any chance at hitting him. Underneath the lion''s head helm, a flicker of recognition appeared in the Emperor''s eyes, and was replaced by a sense of urgency right after.


    In his years fighting against the arena, he had gained a wealth of battle experience, and had faced many similar spells before.


    As the Emperor was desperately channeling a  spell to respond, the ball of flame reached midway between the two combatants, and then, it exploded.


    A deafening explosion rang out as the ball of fire exploded violently outward, filling the air above completely with a sea of fire. A powerful shockwave thundered out alongside the explosion, sending many of the onlookers sprawling for cover, and knocking many unexpecting individuals down.


    The sky now a sea of flame, and their Emperor nowhere to be seen, it looked to the people of Aznur that the tables had turned.


    However, Anteris had yet to let down his guard, he looked straight on into the sea of flames, towards where he could feel the enormous reserves of mana that was the Emperor.


    As the flames subsided, a shining orb was revealed, the Emperor had cast his Light Barrier just in time, defending himself from Anteris'' all encompassing attack.


    But this was not to say that this was a wasted attack, at this level, the combatants'' control over their mana was to a degree that ordinary civilians could not imagine.


    And there were gasps of wonder and sighs of amazement, as the sea of flame, rather than dissipating as most spells would, converged toward Antlers, who had switched his halberd to his left hand, and held his right arm high up, as if holding an invisible javelin.


    The flames all converged above Anteris'' right hand, forming into the shape of a lance, but far larger than any lance that humans typically wield, an enormous spike of flame forming within Anteris'' grip.


    But this was no respectful exchange of attacks, where the combatants would wait for the other to launch an attack before answering in turn, for as Anteris prepared his Fire Lance, the bright light around the Emperor only grew brighter and brighter.


    Until it was as if another sun had appeared in the sky, shining far brighter and closer than the sun in the heavens above.


    Anteris grimaced as he watched the Emperor grow brighter and brighter, he could feel the sheer power of the mana that the Emperor was building up, and though he knew he could not gather the flames any faster, he urged himself onward.


    A sinking feeling was very quickly developing in Anteris'' chest, he had expected to face one of the famed Storm generals, and had been sure he would be able to hold his own, at the very least, but against the Emperor, he was quickly beginning to realize that he was outmatched.


    The light around the Emperor grew to a blinding intensity, a brilliant flash of light beaming in the sky, all focused on the straight long sword that the Emperor pointed straight at Anteris.


    Anteris, in desperation, threw the enormous Fire Lance at the Emperor, but it was far too late.


    The Emperor stabbed outward, many times in succession, and though the pair of them were separated by hundreds of meters, brilliant beams of light, originating from the Emperor''s sword, stabbed out, first toward the rapidly approaching lance, then at Anteris.


    The lance was quickly reduced to nothing but wisps of flame, and then Anteris desperately manipulated his Aura enhanced halberd to block beam after beam of brilliant light.


    It seemed as if the Emperor could stab out indefinitely, and Anteris was a moment too slow in blocking one of the beams.


    Anteris felt an intense stabbing pain in his left shoulder, as a beam of light shot clean through his Aura, blasting clean through his armor and halfway into his shoulder before it lost its power.


    Tam could watch no longer, letting Anteris come to any more harm would be the same as dooming their mission, and he let loose the mana he had been holding, ready to go at a moment''s notice.


    Tam shot upwards, a brilliant blue glow surrounding him, forming the shape of a ferocious hawk, becoming more and more clear as he flew upward through the air.


    The Emperor stared in shock, his sword falling to his side, as he watched the glowing blue hawk fly up from the ships below.


    By the time Tam had flown to Anteris'' side, the hawk was fully formed, and had become distinct to a degree that it was as if an enormous hawk had suddenly appeared in the sky.


    Anteris hung his head in shame, while Tam shot a fierce glare at the Emperor who floated across from them, his face hidden behind the lion''s head mask.

 Chapter 177 - The Last Hawk(2)

    "You must be Tam, famed Warrior of Ursten, The Last Hawk. I have heard murmurs of your recent conquests, surely those were more than enough to satisfy a lifetime of war? Why have you turned your gaze on my Empire?" The Emperor''s soft voice sounded out toward Tam, who hovered in the air next to Anteris, who currently held his hand against the raw wound in his shoulder, stemming the blood that flowed from the wound.


    "One as powerful as yourself should understand, we cannot truly advance to the realm beyond with the knowledge and mana of the Isle. I seek to unify the nations of the Isle, so that I may lead an expedition through the Fidour Mountains." Tam was open about his intentions, the intentions of the Ursten army behind him were clear, and he knew that out of anyone he had to face, the Emperor would understand.


    "A simple message urging cooperation would have sufficed, would it not? But in your greed for power you have set the entire Isle ablaze in the flames of war, first you ravaged the lands to the north, and then my vassals, and now you point your sword at my capital!" The Emperor''s tone hardened, and once again, he took up his sword and pointed it at Tam.


    "Come now, surely you don''t believe the drivel you spew from your mouth. What nation would truly send their most powerful on a mission with those from other nations, not when there exists a chance to betray and through that, conquer?" Tam''s reply was cutting, and he raised his sword in answer to the Emperor''s.


    Both men, though their eyes were hidden behind their helms, gazed fiercely at each other, and their gazes could melt clean through steel.


    "Anteris, begin the assault." Tam said coolly to the hovering Anteris next to him. He knew that any Advanced level enemies remaining at the capital would surely have emerged by now, and that the threat that Anteris would pose below would surely turn the Emperor''s attention below.


    Some might call it a decision without honor, but the truth of the matter was, in war, the victors were those who told the tales, and so in turn, were the honorable ones.


    Now, the figure with flaming wings descended down to the flagship, as the light radiating from the two figures remaining in the sky suddenly brightened.


    The hawk wings that were on either side of Tam flapped furiously, creating enormous gusts of wind that buffeted the Emperor, causing him to struggle to stay aloft, as Tam rose up, higher and higher.


    Within moments, Tam was high up above the Emperor, flying between the Emperor and the sun, so that the Emperor, who was so used to opponents struggling to see against his blinding attacks, was forced to stare up into the sunlight beaming down around Tam.


    The light around the Emperor grew in intensity as he furiously channeled his mana in anticipation of an attack from Tam, this time, his sword was raised diagonally above his shoulder, it seemed that he intended to attack with slashes rather than stabs.


    But his preparations to attack were in vain, for even as he flew upwards, the Emperor, who was so used to having the advantage when it came to speed, was caught ill prepared as Tam folded his wings in, his steep dive downward accelerated by gravity.


    Only the most perceptive of those watching were able to see what happened in the moments that followed.


    Tam aura was completely focused on his curved blade, for as he dove, he had barely any use for his wings, completely surrendering to gravity, so confident in his attack.


    The curved blade slashed out as Tam dove past the Emperor, who desperately struck out with his glowing sword, only succeeding in blocking a portion of the slash, sending him spinning uncontrollably through the air as the attack slammed into his armor.


    As the hawk clashed with the angelic figure above, the black ships rapidly advanced, all men back at the oars, ignoring the battle occurring upward.


    "Load the ballistas!" Anteris yelled out into the device in his hands, seated on a crate as a few of his men helped remove his armor and tended to the wound he had received.


    All across the ships, in unison, rune enchanted bolts were loaded into the massive crossbows that had been mounted aboard the decks of the ships.


    "Aim for the boom chain towers! We''ll have our men come aboard at either side of the harbor, they''ll expect us to come into the harbor!" Anteris bellowed into the device, still fuming from his defeat at the hands of the Emperor.


    "Ready to fire!"


    "Ready!"


    "Ballista primed!"


    Numerous cries of acknowledgement echoed out from the device and Anteris waited until the very last ship had checked in.


    "Fire at my command! Five, four, three, two, one. Fire!'' Anteris bellowed out so loudly that the neighboring ships heard him even without the device he was yelling into so furiously.


    There were a series of loud twangs across the fleet, and a rain of enchanted bolts flew through the air, the runes activated as they were fired.


    Some bolts burst into flame, while others became covered with frost and turned into icicles, some even sparked with lightning, they were enchanted with a variety of elements, so open barrage would never be the same, keeping the opposing mages on their toes.


    With their Emperor locked in combat with the hawk above, the palace guards were ill prepared for the barrage, and the bolts rained down onto the paired boom chain towers at either side of the harbor''s entrance.


    Screams of terror sounded out as the enchanted bolts slammed into the large squared off yellow stones that made up the short, squat towers, the men and women within fled, streaming out of the towers as they collapsed, without resistance, under the barrage.


    "Men and Women of Aznur! To arms!" A deep voice bellowed out as he saw the pandemonium unfolding. Captain Jeremiah had come to his senses, and he put all the strength he could muster into his voice, to rouse the spirits of the fleeing Imperial soldiers.


    While the towers collapsed, the Emperor was struggling to recover from the blow he had been dealt by Tam, his armor filled with cracks, his wings beat in a flurry, slowing his fall toward the ocean below.


    As for Tam, he had spread his wings again, curving up out of the steep dive, flying upward once again, readying himself for a second assault on the Emperor.

 Chapter 178 - Stalemate

    The Emperor floundered in the sky, his wings desperately beating, as he struggled upward, trying to regain his breath after the intense impact of Tam''s previous attack.


    He glanced upward, and saw the hawk-like silhouette against the sun, and knew that yet another attack was coming, and it would most likely be just as or more powerful than the previous one.


    However, now that it was clear that Tam was clearly at an advantage, the Emperor had no qualms about going on the defensive.


    The same shining barrier that had defended against Anteris'' Flame Sea began to form, and the shining wings grew smaller, as the Emperor focused his aura to his sword and front, preparing to block another one of Tam''s powerful attacks.


    Once again, the hawk dove down, completely surrendering to gravity, but nevertheless aiming with inhuman accuracy at the Emperor, a powerful slash slamming into his defenses.


    But this time, the Emperor was ready, while the Light Barrier cracked into pieces, and he was sent flying backward, this attack did barely any damage.


    Tam looked up at the Emperor, who was stubbornly flying back up, it seemed that the Emperor intended to hold Tam off as long as possible, keeping him occupied in the skies so that the troops below would only have to deal with the injured Anteris.


    While the battle in the skies above was coming to a sort of stalemate, the battle below was only beginning..


    Captain Jeremiah''s call had roused the Imperial soldiers, and they had formed into ranks at the docks, preparing for the inevitable advance of the Ursten troops.


    But they watched in confusion as the ships didn''t enter the harbor, instead splitting off to either side, and anchoring just outside the harbor.


    "Lower the rowboats!" Anteris commanded, his face a little pale, wincing slightly as his wound was cleaned by the most competent healer on board.


    In unison, the ships of the fleet lowered the long canoe like rowboats, each large enough to seat fifty men, with countless rowboats being lowered into the sea, each ship lowering at least two each.


    "They''re aiming to come aboard at the destroyed towers, they''ll be able to climb up the rubble!" Captain Jeremiah bellowed out, his gruff voice echoing to the few Imperial soldiers that remained at the capital, the majority belonged to one of the Storm Generals armies, and as such, had left with them.


    The men on the  rowed furiously and only a thin ring of soldiers stood atop the pile of rubble by the time the first of the Ursten row boats had sliced through the water and come to a stop at the remnants of the boom chain towers.


    Soldiers of the nobles, Anteris'' sailors and Southern Tribesmen all leapt out of the boats, just the first row boats outnumbering the paltry numbers that had arrived to defend against the invaders.


    The thin ring of defenders broke easily, as they were quickly overwhelmed both in strength and in numbers, the Ursten forces streaming onto the two horns of land that formed wither end of the harbor.


    It took every inch of the remaining Imperial soldiers'' resolve to stand their ground and face the growing numbers of the Ursten forces, who, rather than rushing forward, were well-disciplined, and fell into formation while they waited for their reinforcements to arrive.


    It seemed that all was lost for the Imperials, their Emperor was fighting a losing battle in the skies above, they were ridiculously outnumbered, and their most powerful warriors were far to the north.


    "Fighters of the Arena! I fought amongst you once, and if it truly is honor and glory that you seek, then you shall truly gain great honor and glory if you defend the Empire, in our time of need!" The Emperor yelled out toward the inner city, he was currently flying quite low in the sky, as he had just taken yet another vicious slash from Tam, and while his voice projected powerfully through the city, the desperation was clear in his voice.


    There was a pause in the battle, as the soldiers on both sides looked up, incredulous at the Emperor who was almost begging, not commanding, the lowly men of the Arena. But of all those in the Empire, the Emperor was the man who truly knew the strength of the men and women who fought in the arena, slaves and free citizens alike.


    Tam watched from above, as he flew up in preparation of another attack, as no response from the dark gray structure that ringed the blood-red floor of the Arena.


    Then, a resounding cry echoed out from the enormous dark gray structure that loomed within the Inner City, hundreds of voices joining together in a battle cry.


    The Nighthawks, who were still within the inner city along with Kothar,  melded into their surroundings as the fighters from the Arena emerged.


    Hundreds of fighters, all of them different in size, shape, origin and even the armor they wore, marched out of the Arena, led by a single man, the current champion of the Arena.


    The man leading the mish mash of fighters was almost twice the size of the fighters that marched at his back, he wore only a worn and scarred breastplate, of thick steel, that should have been so heavy that one could scarcely move, but he marched on.


    Thick straps of leather ringed his waist, studded with steel to defend his lower body, and his face was completely hidden by a full face helmet of the same thick steel  that depicted a screaming banshee, a thick mane of black hair cascading out from beneath the helmet.


    The rest of his body was exposed, except for a pair of leather sandals, and every inch of exposed skin was scarred, from every weapon imaginable.


    His menacing appearance was completed by the enormous spear that he carried on one enormous shoulder, the entire spear was constructed of steel, the haft a thick cylinder of steel as thick as an arm, and the head of the spear an enormous hunk of steel.

 Chapter 179 - Slate And Shale

    Those of the Nighthawks that had not slipped into buildings or into the sewers that ran under the city, followed the Arena fighters, melding into the crowd of mismatched individuals. With no uniform and no commonality signifying them, it was easy for the Nighthawks to slip into the fringes.


    The fighters dismissed them as enthusiastic civilians, while the civilians who trailed after the mass of fighters marching toward the dock dismissed them as fighters, and so the Nighthawks melded seamlessly with the Arena fighters.


    While the fighters marched toward the docks, the Imperial forces had begun to form some semblance of a resistance.


    The harbor was a ''U'' shape, the wreckage of the towers where the Ursten forces had landed at the tip of the ''U'' shape. Now, Jeremiah had decided to hold the Ursten forces at the choke point where each side of the ''U'' joined the center, to minimize the numerical advantage of the Ursten forces.


    Here the soldiers had formed up, spears pointed out toward the advancing Ursten forces, and as they came into formation and the confused mess that the docks had become gained some semblance of organization, the Imperial Mages showed themselves on the right side of the ''U''.


    The first move they made was raising the ground below the Imperial forces, giving them the height advantage. Unfortunately for the Imperials, Slate and Shale, the twin Earth Mages that led the Mage Unit after Balmin''s death, had already joined the rapidly advancing Ursten forces.


    In the long campaign they had fought, beginning with beating back the Kalun invasion all that time ago, the chubby twins had transformed into a pair of stout men. They both  wore the hardy leather robes of a battlemage, and their pale blonde hair had grown into a shaggy mop top each of their heads. Slate now had a nasty burn that extended from the lower half of his left cheek down towards his torso, which was thanks to an errant fireball during an exhausting face off with a powerful Fire Mage during the conquest of Kalun.


    The raised ground was immediately thrust back down, Slate and Shale forcing the ground down even further than it previously was, driving it so low that the water within the harbor began to pour onto the stone.


    The Imperial Earth Mages struggled against Shale and Slate, but the twins, working in unison, had far more control over the Earth Element Mana in the area, and the power of the barely Intermediate Level Mages on the Imperial''s side was nowhere near theirs.


    That was not to say that the Empire lacked powerful Mages, no, the Empire had two powerful Mage units, but like so many of the Empire''s soldiers, they were a part of the Storm generals'' armies, and so had also gone north.


    "Ice Mages! Now!" Slate and Shale barked out, and the water that had spilled onto the lowered ground beneath the feet of the Imperial soldiers suddenly froze.


    The soldiers were left completely trapped, their legs locked within the ice, and the Ursten forces rapidly bearing down on them.


    The soldiers desperately slashed at the ice frozen around their legs, and a few escaped, but by now the full force of the Ursten Army was slamming into them.


    They fought desperately, but were no match against the Ursten forces, who were able to move freely and attack as they willed.


    On the far side of the harbor though, the Ursten fr4oces were slowly being driven back, a few Imperial Mages posted on the other side successful in gaining the terrain advantage and beating the invading Ursten forces back.


    "Mage Unit! Long Range casters attack the other side of the harbor! Short range casters, continue supporting the troops ahead." Shale and Slate noticed the Ursten forces falling back across the harbor and immediately barked out a command.


    Spears of ice formed in the air above the Mage Unit, joined by numerous fireballs, and attacks of almost every element imaginable. With the added members from the Southern Tribes, Tam''s Mage Unit had truly become a force to be reckoned with.


    The projectiles were launched, arcing across the harbor, a rain of multi elemental destruction coming down upon the advancing Imperial Soldiers, who yelled in terror.


    But the Imperial Mages posted on the other side of the harbor were able to defend against the attack, shields of earth formed around the soldiers, as well as massive sheets of Ice that rose up.


    It seemed that on the left side of the harbor, the Imperial forces would continue to have the advantage, while on the right side of the harbor, the Imperial soldiers were almost completely overrun by the Ursten forces.


    The battlefield was quickly devolved into an absolute mess of spells, attacks and screaming. Men and women fell on every side, falling to magical projectiles, sword, spear and concealed attack alike.


    Meanwhile, loud booms continued to ring out from above the battlefield, where the glowing Emperor faced off against the hawk shape of Tam, taking on powerful attack after attack, the Emperor''s enormous mana reserves the only thing allowing him to continue fighting on.


    Anteris tore his eyes away from the battle unfolding in the skies above, his shoulder had been bandaged, and a new breastplate had been brought out from the ship''s hold.


    Once again geared for battle, Anteris took up his halberd, his torn expression concealed by his squarish helmet. Today, he had to set his pride as a Warrior aside for the bigger picture, while Tam fought above, he would carry out the conquest below.


    "With me, men! How long has it been since we''ve had a good rumble!" Anteris bellowed out, rousing his personal guard who had been listless aboard his flagship ever since he had been injured.


    "Aye, capitain!" Hearing Anteris'' familiar battle cry, his men felt as though they were back raiding just another coastal town, not going into battle against the mighty Empire.


    They all roared together, rousing their spirits, as they hopped over the side, into the waiting rowboat.


    It was time for Anteris to rejoin the battle.

 Chapter 180 - A Worthy Opponent

    The sleek black rowboat sliced through the water, moving so quickly that if one didn''t see the rowers heaving the oars back and forth, they would guess that it was propelled by magic or pulled by some Magical Beast. The truth was far simpler, every one of the sailors who rowed currently was used to pulling the enormous oars on the flagship, and the much smaller oars on the rowboat felt like nothing to them.


    Anteris stood at the prow, his eyes gleaming with excitement behind his helmet, clutching his halberd in his unharmed right hand, pointing it toward the defenders who watched the approaching Grand Admiral in terror.


    They had all seen his battle with the Emperor, and though he had lost, they knew that they would be no match for the mighty demon with the burning wings.


    "To the left!" Anteris yelled, he could see the Ursten forces being pushed back slowly but surely, with Slate and Shale on the right, the forces on the right side of the harbor would need no reinforcement.


    Anteris leapt off the bow and onto the rubble of the tower as soon as they were less than fifty meters away, landing amongst the retreating Ursten forces.


    "Men and women of Ursten, Newport and the Plains! Is this all you''ve got! Your commander is picking apart the Emperor in the skies above, and yet you''re being pushed back by these puny Imperials?" Anteris bellowed out as he landed, and a chorus of yells answered him, as the morale of the soldiers surged, and slowly but surely they began to push back the Imperials.


    Anteris stood for a moment, he was eager to leap into battle but with Tam fighting above, he was technically the highest commanding officer, and so he had a duty to be aware of the battlefield in general.


    Anteris smiled as he looked to the east, where yet another rowboat launched toward the melee occurring on the right side of the harbor, this one held Boson, and his twenty most powerful shock troops, he had grown tired of watching the Mages slowly advance against the Imperial forces.


    Confident that with Boson''s shock troops and the Mage Unit combined, there was no chance that the Imperials could resist, Anteris turned his attention back to the battle unfolding in front of him.


    By now, fifty of his black clothed soldiers had joined him, the vast majority of them wielding wickedly curved cutlasses alongside a shorter blade.


    "Come on lads! Let''s have at ''em!" Anteris roared, striding through the mess of Ursten and Imperial forces locked in combat, his men following behind, ginning savagely as they tore into the Imperial soldiers.


    The forward Imperial troops decimated, Anteris stood before the ground that the Imperial Mages had raised up, preventing the Ursten forces from advancing.


    "Graaaaaagh!" Anteris let out a bestial scream, swinging his halberd back so it pointed up toward the sky, the thick blade bursting into a searing hot flame, sparks dancing all around Anteris.


    The flames grew in intensity, now spreading all across the halberd and onto Anteirs'' hand, spreading up his arm, but were still most intense at the blade.


    "Fwoosh." All across the harbor, a sudden rush of air was felt, as Anteris swung his halberd down impossibly fast, then an enormous shockwave followed, moments after.


    Anteirs had completely cleaved the raised stone in two, the sheer explosive power of one of his blows completely destroying the hard work of the Imperial Mages.


    Now, the ground was cloven in two, and formed a sort of mini valley, the dirt below the stone of the harbor exposed.


    "Let''s go lads!" Anteris yelled, leaping down into the furrow he had made, marching across, his men following eagerly behind. The Ursten forces followed along behind, a dazed look on their faces, they had seen Anteris fighting above, but seeing it first hand, mere meters away, was a completely different experience.


    Anteris had changed the tide of the battle with a single swing.


    While Anteris'' and his personal guard rushed across the left side of the harbor, Boson was coming in to land.


    As the rowboat bumped into the rock, he lifted his enormous Axe from where he had been resting it against the bottom of the rowboat, stepping onto the rubble. As Boson stepped out of the boat, it suddenly visibly rose in the water, the enormous man, along with his axe, and heavy plate armor weighed almost as much as five or six men combined.


    Boson wore a simple helmet, of a thick blue colored alloy, a grille of steel bars covering his face, and a few runes swimming across it. Similarly, his plate was thick and unadorned, the gaps in the armor covered by thick chain mail.


    The armor''s defense against most attacks was unparalleled, due to the ridiculous thickness of it, but it was Boson''s ridiculous strength that allowed him to even walk under the weight of the armor.


    His troops followed, leaping out of the rowboat after him, all of them were tall and broad, and would have dwarfed the rest of the soldiers in the Ursten Army, but next to Boson, they looked tiny.


    "Let''s go, men, General Tam said to speed things up if he got caught up anywhere."


    Boson growled, his deep voice vibrating through the air, as he marched up the pile of the rubble.


    As Boson created the pile of rubble, the fighters from the Arena finally arrived at the docks, at their head, the enormous warrior wearing a helmet in the shape of a screaming banshee.


    He came to a stop, the marching fighters behind him crashing into him, as he watched the enormous Ursten soldier walk over the rubble of the tower, he stared down, and as if he could sense the fighter''s gaze, Boson looked to the  spiraling stone staircase at the top of the docks, meeting the fighter''s gaze.


    Both the enormous Arena fighter and Boson were thinking the exact same thing. At last, a worthy opponent.

 Chapter 181 - A Worthy Opponent(2)

    High in the sky above the harbor, the air was filled with the clashing of steel and the flapping of wings. The shining light of the Emperor''s aura as he continued to fend off attack after attack from Tam continued to dim, even his ridiculous mana reserves were beginning to take a hit.


    Tam continued to fly circles around him, keeping him constantly on the defensive, for someone who was so used to always being far faster than his opponents, this was unfamiliar territory.


    But the Emperor held on, he knew that by now, word would have reached the Storm Generals that the capital had been attacked, and they would surely be speeding back to Aznur, their elite warriors in tow.


    All he had to do was to hold the invaders off long enough for his reinforcements to arrive, by then, the Ursten forces would be tired and weary, and it would be the perfect time for the Imperial forces to swoop in and decimate them.


    It was this thought that kept the Emperor fighting on, doing his best to whittle away at Tam''s defenses, rather than retreating behind the shining outer wall which he knew would hold against even the fiercest offense.


    Below, Boson and the mighty fighter from the Arena marched toward each other, both of them ignoring the rest of the battlefield. The fighter from the Arena ignored the stairs, leaping straight down, sending a shower of rubble and dust as the ground exploded when he landed.


    The two enormous behemoths stampeded toward each other, an extremely faint green glow beginning to surround Boson as he charged toward the middle part of the ''U'' of the harbor..


    "Come! My axe shall rend your head from your body!" Boson roared, the glow around him increasing slightly, unwittingly in the heat of the moment, Boson was beginning to exert his domain and form his very own unique Aura Spell, the hallmark of one who was in the Advanced realm.


    "Raaaaarrgghhhh!" The fighter howled from behind his banshee mask, sparks swirling all around him, a red glow spreading out over his body, it seemed that the pair of them were both well on their way into the Advanced realm.


    The sheer pressure both the warriors exuded on the mana of those surrounding them meant that the troops between them thinned out, rapidly forming an empty circle on the docks, an amorous warrior on either side.


    They charged toward each other, the green glow growing brighter and brighter around Boson''s axe, as he picked up speed, slowly swinging the axe, spinning it faster and faster as he ran toward the enormous Arena fighter.


    As for the Arena fighter, he pulled his steel spear back, readying for a stab, flames beginning burn all around him, his entire upper body becoming covered in fierce flames, but with the flames focused on the wedge shaped head of the spear.


    Anteris, easily striding through the Imperial ranks, his halberd rising and failing, taking out multiple Imperial Soldiers with each blow, felt the enormous surge of mana and looked to the right, eyes widening at the sight of the two enormous warriors about to slam into one another.


    Boson''s axe had gathered a ridiculous amount of momentum, and spun in his hands as if it were light as a feather, and the flames around the Arena fighter burned so fiercely that his upper half had formed into a mass of flame, only the front half of the spear visible, emerging from the flames.


    The Arena fighter stabbed out, all the flames rushing toward the tip of the axe, forming an enormous spear that thrust out at Boson, who swung his enormous double bladed axe with insane speed, the glowing green aura around the axe slamming into the enormous spear flames.


    "Boom!" A massive explosion rocked the entire harbor, even the ground shaking from the impact, massive waves sloshing in the harbor from the shockwave. All the soldiers nearby had been sent sprawling to the ground.


    The two goliaths'' attacks had sliced clean through the others, their heavy weapons clashing against each other directly, the vibrations spreading through the weapons and into the arms.


    "What a way to get started!" Boson grinned savagely, leaping back to put some distance between then, twirling his axe between his hands once again.


    The Arena fighter only grunted in response, flames burning all over his upper body, once again. Green and red aura''s formed around the both of them once again, as they prepared for another clash.


    While their leader clashed with Boson, the rest of the Arena fighters flowed down into the docks, splitting in half and moving to reinforce the forces to either side,


    These fighters were no cannon fodder, amongst them were skilled Warriors, Mages and Thieves, and it showed.


    As soon as they joined the battle, sending spells flying through the air, the tide of the battle immediately evened, the Arena Mages offering some resistance against the Mage Unit, joined by a multitude of Warriors that pressured them.


    Anteris had become distracted, taking on three Arena fighters on his own, holding them at bay while his attention was directed toward the battle unfolding between Boson and the Arena fighter.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The two titans clashed again and again, each of them sending powerful attacks that would pulverize anybody else, receiving them with their own powerful blows.


    The shockwaves from the blows meant that by now the circle around the pair of them had grown wider and wider, soldiers on either side of the battle were not interested in being knocked down by the shockwaves.


    Cracks began to form in the Arena fighter;''s heavy breastplate and helmet, while both pieces were sturdy, they were ill-suited to the intense blows that were being exchanged between Boson and the Arena fighter.


    The banshee on the Arena fighter''s helm began to crack apart, and pieces fell as he continued to exchange blows with Boson.


    A large piece fell off, and Anteris'' eyes widened in recognition, and he opened his mouth to yell out.

 Chapter 182 - The Champion

    The two enormous men were still in fierce combat, the Arena fighter sending out fiery stab after fiery stab from his enormous spear, which Boson met head on, slamming his glowing green axe into each blow.


    "Graffius!" Anteris yelled out, his voice a mixture of disbelief and worry, he could scarcely believe his eyes, the titan clashing with Boson, was none other than his son, Graffius.


    He had known all along that Graffius had been enslaved by the Empire, after he had so foolishly gone on a quest to avenge his mother, taking his friends from amongst Anteris'' soldiers along with him on his doomed quest.


    When the rumors had trickled in, Anteris had been inconsolable with grief, and as much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn''t take on the mighty Empire with his power alone, and so his years-long relationship with the Dragon''s Breath liqueur had begun.


    Graffius froze at the sound, his now exposed face bearing a clear resemblance to Anteris, the same craggy brow, the same proud nose, and the same piercing eyes, except his were a bright green color.


    His spear lay forgotten in his hands, the flames swirling around it dying down, and Boson''s axe continued unimpeded toward his chest. A look of confusion flickered across Boson''s face, why had his opponent suddenly stopped at the sound of Anteris'' voice.


    "My son!" An anguished scream escaped Anteris'' mouth, as he saw the heavy axe travelling toward his son, after so long, Anteris had seen the face of the son he had thought lost, and in calling out to him, had doomed him.


    Anteris leaped toward Graffius, even though he knew that there was no chance he would reach his son in time.


    Boson, hearing Anteris'' cry, his axe mere centimeters from slamming into Graffius, pulled his axe as hard as he could, twisting it at the same time, in vain hope that he could stop his heavy axe from slamming into Graffius.


    "Block it!" Boson yelled into Graffius'' face, who''s dazed expression had transformed into a warm smile toward his father, who he had disobeyed all those years ago, vainly going to sea with his loyal friends, confident that they could take on anything, even the mighty Empire.


    As the axe slammed into Graffius'' chest, disintegrating the already cracked and ruined breastplate, Graffius came to from his daze. He was in battle!


    Graffius sent all his aura towards his chest, but the axe had already sliced clean through the breastplate and bitten into his skin.


    Anteris'' dashed toward Graffius, who was falling backward, a massive gash torn into his chest, Boson standing next to him, his axe cast aside in despair, as he realized what he had unwittingly done.


    "Anteris, please. I had no way of knowing, I did my best to turn my blow aside, but-" Boson removed his helm as he tried to explain to Anteris, but was interrupted by Anteris, tears dripping out from below his helmet as he was engulfed with grief.


    "It was no fault of yours, I should not have forgotten myself, and called out to him while he was engaging in so fierce a battle." Anteris bent down, gesturing to Boson to do the same, tearing pierces off his cloak in an attempt to staunch the bleeding.


    The Arena fighters looked on in confusion, as the two most powerful of the invaders, were in despair after having taken out their current Arena champion.


    "Come! Staunch his bleeding, and hurry him to the healers!" Anteris yelled out, his voice choked and his shoulders shaking, as he stifled the barrage of tears.


    The Ursten soldiers ran up to where Graffius lay, his face pale from the blood he had lost, but a warm smile still on his face. He began to speak, his voice weak and trembling, and Anteris leaned closer to him.


    "Father. Do not shed tears for me. In my heart I always knew that some way, you would come for me. I fought so long in the Arena, and today, so that I could gain an audience with the Emperor, and slay him then. But when I heard your voice, everything fell away." Graffius took heaving breaths, and pink foam bubbled at his lips. Anteris had removed his helmet, and wept openly, embracing Graffius, while his tears soaked his face.


    "To think I would see the day where the Empire would fall so, the Emperor, on his last legs. The Storm Generals, nowhere to be seen, and my father, leading the onslaught. Do not weep for me, Father." Graffius'' eyes flicked up toward the sky, where Tam continued to exchange blows with the Emperor, his wings faded and his defenses increasingly weak.


    Graffius sighed as he slumped back, his breaths becoming weaker and weaker.


    "My son, I shall burn this city to the ground for you." Anteris murmured into Graffius'' ear, and then stepped away.


    "Take him to the healers! Now!" He bellowed to the Ursten soldiers gathered around him, and they bundled around Graffius, one soldier picking up each of the enormous man''s limbs, carrying him away.


    Anteris replaced his helm over his head, and picked up his halberd, the blade bursting into flame.


    "What are you moping around for?" He said gruffly to Boson, who watched as Graffius was carried away,


    "The best we can do for my son now, is to ensure we grind the Empire to dust." Anteris growled, as he turned to the gathered Imperial soldiers and Arena fighters.


    "Fighters of the Arena! Why do you fight for an Empire that has enslaved so many of you? Why do you fight for a nation that forces one through years of combat for an audience with its ruler?" Anteris bellowed at the Arena fighters, who had watched, confused, as Boson and Anteris tended to their champion.


    Anteris let out the entirety of his pressure, seizing control of the mana around the Arena fighters, so that they would feel the full force of his might.


    "My son was your champion! He was enslaved after his mother was taken from him by the Empire, and he fought to avenge her! Now, tell me! Will you lay down your swords? Or will you meet your end at my hands!"

 Chapter 183 - The Fighters Of The Arena

    Anteris'' voice boomed out across the docks, the Arena fighters pausing as they took in his words. They had all seen Anteris take on the Emperor, and many of them had watched as Anteris and Boson had tended to Graffius'' wounds.


    "I will yield!" A tall fighter, with dark skin and long braided hair, wearing a loose white robe which covered his chain mail, sheathed his sword and walked toward the Ursten forces, arms wide open, palms up. Showing clearly that he had no weapons and no spells prepared.


    "I also!"


    "And me!"


    Similar yells sounded out from many of the fighters, the vast majority of them clearly foreigners, more than likely enslaved as young people, the combat of the Arena all they had ever known.


    In his desperation and in his pride, the Emperor had forgotten how many of those that fought in the Arena were slaves. Those who fought in the Arena by choice, they only knew the camaraderie and respect, and the thirst for glory.


    But for those who were forced into it, they recognized the ugliness of the Arena. The many slaves that were captured to feed the Empire''s constant need for blood and gore..


    The Arena fighters marched over, hands apart, their Imperial comrades watching in horror as many of their toughest fighters surrendered without a fight.


    "For the Empire! For Honor! For Glory!" A fighter wielding twin swords yelled, attempting to rouse those who remained.


    The formations at the checkpoints at either side of the harbour had folded with the surrender of so many of the Arena fighters.


    But now the remnants joined ranks with Captain Jeremiah and the remainder of the Imperial Palace Guard who remained, their backs against the high wall of the docks, the staircases that led toward the Inner City behind them.


    The remnants stared defiantly at Anteris, who stood tall, his halberd burning bright, and his eyes filled with red sparks that glowed red from within his helmet. This, along with the flaming aura that surrounded him, made Anteris look every bit a terrifying demon.


    "Now!" A voice yelled out, and suddenly, from amongst the Arena fighters that remained, fighters began to attack the Imperial forces.


    [This doesn''t feel right Kothar. Attacking these people on their last legs, it''ll destroy any hope they have remaining.] Silane protested, for Kothar was amongst the Nighthawks that had concealed themselves within the ranks of the Arena fighters.


    [This is war Silane. You know that we have done far worse in the name of the Alliance, and from what I''ve seen, this Empire seems needlessly oppressive and cruel.] Kothar replied, slashing out in every direction, his sword alive with lightning, humming as it sliced through armour, flesh and bone like a knife through butter.


    Kothar summoned a Storm Field, simultaneously casting Lightning Aura1, and bolts of lightning began to fall amongst the Imperial soldiers that remained.


    Silane was quiet, now only offering Kothar silent guidance in combat, by projecting trajectories and tracking the mana flow of the enemies surrounding him, predicting their spells before they themselves had even cast them.


    She knew that any further disagreement would only serve to distract Kothar while he was in the midst of the enemy''s ranks.


    Kothar whirled through the Imperial ranks, covered in lightning, sparks flying off him, his blade stabbing out in every direction, taking out an Imperial soldier with every blow, occasionally sending bolts of lightning flying from his sword.


    Similarly, the other Nighthawks, whirled through the ranks like demons, Docara with whirlwinds spinning around his feet, slashing through the Imperials at an incredible speed.


    Pony, striking out with his fists, invisible vibrations ripping through soldier after soldier, causing them to fall to the ground, coughing blood, completely unaware of what had hit them.


    Boson didn''t let the opportunity go, he leaped into the fray himself, his axe wildly spinning in his hands, completely decimating entire swathes of Imperial soldiers.


    "Retreat! Fall back! Take off your helmets! Strike down any man you do not recognize!" Jeremiah''s desperate yells sounded out, as he gathered a group of palace guards, and defended against the deadly Nighthawks all around them.


    Those few that remained standing after the constant onslaught, the initial attacks, and then the sudden attack of the Nighthawks, all turned tail and ran, running up the stairs as Jeremiah and his few remaining troops held the staircase from the Ursten forces.


    Anteris watched as they turned tail, his halberd burning, and he frowned, he could join the battle currently, his attacks had too wide of a range, and the remnants of the Imperial Forces were mixed together with the Ursten forces.


    Up above, even the Emperor''s enormous mana reserves were growing low, after taking attack after attack from Tam.


    His once shining armor now looked as though it had been dragged out from some old crypt, it was so beaten and battered from Tam''s constant blows.


    "It looks to me like your army has turned tail and run off. Is this the true might of the Empire?" Tam hovered in the air, wings flapping, and called out to the Emperor. He knew full well that this wasn''t even a fraction of their army, but if he could get under the Emperor''s skin, then he would be far more likely to make mistakes.


    The Emperor knew full well what was happening below, he had the same heightened senses that Tam did, and he was furious. Sure, he was furious at Tam, for orchestrating the invasion, but he was also furious at himself.


    Tam had laid the groundwork, but it was he who commanded his Storm Generals to head north, and it was he who had called out to the Arena fighters, foolish enough to think that those that had been enslaved by the Empire would be motivated by honor and glory.


    The Emperor, once champion of the Arena, the man who had fought hundreds of battles without even a single scar on his body, did something he had never done, had never scarcely imagined doing in his entire life.


    He turned tail, and fled.

 Chapter 184 - Anteris Burns

    The Emperor flew down, toward his retreating soldiers. Now that there was no chance of wearing down the invading forces, and with a seemingly recovered Anteris who could join the fight, it would be certain death to continue fighting Tam.


    "Make for the Inner City! The wall will hold!" The Emperor called out to the retreating Imperial forces, as he glided over them, slashing out toward the Ursten forces that followed, securing his men''s retreat.


    Flying slashes of pure light slammed into the ground in front of the Ursten forces, carving deep into the road in front of them, completely incinerating a few soldiers who were hot on the tails of the Imperial forces.


    The Ursten soldiers, seeing that the Emperor was escorting his retreating soldiers himself, immediately came to a halt, as eager as they were, none of them wanted to run into the glowing slashes that fell from the sky.


    "Let them run! They''ll be rats in a hole anyway!: Anteris yelled, calling back the few soldiers that were brave to the point of being stupid, that were still determined to chase down the Imperials.


    And so, the crushed and beaten Imperials were able to safely retreat, coming to the great shining wall of white stone that still stood strong, their final hope in enduring the invasion long enough for their army to return.


    "Close that gate!" The Emperor called out, he had landed and now strode amongst the few palace guards that remained, those that remained were all clearly battle worn, with massive scorch marks on their armor, or great dents and slashes cut through the enchanted metal.


    Even the strongest armor could only take so much punishment.


    As the last of the Imperials passed through, the great gates of Aznur''s wall slowly swung shut, moving completely silently, without even the slightest hint of a creak.


    The gates themselves were of a deep walnut colored wood, with a soft glow about them, the wood held together tightly with a Magemetal alloy, a massive steel bar holding them shut, enchantments densely packed across every possible surface of the gates.


    It seemed that the gates were the most well defended portion of the wall, the enchantments so densely packed that from certain angles it was hard to even make out the surface of the wood.


    "Enter the harbor, we sent those damned Imperial packing!" Aniteris laughed as he spoke into the brass device, his voice echoing out aboard each of the ships that were waiting at sea, their decks still thick with the bulk of the Ursten forces.


    As those that had initially attacked to clear the harbor of the Imperials regrouped at the docks, the black ships of Anteris fleet slowly drifted into the massive harbor.


    The people of Aznur, watched terrified, peeking out from their windows, hidden behind curtains, at the enormous fleet that was floating into their harbor.


    Aznur was the beating pulse of the trade in the southern half of the Isle, but even so, they had never seen so many ships in the harbor at once, ship after ship drifted into the harbor, each ship unloading more serious faced Ursten soldiers, Tribes people with colorful armor and savagely grinning sailors that looked more pirate than anything.


    Tam had flown down to the docks, dispelling the glowing Hawk Aura, the massive throng of soldiers cheering for him.


    Each and every one of them had seen his battle in the skies, and even the dullest of them had been able to recognize that Tam had completely outclassed the Emperor.


    "What now? The Emperor''s gone and locked himself in that famous wall of theirs" Anteris asked Tam, his mind elsewhere, as he glanced toward the ships, craning his neck for any sought of Graffius, who had been taken on a rowboat to the healers.


    "Now, you test their defenses. I could slice through a pillar or two, but my attacks don''t have the wide impact that yours do." Tam pat Anteris on the shoulder.. He had seen that Anteris'' son was injured, but Anteirs was the most powerful combatant they had right now, after Tam himself, and he needed to stay focused on the battle.


    "Don''t worry, Anteris, your son is in the best hands he could be in." Tam reassured Anteris, who slowly nodded, and then trudged off toward the Inner City.


    A few soldiers trailed after Anteris, the Nighthawks included. They had no orders to do so, but they needed no orders to know that they should follow one of the commanders of the army, alone in an enemy city, and make sure he was well protected from any would be assassins.


    As he walked, sparks began to fly around Anteris, right now, Anteris wasn''t thinking at all, the rage that he had been holding in for years was slowly bubbling to the surface.


    And as his rage rose, his mana surged, the sparks grew more and more numerous, turning to flames that danced around him.


    His visor glowed from within, as the flames in his eyes were reignited, burning bright, and flames grew higher and higher rising up toward the sky.


    Anteris swung the massive halberd from his back into his right hand, slamming the haft into the ground, sending flames burning all along the halberd.


    Those few Imperial soldiers that remained on the wall watched as the burning figure stride toward the wall, a burning halberd in his hand. They knew his might, they had seen him in the skies above, and even the bravest of them found that a lump of fear formed in their throat, as the unrestrained pressure from Anteris spread out toward them.


    "Do you truly think that a wall will save you from my wrath! You think that a few paltry enchantments will protect you! I will say this once, and once only! People of Aznur, flee this city, for I will burn it to the ground!" Anteris roared, his voice impossibly loud, all those around him covering their ears, but still heard the voice booming inside their heads.


    The flames around Anteris burned brighter and hotter as he yelled, his fury unrestrained.

 Chapter 185 - Anteris Burns(2)

    Those in the houses in the outer city cowered in fear, they wanted to flee, but they were frozen in place by the sheer pressure emanating from Anteris.


    Anteris let out an inhuman scream, his voice echoing wildly through Aznur, his halberd raised high, his aura forming around him, the flames all around rising so far up that they could be seen from over the wall, in the Inner City.


    Anteris grasped the halberd with his other arm, ignoring the stabbing pain in his shoulder, and his aura surged toward his arms, and the flames that had risen sky high all flooded towed his halberd.


    He let out a roar as he swung down, an enormous pillar of flame forming around his halberd as he swung down at the shining wall.


    Kothar, watching from nearby, ducked behind a wall, as did the other Nighthawks, all covering their ears.


    Boom! The pillar of flame exploded as it slammed into the wall, the shockwaves shaking the earth itself, the houses all around shaking, roof tiles falling loose and cracks forming in the walls.


    The flames  roared against the walls, burning white hot. But they did not spread beyond the edge of the walls and instead spread out all across the circumference of the wall, as the wall began to shine.


    As the flames faded away, the true appearance of the wall could be seen, an intricate mesh formed of pure mana appeared, forming a dome that covered the Inner City, the flames slowly burning away.


    The Imperial soldiers atop the wall rose from under the parapet, and cheered, for although the tales of the strength of the wall were many in number, it had never been truly tested.


    They all gazed up in wonder at the complex patterns that radiated all over the Inner City, the flames dissipating, leaving the wall seemingly unharmed.


    But Anteris grinned beneath his helmet, for he stood outside the wall, and even as the dome absorbed his attack, he could see the black scorch mark left on the wall in front of him, and how the shining patterns had deformed around where his attack had first struck.


    Just like anything in this world, the wall was not indestructible.


    Those in the houses nearest to the wall peeked out, now that the shaking had stopped, but upon seeing Anteris, they threw themselves back down, covering their ears.


    An inhuman scream sounded out, yet again, ringing out through Aznur. The Imperial soldiers atop the wall sought cover, as they saw the flames around Anteris rising once again.


    ------


    As explosion after explosion echoed through Aznur, Anteris venting his fury against the Empire against the wall that served as an icon of its might, a group of about a thousand riders were currently crossing the wastelands that served as the border between the Empire and its vassal states.


    The riders all wore the red and gold of the Empire, and each of them had the Imperial lion emblazoned on the front of their breastplates. About half the riders had turquoise colored crests atop their helms, while the other half had purple crests.


    At the head of the column of riders, rode two men. The first, the larger of the two, sat atop an enormous black colored horse, with bright white fangs that curved up from its jaw, and wild staring red eyes.


    This  beast could only be ridden by the man sitting atop it, the Burning Storm General, Regis.


    Regis sat atop the horse, his gray eyes furious, urging his horse to go faster and faster, as it slowly inched away from the column behind him.


    "Regis, I know you want to rush back to Aznur, but going any faster won''t help right now. None of the other horses can keep up with your beast, and from the sound of the report we received, it''ll take both of us and all of our elite troops to repel these invaders." The other man spoke, his smooth voice calm yet with an undertone of unbridled fury. Nevus, the Galestorm General, sat atop a far more slender beast, with patches of green scales on its hindquarters.


    "Alright Nevus, but you can sound as calm as you want, but don''t think I don''t see you tugging away at your braid." Regis replied gruffly, though the two often bickered and fought, they had known each since they were cadets in the Imperial Army.


    "I can''t believe we all fell for such an obvious ploy. Of course, none of the fools that rule the vassal states would have the cunning or motivation to pull something like this off." Nevus'' voice was terse, and in his head, once again he ran over the conversation that had happened in the Imperial Court all those days ago.


    "******* **** Nevus, we should have listened to Piatt!" Regis growled, remembering how he had berated the scholar.


    "It''s all in the past now, Regis, don''t beat yourself up over it. All things considered, we received a command from the Emperor to head north." Nevus consoled Regis, even though he didn''t believe the words he was saying himself. He should have been more adamant about remaining behind, Nevus thought.


    "Alright, Nevus. But those ************* who dared invade our home have a reckoning coming to them. I''ll grind them to dust. Even if they retreat, I''ll follow them to the ends of the earth. How dare they!" Regis'' voice rose, and red and blue sparks began to fly all around him, his horse becoming agitated from the mana and swinging its head wildly.


    "For once Regis. I''m of the same mind as you. Ursten, huh? I''ll be paying it a visit before the year is done." Nevus said in a chilling tone, his voice dripping with menace.


    From afar, if one looked toward the column of men riding south, before they even saw the dust rising from the horses'' hooves, they would see the enormous bank of dark storm clouds, sweeping to the south. Nevus, the Galestorm, was riding to war.

 Chapter 186 - Aemos

    Far from the cluster of planes that included Eclat and Atla, there is a plane formed entirely of crystal, with great shining spires of multicolored rock reaching up toward the sky.


    Even the beasts of the plane are formed of crystal, small insects scurrying around like jewels with limbs, birds that shine and sparkle in the light of the pale white light of the dim star, swooping down to catch those very same insects.


    Great herds of horned beasts of darker colored crystal, stampeding across the sweeping plains, reflecting in the mirror-like surface.


    And even larger and more fantastical creatures, ferocious predators, with teeth harder than the finest diamond, that shone even more spectacularly than the finest gemstones, stalking the mirrored plains.


    On this plane, all of a sudden, an impossibly loud noise rang out, the sound was distorted and strange, and the vibration that emanated out from the sky above made all the creatures freeze in their steps, as they all looked above.


    A great dark void had opened within the very fabric of space, in the skies above. The enormous portal blotted out the light below out, and many creatures fled for cover, while those with the slightest amount of intelligence remained still, staring up above, taken in by the strange sight they were witnessing.


    Slowly, an enormous wedge shape emerged from the tear in space, far larger than even the tallest spire on this plane, hundreds of meters in height, covered all over with strange inscriptions, black against the gray surface, forming semicircular and circular shapes, that were linked by networks of right angled lines.


    As the enormous object moved out of the enormous portal, it revealed itself for what it truly was, a great ship, far far longer than it was wide, most of its size coming from its great height and length, forming an odd rectangular shape.


    Once the massive ship had emerged out of the portal, it was followed by countless other smaller craft, these were also mostly cuboid, all right angles, covered with the same inscriptions that the larger ship was.


    The name of the ship was Aemos, its name taken from the race of great interplanar warriors that crewed its decks.


    High in the Aemos, in a room in which the walls were covered with thousands of small cubes that spun along rods to show different sides of the cubes, all colored differently, the cubes spinning to form an image of the sight outside the enormous vessel.


    "So, Xerev. You are certain that the beings of this plane will be enough to recoup the amount of energy we will use to propel the fleet across all these planes. The resources we use can easily be recouped by the conquest of the minor targets enroute, but even your measly little life won''t be enough to pay for what a dry plane will cost us." A hulking figure spoke, a thin crown covered inscriptions on his brow, his eyes glowing with a dull red light.


    "Your supremacy, I''m more than certain that the plane will be more energy dense than many of our richest conquests. The only possible issue I can predict is, that such a plane is sure to have a resident Ascended." Xerev knelt in a bow in one corner, back in his orange jumpsuit, covered in an endless amount of pockets.


    "Xerev. Are you insinuating that I would have a problem defeating some unknown Ascended, who languishes within a single plane? Watch your mouth, Xerev, or you''ll see my fist." Xurha growled, closing his armored hand with a series of clanking noises, his glowing red eyes staring daggers at Xerev.


    "Of course not, your Supremacy. I was only presenting the possible hindrances that could be present in your upcoming conquest." Xerev replied smoothly, still in a deep bow, but glancing up at Xurha from time to time, who was now distracted by the images on the walls.


    "Enough of your useless utterances. I want you out there, while we''re preparing for the next jump. Take your scouts with you." Xurha growled, then turned away from Xerev completely, ignoring him as he quickly scuttled out of the high, arched doorway.


    -----


    While the Aemos plundered the crystal plane, Tam sat within a massive auction hall in the Outer City, like most of the buildings in Aznur, it was completely empty.


    After hours of hearing Anteris let loose his rage onto the wall that divided the Inner City from the Outer, the vast majority of the citizens had fled Aznur, streaming north toward the other cities of the Empire.


    Tam let them flee, for he knew that the fleeing people would clog up the roads leading to Aznur, and would serve to delay the Storm generals, who would surely return.


    The wood paneled floor of the auction hall was now occupied by Tam''s usual large map table, except now it was occupied with a map of Aznur and its surroundings.


    The peninsula, colored a deep green, jutted out into a pale blue ocean, with the various buildings of the city picked out in a dark gray, the roads in brown.


    A bone white ring showed Anzur''s great wall, and within it, the palace was also drawn in with the same bone white color.


    "What now, General?" Boson mumbled, leaning on his axe, a sad expression on his face, his short forehead wrinkled in a frown. He had been in a poor mood since his clash with Graffius, though no one, even Anteris, held him responsible.


    "Now, we let Anteris continue his one man war against that dome. But as for the rest of us, we should prepare for when the real Imperial Army arrives. As they surely will, for expecting that they would not would be stupidity, rather than optimism." Tam said as he stared at the map, deep in thought, one hand on the hilt of his sword.


    "I think, within a few hours, and enough men. We can turn the streets of Aznur into a fine set of makeshift fortifications." Tam traced his finger in a rough semicircle, bisecting the peninsula toward the north.

 Chapter 187 - Calm Before The Storm

    "Boson, I want all of your men right here, in the main street. I don''t think that the Storm Generals will be thinking about doing anything other than charging straight through to find me and Anteris." Tam pointed to the thick brown line that ran down the center of Aznur, running through the wall, alongside the Arena and then finally ending before the palace.


    Boson nodded, still in a poor mood, and trudged out of the auction hall, heading toward the docks where the bulk of the army was still disembarking from the fleet.


    "Serena, I want you above Boson''s troops. If he clashes with either of the Storm Generals, he''s going to need back up. Keep half of your archers with you, on top of the roofs on either side of the main street. Split the remainder in half, I want them posted along these two routes." Tam pointed to the two widest streets after the main street.


    "You got it, Grand Marshal Tam." Serena''s tone was a little sour, as she still wasn''t happy with the war, but she had sworn loyalty to Tam, and would continue to fight for him so long as he asked.


    "Alright, Slate and Shale. I want the two of you to take your Mage Unit, and make sure every street other than the main street, and the two streets that the rest of Serena''s forces will be posted along are impassable. Collapse houses, raise the ground, do whatever you can to make sure no horses or men are coming down those streets."


    "You got it, Sir." The shaggy haired twins chimed together, their leather battlemage robes still dusty from the previous battle.


    "Rod! Get in here, lad!" Tam yelled out for the young soldier who had fallen into the role of being his messenger. There was a rattle of armor and the red haired young soldier came running in, an ill fitting helmet and breastplate bouncing up and down on his lanky frame, the source of the clanking noise.


    "Right here, Grand Marshal Sir!" Rod skidded to a halt, saluting enthusiastically as he slid to stop.


    "I want you to go to every single commanding officer, even down to the platoon captains. Have them all report to me, right here, within the hour. Understood?" Tam looked Rod in the eye as he spoke to him, causing the young soldier to swallow nervously.


    "Yes, Grand Marshal Sir!" Rod saluted again, and turned to march out, but Tam called out to him before he could leave.


    "And once you''ve done that, Rod. Go and see the Quartermaster, and get yourself some armor that fits, that breastplate isn''t going to do you much good, and that helmet will set your head ringing the moment it takes a blow." Tam said softly, his tone much kinder. He could tell that the young soldier was eager to join the battle, but until now, he had been forbidden from being on the front line.


    Rod flushed red as he marched out, he felt embarrassed at having the armor he had borrowed from a few generous soldiers being noticed by Tam, but also hopeful, being fitted for armor meant that he just might be able to join the upcoming battle.


    After seeing the Grand Marshal fight the Emperor, while flying even, Rod had only grown more excited to finally fight on the battlefield.


    Tam sighed as Rod marched away, shaking his head a little at the young soldier''s enthusiasm for battle, it was always the same, young men too eager to see battle, only seeing the glory and might of the most powerful. And only realizing the true cost once they had first seen combat.


    Tam had been the same before his first real campaign. So sure that the skills he had picked up as an adventurer would mean that he was unbeatable on the battlefield.


    "Docara! Come on in, you and the rest of the Nighthawks." Tam said, just loud enough that his voice would be heard faintly outside the auction hall.


    All around the auction hall, figures emerged from the shadows, as if they had been waiting for Tam to say those very words.


    In truth, Docara had dispatched many of the Nighthawks to watch over Tam, just as a number of them had been watching over Anteris, and of them, a few continued to do so.


    By now, many of the Nighthawks had returned to wearing their trademark masks, no longer needing to blend in amongst the Arena fighters or the civilians of Aznur.


    As Docara marched in, followed by Pony, and another masked Nighthawk, whose mask Tam did not recognize, Tam began taking a headcount.


    Only thirty of the over fifty Nighthawks were present. This meant that either more had failed to return from the north after their initial mission, or more had been successful in the final stage of their mission in Aznur.


    "Docara, how many did you leave behind, when you returned from the wastelands?" Tam asked the hawk masked man, who joined Tam around the table in the center of the room, the rest of the Nighthawks choosing to loiter around the edges.


    "Only a few. The rest are protecting the Grand Admiral, or carrying out their mission." Docara smiled under his mask, he hadn''t expected that so many of his men would be able to find their way inside the wall before it closed during the Imperials'' retreat.


    "Good. That means that Anteris can stop his battle against the wall and prepare for his battle with the Storm Generals." Tam smiled, if all went according to plan, the Ursten forces could make their way inside the walls before the Imperial Army even arrived.


    "I''ll send word for when to signal to those inside. But as for the rest of your men, they''ll be needed for the back up plan." Tam pointed to the map of the Outer City on the table.


    "If we can''t get inside the wall, we''ll have to hold the Storm Generals off along these routes." Tam pointed out the routes he had previously discussed with his Lieutenants.

 Chapter 188 - Aura

    "Alright, chief, I''ll post the Nighthawks along these routes for the time being." Docara said, adjusting his hypnotic hawk mask.


    "That will be all, Docara. Now, I need to talk with Rufus, and I''d like to do it alkaline please. Understood, Docara?" Tam said pointedly, he knew that Docara had assigned many of the Nighthawks to watch over him, even while concealing their mana signatures as much as possible, Tam was able to sense them.


    "Of course, Grand Marshal Sir!" Docara nodded, and beckoned to the Nighthawks all around the room, who followed him out. Only a single Nighthawk remained, wearing a demonic mask, eyes glaring at Tam, mouth open in a snarl with a bright red tongue twisting out from it, as if it was tasting the air.


    "Is that you, Rufus?" Tam looked carefully at the masked individual, he hadn''t realized that Lucio had carved Kothar a mask. The tradition had begun years ago, when Tam had dispatched the first of the men who were to become Nighthawks.


    Lucio had only been a young boy at the time, and Tam had saved him from slavers, who had captured him from the people who lived deep in the west. Amongst the sheer cliffs, they had found him, masked even as a child..


    "It''s me, Grand Marshal Tam." Kothar bowed deeply, since he still wasn''t sure if there were other Nighthawks watching. Tam paused for a moment, his eyebrows furrowed.


    "We''re alone, Kothar, there''s no need for you to bow to me." Tam pulled Kothar up from his deep bow, and then pulled him into a bear hug, squeezing the breath from his lungs.


    "I''m glad you''re safe, Son. Good job on the mission north, and on taking out the Arena fighters." Tam pat Kothar on the shoulder, a little disconcerted, he was finding it difficult to unite the image of his young son with the demon masked Nighthawk in front of him.


    "Thank you, Father." Kothar''s response was simple, ultimately, after seeing Tam take on the Emperor, and completely dominate him in battle, Kothar was a little intimidated by his sheer power.


    [Why don''t you ask him about being able to take flight at the Advanced Rank, Kothar. ] Silane, who had been silent since the battle had begun, finally piped up.


    [Alright.] Kothar answered, after all, asking Tam could do no harm.


    "Father, after seeing you and Anteris take to the sky like that, as well as the Emperor, I''ve begun to wonder, is flight the requirement for one to be at the Advanced Rank? Didn''t you tell me that the only requirement was to have a domain?" Kothar asked Tam, whose momentarily relaxed expression changed to one of seriousness.


    "Kothar, I believe it is far too early for you to be worrying yourself about these things. But you seem to consistently surprise me, so I will tell you about this. Once one begins to be able to materialize a domain, then within that space, where one has complete dominion over the mana, mana can be compressed to such a degree that it has a physical form." Tam paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.


    "This physical manifestation of mana or aura is different to the ordinary spells we cast. Unlike the spells that dissipate once one no longer supplies mana to them, aura is something that remains once it has been materialized. Utilizing this aura, once can shape it in different ways, one way of utilizing aura is crafting wings from it and taking flight." Tam explained, gesturing with his hands to show Kothar how the mana would be compressed and shaped.


    "The reason why those of the Advanced Rank take flight is that at this rank, if an individual can take control of the sky above a battle, then they can single handedly decimate an entire army. You saw the attacks that Anteris used, if he flew above the Imperial forces unopposed, then what chance would they have." Tam''s expression changed to one of concern, as he remembered the Storm Generals, who would surely be well on their way to Aznur.


    "Of course. This goes both ways, if the Emperor was allowed to fly above our ships, he  could sink the entire fleet within a few minutes. This is the true might of those at the Advanced Rank." Tam''s brow was still furrowed in concern.


    "What about beyond the Advanced Rank? What is one capable of, then?" Kothar''s curiosity had been piqued, after seeing the immense display of power in the skies above Aznur, he wanted to know the true extent of how a truly powerful individual could exert their power.


    "That, Kothar, is something that is far too soon for you to worry about. As I told you before, don''t bite off more than you can chew. Just focus on increasing your awareness of the mana around you." Tam had a kindly smile on his face, and he gave Kothar a reassuring pat on the shoulder.


    [He''s right, you know. My research concluded the same thing. To be honest, I think the Mana Sensing Lens may be holding you back in that regard, it makes it far too easy for you to detect mana, you should work on feeling the mana around you in detail without it.] Silane''s voice was a little regretful, as she felt that she should have realized the importance of having an awareness of mana before.


    [Don''t blame yourself Silane, there was no way we could have known. And without the Mana Sensing Lens, I''d probably be dead by now.] Kothar replied, reassuring Silane.


    "Alright, Son. I need to ask you a favor. Anteris truly respects you, to the extent where he wanted you to be his heir, in Graffius'' absence. But now that Graffius has been found, although gravely wounded, he is taking his rage out on the wall of the Imperials. I need you to convince him to stop attacking the wall, and save his strength. For he will be needed, whether or not we manage to infiltrate the wall." Tam''s expression was one of extreme seriousness. He knew that he alone could not hold off the Storm Generals, and they would surely be on their way.

 Chapter 189 - Kothar And Anteris

    "Alright, Father. But I won''t be able to be direct with him, otherwise I''ll be recognized." Kothar had the ever present threat that Krieg posed at the forefront of his mind.


    "Don''t worry, Kothar, I''m sure he''ll be able to recognize you by your mana signature alone. And if not, then a few words about your initial visit to Newport would suffice." Tam explained, and then he returned to looking over the map of Aznur, deep in thought.


    "Take care, my son." Tam said softly, watching with a concerned expression as Kothar walked out of the auction hall serving a headquarters, in disbelief at how quickly his son had grown.


    Kothar walked through the streets of Aznur, heading toward the Inner City.  The once polished and tidy city was a shell of its former self.


    Everywhere he looked, doors swung open, the buildings empty, their occupants having fled the city mere hours ago, as the Ursten forces had begun their assault on the city..


    [Looks like we''ll have to take the long way around.] Kothar said to Silane, as they came across a street that had been completely transformed by the Mage Unit.


    Slate and Shale had shifted the earth, so that the ground was broken and uneven, rising and falling suddenly, forming mini cliffs and valleys. The buildings on either side. No empty of people, had been completely demolished, pushed over into the streets, making the street completely impassable.


    [It seems to me that your father has no intention of occupying this city once he''s conquered it.] Silane said to Kothar, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Since their days in the Alliance, Silane had been programmed to minimize waste, and it had carried over into her current personality, making her disapprove of wastage in any form.


    [I notice you said ''once he''s conquered the city'' not ''if he conquers the city'', are you that confident in the outcome of this battle.] Kothar asked as he turned away from yet another collapsed and broken street, surprised at Silane''s confidence in the result of the battle, especially after her disapproval of the war effort in general.


    [My personal feelings about this war aside, Kothar, I''ve come to recognize Tam as a competent commander, to say the least. Think of it this way, he ensured the bulk of the enemy''s forces weren''t in the city to defend it, and yet even on top of that, he had the Nighthawks placed in the city in advance, to take care of any unexpected situations.] Silane had sensed Kothar''s thoughts about her disapproval.


    [A competent commander, huh? That''s high praise coming from you! I think you only called me a competent commander a handful of times.] Kothar thought back to the battles where he had pulled victory from the very jaws of defeat, the few times when Silane had called him a good commander rather than a competent one.


    As Kothar walked toward the wall, the vibrations shaking the city grew stronger and stronger, and the explosions that rang out at regular intervals grew in volume.


    [There he is, still waging war against that wall.] Silane commented as Kothar walked on to the main street, which offered an unrestricted view to where Anteris stood, just off to the right of the gate in the wall.


    Again and again, flames wrapped around Anteris, his red aura glowing within, the flames wrapping around his halberd, and then a massive pillar of flame being slammed into the wall, spreading out across the dome, warping it just the slightest every time.


    Kothar covered his ears as he walked closer, the explosions were deafening, and he had to cast Lightning Aura in order to be able to walk comfortably forward.


    Step by step, Kothar came closer and closer to Anteris. Anteris was no longer being selective in how his flames burned, and Kothar could feel the white hot heat of the flames even as he stood a hundred meters behind Anteris.


    [Kothar, call out to him from here, you''ll be putting yourself at risk if you walk any closer.] Silane, usually completely calm, sounded genuinely concerned. And it was for good reason, the buildings that Kothar walked by now were blackened and scorched, and the flagstones beneath his feet were beginning to crack from the heat.


    Kothar sent more and more Lighting Element Mana to his Lightning Aura spell, the defense it provided was minimal, and as the heat grew stronger Kothar needed to use more and more mana to resist it.


    Now only about ten meters away from Anteris, Kothar could smell the acrid smell of burning hair, it was of course his own. The heat was not unbearable, even with his defenses pushed to the limit as they were, the Lightning Element heavily favored offense, and it was a miracle that Kothar had walked so close to Anteris already.


    "Duke Anteris! Come away from the wall, please!" Kothar decided to refer to Anteris by the title he had when they had first met.


    Anteris did not respond, instead, sparks began to whirl around him once more as he appeared for yet another attack.


    "Duke Anteris, I am sure Graffius will recover, and you''re going to be needed in the coming battle. Please, Duke Anteris, we will need you at your full strength." Kothar continued to speak, even as the flames around Anteris grew stronger and stronger, causing Kothar''s cloak to begin to smolder, and his armor turned uncomfortably hot.


    [Kothar, stop! He cannot be reasoned with, you''ll burn alive if he attacks the wall again!] Silane yelled, but Kothar ignored her, stepping closer and closer to the burning Duke.


    "Duke Anteris, you refused to lend me your assistance the last time I came to your home! Please, do me a favor this time, and come away from the wall!" Kothar was yelling now, and he continued to step toward the Duke, even as the flames reached up toward the sky and Kothar''s skin began to redden and blister.

 Chapter 190 - Quercus

    The flames around Anteris only grew higher and higher, and the edge of Kothar''s cloak caught fire. His long curls burned away, and the palm of the hand he stretched out to Anteris began to scream with pain.


    {Kothar! Enough! Come away from him, please!] Silane yelled, but she knew that her protests were in vain, she could feel Kothar''s determination.


    "Duke, please. Come away! We will take the city regardless!" Kothar stepped even closer, and spoke through blistered and burning lips.


    The flames roared up to the sky, and then, as if they had never been there, they disappeared into thin air. Anteris turned suddenly, and looked at the young man who stood mere meters behind him, having braved the flames of Anteris'' fury.


    "As determined as always. Why can I not have my revenge, for my son, for all the years that were taken from us! For the wife that they took from me!" Anteris shook with sobs, as he threw his helmet aside in frustration his tearful face was revealed, his silver beard damp with his sadness.


    "Forgive me Duke.. But the Grand Marshal commanded me to come to you. And besides, will you not check on your son, if he had passed then you would know by now. Surely he lives even now, still fighting for his life" Kothar''s voice was raspy and broken, his throat was raw from breathing the super heated air that had surrounded Anteris.


    This is something you could never understand, young Nighthawk. Let me tell you why!" And Anteris stepped toward Kothar, placing a gloved hand on his shoulder and leaning close to his ear.


    "I am afraid, young Nighthawk. I am afraid of seeing my son, frail and hurt, fighting for his life. The only family that remains to me in this world, fading away with every breath. This is why I stand here, and vent my fury on this wall." Anteris whispered to Kothar, gasping in between words as he continued to shed tear after tear.


    "If he truly is breaths away from death, then don''t you think he would want the company of his father in his final moments? Go and see your son, Anteirs." Kothar coughed out, struggling to speak as his throat began to swell from the injuries it had sustained, every inch of his skin was reddened, and the front of his body was blistered and bleeding.


    [Kothar, you have to rest as soon as you can! Start drawing in mana to heal yourself!] But Silane''s pleas fell on deaf ears, Kothar was determined to convince Anteris to go and see Graffius, he had learned too well about the regret that came with losing a loved one.


    "Alright. I will go, I will see my son, and when I see that he is well. Then I will fight!" Anteris heaved out a sigh, and wiped the tears from his face, he decided that the war be damned, he would fight once he was sure that Graffius would recover.


    Anteris looked to Kothar for his reply, but the injuries he had sustained meant he could only nod in response, as Kothar took quick gasping breaths.


    "I''m sorry, lad. Looks like I was far too thoughtless, only someone with an aura of their own would be able to approach me. Come now, I''ll take you to the healers." Anteris supported Kothar, who struggled to breathe, Silane''s worried yells echoing in his head. Kothar had seen the might of Anteris, Tam and the Emperor from afar, but he had not expected that he was so weak that merely coming near Anteris while he attacked the wall would reduce him to such a state.


    Kothar faded in and out of consciousness as he stumbled toward the docks, with Anteris supporting him.


    -----


    "Don''t remove that mask, you hear me. You can heal him well enough without having a look at his face. He''s just burned all over, and he probably breathed in some burning hot air that damaged his throat." Kothar heard Anteris'' gruff voice berating someone, presumably the healers.


    "Alright, and I wonder how he got those burns! You don''t scare me, Grand Admiral! Get away from my patient!" Kothar heard a spirited voice say, and then the gentle thump of footsteps, before he felt a sudden cooling sensation all over. As the mana healed him, Kothar properly returned to consciousness.


    [Kothar! You''re finally awake, that was far too close for comfort! You shouldn''t have gambled on the Duke''s intentions like that.] Silane complained, and while Kothar would usually defend himself or argue back, he could feel the genuine concern radiating off of Silane''s consciousness.


    "You''re right, it''s nothing too serious. Not too worried, soldier, we''ll have you on your feet soon enough." The voice continued, the tone now soothing rather than stern. Kothar felt the Life element Mana cover his body, and felt his wounds rapidly healing, as his skin rapidly knit itself together.


    "Oh! The throat! That''s a nasty burn." The healer skillfully manipulated the mana to heal Kothar''s injured throat, and Kothar opened his eyes, to take a look at who was healing him


    Over him stood a middle aged man, with dark brown hair and a kindly face, with the first folds and creases of age appearing around his dark, almost black eyes. His skin was tanned, dark, the color of oak.


    "Thank you, healer." Kothar said, able to speak again, and he moved to sit up, but was held down by the healer.


    "The name''s Quercus, soldier. Don''t get up just now, your body''s just used up a lot of energy in healing itself. Just lay there and mediate, and I''ll send someone over with a plate of food." Quercus said sternly, he wanted to make sure his mysterious patient didn''t move around too soon, Quercus was used to soldiers overestimating themselves.


    "Alright, Quercus." Kothar said, with a grateful smile that could be heard in his voice. He looked around, it appeared that he was in a large hall that the Ursten forces had taken over to use as an infirmary.


    Rows of beds lined the walls, and a few beds away, Kothar could see Anteris, leaning over an enormous figure, who lay on two beds pushed together.

 Chapter 191 - Regret

    "Graffius, my son. Can you hear my voice?" Anteris murmured, as he leaned over the son he had seen for the first time in years, mere hours ago. Graffius'' features mirrored Anteris'' own, with a heavy brow that shadowed his green eyes, and the strong jaw that he shared with the royals of Ursten.


    "Grand Admiral, he''s unconscious, I gave him a sleeping tincture, he won''t be awake for a at the very least a few hours. His body needs to rest, the wound he sustained was serious. A hair''s breadth more and there would be no saving him, but from what I hear Boson turned his axe aside at the last moment, that may have been what saved him." Quercus said softly as he walked over to Anteris, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.


    "But will he be alright? Will my son be whole?" Anteris'' voice was shaky and uncertain, as a child, Graffius had loved to fight, and where other children played with toys, a spear was Graffius'' constant companion. If his son hadn''t changed over the years that he had not seen him, then he would be devastated if he awoke to find he could no longer wield his spear.


    "Other than a nasty scar, your son will be fine, Grand Admiral." Quercus reassured Anteris, but then took a deep breath before he continued.


    "But I can''t be certain as to how long it will take for him to heal, he is strong enough that his body will heal at an accelerated rate, and I will do what I can to speed things along. But the fact of the matter is, we are on a battlefield, and if his rest is disturbed then it will only mean it will take more time to heal, and maybe even put his life at risk." Quercus'' voice was filled with concern, and it was clear that it was not only for Graffius, as he looked around to his other patients occupying the beds throughout the room.


    "Not to worry, Quercus! Tam and I will hold the enemy at bay, for my son. Just tend to him and await the news of our victory!" Anteris said gruffly, and he gave Quercus a reassuring slap on the back that sent the healer stumbling.


    "Thank you, Grand Admiral." Quercus gasped for breath after Anteris'' hearty back slap. Then, after taking one last glance at his sleeping son, Anteris replacing his helmet and marched out of the infirmary.


    All the while, Kothar watched Anteris, a smile on his face, he was glad that his words had persuaded Anteris to return to reason, and to return to his son.


    -----


    While Kothar recovered outside the great wall of Aznur, the Inner City was packed with the citizenry of Aznur. Many had fled toward the countryside, but just as many had taken the opportunity to flee within the mighty wall, before the gates had been closed after the Imperials'' shameful retreat.


    The streets were packed with people from all walks of life, many of whom had never left the Outer City in their lives, finally getting to see the beauty of the Inner City up close, but in grave circumstances.


    The great Arena was packed with people, and for once, it was not for some spectacle of blood and gore, rather it was filled with panicked citizens, and at the center of the Arena, a small group of Officials stood, reassuring the people of Aznur.


    "Do not fear! Though the enemy has forced our soldiers to retreat, they fought against but a fraction of our might! At this very moment, the Storm Generals are making haste to return to the city! They will crush those presumptuous fools who dared stand against the mighty Empire! We will be victorious!" A colorfully clothed man, thin as a stick, with an extremely large nose gave a rousing speech to the people who packed the stands of the Arena.


    His speech was answered with resounding cheers. For while the Emperor''s might had always been something unreal, the talk of rumors and myth, the Storm Generals were the pillars of the Empire.


    They were the very backbone of what allowed the Empire to dominate the entire southern half of the continent, and on their own, they were enough to decimate entire armies.


    Further in the Inner City, the palace halls were packed full, but rather than the common people of Aznur, it was the wealthy and the important.


    Those that often came to the Imperial Court, at the first hint of an invasion, had fled to the halls of the palace, bribing the guards or brute forcing with their own personal soldiers.


    While the Emperor had taken his men and marched out to face the invaders, they had taken their men and forced their way into the Palace.


    The Imperial Court was bare of the colorful characters that frequented it, their numbers holed away in the many nooks and crannies of the palace.


    The Emperor stood within, pacing back and forth, the remnants of those that had fought at the docks scattered around the throne room. Captain Jeremiah and his palace guard, and those of the Arena fighters that had remained loyal to the Empire, mostly those who had joined the Arena by choice, in search of honor and glory.


    As he looked around the room, the Emperor was filled with a deep sense of shame, these Arena fighters were the men who would likely never see the wonder of the Imperial Court, living their lives in a hurricane of blood, steel and adrenaline.


    They would fight for the chance for an audience with him, desperate for a position in service of him. And when the Empire was threatened, it had not been those that sung his praises, and stroked his ego that stood to defend the Empire, but it had been these men, who fought for merely the chance at an audience with him.


    How did it come to this? The Emperor asked himself.

 Chapter 192 - Infiltrators

    The sky outside the enormous glass panels that made up one side of the Imperial Court was beginning to darken, the faintest hint of starlight now visible in the sky, a sliver of moonlight coming from the slightest crescent that shone in the sky.


    The Emperor looked around the gathered fighters with a narrowed gaze, while they had fought against the invaders, many of their comrades had not.


    "Tell me, why have you remained loyal to the Empire?" The Emperor took a seat on his throne, and asked the gathered fighters.


    "So many of your comrades either surrendered, or betrayed you in the last moments of the battle at the docks, why did you not join them?" The Emperor continued, he was truly curious as to what drove these fighters.


    "Sorry to interrupt! Your Imperial Majesty, but while many of those who surrendered were fighters from the Arena, those who betrayed us were invaders that had infiltrated the ranks of our forces." Jeremiah spoke, his aged voice quaking with fear, he hated to be the bearer of bad news.


    "What!" The Emperor exclaimed out loud, he had sensed that there had been Arena fighters that had turned against the others, but had not realized that they were planted there by the invading forces.


    If they had infiltrated the ranks of the Arena fighters, then they could be anywhere within the Inner City by now, they could even be within the Imperial Court right now!


    As these thoughts crossed his mind, the Emperor''s eyes widened in realization.. He knew what the Ursten forces would target next, especially with the bulk of his forces returning south.


    "Captain Jeremiah! Can you say with certainty, that none of the men in this are infiltrators?" The Emperor stood u-p from his throne abruptly, marching toward the enormous paired doors that led out to the rest of the palace.


    "Sire, I can vouch for the Palace Guard who accompany me, but I cannot speak for these Arena fighters, but none of them conceal their faces and my men and I recognize most of them, and those who we did not recognize have been vouched for by the others." Jeremiah explained, his voice still shaky, he knew that this was not the answer the Emperor wanted to what, but he was determined to be as truthful as possible.


    "Alright, this will have to do. Just know, any of you who betray the empire, will face the full force of my wrath." The Emperor spoke softly, but his voice was as firm as steel, and his eyes momentarily glowed with shining light, reminding those gathered of his immense strength.


    The gathered soldiers and Arena fighters bowed in unison, and fell into formation behind the Emperor matched out of the Court, and into the halls of the palace, making his way out toward the inner city.


    ------


    Within the auction hall that served as a makeshift headquarters for the Ursten forces, Tam stood at the head of a large wooden table, all of his Lieutenants gathered within the room, as well as the commanders of the rest of the army.


    "Everyone here has their orders. Once the signal has been given, the gates of the Inner City will open from within. At that moment, the vanguard will rush into the Inner City, they will be led by Anteris." Tam addressed the gathered men and women, and from the fact that he still wore the scuffed and dusty army from his clash with the Emperor, it was clear how busy he had been.


    "Those of you who have been ordered to keep watch to the north, I want to make this extremely clear, we cannot afford to be caught unaware by the Storm generals, if you even see the slightest hint of a group of men approaching, then alert the entire army immediately. If this happens during our offensive against the wall, then we will disengage from the forces in the Inner City, leaving alone a small force to guard our rear. Understood?" Tam continued, his stern gaze brushing over all those gathered in the auction hall, the scarred face of Boson, the hooded figure that was Serena, the stocky twins, Slate and Shale, and the myriad commanders of the rest of the army.


    "Understood."


    Yes, Grand Marshal."


    "As you say, Master Tam."


    A mixture of affirmative response came from all around the room, and those inside began to file out.


    In the time it took for the Ursten forces to gather at the gates, Kothar had enough time to recover well enough from his injuries to join the impressive crowd of Ursten forces that had arrayed themselves in front of the wall.


    "We get to do the honors." Docara chuckled as he nudged Kothar, it had taken some time for Kothar to find the gathered Nighthawks.


    Along with Boson and Serena, they had been tasked with watching for the Storm generals, and had hidden themselves amongst the roofs and tall walls of the buildings that flanked the main street of Aznur.


    "You seen one of these before?" Docara asked Kothar, as he showed him the device in his hands. It was large and clunky, with a large glowing Mana Crystal set within a square shaped housing, which held a rocket shaped object inside, a red powder enclosed in a glass bulb at the head.


    "Ah, I believe I have, but not up close and personal like this. A group of Nevisse soldiers fired it off while I was fighting them." Kothar smiled a little behind his mask, he had wanted to see one of these up close.


    [See if you can get one from the Quartermaster after the battle, I want to see the insides.] Silane commented, as Docara set the device on to the ground, quickly flicking an array of tiny levers on the side of the device.


    [You''re talking like we''ve already won again-] Kothar began to say, but was interrupted by a yell from Docara.


    "Cover your ears, lads!" Docara yelled, as sparks began to fly from the device.


    Then, there was a deafening screech, and the rocket shaped object flew into the air.

 Chapter 193 - The Gate

    As it flew, the flare shed a shower of red sparks, slowly arcing up into the twilight sky. It reached its peak, and as it began to arc down, exploded in a flash of blindingly bright red, sending a cascade of red in every direction.


    Even after it had exploded, the light from the flare remained behind, the glowing red particles dissipating very slowly.


    "Soon enough, our lads will open the gate." Docara''s voice was confident, and he looked back toward the towering wooden gates, thick with runes, that separated the Inner City from the Outer.


    The Ursten forces stood in anticipation, waiting for the gates to open, confident that as usual, Grand Marshal Tam''s plan would pan out.


    But they waited in vain, the gates remained still, with no hint of movement whatsoever.


    "Damn It. What''s taking them so long." Tam muttered under his breath to Anteris, showing a rare moment of worry.. He spoke quietly, so as not to alarm the soldiers, but the Nighthawks were his most reliable men, and it was unlike them to delay in their mission without good reason.


    "Bzzzt. Crrrck¡­ Bzzt." A crackling noise came from the saddlebags on Tam''s horse, and he snatched open the bags, reaching for the device that lay within. If the Nighthawks had resorted to this, then the situation within the wall must truly be dire.


    -----


    A little while before the signal flare was launched, within the grand structure that was the wall of Aznur, a trio of Nighthawks were making their way up the narrow staircase that led into the corridors that ran through the wall.


    The three of them had ditched their masks and armor, and after knocking a few guards unconscious, had managed to get their hands on a set of Imperial Guard armor.


    "You alright, Salmon?" The tall man in the lead, asked the stocky man who was trailing behind, wheezing as he walked. Though none of them were currently wearing their masks, out of habit, they still referred to each other by the appearance of their masks,


    "I''ll be fine, Whirlpool. It''s just that little wound I got when I was fleeing the Keep of Blackstone." Salmon brushed off Whirlpool''s concerns, and picked up his pace, wincing as he did so.


    "Don''t think I didn''t see that, Salmon. You should have listened to me and gone to see the healers, those fanatics in Drukka are known for their poisons. You might just drop dead while we''re walking up these blasted stairs." Whirlpool grumbled, shaking his head at the stubborn Salmon. He knew that no  matter what anyone said, without an express command from Tam, Salmon would never pass up the opportunity to go on a mission.


    "Both of you, stop bickering. Mind on the mission, we can''t afford to fail. We all know that we aren''t the only team dispatched, but we should act as though we are." The third member of the trio growled at the other three, he was of average height, but even the armor he wore could not conceal his strength.


    "Of course, Dog." The other two chimed together, though all the Nighthawks were intimidating in their own right, Dog was one of the few that even most of the Nighthawks steered clear of.


    The three of them continued in silence, quietly moving through the shining white corridors of the walls, lit at intervals with glowing Mana Crystal maps.


    "You sure these plans we got our hands on are correct, shouldn''t we be at the gatehouse by now?" Dog muttered, looking over Whirlpool''s shoulder at the map he was staring at.


    "They might be old, but this wall is the oldest thing around here for miles, maybe the Palace is older but for as long as there''s been a city here, they''ve been here. They were probably here even before the Empire set up shop around these parts." Whirlpool brushed off Dog''s concerns, the man he procured these plans from was perhaps one of the most mysterious individuals he had met.


    He had appeared out of seemingly thin air, handed Whirlpool the plans and disappeared once again. As a thief, Whirlpool wasn''t unfamiliar with spells that could achieve these things, but for him to be fooled by another Thief''s spell was testament to the individual''s skill.


    The corridors wound upwards, stairs at regular intervals, and soon the narrow corridor they had been walking along joined up with a larger corridor that ran just below the top of the wall.


    There were stairs at regular intervals that led up to the top of the wall, and the corridor was packed with supplies.


    There were barrels filled with enchanted arrows, bolts for ballistas, large stones for dropping on any invaders. But everything was covered in a thick layer of dust, from the response to the invasion, and the poorly manned walls, it was clear the Empire had no expectation of any invasion.


    "There, that''ll be the door to the gatehouse." Dog said excitedly, pushing ahead of Whirlpool at the sight of the dark wooden door, slightly ajar.


    "Be patient, Dog. I know you''re eager for a fight, but remember, we''re not here to tangle with Imperial soldiers, we''re here on a mission." Whirlpool pulled Dog back, who shot him an angry glare through the visor of his helmet.


    "Alright. But I''m first in." Dog whispered as they drew closer, his tone making it clear that who went in first was not up for argument.


    "Stop." Whirlpool hissed, now that he was close enough to feel the mana signatures behind the door, he could feel that there was something extremely wrong.


    "There someone far too powerful up there, I''ve only ever felt such power from the Grand Marshal himself." Whirlpool continued, his voice dripping with fear.


    "Fine. The pair of you stay back. I''ll go and take a good look, don''t wait around if I don''t come back out within a few seconds." Dog said abruptly, not giving the others a chance to argue, and quickly tip toeing toward the door.

 Chapter 194 - Dog

    As Dog inched closer and closer toward the wall, the sound of clashing blades and the ferocious yells and wounded screams of men in battle became louder and louder.


    Then, the mana signature behind the wall surged, and the combat stopped.


    Dog had a reputation for brutality and ferocity amongst his comrades, but nevertheless he was filled with concern for his comrades who were likely fighting within the gatehouse.


    Now right up against the wall next to the door, he inched his head around the corner and peeked within.


    The sight he saw within froze his blood cold.


    The guardroom was completely destroyed, the table splintered and the crates and barrels broken and leaking their contents all over the room.


    But this wasn''t the reason that Dog had frozen, no, one man stood within the guardroom, surrounded by the dead.


    If it were not for the distinctive tattoos that Scarecrow had all along his hands, Dog would not have been able to recognize the men who lay slain within, their limbs missing, and holes burned completely through their chests.. The hand that he had recognized them as Nighthawks by lying to one aside, cast aside like some forgotten toy.


    Surrounded by this horrific sight, standing with a shining sword drawn in the center of the gore covered guardroom, was the Emperor himself.


    "Another rat who thinks me a fool! Come then, join your comrades in death!" The Emperor snarled, he had sensed the intruder''s mana surging as he stood at the door.


    With a loud snarl, Dog leapt into the room, melding into the shadows as he did so, knowing that engaging the Emperor as violently as possible was the only way he could ensure that his companions would make a clean getaway.


    "Whirlpool! Let''s go, Dog''s distracting the enemy so we can get word to the Grand Marshal." Salmon hissed as he pulled the frozen Whirlpool away, Whirlpool could feel the enormously powerful waves of mana radiating from the guardroom, and he knew that Dog had just leapt into his certain death.


    Within the guardroom  the Emperor stood with a twisted snarl on his face, his shining armor, studded with jewels and gilded all over was splattered with the blood of the Nighthawks.


    His usual solemn and kindly expression had disappeared, and he had rushed ahead, leaving his men behind to come to the gatehouse.


    Of course, he could have just as easily defeated all three of the invaders without even touching them, but he had been so enraged at the thought of them that he had drawn his sword and dismembered them by his own hand.,


    How dare they! Did they think he was so foolish as to fall for the same trick again and again?


    One with the shadows in the room, Dog knew that he had to move fast, otherwise the Emperor would pin his position down by sensing his mana alone, and


    Dog channeled all his mana in one violent burst, as he burst out of the shadows, his arms covered in Darkness Element Mana, forming a pair of enormous claws that he used to slash out at the Emperor''s back.


    It was a futile effort, the Emperor turned smoothly, his shining sword cleanly slicing through the claws of darkness, cleaning Dog''s arms in half, and then, taking his life.


    But even as Dog lay bleeding on the floor of the guardroom, Salmon and Whirlpool had fled below, and had activated the device given to them as a last resort.


    Beneath the gatehouse, within one of the many narrow corridors that lay within the great wall of Aznur, Whirlpool lifted the device to his mouth and began to speak.


    ------


    Back outside the gates, Tam and Anteris watched the device in Tam''s hands, waiting for those on the other end to speak. Finally, the crackling stopped, and a voice could be heard.


    "Grand Marshal. Forgive us, the mission has failed. The Emperor was lying in wait, we have had to withdraw. We will do what we can to sabotage them from within the wall, but the gate cannot be opened." Whirlpool''s gruff voice came from the device, audible to all those waiting to rush into through the gates.


    Tam sat completely still on his horse, his face completely expressionless, concealing the emotions that were raging within him.


    He had grown overconfident over the course of this campaign, and now he had paid the price. Slime of his best men had been sent within the Inner City, men who had been with him since the very beginning, when he had only been in command of fifty or so soldiers.


    What had he been thinking? Those that had died within could have just as easily been his own son, who was amongst the ranks of the Nighthawks.


    "What now, Grand Marshal?" Anteris asked, his voice gravely serious, he had realized how precious the Nighthawks were to Tam, and though he sent them on the most dangerous mission, they were still his most trusted men.


    "Now, we take down the wall." Tam''s expression shifted to one of seething anger, and he leapt of his horse and strode toward the wall, a bright blue aura coming into existence around him.


    Tam drew his curved sword, and the unmistakable wings spread out behind him, as he launched himself into the sky.


    The Last Hawk flew up, higher and higher, higher than he could ordinarily dare to when in combat with another of the Advanced Rank, he didn''t need to worry about a counterattack or an opponent charging up their defense


    The gathered Ursten troops gazed up in amazement as their commander grew smaller and smaller, fading from sight, a tiny blue dot shining in the evening sky.


    Soon, it seemed as though Tam had disappeared, and in his place was another star in the night sky, shining bright blue amongst its silver neighbors.


    Then, Tam dived, aiming for the scorched portion of the wall that Anteris had spent hours slamming attack after attack into.

 Chapter 195 - Meteor Slash

    The shining blue light in the sky grew brighter and brighter, the shape of the hawk becoming clearer and clearer as Tam dove down. He accelerated to speed that even he had never before attained, but even as he dove down, he channeled all his mana, in preparation for the most powerful slash he had ever struck.


    Even as he dove down, the crowds of civilians fleeing Aznur looked back and pointed in wonder at what they thought was a falling meteor,


    His sword facing forward, ready to slash, Tam hurtled toward the great wall of Aznur, the monument that had stood for eons, a testament to the might of the Empire.


    "I''d love to let you all watch, but the force of the impact might cause you all to lose your lives!" Anteris yelled, and with a swing of his halberd erected a wall of flame between the amassed Ursten forces and the wall.


    The shining blue hawk swooped down over the gathered army and slammed into the wall, and the shining dome that covered the Inner City once again materialized as Tam''s sword flashed moments before he slammed into the wall, an enormous slash of blue mana cleaving into the wall, with all of Tam''s momentum behind it.


    Boom.


    A bone shaking shockwave spread out from the point of impact, even though it was dulled by Anteris'' wall of flame, many of the vanguard of the Ursten forces were sent flying off their horses, the horses rearing up in fear, and the men yelling in surprise.


    All those gathered before the wall watched, waiting for the flames to subside so that they could see what had happened.


    But even before the flames faded away, the shining dome that rose high up into the sky, crisscrossed with runic patterns, flickered for a moment.


    The runic enchantments that held the wall together were so powerful because they were all linked together, and functioned as a mighty chain that protected the city within,


    But Anteris'' repeated blows and Tam''s mighty attack had broken one link of that chain completely, and so, starting from where Tam had struck, the dome began to disappear, fading away, as each rune linked to the first that had been destroyed disappeared in a chain reaction.


    The wall of flame faded away, and the shining white wall of Aznur was revealed once again. The once perfect structure, admired by all who saw it, was now marred, an ugly scar within the wall, blasted wide open.


    Within the massive cleft that now split the wall completely from top to bottom, a long figure, covered in a shining blue light, stood.


    The Last Hawk. Tam.


    Cheers rose up amongst the Ursten forces, as the men and women saw that even the mightiest of fortifications on the Isle could not stand up to their leader.


    Then, Tam''s sword rose into the air, and all fell silent.


    "Forward!"He yelled, his voice thundering across the main street, along which the Ursten forces were gathered.


    Anteris was the first to move, urging his horse forward, a wordless battle cry coming from his mouth as he charged into the breach.


    The heavy cavalry followed, charging into the Inner City.


    -----


    Kothar and Docara had watched in shock, from the moment when the flare had shot up into the sky and the gates had failed to open, to when Tam had slammed down into the wall, cleaving the wall apart.


    [He only continues to surprise me, no wonder he was so confident in waging war against the Empire.] Silane broke the silence for Kothar, as he watched in awe as his father single handedly brought down the great wall of Aznur. Even as the wall fell, Kothar remembered the tales he had heard of it from Simon, whispers of the great wall that defended the great capital of the Empire that lay to the south.


    And to think that in a matter of ten years, he would watch as his own father broke down that very wall. "That''s our General Tam, for you. He always pulls victory into reach with his own two hands!" Docara exclaimed triumphantly, and the other Nighthawks gathered around them began to cheer.


    [It truly is impressive, Silane, but at my peak as Commander of the Sentinels, I brought down the mightiest of fortifications with a single blast from my plasma cannon. I still haven''t tested my plasma blade against the magic of this world, but to reach the level of power I need I''ll need to surpass my father.] Kothar replied, his tone serious and tinged with a hint of sadness, as thoughts of his home were brought to the surface of his mind.


    [Of course Kothar, but for now, let us agree that Tam is one of the, no, the most impressive warriors we have seen on Eclat. And besides, with him as your father, I''m sure you''ll soon be capable of similar feats.] Silane could feel Kothar''s thoughts turning to his final memories of his home, and she steered the conversation in a lighter direction.


    Kothar and the Nighthawks watched the Ursten forces charge into the Inner City, virtually unopposed, the Imperial forces not even considering that the wall could be breached.


    But even as Anteris and Tam led their forces within, a bright light shone from the top of the wall, as the Empire shot into the air, ready to defend his city.


    The Emperor flew into combat, knowing that he would be risking his life taking on both of the Advanced Level fighters of the Ursten forces, but he had no other choice.


    But if the Emperor had looked to the north as he flew up for even a moment, he would have seen the sliver of hope that approached for the Imperials.


    A massive bank of storm clouds, rapidly approaching the capital.


    The Storm Generals had returned, and at their back rode the elite of the Imperial Army, every single one of them filled with fury, ready to defend their home.

 Chapter 196 - The Emperor

    "What the hell was that Nevus! It looked like a meteor falling down on to Aznur!" Regis exclaimed, a hint of nervousness in his voice. The falling star was most likely an attack from an Advanced Rank enemy, but Regis was not eager to admit it, since admitting so would involve accepting that the invaders were truly powerful, and the Empire was really at risk


    "Come on Regis, don''t play dumb. We both know that it''s likely an attack from one of the invaders. Of course they''d at least have one fighter at the Advanced Rank." Nevus'' spear was already in his hand, it was almost two meters in length, the blade itself almost a good quarter of its length. The blade was a deep turquoise color., with streaks of green and blue throughout.


    "You''re right, we''ll go all out from the beginning. They won''t even know what hit them." Regis gave Nevus a fierce grin as they galloped onward, Reis also swinging his weapon off of his back and into his hand, an enormous broadsword, rivaling Nevus'' spear in size.


    The blade was thick, and the metal had a purplish hue to it, which upon closer inspection, was actually many tiny flecks of red and blue within the metal.


    "No! We have to fly now! Come, Regis, the Emperor needs us!" Nevus yelled out, Regis'' was initially confused as Nevus'' sight was far better than his, but as Nevus spoke Regis'' face turned to concern and anger.


    Nevus became surrounded by a glowing turquoise aura, leaping up into the air from the back of his horse and taking flight, as a pair of glowing turquoise wings formed.at his back.


    Regis turned to the thousands of soldiers riding behind them.


    "Duran! Hubar! You two are in charge, we must fly ahead!" Regis also leaped into the air from his horse, as a deep purple colored aura formed around him and he took flight, lagging slightly behind Nevus,


    -----


    Only a few minutes before the Storm Generals began flying toward Aznur, within the breach of the great wall of Aznur, the Emperor had arrived to battle the invading forces.


    As soon as the Emperor had taken flight, both Tam and Anteris had flown into the air to match him, otherwise he would have free rein to attack the many Ursten soldiers below.


    Without giving him even the slightest moment to prepare, Tam and Anteris began an onslaught of attacks against the Emperor.


    Anteris initiated it, sending a pillar of flame stabbing toward the Emperor, who quickly dodged it with a flap of his wings, but then found a furious Tam waiting for him, slashing out at him with his curved sword.


    Facing two opponents, the Emperor had no time to defend himself, and Tam''s first attack made contact, tearing through his aura and into the breastplate of the Emperor''s armor, leaving a bleeding gash in the Emperor''s chest.


    The slash sent the Emperor hurtling through the air, and his face turned pale beneath his lion head helm, but he didn''t even have the slightest moment to recover, before an enormous spear of flame came lancing toward him, slamming following his every move.


    The Emperor blocked the fiery spear with a barrier of light, but once again, Tam was waiting, this time slicing out toward the Emperor''s right arm, which he held his sword in.


    Tam''s sword sliced deep into the Emperor''s shoulder, cutting deep into the joint, half severing the arm.


    Blood poured out from the wound, adding to the blood and gore that was already splattered all over the Emperor''s armor.


    Anteris and Tam continued their barrage of attacks against the Emperor, Anteris attacking from afar and Tam using his superior speed to dart in and out of the Emperor''s range, leaving a wound behind with every slash and stab, reducing the shining armor the Emperor wore to a damaged wreck.


    The people of Anzur watched in horror as their ruler was reduced to a practice dummy for the invaders, rag dolling through the air as he was struck by attack after attack, gradually being covered in more and more burns and wounds.


    But even though he was taking such an enormous amount of damage and was constantly losing blood, the resilience of an individual at the Advanced Rank was to such a degree that the emperor remained conscious, minimizing the damage by shifting his body at the last moment before the attacks struck.


    The sound of a horn resounded all across Aznur, cutting through the explosions, clashing of blades and screams of the wounded.


    Serena had spotted the thunderclouds rolling into the city, as well as the enormous column of men riding beneath them, and had sounded the alarm.


    The three winged combatants looked over to the source of the sound, and as Anteris'' and Tam''s faces fell, the Emperor began to smile, as he looked up and saw the cloud rolling in.


    "Nevus, Regis, you did not disappoint me." He whispered, a tired smile on his face, wheezing slightly due to his cracked ribs.


    "Finish him off, Anteris! Destroy their morale before they get here!" Tam roared, his voice hoarse, he knew that if they didn''t seize this opportunity to slay the Emperor, then the Imperials would rally around him.


    "*******This man''s like a cockroach! Look at the state of him, I''ve been hitting him with attack after attack, but he keeps flying!" Anteris yelled back, even as he sent a twisting tornado of flame whipping toward the Emperor.


    Tam sent a flurry of slashes at the Emperor as he was surrounded by the twisting column of flame, the fire burning away at his aura and the slashes slamming into his armor, one after the other,


    "Aargh!" The Emperor let out a strangled yell, he had taken the attacks so far without even the slightest sigh, but this flurry of slashes had cut deep.


    Tam continued to send out attack after attack, guided by his sense of the Emperor''s mana alone, as the flames continued to spin, obscuring him from sight.

 Chapter 197 - Thunderstorm

    Whilst the Emperor was bombarded with a series of slashes from Tam, a subtle shift came over the battlefield.


    A stiff breeze began to blow through Aznur, and the silver light from the moon and stars above was slowly blotted out by the clouds that rapidly formed above.


    Rain drops started to fall, washing away the blood that had pooled on the streets of Aznur, the whirlwind of fire surrounding the Emperor was doused and revealed the man within.


    The Emperor''s aura was dull, a pale yellow rather than the blindingly bright white that it usually was, he was covered in wounds now, without even an inch of his armor left intact.


    The wings at his back flapped weakly, and his helmet was half destroyed, revealing his pale face, and a slash carved into the side of his scalp, blood dripping down, mixing with the rain that fell all across the battlefield.


    "Have you no honor!" A yell echoed across the battlefield, as Nevus drew closer, and took in the sight of his Emperor, covered in wounds, burnt and lacerated, weakly hanging in the air, facing off against two Advanced Rank fighters.


    Tam sighed, and turned to face the source of the sound, he ignored the Emperor, knowing that he had been reduced to such a state, that if he continued to fight, he would lose his life due to the enormous number of wounds all over his body.


    Nevus, surrounded in his turquoise aura, flew rapidly toward his Emperor, propelled by a strong gust of wind, placing himself between the Emperor and the invaders, pointing his spear toward Tam..


    The pressure in the air plummeted, and the air itself began to crackle with energy, the clouds over Aznur grew denser and denser, the sky turning completely dark, without even the slightest glint of light from the sky.


    The battlefield below was now only lit by the spells that flew through the air, and the fires that had been lit by a stray spell.


    "Your Imperial Majesty, please return to the palace, and have your wounds seen to. Regis and I shall take care of this." Nevus voice was calm, but his helm concealed the enraged expression on his face, as his usually calm and collected face turned red, and his lips drew back in a grimace.


    "Thank you, Nevus, I knew you two would return soon." The Emperor said weakly, slowly flying away toward the shining white palace below.


    Anteris and Tam ignored him, their attention fixed on the individual who had just appeared, both of them had heard of the Storm Generals of the Empire, and both of them knew that each of them was a force to be reckoned with,


    "Let me take on this one Anteris, I''m sure the other won''t be far behind." Tam had already discussed the possibility of facing the Storm Generals with Anteris, and he knew that Anteris'' would fare better off against Regis, who would be unable to douse his flames.


    "You sure have a high opinion of yourselves." Nevus sneered, and the clouds above began to swirl, and flashes of lightning appeared in the clouds, momentarily lighting the entire battlefield.


    Nevus swung his spear down, and there was a deafening crack, and two enormous bolts of lightning snaked down from the clouds above, striking down toward Tam and Anteris.


    The pair of them focused their auras upwards, and the lightning bolts slammed into them.


    Thunder boomed, and Tam shrugged off the attack, while Anteris had underestimated the bolt of lightning, the residual sparks dancing across his armor.


    Nevus'' power derived from the fact that his attacks weren''t limited by his own power, rather he used his unique mana to manipulate the weather itself, wielding the force of nature itself against his enemies.


    "To think that a weakling such as yourself would have the audacity to lay a hand on our Emperor." Nevus spat at Anteris, swinging his spear toward him, sending another bolt of lightning arcing down from the clouds above.


    But Tam wasn''t about to let attack Anteris unchallenged, as he swung his spear, Tam sword came slicing toward him, sending his bolt off target, harmlessly striking one of the many towers of the Imperial Palace.


    "Forget about him, I was the one who gave your Emperor a good thrashing, and I enjoyed every moment of it." Tam snarled at Nevus, he had picked up on Nevus'' sensitivity regarding the Emperor, and wanted to throw him off.


    Nevus, his head now completely blank from fury, swung his spear recklessly toward Tam, sending bolt after bolt of Lighting toward him.


    But Tam had anticipated this, and dove down toward the towers of the Imperial Palace, taking a looping flight path around the towers.


    Bolt after bolt of lightning missed Tam, striking the higher towers, as Tam flew low, almost skimming the roof of the Palace itself, before flying up toward Nevus, stabbing out toward him.


    But Nevus was ready for him, and a gust of wind propelled him forward, as he stabbed out with his spear, meeting Tam''s blue aura covered blow with a turquoise one of his own.


    The pair of them were evenly matched, sending out attack after attack, Tam using his speed to his utmost advantage, while Nevus manipulated the wind around him to try and hamper Tam and to accelerate his own attacks.


    While Tam and Nevus were locked in combat, Anteris flew toward the purple glow in the distance, he wanted to get as far from the thunderstorm hanging over Aznur as possible, staying the rain would only weaken his attacks.


    The air around Regis began to crackle with energy as he saw Anteris approaching, blue and red sparks flew around him, and began to wrap around his enormous broadsword.


    The sparks grew more and more numerous, before forming a twisting spiral of flame, with bolts of lightning crackling within.


    Anteris prepared for impact, readying his own attack, flames surrounding his halberd and his aura growing brighter and brighter.

 Chapter 198 - The Imperial Elites

    Anteris knew that utilizing his Fire Element Mana would only be useful in neutralizing Regis'' Lighting and Fire Element attacks, since Regis was also a Fire Element individual, and was at a similar level to Anteris, Anteris'' Fire Element attacks wouldn''t do much damage to him.


    This was due to the fact that a person''s Elemental Affinity was based on which Element they were innate resistant to, and as their Mana Core''s grew in power, so too would their own resistance.


    Against Regis, Anteris would have to utilize his aura to its fullest extent, solidifying his mana in order to be able to do any real damage to Regis.


    Regis, on the other hand, had no such concern, he could rely on his Fire Element to neutralize Anteris own, and his Lightning Element Mana would be more than enough to damage so long as Regis could break through his aura.


    Both of their initial attacks were as powerful as they could muster, and since they had similar fighting styles, relying on brute strength and powerful attacks rather than speed and strategy, they met each other head on, flying as fast as they possibly could, Regis'' fiery broadsword, crackling with lightning, slamming into Anteris'' flaming halberd. Regis; purple aura clashing with Anteris'' red aura,


    Boom.


    There was a deafening explosion as they collided with each other, and Anteris was sent flying backward, it was clear who had the upper hand.


    Regis had a vicious grin on his face as he prepared another attack, this time cloaking his entire body in the fiery lightning, which utilized both his Mana Cores..


    Anteris had no choice but to prepare another attack, even though he knew that Regis would easily blast through it, chipping away, slowly but surely, at Anteris'' aura.


    While Anteris exchanged blow after blow with Regis, Nevus and Tam were locked in fierce combat over the palace.


    Tam had slowly but surely drawn Nevus toward the towers of the Imperial Palace, knowing that they would effectively neutralize his Lightning Bolts. Unlike Regis, Nevus could not utilize the elements on their own, since he had fused his Lighting, Wind, and Water cores.


    Fusing the three cores had given him the ability to manipulate the weather, but it meant that he didn''t have the same capability to imbue his attacks with each element, instead he had a melded turquoise mana that wasn''t very destructive in its own right.


    This meant that he specialized in utilized his aura, most of the time, this meant that Nevus had the upper hand, but unfortunately for him, he was up against Tam, an elementless fighter who solely relied on aura.


    The pair of them were evenly matched, Tam''s most powerful diving attacks unable to be used since he had to remain below the level of the palace towers to avoid the lighting.


    They traded attack after attack, Nevus only able to utilize the wind and rain so long as Tam remained below the level of the towers.


    Nevus used the wind to keep up with Tam, and Tam constantly stayed on the move, all of the lightning bolts that Nevus used missing, striking the tip of the palace''s towers instead.


    But even though Nevus wasn''t able to harm Tam with his attacks, he was able to affect the battlefield as a whole.


    The enormous clouds that he had summoned hung over Aznur, torrents of rain falling all over the side, as well as strong gusts of wind that constantly battered the advancing Ursten soldiers.


    Nevus'' manipulation of the weather gave the remaining soldiers the opportunity to withdraw to the palace, where they could shelter behind the shining white walls, which were a miniature version of the great wall that surrounded the Inner City.


    Below, amongst the streets, the commanders of the Ursten forces had begun to withdraw, on their way to reinforce those soldiers that were defending the main street of Anzur, they knew what the arrival of the Storm Generals meant.


    The elites of the Imperial Army would soon be arriving.


    -----


    "Here they come, Rufus! We''re just going to watch and wait, for now, keep your head down. Once they''ve properly engaged our forces, we''ll sneak down and attack their back line." Docara yelled to Kothar, struggling to be heard above the howling wind and the constant rumble of thunder from Nevus'' storm overhead.


    "You got it Docara. Are they elites really so dangerous that all our forces need to be waiting to engage them like this?" Kothar was confused, Boson, Serena, Slate and Shale were already lying in wait for the elites, but now even the bulk of the army, which had charged in to the Inner City, were turning around to face the elites.


    "Of course they are, these are the men which allowed the Empire to dominate the south. The Storm Generals may be powerful, but in terms of experience, they''re babies compared to these men." Docara shook his head at Kothar''s lack of understanding.


    "These were the fighters who pushed the tribes back in the Empire''s war against them. Few of them are probably below the Intermediate Rank, if any." Docara yelled, his tone serious, he knew that the few thousand men rapidly charging toward Aznur had the capacity to turn the tide of the entire battle.


    Kothar watched as Boson led his shock troops toward the border of Aznur, it seemed that he wanted to intercept the Imperials outside the city.


    [That''ll do a lot to break down their momentum.} Silane observed, as they watched the column of Imperial soldiers charge across the plains outside the city.


    "Men and women of Ursten! Let us show these Imperials what the people of Ursten are made of! Steel, blood and fury!" Boson roared, raising his axe high into the air, a green glow surrounding him and his axe.


    Boson swung his axe down, and the column of five hundred heavily armored men and women began to charge, on a collision course for the two thousand Imperial Elites charging in the opposite direction.

 Chapter 199 - Duran And Hubar

    At the head of the column of marching Imperial soldiers were Regis'' and Nevus'' second in command, Duran and Hubar. Both of them were similar in appearance, though not related whatsoever.


    They both were broad shouldered with squashed noses that were characteristic of brawlers, and both of them wielded long handled war hammers. They wore the red and gold armor that most Imperial soldiers wore, except theirs was made to measure, since they were far larger than most.


    Their horses were enormous, shaggy haired with tree trunk legs, and the beginnings of a horn poked out from the thick hair on their snouts.


    "Looks like they''ve got one who''s got some grasp of aura." Duran said to Hubar, as he noticed the green glow around Boson.


    "That''s nothing new for us, and there''s no way he''ll be able to take on both of us." Hubar replied, urging his horse to gallop faster.


    As Boson and his shock troops drew closer, Duran and Hubar readied their war hammers, preparing to take him head on..


    The aura that surrounded Boson did not intimidate them, for the pair of them were at a similar realm, and unlike Boson, had been at the gateway to the Advanced Rank for years, unable to truly cross into it.


    While most people would see this as a sign of poor talent. Duran and Hubar had turned this to their advantage, mastering the use of the limited aura they had and crushing all those that they face under the Advanced Rank.


    A gentle yellow glow surrounded the pair, and they rested their war hammers on their shoulders, ready to trade blows with Boson.


    Boson, seeing that he was going to face soldiers who were capable of utilizing aura, began to spin his axe, gathering momentum to add as much power as possible to his attack.


    But he knew as well as Duran and Hubar did, that as powerful as he was, he wouldn''t be able to match up to the pair of them, working together.


    Fortunately for Boson, Serena had been keeping an eye on the battlefield ever since she spotted the incoming Imperial troops, and her archers had readied their bows, the three hundred that were posted on the main street waiting on her signal to fire.


    Serena waited, letting the two columns of soldiers draw closer and closer to each other, and only fired her arrow when they were only a hundred meters away.


    Serena''s arrow shot through the air, empowered with her mana, arcing accurately toward Hubar, spinning as it flew. As her arrow was fired, all of her archers fired also, a rain of arrows flying toward the column of Imperial soldiers.


    Moments before Boson clashed with the Imperial column, Serena''s arrow flew right at Hubar''s head, who had to send it flying away with his war hammer, wasting the attack he had been charging up.


    As the rain of arrows from Serena''s archers fell into the ranks of the Imperial soldiers, Boson and his shock troops slammed into the Imperial soldiers.


    Boson swung his axe at Duran, who took on the blow easily, slamming his own aura cloaked war hammer into Boson''s axe.


    Though Duran was occupied with Boson, Hubvar was free to wreak havoc on the ranks of Boson''s shock troops, he easily sent the first few soldiers flying with a couple swings of his hammer, before another arrow from Serena came flying at him.


    Forcing him to block it, though her arrows were not coated in aura, they were powerful enough that Hubar could not ignore them.


    "Keep firing volleys at the rear of the column! Dunstan, you signal the volleys!" Serena called out to her second in command, she knew that she needed to devote all her attention to keeping Hubar occupied, otherwise Boson would fall to the pair of them.


    She drew arrow after arrow from her quiver, rapid firing at Hubar, forcing him to remain on the defensive, as he was caught up by her constant arrows and four of Boson''s shock troops, who surrounded him on every side, halting his rapid advance through their ranks.


    But even with their commanders occupied, the Imperial Elites charged through the ranks of Boson''s shock troops, easily splitting their tight-knit formation.


    The nobles and tribes men readied their troops, they knew that the Imperial soldiers would aim to charge through the city, heading for the Imperial Palace, which they could defend for weeks, waiting for the bulk of the army to arrive while the Storm Generals fought against the commanders of the Ursten forces.


    Only three hundred of the Imperial Elites remained behind, locked in combat with Boson''s shock troops, the rest, even without their commanders present, seamlessly reformed their column formation and continued their charge toward the city.


    Serena''s archers continued to rain arrows down on them, but it barely checked their charge, the troops holding large rectangular shields over their heads as they galloped toward the main street of Anzur.


    Tam''s guess had been correct, they aimed to charge down the main street of Aznur.


    Once they were only a few hundred meters from where Tam had posted the bulk of his men, Slate, Shale and the rest of the Mage Unit began to send spells flying through the air at the Imperial Elites.


    Great shards of ice, balls of fire and magma, bolts of lightning, torrents of water and blades of wind all flew at the Imperial elites, but the seventeen hundred that remained revealed what they had been concealing.


    A unit of seventy Mages, on horseback at the rear of the column, intercepted the spells flying toward them, even neutralizing the shift in the ground that Slate and Shale tried to use to halt their advance.


    These were truly the elite of the Empire, brushing off everything the Ursten army threw at them, their charge toward the center of Aznur barely slowing down.


    However, even though the elites had retained much of their momentum, the bulk of the Ursten forces still stood between them and the capital.

 Chapter 200 - The Imperial Elites(2)

    "Looks like we''ll be needed." Kothar commented to Docara, as they watched the Imperial Elites charge toward the layers upon layers of Ursten forces.


    "Sure, but I know the General, he''ll have something up his sleeve for sure. It''s not like him to be on the back foot for long." Docara said as he watched Tam and Nevus darting around the towers of the Imperial Palace, lightning bolts striking down at every moment, gusts of wind knocking Tam off course, but his speed allowed him to quickly recover.


    "I guess we''ll see soon enough.'''' Kothar said, a little skeptical, he admired his father for sure, but he didn''t blindly worship him in the same way many of the Nighthawks and Tam''s personal guard seemed to.


    If he had learned anything in his years as Commander of the Sentinels, it was that every leader was fallible, and everyone, with no exceptions, made mistakes.


    [I''m prone to agree with Docara, Tam''s not the type of Commander to leave things to chance.] Silane said, picking up on Kothar''s skeptical thoughts.


    [Well, I hope for the sake of all these soldiers, and for us, that you and Docara are right. It looks to me like Anteris won''t be able to hold off for too long, and then my father will be fighting two of those monsters.] Kothar''s was surprised at the sheer power of the two Storm generals, especially Nevus, with his ability to summon an entire Thunderstorm over the battlefield.


    Silane was silent, she knew Kothar was right, but even as she had slowly become familiar with emotions, so too had she become familiar with hope, and she hoped that she was right.


    The Imperial Elites collided with the front line of the main force below, tribes people fighting alongside noblemen and their soldiers.


    Unfortunately for the Ursten forces, unlike Boson and his personal shock troops, the main force weren''t able to put much resistance against the Imperial Elites, and their formation quickly crumbled under the force of their charge.


    But at the very rear, returning from invading the breach in the great wall of Aznur, Tam''s personal guard, as well as Anteris'' had formed up.


    If any group of soldiers could match the Imperial Elites in terms of experience and competence, it would be Tam''s personal guard.


    They had followed their commander across years upon years of battles, fighting against all kinds of armies, in all kinds of climates, managing to grasp victory almost every single time.


    The main body had fallen apart, a single campaign against the already weakened Kalun not enough to allow the mish mash of tribesmen and noblemen''s soldiers to work effectively together.


    Kothar watched as the formation crumbled, what was Tam thinking, taking these relatively inexperienced men, and taking on the empire, relying only on the absence of their most powerful fighters.


    "Prepare yourselves! We''ll strike once they make contact with the General''s personal guard! Everyone, take caution, these lads aren''t cannon fodder, they''re the Imperial''s finest!" Docara called out to the Nighthawks, he didn''t bother with trying to organize formations, or a unified strategy.


    The fighting styles and strengths of the Nighthawks were far too varied for that, each one of them a one unit killing machine.


    The anguished screams of the young tribes people and Ursten soldiers filled the battlefield, soldiers falling left and right, their formation forgotten as the Imperial Elites completely crushed them, spilling out into the small gap between the main Ursten forces and Tam''s personal guard, who had returned from invading the Inner City.


    "Charge!" Tam''s personal guard seized the initiative from the Imperial Elites, charging forward, their weapons rising and falling amongst the Imperial Elites, who, for the first time during the battle, were taken by surprise.


    "Let''s go lads! Every man for himself!" Docara yelled out, surrounding his legs in the miniature whirlwinds that he used, leaping off the roof that they had been stationed on.


    [Kothar, you can''t hold back when it comes to this! Every single of these soldiers is powerful in their own right!] Silane yelled out, knowing that Kothar was still worried about revealing his identity.


    [You''re completely right, Silane. Trying to hide my identity can wait in a life and death situation.] Kothar said, as he drew his sword, casting a full strength Lightning Aura spell as he charged toward the edge of the roof, following the other Nighthawks.


    As he fell in midair, Kothar utilized the Spatial Necklace, opening a portal in the midst of the rear of the Imperial Elites, and opening one below him as he fell.


    Carried by his momentum as he fell, Kothar shot out of the portal, flying toward an Imperial Elite, who was wielding an enormous sword with a slightly curved edge and flat end.


    The man wore the red and gold plate that all the Imperial soldiers wore, and his back was to Kothar as he yelled out a battle cry urging on his comrades up ahead.


    But to Kothar''s surprise, the Imperial Elite detected a disturbance in the mana behind himself from Kothar''s portal opening, and spun around striking out with his sword, operating by reflex alone.


    Kothar''s eyes widened in surprise as the enormous cleaver-like blade came slamming down toward him, and he struck out with his Lightning Mana infused blade, expecting his extremely sharp blade to carve the Elite''s blade apart, shocking him in the process..


    But even after seeing the Imperial Elites in action, and Silane''s warning, Kothar had underestimated the Elite he was facing.


    Mere instants before their blades collided, the Imperial Elite''s shot out a slash, every single one of the Elite''s was more than capable of using Force Emission almost instantaneously.


    The slash slammed into Kothar''s blade, and the force of it sent him flying back toward his portal, slightly off center from the portal''s opening.


    [Kothar! Close it now!] Silane yelled out. She knew, as Kothar did, that anything that hit the edge of a portal was sliced clean off.

 Chapter 201 - Plasma Blade(2)

    Kothar dispelled the portal just in time, narrowly avoiding being taken out by one of his own spells. If he hadn''t had the Spatial Necklace, he would likely be dead.


    Sweat beaded on Kothar''s forehead, under his mask, as he processed how close he had been to dying due to a stupid mistake.


    "Come on then, weakling!" The Imperial Elite slapped his enormous blade against his palm, taunting Kothar.


    Kothar decided to go all out straight away, opening dozens of tiny portals all around him and the Elite, who looked around in amazement. Spatial Mana was uncommon enough, but for someone to be able to cast so quickly was even more rare.


    The Elite scoffed at Kothar''s many portals, and ignored them, charging forward toward Kothar. But Kothar was prepared now, he opened a portal behind the Leite, opening another under his own feet, closing it as soon as he shot out the other side.


    Once he had appeared out the other side, he immediately used his sword to fire off Bolt after Bolt, the many portals giving him endless anglers to attack from, preventing the Elite from blocking all of them.


    The Elite held his sword up in front of himself, using the wide flat of the blade to block as many Bolts as possible, but was still struck by multiple bolts.


    But he didn''t even let out a sigh, and took the Bolt spells in his stride, if Kothar wanted to harm him, he needed to hit far harder.


    [Use your Plasma Blade, or you''ll have another one of these Elites joining in once they have a chance to gather themselves.] Silane knew that Kothar couldn''t use any of his more powerful spells in the midst of this battlefield. Unlike all of his previous fights, where Kothar had mostly been isolated and in a one versus one situation, Kothar would be inviting someone to take him out if he took the time to cast a powerful spell.


    This was the reason why Mage Unit''s existed, allowing them to stay afar from the main battle and throw their spells from a distance, while defended by an entire unit or far enough to be safe from the battle.


    Kothar didn''t waste time answering Silane, instead, he sent the converted energy from his Mana Storage Unit to his Plasma Blade in his palm.


    The burst of plasma that shot out from his palm flared up in the darkness of the battlefield, drawing glances from all those who weren''t locked in combat with an opponent.


    Kothar quickly manipulated his Lightning Mana to shape the blade into a glowing plasma sword, a meter and a half in length and about the width of his hand, the blade hissed as the raindrops fell on to it.


    "Fancy looking trick, weakling! But it won''t save you from me!" The Elite spat at Kothar, stepping forward and swinging at his head.


    Kothar, confident in his Plasma Blade, stepped forward, surprising the Elite by meeting his swing head on, and slashed at the incoming sword with his Plasma Blade.


    There was a hiss, as Kothar''s Plasma Blade sliced through the Elite''s sword, leaving him with a hilt and the molten fragment of a blade.


    The Elite was shocked at the loss of his blade, and Kothar''s Plasma Blade sliced right into his breastplate, the enchantments glowing for a moment before collapsing as the Plasma sliced clean through the plate and into his torso, cleaving him in half, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air.


    The Elite didn''t even have a chance to cry out in surprise, and the light faded from his eyes.


    Kothar didn''t miss a step, and stepped forward again, stepping over the fallen Elite, attacking an Elite wielding a pair of curved daggers who had a Nighthawk on the defensive.


    Kothar wasn''t one to worry about honor when it came to battle, he knew that there was only one true goal in battle, not honor, not glory, not even the battle itself, but winning. That was the only objective.


    Kothar sliced into the Elite from behind, thanks to the fact that he was only using the smallest amount of Lightning Mana to allow the Plasma Blade to hold its shape, the Elite didn''t even notice that Kothar was attacking.


    Again, Kothar sliced through the Imperial Elite, taking off his arm at the shoulder, the soldier screaming in pain as his arm was cut off.


    The Nighthawk facing him took the opportunity that Kothar created, launching forward with his serrated sword, digging it deep into the Elite''s neck, pulling it toward himself to saw his entire head off.


    By now, Kothar had already moved onto the next Elite, this time, he attacked one of three Elites who had cornered Docara, stabbing at the back of one who was preparing to swing a mace at Docara.


    Docara, looking around for the moment an opportunity appeared to escape the encirclement, was a shocked as the Imperial Elite wheeled the mace when a glowing white blade emerged from his chest, leaving a ring of molten armor and a sizzling hole in his chest as it moved away.


    Even the two other Elites stopped attacking Docara for that movement, turning to look at their comrade, who had fallen to his knees.


    Behind him stood a demon, with wild black hair emerging from behind a mask, with glaring eyes, all covered in swirling patterns, mouth opened in a vicious snarl, framed by thick purple lips and a twisting scarlet tongue poking out from the mouth.


    The demon didn''t even pause after slaying their comrade, stepping forward to attack the closest Elite, swinging its glowing white sword at his head.


    The Elite, not realizing the threat that the Plasma Blade posed, raised his axes to block crossing them together to receive Kothar''s attack.


    Kothar''s Plasma Blade sliced through the axes, the remaining Elite and Docara watching in confusion. As the Imperial Elite fell, Docara''s expression, behind his mask, changed to joy, while the remaining Elite''s changed to horror.


    A demon had appeared.

 Chapter 202 - Surrounded

    The remaining Imperial Elite, who had fought countless campaigns for the Empire, always at the most intense portion of the battlefield, along with his fellow Elites, who had rarely even considered retreating, stepped back.


    The demon that had appeared on the battlefield was outside the realm of logic that the Elite knew, and so, even though the two Advanced Rank fighters in the air did not phase him, the Elite was afraid.


    But he was no coward.


    "Soldiers of the Empire! With me now! We must eliminate the demon with the glowing sword! Our victory depends upon it!" The Imperial Elite yelled out, his voice booming out, more than loud enough to be heard over the rumbling thunder, clashing blades and screams of the wounded.


    "Rufus! Get out of here, I''ll take care of this one!" Docara called out to Kothar, after seeing him take out the Elites one after the other, he had realized Kothar''s value as a Nighthawk./


    They couldn''t lose him now.


    "No need to worry, Docara. I can hold my own!" Kothar yelled back, he was ready to take on whatever the Imperial Elites threw at him, his Mana Storage Unit was full, and he knew that he could keep his Plasma Blade up indefinitely. The Imperial Elites would have no chance..


    [Kothar, are you sure about this? You can still portal out right now. But if they close in, your maximum range will be  blocked by their bodies.] Silane warned, for unless one''s domain was far more powerful, it would be impossible for them to cause a spell to appear within another person''s body, which was where their domain was strongest.


    [Don''t worry, Silane. I''m sure of this.] Kothar reply was calm and confident, she hadn''t heard him like this ever since they''d been reincarnated, Kothar''s mind had so often been clouded by his new found emotions. But right now, in the midst of battle, where he was most at home, Kothar was absolutely sure.


    The remaining Imperial Elite, who had now backed away so that almost ten meters separated him and Kothar, had momentarily relaxed, as far as he knew, Kothar''s Plasma Blade had a fixed distance.


    But that was not the case, Kothar pointed his Plasma Blade at the last of the Imperial elite''s that had surrounded Docara, and sent a surge of converted Lighting Mana to it, which caused the one and a half meter long blade to suddenly extend, stabbing right through the Elite''s midsection.


    "Urk." The Elite grunted in surprise, his eyes wide open as the glowing white blade creating a burning hole in his stomach.


    But his warning was not in vain, there were only about thirty Nighthawks that had been waiting to attack the rear of the Elites, and the vast majority of those at the rear had been suppressing those Nighthawks in large groups.


    However, once they had heard the warning, they immediately left their comrades to deal with the Nighthawks attacking them on their own, all of them honing in on the source of the yells, seeing the two masked individuals, one with the glowing sword, their obvious target, and another with a hawk mask, wielding a pair of curved swords, a pair of whirlwinds spinning around his feet.


    "Docara, please, flee. If you''re nearby I won''t be able to use this weapon to its full potential." Kothar murmured to Docara.


    Docara immediately sped away, using his Wind Element Mana to its full potential, the whirlwinds around his legs spinning so fast that they kicked up enormous columns of dust behind him.


    Docara didn''t question Kothar, he had seen enough already.


    As Docara sped away, the Imperial Elites closing in on Kothar didn''t even pretend to care about him fleeing, all of their eyes were locked in on Kothar.


    Their years of fighting alongside one another meant that they also trusted each other unconditionally, and so they all took the fallen Elite''s warning to heart.


    Kothar, while he was still able to, opened dozens of tiny portals in the few meters of empty space that remained around him.


    This was far safer than opening larger portals, which the Imperials might be able to use against him, but these tiny portals were so difficult to even see the correct angle, that even Kothar himself was only able to use them thanks to Silane''s assistance.


    This time, Kothar had more than mere moments to prepare an attack, and so, he cast a Storm field over the area, as well as charging up a Bolt Barrage.


    Crack!


    Crack!


    Crack!


    The sound of the bolts rang out again and again, as Kothar, guided by Silane, sent bolt after bolt into the countless portal all around him.


    The bolts shot out at all kinds of odd angles, striking the approaching Imperial Elites one after the other.


    Bolts of lightning also came striking down from above, thanks to the Storm Field that Kothar had summoned.


    With the Elites on the defensive, and unable to advance until they were certain of the location of all the tiny portals, Kothar was able to begin his next spell.


    He let his Plasma Blade subside for the time being, stretching both his arms out in front of him.


    A pinpoint of darkness appeared between his outstretched palms, and purple energy began to swirl all around it. It grew wider and wider, forming a disk of swirling purple energy, Kothar, thanks to his increased strength and the Spatial Necklace, didn''t struggle at all to hold it.


    Instead, he sent it spinning toward the gathered Imperial Soldiers, who yelled out in fear, scrambling to get out of its way.


    But they were packed too tightly to get far, and the disk made an ear-splitting screeching noise as it tore through an entire row of Imperial Elites, completely tearing them to shreds.


    The fragments of the Imperials were dragged through the air behind the Void Disk, and then disappeared into the air along with the disk, as it shrunk back into a point of darkness before disappearing.


    But all of this, the Bolt Barrage, the Storm Field, the countless tiny portals all around him, and even the Void Disk, were all to buy time for Kothar''s next attack.

 Chapter 203 - Void Lance

    While the Elites were scrambling to recover from Kothar''s repeated attacks, Kothar raised his right arm up into the air, palm open, facing the sky.


    Once again, a tiny pinpoint of pure darkness, darker even than the blackest night, appeared above Kothar''s palm. But however, unlike the Void Disk, the pinpoint didn''t begin gathering purple Spatial Energy around it right away, instead it grew, larger and larger.


    Before long, a needle shaped area of pure darkness floated above Kothar''s palm, now, purple Spatial Energy began to swirl around it, as Kothar manipulated his Spatial Mana with the assistance of the Spatial Necklace.


    The energy grew thicker and thicker, and the darkness within also grew, forming a long thin line, a crack in the fabric of the world that floated above Kothar''s palm.


    "What the ****?" Someone yelled out, as bits of dust and debris on the ground around Kothar started floating up and being pulled through the air toward the purple and black lance forming above Kothar''s hand.


    Just like when Kothar had first used the Void Disk, his arm began to shake, and he could feel the extreme pull from the unstable space within the center of the Void Lance, it took all he had to stop himself from losing his grip on the spell.


    Due to the darkness from the storm clouds that Nevus had summoned, to those further away than a few meters, it seems as though Kothar was holding nothing over his head, but the Elites around him could see well enough to recognize the threat.


    "Neutralize him! Now!" a gruff voice called out, but it was far too late.


    Kothar''s Void Lance was ready, he turned to the side where the Imperial Elites were the thickest, and threw the lance toward them, manipulating it to avoid the many barriers that the Elites cast to try and halt it.


    The Void Lance shot through the air, creating a grinding noise as it stabbed through countless soldiers, pulling them into the line of pure nothingness at its core.


    The lance completely destroyed the seven Imperial elites who were closing in on Kothar from his right side, disappearing into the air as Kothar''s dispelled it.


    Of course, Kothar could have kept the spell around for longer, but it was far too volatile to keep control of, without risking the lives of his comrades on the battlefield.


    [You finally used it, I''m glad you waited until now. If you''d used it when you first learned it, the burden of the Void Lance might have torn you apart completely.] Silane tone was one of concern, but also mild satisfaction, she was glad that Kothar had levied up to his word, it seemed that the Imperial Elites wouldn''t be too much for him to handle.


    [What did I tell you, Silane. I''ve got this.] Kothar responded, reigniting his Plasma Blade with another surge of energy, and pointing it at the Elite''s surrounding him, taunting them to attack him.


    While Kothar held off almost thirsty Elites on his own, and the thirty other Nighthawks took on groups of their own, Tam''s personal guard were clashing with the rest of the Elites in full force.


    Tam''s personal guard and the Elites were equally as experienced and had the same unity in their strategy and fighting styles that allowed them to be so dominant in battle.


    But these shared attributes also meant that neither side could win over the other, and soon it became clear that they were in a stalemate.


    Amongst the towers of the palace, Tam continued to evade Nevus'' lightning bolts, flying as close as possible to the towers, allowing them to take the lighting bolts intended to strike him.


    "Why don''t you stop being a coward, Tam of Balin! I know who you are, and I can tell you this now, we Imperials aren''t like any for you''ve fought before! We will crush you soon enough!" Nevus called out, he could see that the soldiers below were equally match, and that had surprised him, but what had surprised him even more was that the Ursten forces were able to hold off Duran and Hubar,


    "How about you stop putting on this annoying light show and clear the skies up, so I can enjoy the view? I can do this all day, how about you give me something to entertain myself?" Tam replied, trying to put Nevus on edge.


    "I''m sure you could. But your fiery friend won''t be able to. And once Regis takes care of him, he''ll head over here, and then the pair of us will punish you for your transgressions against the Empire." Nevus had noticed that Regis was slowly chipping away at Anteris'' aura, and he spoke in a self-righteous tone, since he was so confident in the Empire''s eventual victory.


    "You''ll punish me? No wonder it was so easy to fool you Imperials. You think you''re entitled to the land your ancestors spent blood, sweat and mana to take over." Tam paused for a moment as he blocked a vicious strike from Nevus.


    "You think that the actions of your ancestors afford you some kind of honor, that their glory is yours by right. In my eyes, you''re nothing but children who push others around by using their parents'' names. But unlike those children, your ancestors are long gone." Tam''s voice was drowned out for a movement by multiple booms of thunder, as Nevus grew more and more furious.


    "The Empire has achieved nothing since your war with the tribes, becoming a mere shadow of your past self. Let me tell you something! In order to remain the greatest, you have to be more than all those constantly trying to surpass you, but the Empire has totally failed in this, and that''s why you will be the ones to taste defeat." Tam said proudly, swinging his sword to block a flurry of stabs from Nevus.


    "You''re all talk, go back to your puny little hole in the north, and pretend at being a true general there." Nevus spat at Tam, becoming more and more furious by the minute.


    "Don''t worry, Galestorm General, You''ll see soon enough." Tam spat, making Nevus'' title sound more like an insult than anything else.

 Chapter 204 - The Emperor(2)

    While Tam and Nevus fought amongst the towers of the Imperial Palace, a figure watched them from one of the many towers, standing at the top of one of the towers, leaning on Captain Jeremiah for support.


    The Emperor watched as his Storm Generals took on the two Advanced Rank leaders of the Ursten forces, Nevus holding his own against The Last Hawk, while Regis slowly but surely chipped away at Anteris'' defense.


    A smile began to form on his face, he knew that coming to watch this battle was the right idea, even though the Palace Physician, Renato, had pleaded for him to rest.


    Seeing these enemies who dared invade the crown jewel of his Empire be vanquished like this would be worth the delay in his recovery from his wounds.


    After all, even if he rested in bed as Renato had asked, he wouldn''t recover in time to rejoin the battle.


    The Emperor''s gaze shifted from the figures battling in the skies above, to the Imperial Elites trying to break through the Ursten forces below. He began to frown, surely the Last Hawk''s personal guard wasn''t equal to his Imperial Elites?


    But as much as he wanted to deny it, the evidence was clear in front of his eyes, the Imperial Elites and the Hawk''s personal guard were evenly matched, perhaps if the street below were wider, and the Elites could use the advantage in numbers they had, then they might be able to push through.


    But at this rate, they would never break through. The Emperor''s frown only grew deeper as he saw the strangest sight yet. At the rear of the ranks of the Imperial Elites, a figure who wielded a sword that glowed in the combined gloom of the thunderstorm and the night was taking out Imperial Elite after Imperial Elite.


    The Emperor watched as dozens of Elites surrounded the figure, but he easily broke through their spells with a simple swing of his glowing blade.


    "Jeremiah! Take those men that remain in the palace, and attack the rear of the Hawk''s personal guard. I fear that the Elites will be lost if we wait any longer. The Storm Generals won''t finish their battles soon enough to assist them!" The Emperor commanded Jeremiah, as proud as he was of the Empire''s might, even he could see that even though Regis had the upper hand, he would not finish his battle with Anteris any time soon, and without his help, the Imperial Elites would be crushed by the Ursten forces attacking them from every direction.


    "Of course, your Imperial Majesty!" Jeremiah saluted sharply, and turned around to march down the winding stair of the tower.


    But he stopped as the sound of footsteps rushing up the stairs of the tower rang out, and then, a sweaty, nervous gray haired official stumbled up the stairs, falling into a heap at the emperor''s feet.


    "Your-, hah, hah, yo-" The official tried to speak, but was out of breath from his sprint up the tower''s stairs. He wore a set of thin gray colored robes, and his thinning gray hair was damp with his sweat.


    "Speak damn it! Forget the honorifics Yunta!" The Emperor lost his patience and yelled at the official, who was nervously tugging at his thin gray beard as he tried to recover his breath.


    "Please, look, there!" Yunta managed to mumble out, as he struggled to his feet, standing on shaky legs, and pointing to the south window of the tower.


    The Emperor, confused, turned around, and it felt as though his heart stopped beating for a moment.


    "No, it cannot be! How? Why?" The Emperor''s eyes widened in horror, as he took in the sight, and he almost fell to the ground himself, but Captain Jeremiah stood at his shoulder, supporting him.


    The reports he had heard when first hearing about the supposed invasion came crashing back into his memory, this was why he had scarcely believed the initial reports.


    But there they stood, countless black ships, sailing from the west, a second fleet to mirror the first, the reason for the numerous reports from both the east and west of the Empire of an enormous fleet of black ships.


    "**** you Tam of Ursten!" The Emperor swore, the Last Hawk had used the division of his forces to his advantage, by having an almost identical fleet of ships sailing from the west, it had made the reports seem like a mere fantasy, rather than the real threat that they were.


    "I must go! Otherwise, all will be lost!" The Emperor yelled, a bright light forming around him as he summoned his aura, ready to leap into the skies, and fight against the incoming fleet.


    "Your Imperial Majesty, please, Renato was clear, you will jeopardize your life if you fight in the next week, if worse comes to worst, we will lose the capital. But so long as you are free, the Empire shall live on!" Captain Jeremiah clasped the Emperor tightly by the shoulder and pulled him back. His words were filled with desperation, the Emperor could not die now, the Imperial Family was the Empire, and with no heirs, the Emperor had to stay alive.


    The Emperor didn''t reply, he only stared at the fleet appearing on the horizon, ship after ship sailing closer and closer to Aznur. Tears began to well up in the emperor''s eyes, as the reality of the situation set in.


    This was the end.


    The battle was lost, even if the ships only held normal soldiers, which they likely didn''t, they would be enough to completely turn the tide of the battle.


    The Emperor took a deep breath, and gave an enormous sigh. Before he spoke again.


    "Alright, Jeremiah. Lead the way." The Emperor''s voice was filled with sadness, he knew that to have any chance of escaping, he would have to leave the best of his soldiers behind.


    They might escape, but it was far more likely that they would fall to the overwhelming Ursten numbers.

 Chapter 205 - Masters

    "Just give up already! You''re no match for me, why prolong the inevitable!" Regis roared at Anteris, who, by now, had started to take some damage from Regis'' repeated attacks.


    The flames from Regis'' attacks didn''t burn him, but he was having to utilize his aura to block the physical blows from Regis, which allowed the sparks of lightning to pass through Anteris'' defense.


    "You underestimate how much things can change in a matter of moments! A battle is not decided until it''s over!" Anteris yelled back, sending another pillar of flame flying at Regis, even while his muscles shook with the strain of wielding his halberd.


    "That''s a weakling''s excuse for hanging on a thread of hope!" Regis laughed as he counterattacked, sending an enormous bolt of lightning flying at Anteris, threads of flame wrapped around the bolt.


    The bolt slammed into Anteris, sending him spinning uncontrollably through the air, sparks dancing all over his red armor, his red aura dim and faint.


    For a moment, it seemed as though Anteris had been defeated, as he continued to fall through the air. But then, his wings snapped open, and slowly flapped, as if under a great burden, and Anteris slowly rose back into the air, flames beginning to spin around him.


    It was as if he had been rejuvenated.


    Regis looked on in confusion, wondering what in the world was his opponent doing. This battle was decided, but his enemy was returning as if the tides had turned.


    "You cannot believe that such an absurd display will intimidate me. I already know I''m stronger than you, stop pretending and surrender!" Regis yelled, blue sparks of lightning and red sparks of flame filling the air around him, as his purple aura grew even brighter in response to Anteris, his purple wings flapping powerful in the air.


    "It''s not some kind of display, Burning Storm General. I''m just glad that the rest of my fleet has arrived." Anteris looked happily to the south, and his voice was cheerful and bright, totally out of character for someone who had been locked in life or death combat mere moments ago.


    Regis turned around, and by now, the fleet of black ships were nearing the harbor, sailing in a triangular formation, about to join the countless black ships that were already anchored in the harbor.


    "A second fleet." Regis whispered, in complete shock, it seemed that it was him and his comrades who had underestimated their opponent. Even their desperate rush to return to the capital had been accounted for.


    Regis'' felt his heart sink as numerous shining figures began to rise from the decks of the ships, each of them glowing in a different color.


    The full force of what was happening only hit him then. It wasn''t that even their desperate return to the capital had been accounted for, but even if they had remained in the capital, the battle was as good as lost.


    The entire might of the Tribes People had arrived with the second fleet, the tribes who had always been at odds with the Empire, who held a deep grudge against the Imperials, had arrived.


    "How could they? How are there so many?" Regis'' voice was filled with wonder, he was filled with confusion. As a child, he had always been taught that the Empire had vanquished the Tribes, and stopped their expansion south.


    However, this was only a half truth. The reality of the matter was that the countless fighters of the Advanced Rank, those who had been the backbone of the Empire, had fallen in exchange for driving the Tribes north.


    And on top of this, they had been fighting an entire other war on a second front, clashing with the might of Ursten to the north.


    From the first of the ships, the brightest of lights shone, a clear golden glow that shone through the darkness that hung over Aznur.


    The golden light slowly rose into the sky, forming an enormous golden crow that flew up into the air, flying toward the mainland.


    Behind the crow, other beasts rose from the ships, an enormous dark green bear, a shining yellow falcon, and a deep purple colored snake.


    But so far, only Anteris, the Emperor and Regis had spotted the fleet; everybody else on the battlefield remained locked in combat.


    Kothar had become a whirlwind of death for the Imperial Elites, his Plasma Blade taking out at least one of them with each swing. But even though they had yet to find a way to counterattack, the Elites continued to attack, trying their best to dodge his blows and sneak a blow past his defenses.


    The other Nighthawks were also locked in combat, they were having an easier time of fighting the Elites than they initially had, since Kothar had drawn so many of them to himself.


    Duran continued to fight Boson, the pair of them evenly matched, while Hubar was slowly fighting his forward through Serean''s arrows, getting closer and closer to Aznur.


    They were all fighting desperately, putting their lives on the line, and none of them realized that the battle was as good as over.


    In the skies above, Nevus was still desperately chasing after Tam, whose speed continued to frustrate him, even utilizing all of his weather manipulation abilities, Nevus was unable to catch him.


    "Don''t you worry, Tam of Ursten, I''ll whip you within an inch of your life after I capture you." Nevus'' voice was filled with malice, and he sent a gust of wind at Tam, trying desperately to slow him down.


    "Sure you will, just like you''ll win this battle." Tam scoffed, laughing out loud, only enraging Nevus further, who flapped his turquoise wings hard, propelling himself with an enormous gust of wind, and stabbing out at Tam with his spear.


    But tam easily deflected the blow, turning Nevus'' spear aside, using the momentum of the blow to propel himself away even faster.


    They were so focused on the movements of the other, that Nevus and Tam didn''t even notice the golden crow closing in from the south.

 Chapter 206 - Retreat

    Vaya watched Tam as he flew towards the palace, Tam was being chased by the furious man with the turquoise aura, nodding his head in genuine admiration as he got a closer look at Tam''s aura.


    Before the war with the Ursten, only the Tribe People had been able to create auras in the shape of beasts, while almost all others who came to the Advanced Rank on the Isle only made wings, cloaking themselves with the rest of the aura.


    Tam had been the first person outside of the Tribes to emulate their technique, shaping an aura whose shape was in memory of his fallen comrades of the Hawk Brigade.


    As Tam''s opponent dove at Tam, a gust of wind propelling him forward, Vaya decided it was time to strike, he swooped down, the golden claws of his Crow Aura outstretched, slamming Nevus into a nearby tower, a shower of pale white bricks and dust falling free from the impact, the top part of the tower falling down on to the roof of the palace below.


    As the dust cleared, Nevus was revealed, clutched tightly in Vaya''s crow claws, his entire body wrapped around by the golden aura, the tip of the claws tearing into his armor.


    "Oh. I see now, I thought the Tribes People who had arrived with you were  far too young. So here you are, after all these years, Master Crow." Nevus spoke in a gasping voice, as he struggled to breath due to the claws crushing his lungs.


    "I was beginning to think you would never arrive, Master Vaya." Tam sad as he swooped down, hovering next to Master Vaya, frowning as he saw Nevus struggle.


    "My people aren''t the best when it comes to the ocean, Tam of Balin. If it weren''t for Anteris'' sailors, we would have been another month." Vaya replied in a gruff voice, shaking his head at the memory of the ocean, the silver ornaments in his hair jingling.


    "He''s pretending, Vaya, as strong as you are, there''s no way this man could be held down by you alone." Tam swung his sword at Nevus, sending a glowing blue slash through the air at him.


    Immediately, bolt after bolt of lightning fell toward Vaya and Tam, the tower had fallen when Vaya had slammed Nevus into it, which meant the two of them were unprotected.


    Tam took the initial bolts, using his wings to block the bolts after the first, which sent him falling down through the air.


    The rest of the lightning fell onto Vaya, but his aura only glowed brighter, and he seemed to shrug off the bolts, drawing the curved saber at his belt, setting off in pursuit of Nevus, who flew away from the palace, to the north.


    "You''ll not get away so easily!" Vaya yelled out, picking up speed, his golden wings cutting through the air.


    "I didn''t know the Storm Generals were cowards!" Tam yelled out as loud as he could, as he saw Nevus flying toward Regis, most likely aiming to regroup with the other general, so that the pair of them could flee.


    Immediately, heads all across the battlefield snapped up, and the initial disbelief that the Imperials had faded as they saw the turquoise wings of Nevus flying away from the golden crow and shining blue hawk.


    Upon seeing the golden crow, the entire battlefield realized, yet another Advanced Rank individual had arrived on to the battlefield, but even as they stood in amazement, the rest of the Masters from the Tribes flew into the air over Aznur.


    An enormous bear, Master Bhal flew over Aznur,  his aura had a pair of wings idly sprouting from its back, which would give it a comical appearance, if it weren''t for the vicious teeth and claws that it had.


    A shining yellow falcon, Master Teves, flew through the air, almost as fast as Tam himself, flying toward Anteris and Regis, ready to take Regis on.


    And finally, taking her time, Mistress Ajyha almost slithered through the air, a pair of almost bat like, scaled wings on the back of her aura, which gave her a draconic appearance.


    "Soldiers of the Empire! Retreat now! We shall regroup in the north with the rest of our comrades!" Nevus yelled out, he knew that the battle was as good as lost, and all he could hope for now was that as many of the Imperial Elites as possible remained alive.


    Nevus'' call for retreat hammered the reality of the situation into the Imperial Elites below, and the certainty of their loss only meant their morale fell further.


    Calling for a retreat was quite possibly Nevus'' biggest mistake, since the majority of the Elites that had fought right up to the walls of the Inner City were surrounded on all sides by the Ursten forces, for them, a retreat would mean certain death.


    Only Duran, Hubar and the few hundred men who were in combat with Boson''s shock troops turned around and fled.


    But even as he flew away, Nevus pulled more and more clouds together, so that the rain would fall heavier and heavier. It was all or nothing now, Nevus sent wild gusts of wind spinning through the air behind him and all through the streets of Anzur.


    The storm grew to such an extent that even Tam and Vaya began to struggle as they flew through it.


    Streams of water began to flow through the streets of Aznur, and the wind and rain made it difficult to see beyond a few meters in the darkness that hung over the city.


    And finally,.he swung his spear at Tam and Vaya as they flew after him, sending countless bolts of lightning at the pair of them.


    Now, he was mere meters from Anteris and Regis, Nevus started to fly toward Anteris, but was stopped by a yell from Regis.


    "You go on ahead, Nevus, I''ll hold them off for a few moments." Regis called out, but Nevus knew that Regis was planning on remaining behind. As powerful as he was, There was no way Regis could hold off Tam and Anteris alone, let alone the countless Masters from the Tribes.


    But even if Nevus wanted to remain behind with Regis, he would have been no help. The majority of his mana had been depleted in increasing the intensity of the storm so that it might slow his pursuers.

 Chapter 207 - Aznur(2)

    The crown jewel of the Empire, was now shattered and broken. The great wall of Aznur, split in two, the beautiful streets of the Outer City, collapsed and torn apart by powerful Earth Magic, and the great towers of the imperial palace, scorched black and broken from lightning strike after lightning strike.


    And on top of the death and destruction that filled the city, it was the darkest night that Anzur had ever seen. Thick clouds completely shrouded the sky, not allowing even the slightest glint of starlight down into the city.


    Thick sheets of rain poured down over the city, and gusts of wind filled the streets. In the main streets, before the great wall that led to the Inner City, a whirlwind of death was moving through the ranks of the Imperial Elites.


    Kothar, along with the other Nighthawks, was making the most of the discouraged and broken Imperial Elites, tearing through them with slash after slash of his Plasma Blade.


    "My dear comrades! Please! Throw down your weapons! The battle is lost! Do not throw away your lives in vain!" A desperate voice called out from toward the front of the Elites, filled with pain and anguish. After so many years of constant victory, the Elites had never even considered that they could be defeated, which was why seeing Nevus retreat was so discouraging.


    "Do as he says! Surrender! Throw down your weapons and I will guarantee your safety!" A loud voice boomed out from the rear of the Elite''s column, it was Boson, he had ridden toward where the battle was still raging on once Duran had fled.


    Loud clanging and clattering sounds sounded out simultaneously across the battlefield, as more than half of the Elite''s threw their weapons down. Though they were perhaps the bravest of the Imperials, they were also clever enough to realize that throwing their lives away in vain would be a mistake.


    Better to surrender now and have a chance to retaliate in the future than to throw one''s life away over honor or pride.


    Slowly, more clattering noise sounded out as other Elites threw down their weapons, and before long, every single one of the Elites had thrown down their weapons./


    "Chain them with the AntiMagic Shackles!" Boson commanded, he knew that every single one of the Elites was capable of magic, and the sooner they were put out of commission, the better.


    In the skies above, a completely different scene was playing out. Nevus had fled long ago, propelled with gusts of wind he summoned with the last of his mana.


    Regis however, stood proud, his broadsword held in both hands, a wild look in his eyes, which danced with blue and red sparks.


    "I''ll have to ask you all to stay and keep me company!" Regis yelled, as Tam and Vaya grew closer, and the sparks around Regis spun faster and faster, the air growing hotter by the second.


    Regis stabbed his sword up into the sky, and the flames around him spun faster and faster, growing taller and wider, and reaching up toward the dark clouds in the sky.


    There was a soft ''puff'', and the flames surrounding Regis suddenly flowed away from him, forming an enormous circle of flame that brushed over Tam, Vaya, Anteris and Teves.


    They all blocked the attack, anticipating that it would be powerful, but the flames only flowed over them, without doing much harm.


    "I''ll show you all why I''m called the Burning Storm!" Regis screamed, his voice hoarse and filled with anger. The circle of flame formed a curtain, reaching high up into the sky, and all the way down to the ground, trapping all Tam, Vaya, Anteris and Teves within.


    Regis sent all the Fire Element Mana he had to the curtain of flame, squeezing out even the last drop of mana he had, he was determined to make a stand here, he had no intentions of fleeing.


    The curtain of flame grew to an extreme intensity, the flames causing the air pressure to shift so suddenly, that a burning hot wind began to rip around the inside of the curtain of flames.


    Around the flames, a cyclone started to form, picking up the flames as they burned, the added airflow causing them to burn hotter and hotter.


    Regis smiled grimly under his mask, at this point, even though he had no control over the spinning wall of flame, the forces of nature had taken over it by now., only his mana sustained the flames, the rest was due to nature.


    "Tam, I think I can fly through this without being harmed. Should I pursue Nevus?" Anteris asked Tam as they all watched in surprise, at the swirling cage that Regis had created.


    "Forget it Anteris, if anything, we want the Emperor, but he''s most likely fled through a secret passage. But I will ask you to fend off his flame attacks." Tam tilted his head at the furious Regis, who stood in the center of the spinning wall of flame, lightning beginning to crackle all around him.


    "You think I''ll let you leave!" Regis yelled, furious. How dare they chat so casually in his cyclone of flame! All of his Fire Element Mana depleted, Regis started to crackle with lightning, unlike Nevus, he had not fused his mana cores, and so he was able to bring forth both elements at will.


    Lightning began to surround Regis, crackling all over his body, forming a cloak of crackling energy all around him. His enormous broadsword was also completely covered in lightning, the blade crackling with energy.


    Regis dashed forward, his speed and reflexes increased as much as possible with the ridiculous amount of lightning that was coursing through his body, he sent a slash at Tam.


    All of his anger and rage behind the slash, from the way Tam had talked to Anteris, he was sure he was the mastermind behind the invasion.


    Even if it cost him his life, Regis decided he would take Tam with him.

 Chapter 208 - Regis

    Regis shot forward, aiming toward Tam, who hovered in the air, Vaya on his right and Anteris and Teves on his left. Seeing Regis aiming directly for him, Tam started to fly forward, but was cut off by Teves.


    "Please, Grand Marshal. Allow me." Teves said in his solemn voice, the yellow falcon glowing all around him, his tan colored armor blending in with his aura. Like all the others Tribes People, he wore quilted armor, made of reinforced and padded cloth, that glowed with runes.


    Teves'' armor was well decorated with tawny colored feathers, and the enormous cloak that he wore draped around his shoulders was made only out of the fluffy, insulating feathers of countless falcons.


    Tam, who had now been fighting for hours, just watched Teves leap into battle, more than happy to allow the young Master to take on Regis.


    As Teves flew to engage Regis, thousands of tiny yellow grains of sand filled the air around Teves, forming an impenetrable wall by the time he was right in front of the furious Regis.


    Regis, though he was furious,  had no chance other than to let his powerful attack slam harmlessly into the wall of sand that Teves summoned, which took on the Lightning imbued slash and then fell apart, some of the grains super heated to form glass..


    "Ahhhhhhggh! Tam of Ursten! Face me, you coward!" Regis'' frustration reached a peak, he couldn''t believe that Tam didn''t even respect him enough to face him by himself, instead allowing some sand wielding Tribes man to fight in his place.


    But unfortunately for Regis, Tam wasn''t the type to worry too much about giving his enemies an honorable death, especially one who was so dangerous even into his last moments.


    The cyclone of fire around the four men began to die down, as Regis'' final reserves of mana faded away, the fire gradually running out of fuel.


    "Teves, be careful of his Lightning when you finish him." Tam said coldly, he could tell that Regis was now on his very last dregs of mana, all of his Fire Element Mana completely burnt out.


    Teves nodded, and the grains of sand around him began to spin rapidly, forming a narrow and narrower band around Teves that continued to gain speed as it shrunk.


    By the time Regis had gathered enough mana for a second attack, the ring around Teves was about half the thickness of a pinky finger, and the grains of sand spun so fast that they were basically invisible, only a faint yellow glow could be seen thanks to the aura that coated each grain..


    Teves flew toward the desperate Regis, who, even in his last moments, kept his eyes locked on Tam''s back, which was slowly disappearing as he flew down to Outer City.


    In a flash and a shower of red, the spinning ring of sand slashed through the faint and faded remnants of Regis'' aura, slicing clean through his armor and his entire neck.


    A red helmeted head tumbled through the air, a spout of red trailing behind, the spinning curtain of flames, already reduced to a thin layer, completely disappearing as the head tumbled through the air.


    The Burning Storm, Regis of Aznur, was no more.


    Countless cries of shock and sadness rang out from the many Imperial soldiers who had already surrendered, and had been watching the whirlwind of fire with bated breath,


    Now, only the occasional pocket of resistance remained on the battlefield, a few soldiers scattered here and there who hadn''t realized that their leaders had surrendered. But before long, even they threw down their weapons, the battle for the Empire coming to a close in the darkness that now hung over Aznur.


    The glowing figures who hovered over Aznur all slowly drifted down to the surface of the city, meeting in the auction hall that Tam had repurposed into a command center.


    "What was that, Grand Marshal? You mean to tell me that I spent weeks cooped up on those boats, getting sick over and over for this. To fly into battle and have the enemy flee as soon as I appear, running with all their might?" Bhal boomed as he strode into the building, his enormous frame barely fitting through the door, a jangling noise following him as the countless bangles on his arms and legs clashed against each other.


    "I musst agree with Master Bhal, Grand Marshal. We have come sso far for you, but we shall not even tasste the blood and fire of battle?" Mistress Ajyha seemed to slither into the room, her voice a hiss. Her tattooed face was  mostly covered by her plate studded leather helmet, her tone filled with clear disappointment.


    Master Vaya and Teves entered soon after, not asking for an explanation, but their faces still filled with confusion.


    "Masters and Mistress, I must apologize. Our alliance was only forged recently, and so I fought this campaign around the belief that you and your fleet might not arrive. And so, myself and the rest of the Ursten forces, fought with all our efforts to take Aznur.


    Even so, before all of you arrived, we were on the defensive, the Emperor''s strength and the speed and strength of the Storm Generals and the Elites were far beyond my expectation.


    But your arrival was enough to turn the tides completely, and resulted in the enemy losing all hope. If it weren''t for all of you, the battle would have continued for far longer, maybe even weeks!" Tam''s voice held genuine gratefulness, he could barely begin to describe the sense of relief he had felt when he realized that the Masters from the Tribes had arrived.


    Even so, the conquest of Aznur didn''t mean that the war was over, and so Tam continued to speak.


    "Conquering Aznur is only the first step in a long series of battles to fully grasp the Empire in our hands. But now we hold the heart of the Empire at the very beginning of our campaign, so our efforts to take control will only be made easier.


    Masters and Mistress of the Tribes, I assure you, there is still much fighting to be head." Tam could feel the frustration in the air after the Imperial''s retreat, the Tribes people had come to Aznur expecting a grand battle, but their arrival had caused the battle to end.

 Chapter 209 - After The Battle

    "You young bloods are all far too hot headed. Only a few months ago, we could not have dreamed of standing in the Imperial Capital, while the Imperials fled the city. And yet here you are, complaining that you could not shed your own blood in capturing this city.


    You should be celebrating the fact that so many lives were spared, not acting like toddlers who couldn''t join in on playtime." Vaya stepped out of the shadows on one side of the room, his silver hair ornaments clinking together, his heavy brows were drawn close together in anger, and his thin lips were held tightly together, in a clear sign of disapproval.


    The other Masters grumbled a little under their breaths, but Vaya was the most senior of all of them.


    "Enough of this bickering and complaining! Come now! Let us celebrate! We have conquered this greatest city on the Isle, and I have been reunited with my son!" Anteris yelled after he entered the command center, multiple flasks of liquor in his arms, allowing them to fall onto the table, knocking the tiny figurines that dotted the map of Aznur on the table over.


    Tam raised an eyebrow at the Admiral''s antics, but then a smile crossed his face, as he stared into the empty space next to him, his head tilted to one side as if listening carefully to someone speaking to him.


    "Hahahaa, alright Vaya! I''ll make the most of this, this is turning out to be more of a vacation than an invasion!" Bhal swept up a flask of liquor and took an enormous gulp from it, after which he began coughing violently, thanks to the harsh nature of Anteris preferred drinks.


    Anteris started to laugh, slamming Bhal on the back with enough force to send the chief of the Bear Tribe stumbling forward. The other chiefs watched in surprise, it wasn''t often that Bhal was knocked around by anyone, and they waited for his inevitable outburst.


    Instead, once Bhal regained his footing, he roared with laughter, giving Anteris a slap to the back that left him choking on a mouthful of his Dragon''s Breath, tears coming to his eyes.


    By the time the Tam''s commanders as well as the commanders of the recently arrived forces from the second fleet arrived, the entire auction hall was filled with raucous laughter, yelling and good natured arguing.


    Tam and Vaya stood at one end of the room, staring at a map that Tam was pointing to locations on as he explained his plans for the rest of the invasion to Vaya, who nodded as he stroked his chin.


    Teves stood a little behind Vaya''s shoulder, obviously eager to join their discussion, but still too nervous to say anything. As the youngest of the chiefs, he had a lot to prove.


    Bhal and Anteris had started a drinking contest, the pair of them trading battle stories and trying to outdo each other constantly, each of them telling a more and more outlandish story as time went on.


    Ajyha had lit her pipe up, sending clouds of smoke wafting through the air, as usual, a sinister smile on her face as she looked over the commanders as they filtered into the room, giving those that made eye contact with her a lazy wink.


    Outside the command center, similar scenes were popping up all over Aznur, some of the Tribes People in Tam''s initial army celebrating a reunion with their older tribesmen as the second fleet arrived.


    Boson, Serena, Shale and Slate were celebrating within the Inner City, wandering through the streets with their respective units in tow, taking in the sights of the Inner City and marvelling at the Imperial Palace.


    Tam had decided to leave the officials that were hiding out in the Palace and throughout the Inner City alone for the time being, they posed no threat at all and leaving them alone would men fewer rebellious citizens.


    But celebration and joy wasn''t the only thing that was on the minds of the victorious Ursten forces, many mourned dead comrades, most soldiers celebrating their memory of their fallen comrades with stories that left them laughing even as tears filled their eyes.


    On the docks, while some of the Tribes People joyfully reunited with their sons and daughters, others waited, the cold reality sinking in as their own children failed to arrive.


    As was the case across battlefields, no matter the time, place or people, there was always a price for victory, and it was, more often than not, paid in the blood of the young and hopeful, who still believed in ideals like glory and honor.


    In one corner of the Outer City, far from the celebration and ruckus that filled Aznur, a large mansion stood. It had probably belonged to a wealthy merchant, who had fled as soon as the fleet had been sighted.


    The outside was crafted beautifully, of fine timber and hand shaped stones, that were fitted together seamlessly.


    Inside, just as one entered the front door, was an enormous dining hall, with a grand table that would seat almost a hundred people. The table had been set for a banquet, but before those who the banquet had been set for even had a chance to taste the food, the warning had sounded through the city.


    Now, another set of individuals enjoyed the banquet, all of them wearing masks and helmets that they had raised just enough to eat and drink from the vast spread on the table.


    They all conversed quietly, a somber mood, since they were a small unit, and the absences were that much more obvious.


    The Nighthawks were dotted around the grand table, Docara, Pony and Kothar, all three of whom had become recognized as the leaders of the Nighthawks, seated at the head of the table.


    "So, Rufus. Why don''t you tell us about that glowing sword of yours, that was quite the sight. You were chopping down Imperials like a man taking a scythe to his harvest." Pony said loudly to Kothar, his eyes narrowed.

 Chapter 210 - After The Battle(2)

    The quiet conversation throughout the room died down, and every Nighthawk turned to stare at the head of the table, where Docara, Pony and Kothar were seated.


    [Just tell him it''s a spell of your own invention, Pony himself uses a strange type of Force Emission, he should understand.] Silane said she knew that there was no way Kothar was going to share the details of his implant, and she thought it would be unwise also.


    "Well, Pony, I''ll tell you all about it, just as soon as you share the method behind those peculiar attacks of yours." Kothar put Pony on the spot with his reply, he knew that there was no way Pony would reveal the secret behind his attacks in front of all the other Nighthawks.


    As soon as Kothar spoke, soft chuckles sounded out all around the great table, the other Nighthawks laughing at how Kothar had turned the situation on Pony.


    Of course nobody wanted to reveal their secrets, and with one sentence, Kothar had turned the situation on Pony.


    Pony glared at Kothar, lost for words, he had hoped the newbie would slip up and talk all about his mysterious ability, but instead he had turned the situation on him.


    "Come on, Pony, Rufus.. Both of you settle down, now''s the time for celebrating and remembering our fallen, nothing good will come of inquiring into each other''s secrets." Docara who sat in between them, pat both of them on the shoulder, he could sense the hostility building in the air.


    Internally, Docara shook his head at Pony''s foolishness, he was always one to over step his boundaries.


    "Alright, my bad, forget it." Pony muttered, the scene of Kothar tearing through Imperials still fresh in his mind, as he realized how unwise it would be to get on his bad side.


    "Forget the how of your ability. How about a toast to Rufus here! If it weren''t for him, I would have lost my head to those blasted Imperials! Raise your glasses for the demon!" Docara stood on his chair and shouted, a cup full of beer raised high, the beer splashing over the sides as he swung it into the air.


    "Aye!"


    "To Rufus!"


    "To the demon!"


    The other Nighthawks, Pony included, all raised their glasses for Kothar, who was reminded of the celebratory dinners he had attended with the Sentinels.


    Yet at those, he had always felt like an outsider, but here, with the Nighthawks, he truly felt like he was part of the celebrations.


    "Now, another toast. This one is for all those Nighthawks who aren''t with us today. Perhaps they are still returning from the wastelands. Perhaps they fell in battle. For all those who aren''t with us today, for the missing and the fallen!" This time, Docara toast was serious and somber, his voice choking up a little. He had heard about what had happened to Dog and the others when trying to open the gate.


    "To our fallen!"


    "Always in our memories!"


    "May they find their way back to us!"


    Once again, cups, flagons and glasses were raised to the ceiling, and the toasts were quieter yet still filled with emotion.


    -----


    A few kilometers from Aznur, a small group of men were riding on horseback, they were riding through the plains, away from any established roads or trails.


    Every single one of them wore cloaks with deep hoods that wrapped them about completely.


    But even the cloaks could not hide the obvious signs of armor and swords hidden under the cloaks, the hilts of the swords poking out, and their helmets handing from the saddlebags.


    At the head of the column was an elderly man, though his stout and strong figure showed that even though he was aged, he wasn''t someone to be messed with.


    If one looked beneath the shadow of his hood, they would see that it was Captain Jeremiah, of the Palace Guard, his face full of mixed emotions, sorrow, anger and regret.


    Behind him, two men were deep in conversation, the first, wearing a thin longsword at his side, which hung from a distinctive white belt, that many in Aznur would recognize.


    The second man, wore no sword, he had a set of blonde curls that poked out from beneath his deep hood, and he was currently speaking to the other man in a quiet tone.


    "Your Imperial Majesty, would it not be wise to outfit yourself in equipment that is less fine, are you not trying to conceal your identity." Simon said to the Emperor, his tone soft and filled with the utmost respect.


    "You are most wise, Scholar Piatt. It was most fortunate that we came across while fleeing the Imperial Palace. You have only given the most wise advice, I expect you must know quite a lot about travelling incognito, you must have travelled to many dangerous places in your travels." The Emperor''s voice was clearly one of admiration, he couldn''t'' believe his luck when he and Jeremiah had chanced upon Piatt as they were on their way to a hidden passageway to leave the capital.


    "Thank you for your kind words, your Imperial Majesty. Now, please excuse any offense, but we must think of something to call you other than your Imperial Majesty and Emperor, otherwise our efforts at concealing ourselves will be in vain." Simon waited for the inevitable anger that would come with suggesting something so ridiculous, but instead, Jeremiah and the guards remained silent.


    "Of course, how could I be so foolish, I''m sorry, Piatt, Jeremiah, and my trusted guards. You may all refer to me by the name given to me at birth, Kayser. Those who knew this name are long gone from this world, or are so old their minds are gone." The Emperor had a touch of sadness in  his voice, as he remembered his parents, as well as the nannies that had raised him.


    "Alright, your Imperial Majesty. From now on, I will refer to you as Kayser." Captain Jeremiah spoke with obvious discomfort, bowing as he spoke.


    "Alright, Jeremiah, I guess I shall refer to you without your title also. Do not bow again, or all our efforts will be in vain also." The Emperor said, as Simon nodded approvingly.

 Chapter 211 - Playing Right Into Their Hands

    "Your Im-" Jeremiah began, then quickly corrected himself. "Kayser, I will try my best, I do not feel right addressing you so, but to preserve your safety, I will do whatever I can." Captain Jeremiah was clearly struggling with addressing Kayser on a first name basis.


    "So, Jeremiah, do you have a cache prepared, that has generic supplies ready for such a moment? We must get you, your men and Kayser into some less fine gear.


    The horses can be explained away as merely having the appearance of rare hybrids, but the armor and weapons will be more difficult." Simon waited eagerly for an answer, getting the Emperor out of his enchanted armor would be the first step in making sure he was vulnerable.


    "Hmmm, let me think. Yes, I believe there is one a day''s ride from here. I must say, Scholar Piatt, you are remarkably informed on what to do when fleeing an invading army." Jeremiah felt the tiniest bit of suspicion for Piatt, but quickly brushed it away. After all, he had been the only one to counsel that the army should remain in Aznur. If the Imperial Court had sided with him, perhaps they would be celebrating a victory right now, rather than fleeing through the night..


    "I have often been pursued for my new ideas, many rulers do not like to be told about things that clash with their own thoughts about the world." Simon waved his hands in the air, doing his best to maintain the appearance of the harmless Scholar Piatt.


    He would maintain his disguise, right up until it was time for him to strike.


    -----


    "Tell me, Grand Marshal, why in all of your strategies, you are sending the Tribes to the front lines first?" Vaya crossed his arms and looked at Tam with a fierce glare. Though he had agreed to an alliance, he had not agreed to being a subordinate.


    The auction hall had slowly emptied, the raucous celebration that Anteris had led spilling out on to the streets of Aznur, the commanders joining their men in  exploring the almost completely abandoned Outer City.


    Only Vaya, Teves and Tam remained in the auction hall, looking over a map of the Empire.


    "Don''t play dumb with me Vaya. You all made it quite clear when you arrived at how disappointed you were at not being able to join the battle." Tam said with a frown, and Vaya opened his mouth to respond, but Tam held up his finger and continued to speak.


    "Besides, all of the men who came along with me are wounded and fatigued, while those of the Second Fleet are fresh and more experienced in war.


    I''m not saying that the Tribes alone should be at the forefront of taking over the remaining cities. Just that those of the second fleet should." Teves listened carefully as Tam close, eager to pick up any tidbits about leadership from the discussion between the famed Grand Marshal and the oldest Master.


    "Alright, but you and Anteris? You will be fighting with us, yes? Your men are indispensable, many of the Elites still remain, and I believe only you and I would be able to take on the Galestorm General on our own." Vaya already knew the answer, but wanted to be certain and hear the words from Tam''s own mouth. He knew that the Last Hawk was a General who led from the head of the charge, and would never remain out of combat while his troops fought.


    "Do you think so little of me, Vaya? You know I will be fighting, and my personal guard will be fighting with me. But as for Anteris, I will ask him to remain behind." Tam sighed a little as he spoke, he knew as an Advanced Rank fighter, having Anteris away from the battlefield would make an enormous difference.


    "Before you complain, Vaya, let me explain. He may not show it, but Anteris took on a lot of damage while fighting, he was wounded fighting the Emperor, and Regis'' and Nevus''  lightning would have damaged his insides also.


    I only took a few bolts, and I''ve taken a lot more damage than I''d expected.


    Besides, he''s reunited with his son after many years, the man should have a chance to spend some time with him." Tam''s tone was serious, making it clear that this wasn''t something he would budge on.


    Tam knew that another clash with Nevus or the Emperor would mean Anteris'' death, and that would leave them without someone to command the fleet, while also losing an Advanced Rank fighter.


    "Fine, that is reasonable. Now, let us discuss the spoils? How shall we divide up the treasury within the Imperial Palace?" Vaya said with a raised eyebrow, while he often gave off the appearance of a wise elder, unconcerned with the world, he was exactly the opposite.


    After years of conflict with the Empire and with Ursten, he had learned the true value of material wealth.


    "Come on Vaya? Surely you aren''t stalking a claim to the wealth in Aznur, the battle was practically over by the time you all showed up." Tam laughed, trying to brush off the question, he knew that the palace''s treasury likely held enough wealth and artifacts to outfit an entire army.


    "Hahaha, how quickly you change your tone, Tam! Did you not say it was our arrival that turned the tides?" Vaya laughed, and a grin spread across his face as he realized that he had Tam cornered.


    "I must confer with my lieutenants, and with Anteris." Tam grumbled, smacking himself on the forehead as he remembered his words from earlier. He had been so caught up in defusing the situation with the Masters that he hadn''t even given the fact that the Tribes People might lay claim to some of the spoils from the battle.


    It was a stupid mistake, but Tam had been so relieved after the battle that he hadn''t even been thinking straight.

 Chapter 212 - The Cache

    The sun was setting behind the forested hills in the distance, the subtle orange light filtering over the hilltops, made the group of raiders cast long shadows, which trailed far behind them.


    At first glance, they seemed to be an ordinary group of travelers, all wearing hooded travel cloaks, but a more astute observer would notice the outline of armor beneath their cloaks, and the obvious shapes of sword hilts poking out from their cloaks.


    But only the most observant would notice their horses, which had the scaled patches and irregular coloration of the finest hybrids, as well as noticing that even these hybrids were breathing hard, and their flanks were covered in sweat.


    The group of riders had managed to traverse hundreds of kilometers while riding through the night and again through the day until sunset, and only now, had they slowed their horses to a trot.


    "Jeremiah, are you sure the cache is here, surely this is much too far from the capital to be practical?" Simon asked the captain, who had led them on the breakneck ride for the past day.


    "Scholar Piatt, this is only one of many caches, but I judged that this would be the safest for us to stop at. It is my belief that had we stopped any earlier, we would have been caught by pursuers." Jeremiah spoke softly, after they had been riding for a few hours, all of them had started to speak softly, in hushed whispers barely audible over the sound of the horses.


    "Oh of course, my apologies Jeremiah, I did not mean to question your judgment.. I am just concerned about having everyone disguised sooner rather than later. Remember, our safety also depends on that." Simon''s voice was polite, but internally, he went over his plan once again, he would strike once they were all resting, making sure the Emperor had removed any protective armor or artifacts.


    Simon was sure that after the wounds the Emperor had taken in his battle against Tam and Anteris, he wouldn''t have any protective artifacts.


    This had come as a surprise to Simon, since he had learned of a few defensive artifacts in the possession of the Empire, from his research in old scrolls and documents.


    But perhaps those had been lost in the many wars since, or the Emperor preferred to only wear armor. Whatever the reason, it was a blessing for Simon and his mission.


    "Scholar Piatt, Jeremiah. I appreciate that both of you have concerns for our well being, but please, do not argue. It is enough that we have been defeated by these invaders, but we should not be divided in our flight." The Emperor tried his best to speak casually, but he still could not hide the air of command that had become second nature to him.


    Both Simon and Captain Jeremiah mumbled apologies, the Emperor giving a smile of approval in response.


    "Jeremiah, let me have a look at the map, another pair of eyes to find our destination cannot hurt." Simon asked, spurring his horse so that he was alongside Captain Jeremiah.


    "Alright, I''ll be surprised if you manage to spot it before my men, Donald over there was a scout before he joined the Palace Guard." The old man bragged, passing a piece of rolled up parchment to Simon.


    Simon unrolled the scroll, which showed the southern half of the Empire, with many crosses marked on the map, each one with a small drawing beside it, showing the landmarks which would allow them to find the cache.


    "It''s this one." Jeremiah pointed to a cross far to the north-east of Aznur, beside it was a drawing of three hills, each with a tall tree atop it, and a line running down between the right two hills, possibly depicting a stream.


    Simon furrowed his brow as he looked at the map, and then to the hills ahead of them, the hills were forested, all of them were densely carpeted with trees, with no hills in sight that had only a single tree at their peak.


    They continued to ride, heading west now, along the row of hills, trying to spot the location of the cache, but they had no such luck, every single one of the hills were carpeted with trees.


    The forest spread from the foot of the hills all the way to their peaks.


    "So, Jeremiah, how long ago was this map drawn?" Simon asked Captain Jeremiah, a hint of annoyance in his voice.


    "It would be at least a few hundred years ago. My predecessor told me that it was passed down to him by his predecessor, and that even his predecessor had no idea when these caches were fist established." Captain Jeremiah''s confidence was starting to fade, and the slightest hint of apprehensiveness had found its way into his voice.


    "Fear not lads, worst comes to worst Scholar Piatt can ride into a village and purchase the necessities that we might need for a disguise." The Emperor piped up, and then continued on.


    "Besides, we have enough of these biscuits to last us weeks, we can remain in the wilderness for as long as we need, and I''m sure that Donald over there can catch us some game with that bow of his." The Emperor wasn''t able to voice his natural inclination to leadership, trying his best to reassure the uncertain Jeremiah.


    "Hold on, look over there, don''t those three hills vaguely resemble the shape on the map." Donald, the ex scout, spoke up, his voice was quiet and high pitched, but still had an unmistakable confidence.


    All of them turned to where he pointed, and Simon recognized the silhouette of the three hills, as did the rest of them, all of them cheerfully agreeing, finally glad to see some hint of their destination.


    "Over there, that gully, could that not be formed by a stream over the years." Simon pointed to the depression in the ground in the distance.


    "Ah, good job Scholar Piatt, there we go gentlemen, we''ve found our cache." The Emperor''s voice was cheerful, as if he was trying to overwrite the fact that they were on the run from an invading army.

 Chapter 213 - The Cache(2)

    The Palace guard, Simon and the Emperor all rode toward the three hills, all of them keeping an eye out for the possible location of the cache.


    By now all of them had been awake for almost two entire days, and while those of them who had more developed Mana Cores weren''t affected too much, some of the soldiers were falling asleep in the saddle by now.


    "Let''s have another look at that map, Jeremiah." Simon asked, and Captain Jeremiah passed it over to him.


    Simon inspected the map carefully, looking at the drawing of the three hills, upon a closer look, he could see that between the two hills where the stream ran, there was a semi circular black shape drawn, likely showing the location of a cave.


    "Here. We just need to follow this gully, and then we''ll see the cave that the cache is in." Simon pointed out the detail on the map to Captain Jeremiah, who gestured for Donald to come over and have another look, and the ex scout nodded in agreement.


    They rode along the gully, the soft bubbling sound of the stream that still ran within it accompanying them. Soon, they passed into the shade of the trees, only the faintest slivers of light passing through the dense canopy..


    The Emperor summoned a ball of light that hovered over them, washing the forest in its bright white glow. It wasn''t long before they found themselves at the end of the gully, and saw a small waterfall that flowed over a small outcropping of rock at the base of the hill.


    "Alright lads, let''s dismount and have a look for this cave." Captain Jeremiah ordered his men, who all immediately hopped off their horses and started to search along the base of the hill.


    Simon joined them, picking up a large stick and poking at the vegetation that covered the side of the hill, in case the entrance to the cache had become covered with plants.


    Even the Emperor joined the search, throwing up balls of lights at different intervals to light the hill and aid their search.


    "Here, I think I''ve found something!" Once again, Donald called out, his high pitched voice easily audible through the forest.


    They all converged at the spot where he had called, and it seemed that Simon''s guess had been correct, the entrance of the cache was covered by a curtain of ivy.


    Donald quickly hacked it away with a large, curved bladed knife he carried along with the usual Imperial soldier''s sword.


    The ivy fell away, revealing the cave, and the Emperor tossed a ball of light inside, revealing an empty cave.


    The floor was covered in old twigs and dried up leaves, as well as the remains of some sort of nest in one corner.


    A few of the soldiers sighed in disappointment, turning away from the cave, but Captain Jeremiah marched in, and started feeling around the back wall of the cave.


    "Click!" After a few minutes of feeling around, there was a loud clock and the entire back wall of the cave swung open, revealing a wide tunnel, large enough for even two riders to enter, side by side.


    "Lead the horses in here, if I remember correctly, there should even be a stable. We''ll have to use our own feed bags, though, I''m sure whatever''s stored inside will be rotted by now." Captain Jeremiah instructed the soldiers, before gesturing for the Emperor and Simon to follow him inside.


    They followed the captain, the dark tunnel lit by a ball of light summoned by the Emperor, which revealed a spacious hollow within the hill.


    Captain Jeremiah had been correct, there was a stable inside, separated into stalls for the horses, as well as spare saddles and other riding equipment. All of which glowed with enchantments to protect it from damp and rot.


    "Won''t be able to use that, will stand out too much." Captain Jeremiah sniffed at the showy riding equipment, only the extremely wealthy would splurge on enchanting something like a saddle.


    The continued further on into the hollow, and found that it split off into separate tunnels, one large tunnel on the right as well as a series of smaller tunnels on the left.


    :Let''s have a look at this one first." Captain Jeremiah gestured for Simon and the Emperor to follow him down the larger tunnel.


    They entered, and found what they had come to the cache for. The larger tunnel led to an large circular cave, the walls were covered in shelves that were stacked with armor, weapons and even clothing.


    Simon picked up one of the breastplates and inspected it, it only had a few enchantments on it, nothing that would stand out too much, and most importantly for their purposes, it lacked the conspicuous Imperial Lion.


    "This''ll do, won''t it, ehem, Kayser." Captain Jeremiah coughed a little before addressing the Emperor by his given name, still reluctant to do so.


    "Yes, it''ll do nicely. I''m sure we''ll blend right in, this armor is simple enough that we won''t have to worry about blending in with whatever the current fashions are. And besides, we''ll cover it all up with our cloaks." The Emperor picked up a plain helmet, looking it over, before raising an eyebrow to Simon, as if asking what he thought.


    Simon gave him a polite smile and nod, and looked around for a set of armor that would fit him also.


    "Good thinking Scholar Piatt, best get yourself a full face helmet, anybody who''s looking for the E- sorry Kayser will also be looking for any who frequented the Court." Captain Jeremiah gave Simon a pat on the back before handing him a helmet with a visor.


    Simon smiled and accepted the helmet, but even as he did, he kept an eye on what pieces of armor the Emperor selected.


    After all, he would have to make sure his knives would pierce through at just the right points.

 Chapter 214 - Simon(3)

    Once the horses had been stabled and everyone had changed their distinctive Imperial armor for plain armor from the cache, except for a few guards who had been unlucky enough to be assigned the first watch, the rest of the party had split up into the various tunnels.


    Each of the tunnels led to a small room, which had a bed, as well as a bathroom. The water and heat were supplied through magical devices, and since Mana Crystals didn''t lose their energy over time, everything was still functional.


    However, there was no bedding, as it had all rotted away over the years, the people who had founded the cache had not thought to enchant the bedding. But the bedrolls that the guards carried on their horses were more than enough to cushion the beds that were carved out of the rock itself.


    And so, the entire group was now asleep, with the exception of those on the first watch. After almost two days of being awake, fighting and then riding for a day straight, they were all exhausted, and so slept soundly.


    The entire underground cache was now quiet, with quiet murmurs coming from the pair of guards who had been posted next to the hidden wall, in case the locations for the caches had been leaked.


    As the others slept, deep within the tunnels, Simon had also unrolled his bedroll, but he was not planning to sleep, even after so long awake.


    In front of him, laid out on the bedroll, were his set of dark clothing, his short curved blade, and the many smaller blades that were all set into a belt.


    Simon pulled on the dark clothing, and slung the belt that held the smaller blades over his shoulder, tightening it, so it fit snugly around his chest.


    The curved blade, about half a meter long, had a thin belt that wrapped around his waist, the sheath laying horizontally across his back.


    All the blades had sheaths that were padded, so that there wasn''t even the slightest hint of noise when Simon drew them.


    Simon removed the false nose that he wore as Scholar Piatt, as well as the inserts he put inside his mouth to make his jaw appear larger.


    Then, he took his curved blade, and a small vial that was concealed within his bedroll, dripping a thick yellow fluid along the edge, rubbing it in with a scrap of cloth, that began to smoke upon contact with the liquid.


    Finally, Simon wrapped a length of dark cloth around his head, completely covering his bright golden curls and pale skin.


    Then, Simon paused for a moment, channelling his mana to cast his Invisibility Spell, still unfamiliar with this version.


    Of course, there were many types of Invisibility spell, some used Elemental Mana, while others were Elementless, and they all varied in difficulty, based on the degree of mana control required.


    Simon, after years of training, had only recently been able to learn a more difficult version of the spell, and as he cast it, there was only a vague shimmering where he had stood.


    Before, when he cast the previous version, someone would have been able to see a blurry silhouette where Simon stood, but not anymore.


    Simon took a deep breath to compose himself, and padded out toward the main cavern.


    "You really think we can push these Ursten invaders back?" The two guards posted outside were having a quiet conversation, even as Simon crept out of the tunnel and towards them.


    "I don''t know man, they''ve allied with the Tribes, and my Pa, before he passed, used to always tell me war stories about the war with them, and from the stories he''d tell me, I''d say they''re quite tough." The other guard shook his head at the first, both of them talking in quiet murmurs, they stood next to a small covered Magic Crystal powered lamp, set on the floor in between them, both of them standing just outside of its light to maintain their night vision.


    As they continued to talk, Simon slipped two of his smaller blades out from the belt on his chest, and paused for a moment, channeling his mana.


    Then, he threw the blades. They sped through the air, shimmering and twisting as they found the two guards necks.


    The blades slipped through the tiniest gap that was between their helmets and the breastplates they wore, slicing clean through the small curtain of chain mail that was supposed to protect their necks.


    There were two quiet strangled grunts, but Simon''s blades had found their carotid arteries, and great gouts of blood sprayed out from them as they fell, painting the entrance of the cavern red with blood.


    The two of them fell to the ground with a soft thump, and the murmurs from the two guards fell completely silent.


    Simon started to move toward the tunnel that he had seen the Emperor walk down.


    "Jean! Ned!" A hoarse voice called out through the darkness, with a distinctly worried tone.


    "S****" Simon swore under his breath, Captain Jeremiah was still awake. It was just like him to remain on guard even while his men were posted, and even after being awake for so long.


    From all his time infiltrating the Imperial Court, Simon had learned that while he wasn''t too gifted in his combat ability or in his grasp of strategy, Captain Jeremiah was ridiculously loyal.


    Simon walked toward the sound of his voice, and then he spotted him. The glint of Captain Jemriah''s eyes due to the small amount of light from the lamp.


    "Lads! This isn''t the time to be joking around with me. Come on now, come into the light, so I can see the pair of you are fine." Captain Jemriah''s voice was growing more and more worried.


    "Sorry, Cap. We were just having a bit of a muck around. Didn''t mean to worry you." Simon called out, slipping another blade for his belt, his voice almost perfectly mimicking the first of the two guards that had spoken.

 Chapter 215 - The Emperor(3)

    "Jean? What''re you doing over here?" Captain Jeremiah''s hoarse voice called out from the darkness, as he desperately looked for his soldiers in the darkness.


    There was a scraping sound as Captain Jemriah drew his sword, the voice he had heard sounded just like Jean, but something about it had unsettled him, it had sounded almost too calm.


    "I''m right here." Simon called out, mimicking Jean''s voice once again, then dashing off to one side, his feet gliding across the floor without making a sound.


    Simon silently pulled another pair of blades from his belt, channelling his mana for a moment before throwing them.


    The two blades curved through the air, heading right for Captain Jeremiah''s exposed eyes, one curving to the right, while the other curved to the left.


    Even as the blades flew at Captain Jeremiah, Simon ran quickly toward him, unsheathing his curved blade.


    ''Clang!" Captain Jeremiah, feeling the mana within the blades, raised his swords and blocked the blades that were flying toward him.


    "Intru-" He began to yell, ready to raise the alarm, but it was far too late. Simon''s blade had already slid through the side of his breastplate, finding his heart.


    There was a soft gurgle as his lung filled with blood, and it pooled out of his mouth, and Simon caught him under his arms, softly placing his limp body to the ground.


    Now, Simon would have to move fast. More often than not, people as powerful as the Emperor would be sensitive enough that they could detect intruders nearby.


    Simon paused for a moment at the entrance of the tunnel, gathering his courage. Even he had seen the Emperor battle in the skies above Anzur, and he knew what fate awaited him if he failed.


    Simon practically fell through the tunnel, his feet barely touching the ground, as he ran toward where the Emperor would be sleeping.


    A small lamp lit the room in a dim orange glow, and as Simon sped through the room, his eyes locked onto the sleeping figure in the bed set into the wall.


    There lay the Emperor himself. His long, silky black hair pooled around his head, and he seemed completely at peace.


    Simon came to a halt next to his bed, and the curved blade, completely covered in the deadly yellow poison, was raised high above his head, ready to slice down.


    If it hadn''t been for the numerous wounds that the Emperor had sustained, as well as the long ride from Aznur to the cache, the outcome might have been different.


    But as it was, the Emperor was in a deep, deep sleep, that it would have taken the sound of an entire herd of galloping horses to wake him.


    And so, the Emperor fell. Simon''s blade found his neck, slicing clean through, and his eyes opened suddenly, staring at Simon, looking him right in the eyes, his hands sweeping up towards him immediately.


    But the damage had been done, Simon''s blade has sliced his neck open, and his blood poured out onto the bed, and his hands fell back down, as choking noises emanated from the dying Emperor.


    The Emperor stared at the figure in black, in the last moments of his life, trying to gather his mana, or the strength to fight back, his brain had yet to process the fact that his neck had been split wide open.


    And then, everything went black.


    Simon gave an enormous sigh of relief as the light left the Emperor''s eyes, wiping his blade on the bedroll beneath the Emperor''s corpse, and then sheathing it.


    Now, it was time to flee. Simon crept out of the tunnel, heading back towards the tunnel he had left the rest of his gear in.,


    He quickly gathered it up, not taking too much care to cover his tracks, for Scholar Piatt would cease to exist today.


    With the Emperor finally dead, and the capital held by the Ursten forces, there was no longer nay need for Simon to infiltrate the Imperial Court again, for it would cease to exist.


    Simon crept back through the tunnels, saddling up one of the horses and stowing his gear. He whispered to the horse to keep it calm, a soft jingling noise coming from the saddle and stirrups.


    The entrance to the cache pushed open smoothly, and then Simon led the horse out the cave and into the open air, hopping into the saddle and riding off into the distance. His mission done.


    -----


    The air shimmered with the intense heat of the giant red sun that hung in the sky, its light illuminating the shining, multicolored sands of the sweeping deserts below. The plane was dotted with spires of stone, their insides hollow, filled with a network of caves.


    A small creature with shiny metallic fur stood up on its hind legs, staring around with its enormous eyes, sweeping the desert for threats.


    It settled down, the desert was safe, for now.


    A thunderous distorted noise boomed out from the sky itself, the countless grains of sand vibrating as the sound spread out over the desert.


    The tiny creature fled into the sands, diving for its burrow.


    A great portal had opened in the sky above, splitting the space itself, and from it, the enormous shape of the Aemos  emerged, the great flagship of its namesake, the Aemos.


    It passed through the portal at a speed that was shocking given its enormous size, casting a huge shadow onto the sands below.


    After it, hundreds of smaller ships followed, speeding out over the sands, in search of anything, anything at all to plunder.


    For the Aemos did not leave even a single stone unturned, they were completely and totally driven by an insatiable hunger, for more and more, and so, in their great journey across the myriad planes, they had left countless planes picked clean of anything that could be used to power their devices, and anything that could feed their ever growing population.

 Chapter 216 - The Imperial Court(2)

    In the few days after the conquest of Aznur, the city gradually came back to life. As the news that the Imperial forces had lost the battle spread to all those that had fled, the citizens began to return to the city.


    Tam and Vaya had led their respective forces into the palace, and the loot was divided equally between Tam, Anteris and Vaya. With the promise that it would be used to further outfit their armies.


    For the campaign had only begun, taking Aznur was the first step in unifying the entire continent, and once that had happened, Tam would lead the expedition north, crossing the treacherous Fidour Mountain Range, and making their way to the mainland.


    This was a task that would take all the military might of the Isle to even consider attempting.


    The new command center of the allied Ursten and Tribal forces was the Imperial Court, whilst the troops had taken over the extensive barracks within the city. There was more than enough space, since they typically housed the bulk of the Storm Generals Armies.


    Tam had tasked Slate and Shale''s Mage Unit to begin to repair the damage that they had caused in haphazardly fortifying the city in anticipation of the arrival of the Imperial Elites.


    And the damaged and torn streets were quickly returning to their past beauty and grace,


    However, the greatest sight of Aznur, the great wall that surrounded the Inner City, was still broken, a permanent reminder of the battle that had occurred, and that a new power now reigned within the Imperial Palace.


    Within the Imperial Court, the sunlight still shone through the great glass wall, but the interior was now vastly different.


    The great throne that had stood in front of the glass wall was gone, and the great flocks of courtiers and officials had disappeared.


    Instead, the center of the room was dominated by a great wooden table, it did not at all match the exquisite carvings that decorated the walls, nor the beautiful painting of the founders on the roof.


    Around the table sat Tam, Anteris, Vaya and Teves. Bhal and Ajyha had left a few days ago, along with Boson and Serena, to lead armies throughout the Empire and to expand the allied forces'' influence over the Empire.


    "So, Grand Marshal, why have you split our forces so, don''t you anticipate a resurgence of the Imperial forces?" Teves asked, no longer wearing his armor, which revealed his hooked nose and serious amber colored eyes. As was the custom of his clan, he wore falcon feathers in his hair, and as the leader of his clan, an impressive cloak made completely from falcon feathers.


    "Now that we hold the capital, those Imperial forces that remain will be wary of engaging with us. Besides, very few will remain loyal in the absence of the Emperor. I think it best for us to expand our sphere of influence as quickly as possible, without giving the nobles too much time to consider their position. At the end of the day, they shall be loyal to whoever has an army knocking at their door." Tam replied, he had also shed his armor, and now wore his silver embroidered cloak again, over a dark, almost black tunic.


    "You imply that the Emperor will not be seen again, did he not flee from Aznur? Sure, he was injured, but not dead. Unless?: Vaya toyed with his thick white braid, the silver trinkets woven through singing as he did so, he gave Tam a smirk, as if he anticipated some secret that Tam had kept concealed.


    "All I will say is that I anticipate that the Emperor shall not be able to rally an army anytime soon, if at all." Tam ignored Vaya smirk and continued speaking, looking to Anteris rather than Vaya.


    Anteris, had a rare contented smile on his face, he seemed a different man, gone was the abrupt, impulsive and hot headed Duke of Newport. The reason for this was the heavily bandaged, towering man standing at his shoulder.


    Graffius had been discharged  from the infirmary only after a shouting match between Anteris and Quercus, and had a nervous smile on his face.


    After so many years in the Arena, he was still uncomfortable with standing in the Imperial Court, behind his father, while arguably the most powerful individual on the Isle spoke to them.


    "Alright, alright. So you''ve got some plot bubbling away, as usual. What of the ships sitting idle in the harbor, surely you don''t mean for my son and I to sit idly in the capital and grow fat and lazy." Anteris said gruffly, stroking his long silver beard, yet with the irremovable smile on his face that he couldn''t hide.


    "Once the pair of you are fully recovered, then you can take your ships upriver, and pay some towns a visit. If that''s enough for you?'' Tam smiled a little as he outlined the assignment, he knew that it would be more of a scenic journey than any kind of battle, but he was glad to see Anteris united with his son, and the presence of the Duke''s innumerable ships would surely cause many nobles to surrender anyway.


    "Hmm, alright, I guess that sounds like a decent enough job to get done. What do you say, huh, son?'' Anteris turned around to Graffius, who was like a deer in headlights, not expecting anyone to address him.


    "Uh, yeah, that sounds good, Father." He mumbled, his shy voice completely at odds with his massive frame and scarred and craggy face. His bright-green eyes moved anxiously to and fro as he spoke.


    "Wonderful! We shall depart within the week! Let us take one of the healers with us Tam! I''m sure they''ll have plenty to do on our journey north!" Anteris bellowed, an excited look on his face as he imagined him and his son leading his many ships north.


    "Of course, Anteris, whatever you need." Tam said with a smile, he was glad to see Anteris so animated, rather than the drunk and scornful man he had been for so long.

 Chapter 217 - Father And Son(2)

    Come, son, let us go down to the docks. You can pick from any of the ships in my fleet, except for my own, of course! Hahahaha." Anteris pushed his chair away from the table, and nudged Graffius jokingly as he walked toward the exit of the court.


    Graffius smiled, the smile not reaching his eyes, for a ship needed a crew, and he remembered his crew that had so loyally followed him from Newport to Aznur, and had been slain in the years that they had all been imprisoned.


    "I guess that draws this meeting to a close." Vaya said, his wrinkled face wrinkling into a smile.


    "So it does." Tam replied, looking off into the air beside Vaya''s head, smiling at Ophil, who floated in midair, giving Tam a look filled with concern and sorrow.


    Sometimes Ophil would speak to him, but only her mouth would move, and her figure was so faint that he could not even read her lips to make out what she was saying.


    Soon enough, Tam knew, he would be able to hold her in his arms again..


    ------


    A few hours later, in one of the many towers that rose high up above the Imperial Palace, Tam stood, his arms behind his back, gazing out over Aznur, the city that was considered to be unassailable, smiling at the great gash in the wall, the wall that was considered to be unbreakable.


    The top of the tower was open on all sides to the open sky, so that one could look in whichever direction they pleased, with a railing that encircled the tower as well as a peaked cone shaped roof that stood on intricately carved pillars.


    A breeze blew past his face, blowing his long black hair across his face, Tam took a deep breath, the wind here carried the scent of the ocean, which one would never dream of while in Balin.


    "Our son has become so powerful in his own right, he''s everything you could have dreamed of, and more." Tam stared wistfully into the air just beyond the railing that encircled the tower.


    He looked on, confused, as Ophil stared back at him, simply shaking her head.


    "What is it, my love? What''s wrong?" Tam''s voice sounded hurt and confused, and he wished that he could hear the words that she was saying.


    "Grand Marshal?: A voice called out from behind him, Tam had been so focused on Ophil that he hadn''t heard the steps coming up the stairs behind him.


    "Yes?" Tam turned, and there, in front of him, stood the demon that had wreaked havoc in the ranks of the Imperial Elites, one of the most powerful members of the Nighthawk unit, and his own son, Kothar.


    Kothar looked around, confused, he could have sworn that his father had been talking with someone, he had heard his voice trailing off as he emerged onto the top of the tower, the sound from his voice only audible when he had crossed the top stair.


    "Son, you can remove your mask, and talk openly. I believe the Emperor used this location to confer with his subordinates. There are enchantments around the tower, so fear not, nobody will be spying on us her, and I have instructed that I am not to be disturbed." Tam gave his son a smile, brimming with pride.


    [He must have just been thinking aloud.] Silane said, as Kothar removed his mask, revealing his face for the first time in what felt like months.


    Kothar paused for a moment, enjoying the crisp breeze that blew through the tower, it had been too long since he had felt the air on his face.


    "Kothar, my son, I have heard such praise of your ability in battle from your comrades in the Nighthawk Unit as well as those in the rest of the army. I heard that you cast some spell that left the Elites completely defenseless. You''re growing into a fine soldier." Tam looked at his son, his eyes warm. He had grown so quickly, Tam thought, Kothar now almost stood as tall as him, and he could even see the beginnings of a beard on his face.


    "Thank you, Father. It wasn''t exactly-" Kothar began describing his Plasma Unit, for if there was any person that he trusted on Eclat, it would be his father. But Tam quickly cut him off.


    "No need to explain your spell to me, son, it''s yours and yours alone. Perhaps it may even become the thing that you are nicknamed after, just as I am after my Hawk Aura." A somber look crossed Tam''s face as he thought back to the terrible war in which he had fought against the Tribes, and to think that he would fight alongside them today.


    "To think that it was due to my imitation of the Tribes that would serve me so well against them, and even lead to the name people know me by." Tam shook his head, his voice breaking a little as he remembered his companions, the Hawk Brigade.


    "Is it truly an imitation? From what I saw, Father, you''ve made it your own." Kothar''s voice was filled with admiration as he thought back to his father''s battle with the Emperor in the skies above Anzur.


    "Ah, well I guess it depends on who you ask. Anyway, enough about me son, tell m-" Tam''s voice was filled with concern, as he spoke for he knew that while Kothar was a competent fighter, he was still a teen.


    But before Tam could finish his sentence, a thunderous noise slammed into them, distorted and odd in nature, yet still oddly familiar to Kothar.


    Along with the noise was a great shockwave that slammed into the tower, and set it shaking, so that the small table set with a crystal flask and glasses was knocked over, the utensils shattering on the stone floor.


    Regaining their balance, Kothar and Tam both ran over to the side of the tower, looking for the source of the noise.

 Chapter 218 - In The Skies Above

    The sky had split, the blue clear sky was now marred with a completely black, dark void that hung high in the skies above. As the shaking from the shockwave subsided, like the mouth of some enormous beast, the split in the sky grew wider and wider.


    Kothar could feel a powerful resonance from his Spatial Necklace, he gazed up into the sky in horror, the opening in the sky was a portal. The amount of power required to open such an enormous portal was simply insane.


    "Father, that''s a portal." Kothar choked out, his breath catching in his chest due to how shocked he was by the enormous split in the sky.


    "No." Tam was lost for words, even he couldn''t fathom the amount of power that such an enormous portal would require, and he and Kothar stared, eyes wide at the sight before them.


    The portal was visible for thousands of kilometers, and the fluctuations of Spatial Energy were felt even further, so that beings all over Eclat had turned toward the Isle, above which the portal was opening.


    In an enormous tower of black stone, above which there was a constantly shifting rift atop it, and purple lines of energy that criss crossed the walls, a certain elderly man stood in a laboratory.


    The laboratory was littered with the remains of strange creatures, and on top of the metal surface of the table in the center of the room, a purple skinned humanoid lay, taking shallow breaths, its limbs sliced open.


    The old man''s face was twisted in sheer terror, and had turned completely pale, he was shaking violently, and stood frozen for a few moments.


    Immediately after, he began to run about the laboratory, packing away odds and ends before running to the peak of the tower.


    Elsewhere on Eclat, there was a great plain that stretched out for thousands of kilometers, it was dotted with towns that had been built alongside the great rivers that ran through the plain.


    Every single one of these rivers stemmed from the towering mountain that dominated the plain, visible even from the very edge of it.


    The peak of the mountain, which rose up even beyond the clouds, had been carved and shaped to form a castle, shaped into steep walls, and lofty towers.


    Within the castle, in the throne room that had been carved out of the heart of the peak, there sat a stout young man, a circular ring of stone around his head.


    As the shockwave from the portal struck, the man immediately came to his feet, a vibrant yellow aura forming instantaneously around him, great wings spreading out from his back as he ran out from the throne room leaping into the sky.


    When the man flew into the skies above, countless figures rose from the castle behind him, their wings beating rapidly as they followed their leader into the skies above.


    All across Eclat, figures wrapped themselves in aura and took to the skies, all of them heading for the disturbance that could be felt throughout the plane.


    In a remote forest, far from even the slightest hint of civilization, a tall man with ashen colored skin stopped in his tracks.


    "Master, I hope you''re ready for this." He murmured, and then the dark mist that swirled around his feet quickly wrapped all around him, forming a suit of armor, as well as a pair of wings that spread from his back.


    Even as all these figures leapt into action around Eclat, Kothar and Tam watched as the portal continued to stretch open, spreading impossibly wide before it stopped.


    It seemed as though the sky had been blotted out, the portal was so vast that it completely occupied Kothar''s vision.


    [There''s got to be an Ascendant on the other side of that.] Silane whispered, and as she spoke, the surface of the portal began to ripple.


    An enormous wedge shape emerged from the portal, far larger than even the greatest castles and buildings that many on Eclat had seen. It was an abomination, so out of place in the skies above.


    The wedge shaped object continued to emerge out of the portal, and as the strange inscriptions covering the gray surface of the wedge shaped object became visible, realization dawned over Kothar.


    [Xerev! I knew I couldn''t trust that damn b******!] Kothar exclaimed, remembering the strange device  that the explorer had used to communicate with him so long ago, on Idwa.


    Soon the gigantic wedge shaped object had emerged into the skies of Eclat, and after it, followed thousands of smaller cuboid objects, like a swarm of locusts, clouding the skies.


    As they emerged, the countless smaller ships split away from each other, all making a beeline for different locations on Eclat.


    "Father, those are all sky faring craft. I''m sure they mean us harm, we should fight against those that we can." Kothar said as a few of the craft peeled away from the rest and flew down toward Aznur.


    "You''re right, son, no peaceful visitors would come in such numbers, nor in such force.."Tam said as he gazed at the venomous shape completely blotting out the sky, and his blue aura surrounded him, forming the hawk shape as he leaped into the skies from the tower.


    "Anteris! Vaya! Teves! With me! Let us meet these strange invaders!" Tam yelled, as the strange ships grew closer and closer to Aznur, flying low over the buildings.


    Anteris'' red aura rose into the sky, his halberd in his arms, surrounded by coiling flames.


    Along with him, rose a shining golden crow that was Vaya, his curved saber clutched tight in his hands.


    Finally, Teves flew up into the sky, his glowing yellow aura forming the shape of a falcon around him, a cloud of sand whirling around him as he flew.


    Once the Advanced Rank fighters flew into the sky, the ships that were flying over Aznur suddenly slowed, and began to slowly rise up into the air, coming face to face with the glowing beings.

 Chapter 219 - In The Skies Above(2)

    "State your purpose!" Tam yelled out to the ships, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, unlike the others, he had yet to draw his weapon.


    But the three cuboid ships were silent, they just floated in the air, without making even the slightest noise.


    "State your purpose!" Tam yelled again, he was beginning to grow anxious, what in the world could these otherworlders intentions be.


    As Tam yelled at the ships, inside the center most ship, sat a pair of Aemos, a thin pale woman, whose mouth was curved in a tight smile, and her companion, a male Aemos, who also had a smile on his face.


    "Look at the energy readings on these creatures! They''re off the charts!" The male Aemos, who was just as pale as the other, brushed his bangs away from his eyes to get a better look at the spinning dials in front of him.


    The pair of them stared, fascinated, at the thousands of spinning cubes suspended on rods in front of them, that showed an image of the glowing beings flying ahead of them.


    "Let''s fire the incapacitators already, the higher ups will want to get a look at one of these things." The female Aemos, spoke in a high shrill voice, filling the cockpit of the ship with her high pitched screeching.


    "Alright, alright." The male replied, and then spun a dial on the dashboard in font of him, which was covered in knobs and the strange inscriptions that covered all of the Aemos'' ships and devices.


    A loud clanking noise rang out from the bottom of the ship, and a pair of round projectiles shot out, blasting toward Tam, the projectiles were connected by a length of flexible, metallic cord that caused them to spin around each other as they flew.


    Just like all the devices of the Aemos, they were covered in angular inscriptions..


    Tam squinted as they approached, and then his sword flashed out, coated in his bright blue aura, slicing clean through the length of cord that attached them together.


    The projectiles fell to the ground, the cord between them leaking a thick red liquid.


    "I''d guess that they mean to capture us, let''s crack them open and see if we can''t persuade them to do otherwise." Tam said to the others, who nodded, propelling themselves toward the craft hovering in the air in front of them.


    "Oh. Seems they don''t use that energy for nothing." The male Aemos in the center craft''s eyes were wide, as he looked at the energy readings that skyrocketed when the middle figure struck out at the incapacitation device.


    Anteris sent a column of flame slamming toward the other craft of the left, that completely engulfed it.


    Teves also struck out at the craft at the lift, a whip formed of sand lashing out at the craft, knocking it to the side in the air, the Aemos within yelling in surprise.


    Vaya flew at the rightmost craft, striking out with a wing from his Crow Aura, the golden light slicing into the exterior of the gray craft, carving a gash into it.


    The exterior was thick, but not thick enough, and Vaya easily sliced the craft open, screams of terror echoing out from the oval shape cockpit within.


    Tam, flapped his hawk wings as hard as he could, and shot past the central craft, a loud screeching noise echoing out, his sword appearing in his hands suddenly as he appeared in a flash behind it.


    Tam had completely sliced the craft in two, and it fell to the ground, the two Aemos within yelling in terror as they spun uncontrollably to the ground.


    The two halves of the crafts leaked the same viscous red fluid that the first device had, and Tam caught the half of the craft that contained the pilots in the claws of his aura, gently setting it down on the ground, the other half of the craft falling harmlessly into the street below.


    As for the remaining craft, it emerged from Anteris'' flames unscathed, with only a gouge carved in its surface from Teves'' attack.


    The same clunking noise that had sounded out when the first craft had attacked rang out, and the same projectile shot out at Teves, who huffed at its speed, flapping his wings to twist aside, and reaching out with his bare hand to grasp the cord.


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" A tortured scream rang out, as Teves began to convulse with pain, his hand closing tight around the cord, his muscles spasming, preventing him from letting go of the device.


    The pain was so great that his aura dissipated, and he started to fall down to the hard stones below, screaming in pain even as he fell.


    Anteris, only meters away, quickly picked up on what was happening, and sliced out with his halberd, slicing into the cord that hung from Teves hand that was clutched tightly around the device.


    As soon as the cord was sliced in two, the muscle spasming stopped, and Teves'' hand fell open, allowing the two halves of the device to fall to the streets below.


    "Shouldn''t be too cocky, lad!" Anteris said as he swooped down and grabbed Teves, stopping him from falling down.


    "Don''t touch those projectiles bare handed, they''ll put you in a world of hurt!" Anteris yelled out, and looked over to the others. He shook his head with a smile on his face as he saw that the other two craft had already been disabled.


    "I''m alright, now." Teves murmured, his face red with shame, thanks to his pride, he had embarrassed himself on the battlefield.


    His aura surrounded him again, and he leaped back into flight, his hands spread apart, a disc of sand starting to spin between them.


    The disc spun after and faster, and then Teves sent it flying at the cuboid craft, his brow furrowed in anger.. He was venting his shame onto the craft in front of him.

 Chapter 220 - Invasion(2)

    There was a deafening screech as Teves'' disc of sand slammed into the remaining craft, the craft was sliced open, the two pieces falling to either side, the two Aemos within screaming in terror as they fell to the city below.


    Anteris and Teves flew under the two halves, setting them onto the ground alongside the mangled remains of the other two craft.


    "How about you talk to us now?" Tam hovered over the pilots that were sitting amongst the wreckage, the red fluid leaking all over the street.


    The Aemos pilots only looked around, wide eyed with fear. These were new pilots, inexperienced in battle, and in their minds, the supremacy of the Aemos was a given.


    Never had they even imagined that they might be so violently taken out of the sky by glowing, flying beings.


    "Come on! Tell us what you''re here for!" Anteris loomed over them, stabbing hiss flame wrapped halberd toward them.


    "What''s that thing in the sky?" Vaya joined in on questioning them, pointing at the enormous ship looming in the sky with one of his golden wings.


    That got a response from the pilots, and they nodded enthusiastically, before uttering one word.


    "Aemos!" They all said together, pointing at the ship in the sky and at themselves also.


    "I guess that''s what they''re called." Anteris grumbled, jabbing his halberd toward them, eliciting several nervous screams.


    "Don''t scare them too much, Anteris, we don''t want them passing out from fear." Tam''s voice was filled with concern, he was usually someone who held all the cards, thanks to the fact that he almost always made sure to have as much information as possible about the enemy before the first swords were drawn.


    But now he was thrust into the unknown, with a terrifying new enemy appearing from a different plane, right after he and his men had won one battle.


    "I believe they meant to capture us, that device, what I felt was excruciating. Nobody would be able to resist that amount of pain. They must have some purpose in capturing us." Teves'' voice was soft and hesitant, he was still feeling ashamed due to his overconfidence earlier.


    Tam drew his sword and the remaining half of one of the devices, lifting it up, balanced on his sword.


    "They seem to use this strange fluid in their ships too." Tam commented, looking at the odd, thick, red fluid leaking from the severed cord.


    "Looks like syrup." Anteris laughed a little, scraping some of the liquid off the ground and holding it up to his node and taking a deep sniff.


    "Doesn''t smell like anything at all, I would taste it, but I don''t want to mess around with something that put young Teves out of commission." Anteris wiped off the fluid on one of the captured Aemos'' white shirts. They seemed to be wearing some kind of uniform, with a pair of matching, close fitting white shirts and trousers, made of a tough, canvas like material.


    "I don''t think  we''ll get anything out of them. If there are any answers, then they''ll be up there." Vaya had been deep in thought all this time, and when he finally spoke his voice was solemn, he knew that whatever was in the enormous ship above, it wouldn''t be easy to deal with.


    "You''re right Vaya, these fellows seem to be more cannon fodder than anything." Anteris said, baring his teeth at one of the pilots, who jumped in response.


    "Hold on." Tam interrupted, as Anteris and Vaya were about to launch themselves toward the massive ship in the sky above.


    "I don''t like this at all. We know nothing at all about this and whatever''s up there, it''s able to open such an enormous portal. And from what I know, they''re not from any plane nearby, so they were able to traverse countless planes before coming to Eclat. We shouldn''t be too rash." Tam''s eyes were narrowed as he stared up into the sky, the enormous craft blocking out even the sun.


    "These smaller craft will be attacking all over the Isle! We can''t let whoever that is up there get away with capturing our people without consequence." Anteris protested, though he was still injured, he was itching for another battle.


    "Alright. But at the first sign of any real  danger, I want you all to fall back." Tam looked around at the others, to think, mere months ago, none of these men would''ve considered him an ally, and now they were planning to face off against some interplanar threat.


    -----


    All across Eclat, not only on the Isle, similar scenes were occurring, the smaller Aemos craft were being completely dismantled by the people of Eclat.


    In some places, Advanced Rank individuals took to the sky, taking the battle to the cart before they even got a chance to try capturing the people below.


    In others, once the first people had been captured, the people around banded together, and fought the ships, for there was scarcely a town, which didn''t have at least a few competent Warriors, Mages or Thieves. And all together, their spells were more than enough to bring the ships down.


    High up above, in the Aemos, a towering, armored figure stood in the bridge of the ship, frowning at the walls, which were covered in the same cube-screens that the rest of the Aemos'' devices used.


    "These humanoids that populate this plane, it appears that the energy density is more than sufficient for them to easily dismantle those 4th Quadrant scum." Xurha growled, his heavy brow furrowed, his red eyes glowing with barely contained fury.


    "Your Supremacy, this is typical for any energy rich plane, this is a mere hiccup in our conquest of this plane." Xerev stood nearby, and he bowed deep as he spoke, a fawning smile on his face.


    Out of nowhere, a massive fist, covered in a dull, black gauntlet, slammed into Xerev''s face, sending him slamming into the wall of the bridge.


    Xerev fell to the ground, in a crumpled heap, shaking with pain, yet stopping himself from crying out, he didn''t want to anger Xurha any further.

 Chapter 221 - Kneel

    "Our Conquest!" Xurha roared, the bridge shaking as he stomped over to Xerev and picked him by his throat. One of his enormous hands clutched Xerev around the throat, his red eyes shining in the dark gloom of the bridge.


    "You measly little flea! How dare you! This is my conquest! Mine!" Xurha slapped Xerev across the face, his already swollen and bruised face beginning to bleed as the blow split his lip open.


    Xerev remained silent, tears of pain filling his eyes, he didn''t dare to even apologize, he knew that Xurha could end him with the slightest gesture, and the fact that he was still alive was the fact that, despite his extreme rage, Xurha was still in control of himself.


    Xerev had seen too many mouthy officials end up as a smear on the wall of the throne room to risk worsening Xurha''s rage.


    "Disgusting." Xurha spat at the Xerev''s crumpled figure laying against the bottom of the wall, and turned around and returned to frowning at the cube-screens that made up the walls of the bridge,


    "Tch." Xurha shook his head and then walked over to the side of the room, gripping the handle of an enormous axe, made out of the same dull black metal that his armor was.


    Without a second glance at the fallen Xerev, Xurha marched out toward the tall passageway on one side of the bridge, ignoring the guards posted all along it, all of them saluting as he marched past, his massive axe resting on his shoulder.


    The passageway was lit by glass tubes filled with a glowing yellow liquid, and the dim glow revealed the head of the savage axe that rested on Xurha''s shoulder. The head of the axe was completely rectangular, from afar, one might mistake it for a hammer, but upon a closer look, the chisel like blades on either side could be seen.


    Looking even closer, one would be able to see the inscriptions that ran all along the octagonal center of the head, which led down onto the half of the axe, all made of the same dull black metal that Xurha''s armor was.


    The armor that covered Xurha could only be described in one word, brutish. It looked as though it had been crafted by a smith who had a grudge against the material that crafted it.


    There were no elegant curves, no fine sculpting. There was no grace or beauty about the armor whatsoever, the armor was thick, chunky and angular.


    It looked more like a cage built to contain Xurha''s massive frame than something to protect him. The massive, square plates that made up the armor covered him entirely, only revealing the shining red eyes. Filled with malice, greed and pure rage.


    Xurha marched on and one, and eventually the passageway ended at a pair of stairs, at the top of which was a large trap door.


    Xurha pushed the trap door open, and emerged, out into the open air, at the very top of the Aemos, the blue skies surrounding him, for the ship floated higher than the clouds themselves.


    He marched to the edge of the flagship, which fell off steeply like a sheer cliff, the surface he walked on covered with the same inscriptions that covered every inch of the Aemos'' devices, except at a far larger scale, black against the gray surface of the ship.


    Freezing winds blew, blasting Xurha with cold, frost forming on the edges of his armor, but Xurha walked on, feeling nothing.


    Xurha looked around, his cruel eyes surveying the beautiful landscape laid out before his eyes, but all he saw was the rich amount of energy that could be harvested from this plane.


    "Kneel." Xurha said, not shouting or bellowing as he had when he breasted Xerev, but without holding back his power in the slightest, the full weight of his strength imbued within the word.


    -----


    Tam was flying up toward the enormous ship that stood still in the sky above them, it remained stationary, not moving in the slightest since it had slid through the portal.


    "I don''t see any obvious openings on the surface, we''ll have to bash our way in. Just how I like it." Anteris grinned, brandishing his halberd.


    "I don''t know Anteris, something tells me that we''d best not attract too much attention to ourselves. I don''t like this one bit." Tam responded, but like the others, his sword was drawn.


    Teves, flying a little behind the others, was squinting off into the distance, by now they had flown so high that Anzur was barely a speck below them.


    "I didn''t think there were so many at the Advanced Rank!" He exclaimed, with his eyesight, he could see the countless glowing spots rising up over the Isle.


    "There are far more than you''d imagine, just on the Isle alone. As for beyond, even I''ve no idea how there are. I''d imagine that there are many times more than on the Isle." Vaya said sagely, thinking back on the many talented individuals he had clashed with as a young man, many of whom had simply disappeared as time went on, withdrawing from the whirlwind of politics and society to train.


    "Look at that! It didn''t move all this time, and just now, it shook a little." Anteris yelled, alerting the others, who were gazing at the other glowing lights in the distance.


    Unbeknownst to them, Xurha had just stomped across the ship in anger.


    They continued to fly, rising higher and higher, the air growing colder and colder,and brisk winds blowing all around them, but their auras completely shielded them from the weather.


    Suddenly, a noise sounded out, emanating from the enormous vessel above.


    Tam gasped for air, he felt as though an enormous invisible hand had grasped him, and was forcing him down, the pressure growing more and more severe as time inched forward.


    He was not alone, the others all had the same look that Tam did, pure terror.

 Chapter 222 - Upheaval

    All around the Aemos, the glowing figures that had been rising up toward the ship plummeted down, unable to even yell out due to the immense pressure that they felt.


    Beyond those Advanced Rank individuals that were flying in the skies, even all those staring up into the skies in wonder on the ground felt an unbelievable pressure forcing them down to their knees.


    The elderly, frail and young children fell unconscious from the strain, unable to take the burden of the pressure that Xurha was exerting over Eclat.


    All those glowing figures in the skies were falling like a meteor shower across Eclat, though their auras remained active, slamming into the ground from this height without being able to brace oneself would injure them beyond imagination.


    Some fell faster than others, those who were more powerful better able to resist the sheer force that Xurha''s simple command had thrust upon them.


    It was as if the entirety of Eclat itself had been forced to submission by Xurha, utilizing the force of his will alone.


    Kothar could feel the pressure completely weighing down on his man, but for him, the strain was not so severe, since Silane was able to take on the pressure along with him.


    But Xurha''s assault would not go unanswered, in the depths of the Fidour Mountains, deep under the ground itself, in an enormous cavern that had once been open to the outside world, something began to stir.


    There was a faint rumbling sound, and small chunks of rock and showers of dust started to fall from the roof of the cavern. There was a dry, scraping noise, as if enormous sheets of sandpaper were being rubbed against each other.


    The complete darkness of the cavern was broken, as a gentle orange glow washed over the inside, an enormous eye blinking open.


    Then, there was a loud whoosh, like a fierce gust of wind, this was the massive creature sighting.


    "Right as I was about to really get some decent shut eye." The creature grumbled, shaking loose more and more rocks from the ceiling of the cave, the packed rock and dirt that had filled the mouth of the cavern over the years was being shaken loose.


    The enormous eye flicked around, sweeping from side to side, surveying the outside world as if the layers of rock between it and the outside did not exist.


    "Hmmph. What a disrespectful little brat." The creature rumbled as its eye focused on Xurha, thousands of kilometers away.


    "Enough." The creature rumbled, and immediately, the pressure weighing down on all the beings across Eclat, suddenly disappeared. Those being forced down to the ground were able to flap their wings and prevent themselves from slamming into the ground.


    While those on the ground were able to come back to their feet, however those that had fallen unconscious remained so, those around rushing toward them and tending to them.


    Xurha''s eyes immediately widened, the red glow shining bright, beneath his helmet, a savage grin spread across his face, and the hand that was gripping the enormous axe on his shoulder began to open and close in anticipation.


    Xurha had no love for his people, for his home, or for anyone or anything in particular, the one exception however, the one thing that he craved beyond anything else, was violence.


    Xurha needed to steep himself in violence and bloodshed like a fish needed to be immersed in water, and now he knew a battle was coming.


    Far from Aznur, yet still in sight of the enormous ship that hung high up in the sky, in the capital of Ursten, the people who had just come back to their feet felt the earth begin to shake.


    The crashing and clattering of fallen items filled every household in the north of the Isle, and the tremors were so violent that the faintest shaking could even be felt in Aznur.


    All those eyes that had been locked onto the ship floating int he sky above, swept to the north, where the shaking was coming from.


    "It''s the end!"


    "The earth itself is being torn apart!"


    "No, please, no!"


    "Mother! Help!"


    Terrified cries echoed out all over Aznur, the people who had been frozen in shock since the sky itself had split open were now stirred into panicked action.


    Grown men called out for their mothers, and the most stoic and serious had tears running down their faces as they clutched as those near to them.


    [Kothar! You must open a portal off of Eclat as soon as you can. I don''t think it''s safe here anymore.] Silane''s panicked voice roused Kothar, who had been gazing to the north in a trance, as the tower below him gently shook back and forth, like a tree swaying in the wind.


    [Silane. This is my home. I cannot abandon it at the first sign of danger. I will remain, just like the thousands across Eclat remain. Just as my father remained in the sky, ready to defend his home.] Kothar''s tone was one of utter conviction, he was determined that he would not disappear without knowing the fate of his home as he had with the Devourer.


    This time, he would know the fate of his home.


    [Alright, Kothar. But don''t lose your life over nothing. Your journey is only beginning, and as you are now, you won''t be able to do much to whatever is up there.] Silane pleaded with Kothar, she could feel his rage bubbling away, just like she could feel his fear.


    Kothar was terrified of losing everything he knew, once again.


    The shaking grew more and more violent, entire buildings now falling to pieces in the north of the Isle, the people of the north gazing in horror at the Fidour Mountains.


    It looked as though one of the towering mountains, that had been there as long as the history of people on the Isle, was shaking itself to pieces before their very eyes.

 Chapter 223 - Qhmros

    Those watching the mountain shake itself to pieces clutched each other like scared children, the earth shaking beneath them, and the skies dark, a behemoth in front of the sun.


    The mountain crumbled, enormous chunks of rock falling away, triggering avalanche after avalanche on the neighboring mountains, enormous swatches of snow and rock barreling down the side of the mountains.


    An enormous cloud of dust and rock exploded into the sky, filling the air above the mountains, all watched in suspense, waiting for the dust to settle.


    A pair of glowing orange lights blinked into existence within the great cloud of dust, growing brighter and brighter, until it emerged.


    Those near enough to see the Fidour mountains watched, frozen, as the enormous beast flew out from the dust.


    A pair of emerald wings, covered in shining feathers, that spread out so wide they seemed to cover the sky itself, beating so slowly that it seemed that the beast they bore should not be able to remain aloft.


    As the beast grew closer it became clear that the feathers were not all they seemed, more modified scales than actual feathers, as the shining green scales that covered every inch of the beast''s body became visible, bright even in the shadow that the enormous ship above cast.


    A long tail extended behind the beats, held completely straight as it flew, it''s powerful clawed limbs held tight against its muscled body, slipping through the air more gracefully than any beard could.


    As bizarre and as strange as the sight was, it seemed so natural that this beast should be flying through the skies of Eclat, that nobody even gasped in surprise, all those who saw it just watched in pure admiration as it flew by.


    The head of the beast was narrow, appearing almost like a beak, with a pair of enormous orange eyes, with deep black oval pupils within.


    Its gaze swept over the people who pointed and called out as it flew by, and each person that its gaze swept over felt a warm embrace.


    Atop its head, were a set of golden antlers, adoring its head like a crown.


    Flying past the many glowing individuals who were gathering themselves in the skies, the beast would send a gust of warm wind towards each of them, which swept them up and guided them back to the ground, unharmed and rejuvenated.


    Few recognized the creature that flew by, only the scraps of old legends that were passed down mentioned it.


    "Qh''mros." was the whisper on the lips of the scarce few that remembered. The great being that had held Eclat together in the aftermath of the Sundering. It had watched over Eclat ever since.


    It flewup, higher and higher, sending gusts of wind at all those flying in the sky, sending them safely back to the ground.


    In mere seconds since the mountain had crumbled apart, it rose up over the steep edge of the Aemos, rising up above Xurha, who stood at the edge of the craft, his glowing red eyes staring malevolent at Qh''mros.


    [It appears I have slumbered too long, it seems that even little brats think they can come and stomp around in my home. Turn around, little whelp, and go back to whatever hole you crawled out from.] Qh''mros rumbled, speaking directly into the mind of Xurha, all those below only seeing it hovering at the edge of the enormous ship.


    [Your empty threats mean nothing to me, you overgrown lizard. I shall rip the hide from your flesh, and bathe in your blood.] Xurha replied, speaking to Qh''mros'' mind also, his hands eagerly tightening around his axe.


    [Fine, I''ll not pass up on a chance to teach a little whippersnapper a lesson.] Qh''mros growled into Xurha''s mind, it''s lip curling up, revealing shining white fangs lining its mouth.


    [All of you, don''t gawk at the sky. Go take cover.] Qh''mros'' voice sounded out in the minds of all those below, carrying with it a warm feeling of security that reassured all those that heard it.


    All of a sudden, all those that had been frozen, gazing at the sky and then at the collapsing mountain, were stirred into action, running to take cover in their castles, keeps or basements.


    However, a few didn''t take cover, most of those at the Advanced Rank, confident their aura would protect them from the worst of the fall out, and a few who wanted to watch the monumental battle that would surely occur above.


    Kothar was among them, standing tall in the palace tower, his eyes fixed on the winged silhouette high above.


    [Aemos, attack.] Xurha''s command rang out in the minds of the countless troops within the enormous flagship, and all over, countless Aemos were stirred into action.


    "Grrraaaaaaagh." Xurha gave a wordless roar, filled with unfiltered rage, and leapt off of the edge of the Aemos, swinging his axe at the triangular head of Qh''mros, the red light that glowed deep within his eyes now extending all around him, covering his brutish axe as he swung at Qh''mros'' head.


    Its head snapped out of the way, and Xurha flew by, completely missing, sailing out into the open sky.


    But even as the battle between the two mighty Ascendants began, all over the Aemos, enormous doors opened, the smooth surface of the ship now a patchwork of dark gaping doors.


    Out of the ship poured a horde of aggressive looking ships, though these also had the same cuboid structure as the others, these were smaller, darker in color, and many had armored men and women hanging off the sides, ready to attack at a moment''s notice.


    Qh''mros head turned below, its eyes filling with concern for the people of Eclat, but a violent yell echoed out from behind it.


    [Can you really afford to look away, lizard!] came Xurha''s voice, dripping with malice, an enormous glowing red axe, a projection of the one he held in his hands, swinging at Qh''mros.

 Chapter 224 - Invasion(3)

    Qh''mros snarled, baring its mouthful of glistening fangs, dodging Xurha''s attack with a flap of its powerful wings, moving back through the air.


    [I could take a nap while you waved that little stick of yours around, if I pleased.] Qh''mros taunted Xurha, but it had felt the power emanating from Xurha''s attack, and even as much as it belittled Xurha, he was a very real threat.


    Qh''mros'' shimmering sinuous neck arced around, pointing its head at Xurha, and then it opened its enormous jaws, and bright green glow emanating from its mouth.


    There was a deafening roar, and Qh''mros blasted out a storm of wind blades, each one of them enough to slice a mountain in two.


    Xurha swung his axe up to intercept the incoming torrent of wind blades, this time, forming a projection of an enormous shield, which absorbed the brunt of Qh''mros attack.


    But Qh''mros wasn''t going to let Xurha have even a moment of respite, as soon as Xurha blocked the first attack, and other barrage of wind blades were flying at him, keeping him on the back foot.


    After burst after burst of wind blades, Xurha braced himself for another burst, but then found that Qh''mros had foregone its ranged attacks, and was speeding toward him, propelled by its enormous wings.


    Qh''mros mouth was large enough to completely swallow Xurha, but the Supreme Ruler of the Aemos didn''t falter in the face of the enormous beast charging toward him.


    Xurha swung his axe out, an enormous shower of sparks exploding as it made contact with Qh''mros claws, as it swiped at Xurha with one of its enormous forelimbs.


    But while it seems as though Qh''mros had the upper hand, it was distracted, the people of Eclat were about to be faced with a terrible calamity, and it was stuck dealing with a mad Ascendant whose thoughts were filled with only violence.


    The fierce attack ships of the Aemos flew out in every direction, blackening the sky, everyone one looked, there was the angular shape of one of their ships.


    All over Eclat, all those who had been swept up by the winds that Qh''mros had sent to ferry them to the safety of the ground, took to the skies once again.


    Thousands of multi colored lights, all over Eclat, flying to combat the flood of Aemos ships.


    The Advanced Rank fighters immediately struck out with their most powerful attacks, the skies becoming filled with explosions and brilliant spells, each of their attacks taking out the ships that flooded out from the enormous flagship that hovered above.


    But it was nowhere near enough, these ships were far sturdier than the initial scout ships that had flown in alongside the Aemos, the Advanced Rank fighters expected to take out enormous swatches of ships with their most powerful attacks, but only a few fell with every one of their strikes.


    To make matters worse, they could only watch as hundreds of ships fellow past them, aiming for the civilians below, Aemos soldiers leaping down into the midst of once peaceful towns, dragging innocents out of their homes by their hair, and then stabbing at them with the blunt staffs many of them carried, causing the people to writhe in pain.


    The tortured screams of the people of Eclat filled the air, for while there were enough Warriors, Mages and Thieves to fend off the initial onslaught, the flood of Aemos ships that had poured out of the flagship above was too much for the people of Eclat to bear.


    Even those defending their family, friends and neighbors soon fell to the blows of the staffs that would immediately cause one to scream in excruciating pain.


    But even in the darkness that had covered Eclat, there were patches of light. Here and there, where there were armies stationed, or the personal guard of nobles, or around the Academies and Institutes, there was some real resistance.


    One of these islands of resistance was Aznur; all over the city, the bulk of the allied forces of the Ursten Army, the tribes People and the sailors of Anteris'' fleet were posted.


    They all fought fiercely against the invaders, battle cries, explosions and flashes of light filling the city.


    Kothar had long since abandoned his perch on the palace tower. At the first hint of the ships flooding out from the flagship above, he had cast his Lightning Aura spell, and had climbed up onto the roof of the palace.


    When the first of the ships made it past the combined attacks of Tam, Anteris, Vaya and Teves above, had made it through, Kothar leaped from the top of the tower onto one of the ships, his Plasma Unit roaring to life, a explosion of white in the gloom that hung over Anzur.


    Immediately, Kothar had stabbed into the ship with his Plasma Blade, completely ruining it in one quick swipe. It seemed that the Plasma Blade was just as effective against the strange gray material that all the Aemos'' ships were made of, as it was against the magical defenses of the people of Eclat.


    After dismantling the first ship, Kothar leapt off the spiraling wreckage into the air, opening a portal below himself as he fell, while opening a destination portal over another ship.


    Once again, Kothar''s Plasma Blade stabbed through the outer shell of the ship, an explosion of red liquid spraying out into the air as he hit some vital component, the ship falling to the ground.


    Kothar''s purple portal covered the air above Anzur, as he portaled in mid air from one ship to the next, stabbing and slicing, leaving only wreckage behind him.


    But he wouldn''t be able to continue destroying the ships unopposed, the first of the ships had only had pilots riding within, but now the larger craft, which had dozens of Aemos soldiers hanging onto the sides, were flying toward Aznur.


    They brandished their staffs and yelled out unintelligible war cries at Kothar, who stabbed his Plasma Blade down into the ship he stood on top of, the screams of the Aemos within filling the air.

 Chapter 225 - Rage, Violence And Battle

    Kothar leapt forward, opening another portal and landing on top of the ship, the side of which was covered by Aemos soldiers. The soldiers wore armor made of the same gray material that made up the ships, and while this material provided some resistance against spells, it was nothing to Kothar''s superheated Plasma Blade.


    Four of the soldiers climbed up onto the roof of the ship, stumbling a little, unsteady on their feet. They were all used to hanging off of the side of the troop carrier ships, but few of them had ever fought an enemy on top of their own ships.


    They stabbed out with their blunt staffs, but Kothar spun around with his lightning blade, sending bolt spells at the approaching soldiers.


    Unfortunately, their gray armor easily defended them against the bolts, and they continued to advance forward.


    Kothar swung out with his Plasma Blade, shearing their staffs in two, the pieces falling to the ground, red liquid leaking from the ends that remained in the Aemos soldiers'' hands.


    While they had seen Kothar tear through the ships, they hadn''t expected me to so easily disarm them, thinking him to be nothing more than an arguing savage of a lesser plane.


    Kothar sent a surge of power to the Plasma Blade, and it blasted forward, tearing a hole in the torso of one of the Aemos soldiers, the edges of the hole glowing red hot.


    The other soldiers yelled out, their cries still unintelligible, for even though Silane was familiar with the language of the Aemos, she hadn''t translated anything they were saying.


    Perhaps it was not to distract Kothar, or perhaps it was due to the fact that Xerev had betrayed Kothar, and Silane didn''t want anything distracting Kothar from the fury he felt against the Aemos, refusing to humanize them.


    The Plasma Blade spun around once again, shearing through the soldiers, their bodies falling in two pieces onto the roof of the ship, spraying their comrades who had climbed up after them with steaming hot blood.


    The soldiers who had climbed up afterwards stepped back in fear, Kothar had replaced his demon mask, and this glowing Plasma Blade cast him in an eerie light, as he stabbed down into the body of the ship, twisting his blade around, until he felt the ship beginning to fall.


    Another jump into the air, another portal opened, and Kothar landed on yet another troop carrier, closing his portal behind him.


    Kothar could have left portals open all over the battlefield, creating a series of traps that would easily disable many ships, but he was mindful of his father and his allies fighting in the air above, and they would be just as susceptible to any portals he left open.


    Aznur was one of the few cities where the Aemos soldiers failed to make it to the civilians below, other places on Eclat were not as safe.


    The Ursten, Tribes people and sailors all thought of their homes as they fought, though they were in a city thousands of kilometers from any of their homes, they still fought to defend the people of Eclat, defending these people since they couldn''t defend their own homes.


    In Balin, few competent soldiers remained, and the Aemos soldiers were dragging the screaming and kicking civilians of Eclat into the ships that had landed all through the streets of Balin.


    -----


    Up above, Qh''mros whipped out at Xurha with its tail, trying to catch him by surprise, as its tail twisted around behind the foreign Ascendant.


    But though Xurha was far younger than Qh''mros, he hungered for battle, and he easily saw the attack coming, a gauntleted hand snapping out and striking the enormous beast''s tail, easily knocking it away.


    Qh''mros glowing orange eyes flicked down below, and it cried out. [Leave my people be! No Ascendant would stoop so low as to kidnap existences so puny in comparison to their own.] Qh''mros was confused, some Ascendants might invade a plane to take it over, while others would invade in search of a precious material another Ascendant might be rumored to have, while the strangest might invade in search of knowledge.


    But this, this was strange.


    [Oh no. Don''t you worry, lizard. There aren''t insignificant to me. I shall put them to use.] Xurha laughed as he responded to Qh''mros, his thoughts not only carrying his words, but images of what he had planned for the people of Eclat.


    [No! You, you monster! Does your greed know no bounds!] Though Qh''mros had been alive for thousands of years, but the sheer cruelty that Xurha had projected was shocking, even the most savage Ascendants would not stoop so low.


    For an Ascendant to stoop so low, and to treat lives so callously, was shocking. Most Ascendants gained real wisdom as a consequence of their power, but it seemed as though Xurha wanted only more and more suffering, and violence.


    [What kind of twisted existence are you?] Qh''mros yelled, and threw the full might of its consciousness against Xurha''s abandoning physical attacks in favor of spiritual, attempting to pierce through to the deeper levels of Xurha''s consciousness.


    [Hahahaha. Come, lizard. I''ve nothing to hide and nothing to fear from a mind so far as yours!] Xurha spread his arms open as Qh''mros attacked, and his consciousness, spread out to absorb Qh''mros attack.


    [What is this? What is wrong with you!] Qh''mros yelled out in shock, it had delved far into Xurha''s mind, and found only rage, fury and violence.


    Most minds were multi faceted, containing different aspects of an individual, and piercing into their depths would afford one an advantage while fighting against them.


    But to Qh''mros'' dismay, it only found images of bloodshed, and memories of war after war.


    It seemed that the Ascendant before it was truly one who thirsted for battle.


    Qh''mros had only encountered one other mind that was so one dimensional, the mind of the embodiment of greed itself, the destroyer of planes, the Devourer.

 Chapter 226 - Into The Void

    The shock of experiencing the contents of Xurha''s mind made Qh''mros back away, and it flew upwards, looking at Xurha with a gaze filled with confusion and horror.


    Of course, many Ascendant pursued power and dominion over more and more planes, but Xurha''s desire was a single minded obsession, and the fact that he would practically torture countless lives to achieve his goals made clear that he would do anything to achieve his goals.


    But this revelation had another effect, Qh''mros had begun the fight with Xurha predicting that some kind of resolution would be made, that Xurha would fight for a little while before proposing some sort of agreement, as was common in battles with Ascendants.


    At their level of power, most fights were no more than a casual spar, for if they became serious, their battles could destroy the very planes that they fought over.


    Qh''mros scaled brow wrinkled, and its lip curled up into a snarl, it didn''t say anything to Xurha, but its intent was clear, there would be no holding back anymore.


    [Hahahaha! Come then, lizard! Vent your fury! I shall make good use of the insects on this plane.] The battle crazed Xurha laughed as Qh''mros'' jaw opened wide, in preparation for another attack.


    This time, the storm of wind blades that flooded out form between Qh''mros'' jaws created a deafening explosion, and if anyone were close enough to observe the battle, they would have seen hairline cracks forming in the space around the attack, as the sheer power of it threatened to destabilize the very fabric of Eclat.


    Xurha swung his axe, his laughter filling the air, slamming it into the incoming storm of wind blades, the enormous red projection appearing around him and fending off the attack.


    But Qh''mros'' first attack had been a diversion, the enormous Guardian of Eclat had used the opening created by its breath attack to charge toward Xurha, slashing out with its wings into the air behind just before it slammed into him.


    The slashes form the wings met behind Xurha, slicing open a rift in space, and at that moment Qh''mros slammed into Xurha, sending the both of them flying into the void.


    For most, this would have been a death sentence, but Ascendants were powerful enough that either their bodies were tough enough to resist the void, or  they could hold themselves together through sheer force of will.


    Xurha yelled and punched out at Qh''mros as they tumbled through the void, trying his best to do as much damaged as possible while he was crushed against Qh''mros'' enormous bulk, but it was only a moment before a swipe from one of Qh''mros'' claws sent him tumbling away.


    Few witnessed the two Ascendants tumbling into space, for almost all those on Eclat who weren''t sheltering from the battle occurring all across the plane were locked in fierce combat.


    Over Aznur, what had been a seemingly endless flood of Aemos battle craft and troop carriers had subsided, while the few ships that remained tried to flee.


    But Tam quickly swooped after them, slicing them with a slash from his curved sword, a flash of blue aura tearing through the ships.


    Meanwhile, Kothar had descended from the skies, and stood gasping for breath amongst the wreckage of hundreds of Aemos ships, the wreckage dripping red, a mix of the viscous red liquid that their devices used with the blood of hundreds of slain Aemos.


    Aznur, which had been returning to its former beauty through the efforts of the allied forces, was once again ruined and destroyed.


    For though Kothar had mostly fought above the palace, high above, Tam, Anteris, Vaya and Teves had been flying back and forth as they had attacked the incoming ships, which had resulted in ships being littered all across the city.


    Those few Aemos soldiers that had managed to sneak past and made it to Anzur, had quickly been dispatched by the waiting allied forces.


    Now, Tam and the others flew back down to the city, heading toward the enormous pile of wreckage the Kothar stood on.


    "Rufus! You''ve fought well." Tam swooped down, and his aura vanished as he landed next to Kothar, patting him on the shoulder. He wanted to reassure his son, for though he knew his son was a competent warrior, he was still young, and would surely be in turmoil after slaying hundreds of living beings.


    "Thank you." Kothar''s voice was tired, and he was glad to see his father, but unlike Tam''s expectation, Kothar''s emotions were in check. Not because of his past life''s years of battle experience, but because the Aemos represented a threat to his home, and he had no mercy for them.


    "What now, Grand Marshal?" Vaya said as he landed next to them, a look of genuine admiration on his face as he took in the pile of wreckage around Kothar.


    "I think we should wait. Our Ascendant has shown itself, and is battling against the Ascendant of the invaders. We should wait for the outcome of the battle, for that will decide our fates." Teves'' voice was shaky, though he was powerful, he was still inexperienced in battle, and had never expected to have taken so many lives with his own hands.


    "No." Tam''s voice was firm, and the others looked at him with clear surprise on their faces. Tam was usually level headed, and preferred to plan things out in detail.


    "We should attack their flagship up above. We might have defended Aznur, but what of the rest of Eclat? What of those who aren''t lucky enough to have so many powerful individuals defending them? What of our homes?" Tam''s voice shook a little, as he thought of the people of Ursten, who would surely be suffering at the hands of the Aemos.


    "How could I be so foolish?" Teves shook his head as he berated himself, but Vaya came and wrapped an arm around the torn young chief.


    "Teves. You are still young, and the battle has weighed on your mind.. Do not be so hard on yourself."

 Chapter 227 - Counterattack

    "Well, what are we waiting for! Let''s fly back up there and crush them!" Anteris yelled, eager as ever to head into battle, but then he frowned for a moment, as if he had forgotten something.


    "Hold on, let me fetch Graffius! He might be injured, but he''ll surely be an asset when we fight them. And you, Rufus! You''ll come up above with us, one of the others can fly you up." Anteris shrugged, and flew off into the distance, in search of Graffius.


    "I''ll take him. Vaya, Teves, I must impose upon you, would you be able to bring the leaders of my Mage Unit with you. Anteris is right, we''ll need more than just ourselves if we''re to do any real damage to their ship. They''ll be wherever the ground is most misshapen." Tam said to the two chiefs, who nodded and flew off toward a tall tower of stone that now jutted up in the Inner City. It seems that Slate and Shale had created a vantage point for themselves during the battle.


    "You alright, s- Rufus?" Tam caught himself, in his concern for Kothar he almost revealed his identity.


    "Yes, I''m fine, Grand Marshal." Kothar responded, half bowing to Tam, but his voice lacked conviction.


    [Listen to him, Kothar. Your father is worried for you, give him something to work with.] Silane chided Kothar, for even she was growing worried with the amount of fury that was swirling around in Kothar''s mind.


    [Alright, Silane. I''ll tell him.] Kothar replied, a little abruptly.


    "I''m just angry, and worried, for the people of Ursten, and for all the people of Eclat. These invaders don''t seem to care at all how many people are harmed, and their weapons are created to cause as much pain as they can." Kothar shook his head as he spoke to Tam, but he didn''t dare to say what he was really thinking.


    In reality, Kothar fury was not only directed at Aemos, but also at himself. He was consumed with guilt, since he was sure that Xerev had led them to Eclat by following him somehow.


    "No, the tr-." Kothar began to add, but Silane interrupted him.


    [No! Kothar, you can''t tell him. This isn''t an ordinary mistake, and besides, you don''t even know if they came here because of you. You''re not thinking straight, Kothar!] Silane''s voice pierced through the haze of guilt and anger that Kothar was stewing in, and inwardly he shook himself.


    [You''re right, Silane. Idwa isn''t far from Eclat, and he may have already known where Eclat was when I met him, otherwise wouldn''t he have tried to come to Eclat with me.] Kothar replied, half talking to Silane, half to himself. As guilty as he felt, he truly didn''t want to be the cause for the fall of his home.


    "Rufus? You alright?" Tam''s spoke softly, as Kothar was talking back and forth with Silane, anyone other than Kothar''s family wouldn''t have noticed the momentarily faraway look in Kothar''s eyes, but Tam was Kothar''s father.


    "I''m fine, don''t worry." Kothar said, more firmly this time, looking Tam in the eye through his mask.


    "Alright, let''s go then." Tam said, as he noticed Anteris and the others returning in the distance.


    Tam''s  aura spread around himself, the enormous claws of his Hawk Aura, picking Kothar up by the shoulders, and they rose up into the sky.


    They rose quickly, Anteris, Vaya and Teves falling into formation around Tam, each of them carrying another person.


    Kothar gazed down as Anzur shrank into the distance, the soldiers milling about in the streets looking  like ants milling about in a tiny city.


    The wreckage and destruction less visible from such a height, a clear distinction between the gray stone of the Inner City and the brown wood and brick of the Outer City.


    As they flew up, Kothar was reminded of his past, of flying through the air, without a ship or any machine, powered instead by his own modified body.


    "Once we get inside, I want us all to split up. Let''s make it as hard as we can for them to close in on us!" Tam yelled out over the rushing of the wind as the enormous behemoth grew closer and closer.


    "Let''s keep it simple! We don''t want this coming down out of the sky, so don''t use any massive attacks, just try and find the command center, and any prisoners they might have managed to take so far." Anteris and the other yelled back in agreement as Tam continued to brief them.


    "There! Some of their ships are heading back! I and Graffius here will try and follow them in!" Anteris yelled out, as he spotted a group of ships flying up toward the ship far in the distance. Without waiting for a response for the others,  he flew off into the distance.


    "He doesn''t change." Tam laughed a little, shaking his head.


    They continued to fly up, aiming for one of the many openings on the ship, that had become pockmarked with dark openings when the first ships had launched.


    Kothar looked up, at such close proximity, the sky was no longer visible, all he could see now was the side of the enormous craft, covered with the all too familiar inscriptions.


    The bone chilling winds suddenly subsided as they crossed the threshold of the enormous opening that they had flown into, the winds had been replaced with an uncomfortable warmth, additionally the air inside the ship was strangely moist.


    All around them, the strangled yells of the Aemos sounded out, Kothar looked around, the sight strangely familiar.


    They were in an enormous rectangular  launch bay for the Aemos''  battle craft, rows of empty spaces where ships had been, as well as Aemos filing into ships further inside the launch bay.


    "Split!" Came Tam''s yell, and he dove toward the far end of the launch bay, while Vaya and Teves dove down to either side, the Aemos screaming battle cries as they rushed to where the allies would land.

 Chapter 228 - Into The Aemos

    "Brace yourself!" Came Tam''s yell, as he opened the claws of his Hawk Aura and dropped Kothar down into the midst of the Aemos that had clumped together below.


    Kothar immediately opened a set of portals, one directly below him, and another opened horizontally just above the gathered Aemos.


    Once Kothar had learned how to use the Spatial Artifact, he had realized that he could use a portal to manipulate the direction of his momentum, and was beginning to utilize it in battle to the best of his ability.


    Kothar shot out of the portal, immediately firing up his Plasma Blade and slicing into the gathered Aemos, their screams filling the air as the Plasma Blade melted right through their defenses.


    [Kothar, we should try and find the control center of this ship, I know the others are going to look for it too, but out of everyone, you''ll be the only one capable of understanding how the controls work.] Silane''s voice rang through Kothar''s head, a little louder than usual, trying to cut through the battle haze he had stirred himself into.


    [Alright.] Kothar replied simply, his mind more on the current battle than any plans of sabotage, throwing out a Storm Field spell with his right hand, bolts of lightning immediately striking the Aemos around at random, which opened up the space around Kothar.


    [Kothar, tell Tam what we''re going to do.] Silane''s tone was a little irritated, though she knew why Kothar was so caught up in battle, she still expected him to retain his basic battle sense, especially something so basic as communicating with one''s allies.


    "Grand Marshal! I''m going to try to find a control center for this craft! " Kothar yelled over to where Tam was sweeping his blue wings through rank after rank of Aemos, Tam''s usual look of calm that he maintained while in battle had been replaced with one of ferocity.


    "Alright! Go ahead, I''ll take care of the enemies here." Tam shouted back, pointing to a staircase on one side of the launch bay, at the top of which was a walkway that had multiple open tunnels lining it.


    Kothar nodded, and opened a portal at the top of the walkway, slicing through another three Aemos who had closed in to clear enough space for his entry portal.


    He opened it with a wave of his hand, before stepping through.


    Kothar emerged onto the walkway, and for a moment, looked over the launch bay. He saw his father surrounded by screaming enemies, still only the scrawny pilots that captained the ships, so far, there had been no sign of the more bulky individuals that Kothar had encountered earlier, hanging onto the sides of the troop carriers.


    Further, towards the entrance of the launch bay, were Teves and Vaya, they defended Slate and Shale, who had landed on opposite sides of the bay, and were wreaking havoc amongst the pilots.


    Meanwhile, Slate and Shale summoned enormous shards of rock, driving them into the ships that remained inside, completely disabling them. Of course, this wouldn''t turn back the invasion, but each ship disable would mean that many fewer citizens of Eclat were kidnapped by the enemies.


    Kothar turned away, he couldn''t waste anymore time looking over the battle, and rushed into one of the passageways at random. The passageway was gloomy, only lit by a single clear, hollow tube that ran the length of it, giving off a yellow glow.


    As he ran along, Kothar''s mind slowly cleared, no longer in the midst of battle, and he began to think more rationally.,


    [Silane, any idea what their machines run on, my electromagnetic sensors haven''t responded in the slightest. I thought they''d be going crazy in a ship this big.] Kothar''s sensors had only picked up on the pale skinned invaders biological fields, but hadn''t had any response form the ships at all.


    [I''m not sure, you can''t feel them, but I can detect that they have very low level fields, from that, and the red liquid that leaks from them, I''m beginning to believe that they might be some sort of living machinery.] Silane answered, glad that Kothar was thinking straight again.


    [Alright, electromagnetic fields aside, I have been feeling something resonating with my Spatial Core, and the Spatial Necklace. They must have something on board that allows them to open such enormous portals.] Kothar put his hand to his neck, the crystal set within the necklace had begun to resonate with spatial fluctuations as soon as he had set foot on the ship, but he had only picked up on it once he had come away from the battle.


    [Alright, let''s head towards those instead. If we can take that out, then the ship will be stranded here, and they won''t be able to take away all the people they''ve kidnapped.] Silane sounded a little unsure, ever since the Artifact had sent them on an unwilling journey to Idwa, she had been distrustful of anything related to Spatial Magic, especially unknown objects.


    Kothar could feel that the fluctuations were coming from above, and continued down the corridor, which seemed to stretch on endlessly.


    [Over there![ Silane yelled out.


    The shadowy figure of a soldier had moved through the dim yellow glow, crossing through the corridor.


    Kothar charged forward, and found himself in an intersection within the corridor, each of the passageway leading from it looked the same, the same featureless gray walls, lined with the odd inscriptions that covered every inch of the invaders'' devices.


    [Keep heading forward Kothar, I''ll start mapping the corridor as we move through, and then you can always portal back.] Silane said, but then she and Kothar both felt the slightest fluctuation in the electromagnetic field around them.


    But neither of them had expected the soldier to move at such speed, and so Kothar was slammed into the wall of the corridor, the breath knocked from his lungs, the arms of an Aemos soldier wrapped around his arms, pinning them to his sides.

 Chapter 229 - Within The Void

    Kothar struggled against the Aemos soldier''s grip, but he couldn''t break free. Thanks to his Plasma Blade, Kothar hadn''t had to face the Aemos in the realm they specialized in the most, raw physical strength.


    The soldier growled and grunted as he wrestled Kothar to the ground, while he did so, Kothar realized at the angle his arm was trapped at, his Plasma Blade would be ineffective.


    So, favoring the stronger shock that it would provide, he cast his Ball Lightning spell, flicking it out with his left hand, and then manipulating the mana, so it curved around the soldier''s back, and struck him in the head.


    "Bzzzt!" There was the loud buzz of Kothar''s spell hitting home, and then the smell of burnt flesh filled the air, and the soldier went limp, his brain fried to crisp by Kothar''s.


    [We''ll have to be more careful, it seems like we''ve yet to face off against their more gifted fighters. If it weren''t for my magic, I''d be done for.] Kothar said to Silane, as he pried the soldier''s rigid arms away from around himself, and climbed back to his feet.


    [I''ve got some ideas for some new sensors, as soon as we get the chance we should craft them.] Silane replied, usually she would flash the schematics across Kothar''s vision, but she didn''t want to distract him while he was in the depths of enemy territory.


    Now, rather than the brisk walk he had been travelling at, Kothar paced more softly, still moving as fast as he dared, for he knew that time was of the essence.


    [I know you''ve got a grasp of their language, but what about these inscriptions, what do they all mean, and why do they have them written everywhere?] Kothar traced a finger across the wall as he walked, the lines of the inscriptions forming a bumpy surface on the wall.


    [They don''t have a meaning in the common sense, I believe they''re a kind of circuitry, to operate all those devices that they have.] Silane''s had been genuinely surprised as they had seen more and more of Xerev''s people''s devices. Seeing the magic of Eclat had opened her eyes, but the odd machines of these invaders was even more strange to her.


    [Alright, I want you to translate what they''re saying from now on, Silane, otherwise I might miss important intel.] Kothar realized that he should no longer be so driven by his anger and guilt, if he really wanted to disable the enormous ship, he would have to use his wits as well his strength.


    [Of course, Kothar.] Silane''s tone was reminiscent of the constantly warm spoken and clear Ai she had once been.


    They continued down the initial passageway, apart from the first intersection, Kothar had yet to come across any other passageways that branched off the first.


    But as he walked further, Kothar noticed that the corridor was slanting upwards, ever so slightly, and as he walked on, he could feel the Spatial Fluctuations from whatever was deep within the ship growing stronger.


    -----


    The myriad planes were like countless sparkling jewels, on an endless string that stretched all through the multiverse. Most only spent their lives on the smallest fraction of one of these jewels, while a lucky few were able to travel from plane to plane, yet forfeiting their home in the process.


    Above all, reigned the Ascendants, they could freely travel from plane to plane, and beyond that, they could tear space apart and step into the Void, the space that laid beneath the surface of and between the planes.


    In the Void, two mighty Ascendants were currently locked in battle, a rare enough event, but this battle was even rarer due to the fact that these Ascendants were completely serious in their battle.


    They were fighting to kill.


    On one side, was a beautiful and graceful beast, its countless white fangs bared in anger, as it spread its shining green wings wide, glowing within the eternal darkness of the endless void.


    The luminous orange orbs that were its eyes stared at a hulking humanoid, covered in a brutish dull black armor, the red light leaking from his eyes surrounding him and keeping him aloft within the void.


    Around each of the combatants was a glowing sphere of light, green for Qh''mros and red for Xurha.


    The spheres were enormous, from afar, one might mistake them for some sort of luminescent planets floating inside the void. These were their domains, and while each Ascendants path to power was different, they all ended up with this ability to exercise their power completely over a region.


    Now they would fight, each of them attempting to weaken the other to the extent that their domain would falter, and the other would be able to exert their will over them, either destroying or consuming the other.


    Xurha roared, a voiceless roar, since they floated in the void, but the pure fury that that roar contained was clear on his face, and he lifted his axe high, a towering image of himself appearing around him, that also swung an enormous ghostly ace at Qh''mros.


    But Qh''mros didn''t falter in the slightest, it simply blinked at that attack, and then flapped its powerful wings, whipping a storm of green energy that completely surrounded it, easily blocking Xurha''s attack.


    [If that is the extent of your power, puny upstart, then your life is forfeit.] Qh''mros voice taunted Xurha, it''s rumble clear in Xurha''s mind.


    [Really, lizard. I''m sure you saw a glimpse of my true power, when you decided to take a peek into my mind.] Xurha answered, growling as he spoke.


    Staring angrily at Qh''mros, he held the enormous beasts gaze as he slipped off the gauntlet on one hand, and then held it out right in front of him.


    Qh''mros realized that Xurha was trying to initiate some type of ability, and immediately sent flurry after flurry of wind blades flying at the leader of the Aemos.

 Chapter 230 - Within The Void(2)

    But even as Qh''mros'' attack flew at Xurha, a barrier of the blood colored light that seeped out of Xurha''s eyes, flooded out and formed all around him, easily blocking the furry of wind blades that Qh''mros used.


    Qh''mros realized that it needed to use more powerful attacks than the quick attacks it had thrown at Xurha so far, Xurha''s true strength was beginning to dawn on Qh''mros.


    Within the scarlet barrier, Xurha took his axe, and pressed it into the palm of the hand that he had removed the gauntlet from.


    As soon as the razor sharp blade of the axe touched his skin, it immediately split open, creating a long gash lengthwise across Xurha''s palm.


    He raised the hand up, dripping his blood over the head of the axe, then replacing his gauntlet, and clutching the axe tightly before him, bowing his head toward it, as if he were praying.


    Meanwhile, Qh''mros could feel a strange energy swirling around Xurha, and so decided that it too would enhance its own abilities, for fear of not being able to stand against Xurha after he completed the ability he was currently carrying out.


    Qh''mros flapped its wings, and almost instantly powerful winds carrying the green light it''s attacks had started to swirl around it, forming a ball shaped hurricane, with Qh''mros at the center.


    Xurha''s head was still bowed, clutching the axe tightly, his lips moving rapidly as he muttered a phrase, repeating it over and over again. The red light that had glowed within his eyes, and all around him had now started to glow in between the tiny gaps in his armor.


    It grew brighter and brighter, and then Xurha''s armor began to creak, and the thick heavy plates that made it up began to shift, Xurha''s body was growing within the armor.


    Xurha''s pale skin had to stretch, as new muscle and dense bone grew within it, pushing it out in every direction, and shifting the armor above, which had been designed with this transformation mind.


    Xurha continued to grow larger and larger, the plates of his armor sliding apart to reveal that the ridiculously thick armor was not actually so thick, rather it was due to the fact that many of the components were stacked atop one another, a compressed version of a much larger set of armor.


    Xurha''s axe, which had previously dwarfed him, now sat comfortably in one enormous hand, resting gently on his shoulder, on his left arm, the armor had morphed to form an enormous square shaped shield, the front of which was covered in rough spikes that jutted out, presumably for smashing into one''s enemies.


    [Come, lizard. I shall gladly take your head!] Xurha roared, throwing his thoughts out wildly in the general direction that Qh''mros had been.


    But the Guardian of Eclat was silent, for it had taken the opportunity to initiate an ability of its own, enshrouding itself in a hurricane of green energy.


    Deep within, Qh''mros was shifting and changing also, for in preparation of its long slumber, it had taken on a less burdensome form.


    Most Ascendants didn''t walk about in their most powerful or most dangerous forms, preferring to conserve their energy and their will by choosing less intensive day to day forms.


    And so Xurha had transformed into his war time form, which was fully able to express his tremendous physical prowess, one of the key features that he shared along with others Aemos, along with their devices, it had allowed for their empire to flourish.


    Within the swirling hurricane, Qh''mros entire body was also changing, but this was more dramatic than Xurha''s change.


    It''s entire scaled body was far smaller than it had originally been, almost ten times smaller, the previous green glow that had come from it becoming far more intense.


    The antler-like horns on its head had gone from a pale cream color to a shining black, with wicked curved points that looked as though they could pierce through even the hardest of substances.


    It''s orange eyes remained the same, but its jaw was now wider, and its mouth contained dark black fangs that poked out from its mouth, giving it a far more savage appearance.


    As the swirling winds around it fell away, Xurha could see Qh''mros again, gone was the graceful and beautiful creature, in its place was a savage beast, that looked a though it would tear anything that crossed its pass limb from limb,.


    Its tail swiped back and forty in the air, the black spines running all along its neck, down its babck and along the back of its tail.


    At the very end of its tail was a cluster of spikes that looked designed to cause as much injury as possible.


    Its claws were also far longer, sharing the same dark color as its spines and antlers. All four of its limbs were far  more muscular, and at the joints long spines jutted out, every inch of Qh''mros now a weapon.


    The green scales that covered it still remained, but they were now packed far more tightly together, and the long feather-like scales that had adorned its wings no longer had the soft appearance as earlier, instead they were like thousands of blades that lined its wings, the edges of the wings like a serrated blade.


    [So you''re finally decided to take this seriously, huh, lizard?] Xurha taunted, slamming his axe against his shield, as a warrior might taunt his opponents across the battlefield.


    [I have simply acknowledged your power, invader. Though you have invaded my home and harmed my people, I shall still allow you the honor of being a meal for me.] Qh''mros'' tail swished back and forth, and even before it finished its sentence, it went hurtling forward, on a collision course for Xurha as it flew through the void.


    [Come! Hahahahaha!] Xurha laughed happily, slamming his axe against his shield once last time, and then taking a wide warrior''s stance, ready for battle.

 Chapter 231 - Within The Aemos

    All across the surface of Eclat, battles raged, from the greatest of cities to the smallest village, all were invaded by the seemingly endless number of Aemos. They flew over the cities in their ships, attacking those they registered as having a high amount of energy in their bodies, and capturing them with their pain causing devices.


    In some places, there were enough powerful individuals to repel the invaders, but in many locations, the people were captured and dragged to the ships of the pale invaders.


    The Aemos ships were loaded with the unconscious Eclat citizens, unconscious from the sheer pain they had been put through, and then they flew back to the enormous wedge shaped craft in the sky, the shadow that hung over Eclat.


    As the battle raged on, near the bottom of the ship, a young man was running through a dim corridor, he wore a mask that was elaborately carved to form the face of a demon, and a set of plate armor, a pair of blades at his side, his mane of dark hair streaming around his face.


    [Silane, this is going to take forever at this rate, we need to do this faster somehow. This ship is big enough that it''d take me long enough to cross from one side to another, let alone run along this endless corridor.] Kothar complained, for he had been running along the corridor for almost a quarter of an hour, with no change in sight, having only come across the single intersection.


    [Alright then, why don''t you use your Plasma Blade and start sawing through the walls.] Silane''s tone was a little curt, she knew what Kothar''s response would be, but still wanted to make it obvious that he was only being foolishly impatient.


    [And leave a trail behind for any of these invaders to follow me? Absolutely not.] Kothar shook his head, his mind focused elsewhere, not noticing Silane''s sarcasm. [Besides, who knows what that''ll do to this ship, remember, we don''t want to send it dropping onto the land below us.]


    [Well, you can''t portal without knowing where your destination is, but I can''t map this place out with so little information.] Silane sighed, she wanted to be more helpful, but she could only do so much.


    [Hold on. I can''t believe I didn''t think of this before.] Kothar exclaimed, and opened a portal in front of him, opening a destination portal as far as he possibly could, stepping through them and crossing the distance in a moment.


    [Well, you only recently realized the potential of the Spatial Artifact.] Silane said, as Kothar opened portal after portal, covering far more distance than he had earlier.


    Distorted sounds sounded out within the gloom of the corridor, one after another, as Kothar crossed kilometers in a few instants, passing by a few more intersections in the corridor, but not finding any that led toward the spatial fluctuations that he had been feeling for some time now.


    But even as he continued onward, Silane''s voice interrupted him. [Hold on Kothar! Stop right here for a moment, I want you to try something.] Silane sounded slightly excited, and Kothar immediately closed the portal in front of him and stopped, a confused look on his face.


    [There''s nothing here Silane, it''s just the same as the rest of this endless corridor.] Kothar couldn''t even see one of the intersections nearby, there were only the odd inscriptions on the walls and the hollow glowing yellow tubes that lit the inside of the ship.


    [Right there, Kothar. Place your hand on the wall and push.] Silane outlined a square for Kothar, overlaying his vision.


    Kothar placed his hand on the gray material of the  ship, the black inscriptions under his hand, the surface of the wall felt oddly warm, like the back of some enormous beast.


    Kothar pushed down, and there was a loud ''click'', then with a soft hissing noise, the entire wall swung away.


    [I knew it, there had to be some sort of maintenance doorways that allowed access tot he workings of the ship. I''ve been trying to decode the markings for a while now and I''ve figured out enough to notice that there were these hidden doors at regular intervals.] Silane sounded almost proud of herself as she gloated to Kothar.


    [You never fail to surprise me.] Kothar gave a small smile, as he stepped through the square shaped opening, the door hissing as it shut behind him.


    Kothar found himself in a far narrower walkway, all round him the walls were covered far more densely with inscriptions, there were also large pipes that ran the length of the walkway, at the bottom of the walls.


    These pipes emanated enough heat that Kothar could feel it even while standing a distance away from them. Furthermore, the maintenance walkway was even more dimly lit than the passageway that Kothar had been in, only a thin tube of the yellow lighting running along the top of the wall.


    Kothar looked around, the tunnel seemed to run alongside the previous one, and he sighed, it seemed this wouldn''t be as helpful as he expected.


    [Don''t give up so quickly, Kothar. Look around here at least, I''m sure this won''t be identical. ] Silane scolded Kothar, a little annoyed that he wouldn''t dismiss her discovery so quickly.


    Kothar decided to walk along the tunnel, deciding not to portal, so he could get a better grasp of the maintenance routes.


    [Oh. Right. I''m sorry Silane.] Kothar exclaimed, he had only walked a few steps ahead and there had been a set of rungs set into the wall that led upwards. This would lead Kothar right towards the spatial fluctuations that he had felt since leaving the launch bay.


    [No need to apologize.] Silane replied, a little smugly. She was basking in the glow of having been proved right.


    Kothar didn''t say anything further, he reached up, and started to climb up the narrow maintenance tunnel that led up.


    Further into the depths of the ship.

 Chapter 232 - Within The Aemos(2)

    The tunnel that led upwards was just as gloomy as the one below, with only the thinnest tube of glowing yellow fluid lighting Kothar''s way.


    The rungs made of the same gray material as the rest of the ship, and just like the walls, were warm under Kothar''s hands.


    As he climbed, Kothar could feel the spatial fluctuations growing stronger and stronger, the Spatial Necklace almost pulling him towards the source of the fluctuations.


    Kothar climbed continuously for almost half an hour, passing by tunnels similar to the one he had entered the vertical shaft from, running horizontally through the vertical tunnel.


    All through these tunnels, the thick pipes ran, connecting with each others and occasionally turning off and disappearing into the walls.


    [Kothar! Up ahead, it''s hard to make out because of the dim lighting, but there''s someone there.] Silane called out, even though she could see exactly the same visual field as Kothar, she was far more capable in situations where visibility was impaired, thanks to her AI brain allowing her to recognize shapes even in the most difficult settings.


    Kothar slowed his climb, carefully stepping on the rungs, so his boots wouldn''t clank against them, he climbed closer and closer to the shadowy figure up ahead.


    As he approached, the figure drew out a glowing tube, enclosed in a cage of the gray material, with a large handle on top, it was what passed for a lamp amongst the Aemos.


    [Looks like it''s someone conducting some sort of maintenance.] Silane observed, noticing the large bag that hung from the figures shoulder.


    Kothar climbed a few steps nearer, then paused, he decided to wait until the figure was concentrated on whatever it was doing before he made a move.


    Nevertheless, Kothar had a bolt spell ready, in case the maintenance worker up ahead was alerted to his presence before he was ready to strike.


    The maintenance worker didn''t wear any armor, instead wearing a set of dark brown coveralls, the material similar to the canvas material that the Aemos pilots wore.


    Additionally, the worker wore a pair of heavy duty gloves, made of the same orange-brown leather as the tool bag hanging on the worker''s shoulder.


    With a set of heavy boots and a small helmet made up of the gray material that so many of their devices used.


    The worker reached into the bag, pulling out a ''L'' shaped tool, which was thickly covered with inscriptions.


    Another tool was removed from the bag, this time a large circular disc, similarly dense with inscriptions.


    There was a dull thunk, as the maintenance worker placed the circular device onto the large pipe in front of it, which made the reason for the gloves clear. Kothar had noticed that the heat from the pipes were enough to burn skin, even with Kothar''s strengthened body from his time on Atla.


    After placing the circular device onto the pipe, the maintenance worker took the ''L'' shaped tool, slotting the short end into a hole on the top of the circular device, and then used the longer end to turn the circular device.


    A few complete turns later, there was another dull thunk, and then a gurgling sound like water swirling down a drain.


    Kothar had forgotten all about ambushing the maintenance worker, watching in curiosity as the ''L'' shaped tool was turned further, resulting in a loud click.


    Then, the worker pulled at the side of the pipe with a gloved hand, and the entire side of the pipe smoothly swung open.


    The worker ducked as the side of the pipe opened, a large cloud of steam hissing as it rushed out of the open side of the pipe, almost scalding the worker''s head.


    Beads of moisture started to form on Kothar armor and mask, as the steam continued to waft out of the pipe, making the already moist air within the ship more and more moist.


    The worker leaned forward, and Kothar could finally see the worker''s face, there was the same exceedingly pale skin that all of the Aemos shared, an upturned nose and thin lips, and long white hair that framed that clearly feminine face.


    [She doesn''t seem to be a fighter, you could even use a Stunning Surge.] Silane commented, since it was clear that the maintenance worker wasn''t a combatant, and wouldn''t be likely to resist the spell.


    [I''m not taking the slightest of risks Silane, not when so much is at risk.] Kothar responded, he knew as well as Silane that the worker up ahead wouldn''t be much of a threat, but knocking her unconscious would in no way guarantee that she wouldn''t raise an alarm.


    Furthermore, he didn''t want to waste the time tying her up and gagging her to make sure that she wouldn''t call for help. His home was threatened, and he wasn''t about to play nice with one of the invaders.


    By now the worker had her arm deep within the open pipe, reaching up and feeling around within it.


    Kothar crept forward, the maintenance worker zoned in on her task, and even if she had been looking around, the bright light of the lamp would have stopped her from seeing Kothar in the gloom of the tunnel.


    Now only a few meters below, Kothar was about to strike, when the maintenance worker let out a small cry, immediately Kothar was on high alert, looking all around to see if he had alerted the worker somehow, but it wasn''t the case.


    The worker seemed to have found something within the pipe, and was now struggling to pull it out.


    Kothar gave an internal sigh of relief, and then struck, shooting a bolt spell at the maintenance worker.


    A loud crack echoed within the tunnel, and Kothar propelled himself upwards, crossing the few meters that remained between him and the worker in mere moments.


    The maintenance worker fell back without a sound and Kothar''s arm wrapped around her midsection, the other slicing at her neck.

 Chapter 233 - Living Machinery

    Schnick. Kothar''s short blade slit the maintenance worker''s neck, a spray of blood painting the wall of the tunnel. It splattered across the open pipe as well as the glowing yellow tube, giving the light within the tunnel an orange hue.


    The slain worker gave a few choking sounds, but then fell limp in Kothar''s grip.


    Kothar slowly pulled the worker''s arm out of the pipe, so he could make enough room to continue up the maintenance tunnel.


    The worker''s arm slipped out of the pipe, her fist clenched tightly around a glistening, red, gelatinous mass.


    It was about the size of a small melon, large enough that it would obstruct the pipe, making the worker''s purpose in removing it clear.


    Kothar stared at it in fascination, poking at it with his blade, it was almost jelly like, but still tough enough that it wouldn''t break apart easily.


    [That almost looks like a blood clot. I''m beginning to become more and more sure that their devices are a kind of living machinery.] Silane''s voice was filled with clear fascination, even though they were deep in enemy territory, she still loved to learn about the new strange technology they had encountered.


    [You can be as intrigued with it as you want, but don''t think I''ll be plugging some technology derived from this into my body.] Kothar said firmly, the gray surfaces, filled with the viscous red, blood like liquid, had made him uneasy.


    As he talked with Silane, Kothar let the body of the worker go, grabbing the rungs tight and pressing himself against the wall. The worker fell down the tunnel, her body flipping and turning like a child''s doll thrown in play, and there was the faintest of noises as her body struck the ground below.


    [How would living machinery be any different to having something like nano machines. Besides, I wouldn''t be directly installing one of their strange devices into you, I''d just be using their knowledge in creating a blueprint.] Silane responded, before continuing, suppressing her discomfort at how careless Kothar was once again becoming when it came to taking lives.


    It had seemed his emotions had changed him, but Silane wasn''t so sure anymore.


    [Just remove the tools that she used and keep them for me, I''ll want to have a better look later.]


    Kothar didn''t reply, he wasn''t happy about it, but he knew Silane had his best interests at heart. The more she could learn from the strange technologies they encountered. The more powerful he could become in the future.


    There was a soft click as Kothar shut the small access door that had opened on the side of the pipe, and then began repeating the worker''s motions in reverse, quickly removing the two tools.


    Each of the tools was barely larger than Kothar''s palm, and he easily stowed them both within his cloak.


    With the obstruction taken care of, Kothar continued his climb up the tunnel, growing ever closer to whatever was deep within the ship.


    -----


    For hours, Kothar had been climbing through the narrow maintenance tunnels. All the while, he wondered what had become of his father, as well as the others who had flown into the enormous ship with him.


    He had come across a few more maintenance workers on his climb, they had been similar to the first. Not physically very strong nor very aware, all of them falling to Kothar without even noticing his presence.


    This made Kothar thankful for the fact that he had come into the maintenance tunnels, rather than continue g down the main passageway that he had initially been in.


    For the soldier he fought there was surprisingly powerful, to such a degree that Kothar had been a little worried when he had been tackled by him.


    The surrounding air had steadily been growing warmer and warmer as Kothar climbed closer towards the heart of the ship, and the tunnels were becoming narrower and narrower.


    Not because of any structural changes to the tunnels, but due to the fact that the pipes that ran along the tunnels were growing larger, and radiate more heat that contributed to the heat.


    But now, after hours of climbing, Kothar had come to a dead end, the tunnel he had climbed along ended in a gray wall, and even though Silane had warned him that there was no hidden door, Kothar had still pushed on it, without even the slightest budge in response.


    [What now?] Kothar asked Silane, he could clearly feel the spatial fluctuations up ahead, but there was no way forward.


    [Now? You can either cut through the wall with your plasma blade, or we backtrack and find an exit.] Silane replied drily, already knowing what Kothar''s answer would be.


    Kothar sighed, and stepped back slowly down the rungs. This current tunnel had sloped diagonally upward, so Kothar had been half lying as he climbed, and while that had been difficult enough, climbing backwards was even harder.


    [Right here!] Silane exclaimed, she had found an inscription that was similar to the first access door she had found.


    [Ju-] Silane began, but Kothar interrupted her.


    [I know, push the wall.] He said, and placed his palm on the wall, there was a soft click and the wall swung outward.


    Kothar stepped out, and found himself in a vastly different passageway to the other that he had been in.


    Gone was the gloom and darkness, there were multiple tubes that glowed along the top of the passageway, lighting it in a bright yellow hue.


    The ground, which had been a featureless gray before, was now also densely carved with injections, just as the walls and roof were.


    The architecture was no longer bleak, but there were decorative features where the roof and floor met the walls, with artistic designs reminiscent of the inscriptions that covered every inch of the invaders'' devices.


    Far off in the distance, Kothar could see an end to the tunnel, where it curved off in either direction.


    It was from there that he could feel the spatial fluctuations most strongly.

 Chapter 234 - Curved Space

    Kothar looked around, taking careful steps forward, cautious of alerting any guards or tripping some sort of alarm system, surely whatever emanated the spatial fluctuations was important enough to be guarded or watched.


    But there was nothing. So far, Kothar had walked almost until where the corridor diverged at the very end, but he had yet to see any soldiers, nor he had been able to notice any sort of alarm system being triggered.


    The very end of the corridor opened into a passageway that was similarly decorated, and brightly lit, curving around to either side, but Kothar could feel the fluctuations coming from directly ahead. Once ahead, he had hit a dead end.


    [Are there any maintenance tunnels around here, Silane.] Kothar asked, hoping he could continue straight to where the emanations were coming from.


    [Unfortunately not, Kothar. But from how the strength of the fluctuations had changed, I believe this passageway will curve right around where whatever is causing the fluctuations is located.] Silane projected a rudimentary map, the passages that they had walked along outlined in green, with orange and red showing likely routes, the redder ones less likely than the orange ones.


    [Alright. I''ll take your word for it.] Kothar said, and turned to the right, continuing along the curving passageway.


    At regular intervals, corridors similar to the one Kothar had walked down earlier opened into the passageway that Kothar was in, and just as Silane had stated, it seemed as though the entire passageway would loop around, forming an enormous circle.


    But even so, the scale of the ship was such that Kothar was beginning to think he would never reach the end of it in time.


    [I''m going to start portalling forward.] Kothar said to Silane, he was well aware of the risks, especially since they were so deep into the ship, but he didn''t want to waste any more time.


    [Alright, go ahead. But stop before this point. I think that''s the most likely point for a corridor toward whatever is inside this ship.] Silane responded, surprising Kothar, he had expected her to completely advise against  using portals, but Silane knew that they had to take calculated risks in a situation like this.


    Kothar channeled his Spatial Mana, opening a portal in front of him, but then he paused for a moment, the portal was slightly off to his right, whereas he had intended to open it directly in front of himself.


    [Something''s off.] Kothar said, almost speaking to himself, but then he opened the destination portal he had planned to anyway.


    And it opened just out of his eye line, around the curve of the passageway. But Kothar felt as though there was something off about the situation, and so he walked over to where he had opened the portal.


    He rounded the curve, and looked around, confused, the portal he had opened was nowhere to be seen.


    Kothar felt around for the spatial energy of the portal itself, having to concentrate to make it out since he could already feel whatever was inside the ship so strongly.


    He stopped, shocked. The portal had opened right inside the wall, off to the right, he could feel the energy of the portal, but until now he had yet to find out what happened if one passed through a portal where the destination was completely covered with a solid obstruction. He didn''t want to find out either.


    [It seems like whatever is inside this ship is curving the space inside the ship.] Kothar said after a few moments of silence, still thinking over what might have happened if he had blindly entered the portal.


    [It must be extremely powerful to do that, but of course, it has to be, to open such enormous portals.] Silane observed, before continuing. [Open some more portals at increasing distances from yourself, but within your eye line, I should be able to calculate the deviation caused by whatever is in here and help adjust your aim.]


    Kothar followed Silane''s instructions, and there was a rapid succession of distorted noises as he opened purple portal after purple portal, aiming to open them directly in front of himself, but watching as they curved off to the right, especially as they grew further away from him.


    [Now, open them at my targets.] Silane overlaid a series of bright blue targets on Kothar''s vision, and Kothar followed her instructions, overcoming his initial discomfort at opened portals that would surely ended up within the wall to his left.


    Just like that, Kothar''s portals now followed the curve of the corridor accurately, and he stepped through them, smiling in appreciation as he observed that each one fell exactly in the center of the corridor.


    [Thanks Silane.] Kothar said, and he could feel Silane glowing with pride as he complimented her.


    Kothar continued opening portal after portal, after the battle with the invaders above the skies of Aznur, and then the constant portalling through the enormous ship, his reserves of Spatial Mana were running low, even taking into account the fact that the Spatial Necklace greatly reduced his mana consumption.


    But it wouldn''t be far now, Kothar was coming up on the point that Silane had marked out earlier, and soon enough he''d be able to see what allowed the ship to open such massive portals.


    [Stop!] Silane called out, just as Kothar was about to open yet another portal to advance forward. [Look at the decorations along the corners of the walls, and the lighting is already getting brighter. I think my estimation was a little off]


    [Alright.] Kothar replied, moving to hug the inside of the curving corridor, and slowly creeping forward.


    There, in the bright glow of the curving passageway, Kothar could see a hulking figure, wearing armor made from the same gray material as the ship, except it was slightly darker, with the faintest metallic sheen.


    The guard held a large staff, each end ending in a hexagonal lump, that would give it more momentum whenever it was swung.


    Kothar crept closer, trying to get a good look at what else lay ahead.

 Chapter 235 - Entuxa

    But he couldn''t see anything at all, so Kothar channeled mana to his Mana Sensing Lens, hoping to make out the mana signature of any other guards, but what he saw was completely shocking.


    The guard in front of him didn''t even have the slightest touch of mana within his body, it was as if a humanoid hole had formed in the ambient mana of Eclat.


    [What in the world?] Kothar said, shocked, he didn''t think that living organisms could be completely devoid of mana.


    [This might be why they''re kidnapping the people of Eclat, Kothar. Looking at them, their home plane must be completely devoid of energy, look at the edges of his body.] Silane pointed out, and Kothar looked closer.


    The ambient mana of Eclat was slowly diffusing into the body of the guard that stood in front of Kothar, filling his empty vessel with the slightest amount of mana.


    Kothar looked around more, it seemed as though the air within the craft had gained the same ambient levels of mana as Eclat, but everything else was empty, without even the slightest hint of mana within.


    Thanks to this, Kothar could see that another guard stood further along the corridor, only a few meters away from the first.


    He looked to the left, where whatever was emanating the spatial fluctuations would be, and was almost blinded by the brilliant glow of Spatial Mana coming from within the ship.


    Through his Mana-Sensing Lens, it shone almost like a sun within the darkness that was the rest of the ship, a brilliant purple.


    Kothar just stood there for a moment, taking in the impressive sight of what was before him. He knew that there had to be something powerful enabling the opening of such enormous portals, but he didn''t expect something of such magnitude.


    Kothar dragged himself away from the impressive sight, and then returned his focus to the guards ahead of him.


    Kothar took a deep breath, and then rapidly opened a portal in front of himself, and then another right next to the guard up ahead.


    But he wasn''t fast enough, the guard immediately stepped back from the portal, and brought his staff in front of him, holding it across his body.


    As he did so, Kothar leapt through the portal, his Plasma Blade blasting into life, slicing down at the guard and his staff.


    Kothar could see the pale skin of the guard below his helmet, as well as his black eyes, staring wide at Kothar in surprise, but with a clear hint of resolve.


    Kothar swung his Plasma Blade at the guard, who swung his staff to meet it, attempting to block it, but the staff was sliced in two, the plasma shearing though it like a hot knife through butter.


    But the guard don''t even miss a step, he immediately threw himself to the side, throwing the two halves of his staff, which leaked the viscous red fluid as all the other devices, right at Mother''s face.


    "Help me, Entuxa!" The guard called out, which Silane instantaneously translated


    Kothar, rather than dodging, manipulated his Plasma Blade to form into a thin, pancake like shape in front of his face, the two halves of the staff incinerating as they touched the plasma.


    But these were not the cannon fodder that Kothar had faced earlier, the other guard had already been stepping toward the portal as it opened, and another staff was swinging at Kothar''s head.


    This time, Kothar couldn''t move the plasma blade in time, so leaned back, the end of the staff whistling past his nose, just barely missing him.


    [Kothar, be careful. They''re fast, about as fast as you are.] Silane warned, and Kothar started channeling his Lightning Mana, casting a full strength Lightning Aura spell, stepping back to open some distance between them.


    The two guards didn''t allow Kothar the slightest opportunity to rest, immediately stepping forward, circling to either side of Kothar, trying to trap in him between themselves.


    Where the other invaders had looked scared of Kothar, these two guards looking ready to tear into Kothar. Their dark eyes were filled with cold determination, and they stood head and shoulder taller than Kothar, and much wider, their muscles bulging beneath their armor.


    But even as they stepped forward, lightning crackled all over Kothar''s body, forming a thin field of lightning around him.


    Then he dashed forward, aiming for the guard who still held a weapon, his Plasma Blade swinging through the air, his lightning blade in his other, the edge of it humming as Lightning Element Mana crackled within the complex formations that ran along the spine.


    Kothar swung at Entuxa''s head with his Plasma Blade, his lightning blade swinging as his leg, aiming for the joint in his armor at his knee.


    Entuxa easily ducked the Plasma Blade, charging forward, kicking out at Kothar''s curved Skysteel blade, the force of his kick almost knocking it loose from Kothar''s grip.


    Kothar was surprised, he hadn''t expected the guards to be so strong, they were even stronger than the first soldier he had faced when exploring the passageways through the ship initially.


    Entux was now thrusting at Kothar''s midsection with his staff, meanwhile, the other guard was charging at Kothar from his right, aiming to tackle him to the ground.


    Kothar spun forward, pulling his Plasma Blade out of its initial swing, and deflecting the staff strike away, slipping between the two guards, now behind the pair of them.


    The second guard skidded to a halt, almost falling into Entuxa. While Entux swung his staff back up, narrowly missing his comrade.


    But Kothar was now behind the two of them and his Plasma Blade was already swinging at the backs of the two guards, as Kothar sent more energy from the Storage Unit in his shoulder to the Plasma Unit, extending the length of the blade.


    There was a brilliant flash of white light as the Plasma Blade exploded forward, swinging across right at Entuxa''s midsection.

 Chapter 236 - Exena

    "No!" Came the choked out yell, as the other guard pushed Entuxa out of the way, slamming him aside with his body, sending Entuxa flying backwards.


    Sparks flew as Kothar''s Plasma Blade hit the guard''s armor, evidently, this armor had more resistance to the burning hot plasma than the other soldiers Kothar had fought.


    "Exena!" Entuxa yelled out, turning around just as Kothar''s sliced his companion in half, the smoldering halves of his body falling to the ground''


    The upper half of Exena''s body twitched, and his mouth formed words that Silane'' could not translate, as he locked eyes with Entuxa.


    But Entuxa understood, tears filled his eyes as he nodded to Exena, taking in his last moments.


    Kothar stepped forward, over the lifeless bottom half of Exena, and Entuxa looked up and stared at him, his eyes still wet with tears, but with an unmistakable rage contained within them.


    Kothar couldn''t care less for the emotions filling Entuxa''s face, he just continued to step forward, brandishing his Plasma Blade.


    Entuxa raised his staff, ready to take on Kothar, but then, a distorted noise sounded out from behind him.


    Turning to one side, not wanting to show his back to Kothar, but also knowing that the noise had to be a portal, Entuxa looked to his left, his back to the wall.


    At about the level of his waist, was a small purple portal, about as wide as two hands spread apart.


    "Bzzkkkrrt." That moment that Entuxa turned was more than enough for Kothar to open the origin portal, thrusting his Plasma Blade through it.


    Entuxa looked down in shock, as the Plasma Blade shot out of the portal, stabbing into his waist, leaving a smoldering hole in his midsection.


    In the last throes of his life, Entuxa struggled to raise his head, his eyes burning with resentment, resentment at his inability to take revenge for his companion, and resentment against the culprit who had killed him.


    All he saw though was that the culprit had already turned away, his masked face now looking at the double doors that Entuxa and Exena had guarded, the pair of them already forgotten.


    Kothar looked at the enormous doors up and down, they were about five meters across, and were as tall as the circular corridor that they were within.


    Unlike the featureless gray of the walls of the ship, the doors had a dull black metallic appearance, almost like that of cast iron.


    The inscriptions that covered much of the ship were hard to see on the door, they were present, more so than anywhere else, but they were embossed into the metal of the door itself rather than being inlaid in a different color.


    Near the center of the pair of doors, were three large beams of the same material, that held the enormous doors closed.


    Within the center of each beam, were open sockets, presumably for some sort of key.


    Now, Kothar looked back to the slain guards, looking for any sign of a key that would unlock the double doors, but other than their armor and weapons, they seemed bare of anything.


    Kothar frowned, then immediately began channelling Spatial Mana, readying a portal to the other side of the heavily armored door.


    [Kothar! Don''t portal! Portal around this corridor was fine, since we remained at the same distance as whatever is causing these spatial fluctuations. But if you get closer, even I won''t be able to predict how it''ll affect your portals!] Silane protested, she was willing to take some risk, but portalling to the other side of the door would just be blind recklessness.


    [Alright. Plasma Blade it is.] Kothar said. He knew that the black metal would be far more difficult to cut than the gray of the rest of the ship, since it was both guarding a secure location, and seemed to be the material that made the armor of the guard so much more difficult to cut.


    Kothar sent a surge of energy to the Plasma Unit, shaping the plasma with his Lightning Element Mana into the thinnest, most concentrated plasma possible.


    A thin, cylindrical rod about a meter long, and only a few centimeters across was formed, blazing hot and so bright that Kothar had to squint, even whilst wearing the goggles attached to his Multi plasma equipment that he still wore below his armor and demon mask.


    Kothar was thankful for the goggles as the burning hot plasma touched the first metal beam, an enormous shower of orange sparks spraying out in every direction, showering Kothar''s armor and his cloak.


    The sparks began to cause parts of his cloak to smolder, so Kothar gathered it all up behind him, holding the cloak with his right hand, as his left slowly moved down the beam, leaving a molten mess of the beam behind.


    Slowly but surely, Kothar''s beam of plasma cut through each of the beams, the ends of the beams now glowing red hot, a gap now torn between them, as well as through the door itself.


    Kothar stepped back, admiring his handiwork, surely any locking or closing mechanism on the doors would be disabled, if not destroyed.


    Now, Kothar stepped forward, bracing both arms against the right door, sinking down and starting to push against it with his entire body, using the full force of his legs to push off the ground and into the door.


    There was a grating noise, as the door slowly started to slide open, a huge rush of moist warm air flooding out of the tiny gap, flowing over Kothar, who continued to push forward, step by step.


    Along with the moist air, there was a sound that echoed out of the gap that Kothar had opened so far.


    "Thump." The sound was so loud that it seemed to Kothar as if it was coming from inside of his head, as it reverberated across his body.


    "Ba-Thump.." This time the noise was a little different, coming only seconds later, louder now that Kothar had pushed the door further.

 Chapter 237 - Heart Of The Aemos

    The grating noise continued as Kothar pushed the door further and further, the loud thumps becoming louder and louder, completely filling Kothar''s head as he pushed.


    [What is that?] Kothar said, he had yet to look at what was behind the double doors, his head down as he focused every fiber of his being on pushing the ridiculously heavy doors.


    [It almost sounds like the beating of an enormous heart. Knowing how their technology seems to be alive, it just might be.] Silane replied, if she simulated the sound of a heart, scaled up thousands of times, it would sound very similar to the sound they heard now.


    [That''s impressive, but also off putting, I''d rather not find out we were in the body of some enormous beast this whole time.] Kothar responded, the disgust clear in his voice.


    [If my speculations are correct, then we won''t be within some enormous beast, but rather within some bioengineered machine, made from scratch by these invaders.] Though they had been fighting the invaders all this time, Silane''s voice was clearly filled with admiration for them.


    [Alright, but I don''t think you''ll ever convince me to attach some sort of bioengineered machine to my body, even if it''ll make me far stronger.] Kothar''s sounded adamant, for some treason, though he could stomach cutting himself open, and attaching machines to his insides, he couldn''t stand the thought of attaching some weird sac of foreign flesh and blood to himself.


    [I don''t Kothar, back when you were an ordinary Sentinel, you swore you''d never give up your stomach, but when the Starheart tech was first announced, you leapt at the chance to volunteer for it.] Silane had an almost teasing tone in her voice.


    ]That was different.] Kothar grumbled back, meanwhile grunting out loud as he pushed the door the last few centimeters, with it now being wide enough for him to slip through.


    Kothar caught his breath for a few moments, even his mana strengthened body had needed to utilize every inch of power within to push the door, this was something that his magic couldn''t help him with.


    Spatial and Lighting Magic were destructive and fast in their own right, but they did lack the everyday utility that say Earth Magic could have, for example,  using angled pillars of stone to push the door open.


    But Silane had plans for even that, intending to strengthen Kothar''s bones and muscle at the cellular level, utilizing nano machines.


    However, for now, Kothar was within the depths of the invaders'' ship, about to step beyond the two mysterious doors that towered over him.


    Taking one last enormous gasp of air, Kothar slipped through the gap he had pushed open, sucking in to draw his chest in, a screeching sound coming from his armor as it scraped against the grayish/black material at the edge of the door.


    Kokthar looked around, he was now within a cavernous hall, the usual tubes that had lit the corridors of the ship gone, replaced with enormous lanterns placed on the red ground at regular intervals.


    "Squelch" Came the noise as Kothar stepped forward, the floor was so moist that it sounded as though Kothar was stepping on very thick, almost solid mud, fluid being pushed out from the red ground as he stepped forward.


    "Thump!"


    "Ba-thump" Now the sound felt as though it came from all around Kothar, and as the thumping noises echoed around the room, the floor shook and pulsed.


    It seemed as though the walls were closing in on Kothar, and then the walls rippled and they pushed outward again.


    [We''re inside it, Kothar! We''re inside the heart!] Came Silane''s excited voice, she sounded like a child who had discovered a particularly interesting insect in their garden.


    [Silane. Please don''t forget. We are on a mission.] Kothar responded, trying his best to remain serious in the face of Silane''s oddly bright and cheery voice.


    [I know, I know. But look at the floor and the walls, we must be within the wall of the muscle itself, the fibers of the heart muscle look like ropes, those pipes we saw all through the ship must be what carry the ''blood''.] Silane''s amazement continued, as she continued to gush about the enormous heart that they were standing in.


    Kothar let Silane''s voice fade into a drone in the back of his head, and looked around the enormous hall they were in more.


    It looked as though it curved right around, mirroring the corridor they had been earlier, but rather than the featureless gray walls, there were now walls made of the red corded heart muscle.


    [Your electromagnetic sensors! They''re picking up the action potentials travelling through the muscle!] Silane voice rose in volume, coming back into Kothar''s focus. It was true, he could feel the vibration of his belt just before the heart thumped, as the electrical signal travelled across the muscle, triggering the heart to pump.


    [If only we could get a sample of this tissue, and a sample of the ''blood'' within all their devices.] Silane complained, thinking off all that she could do with this living machinery, in the Alliance she had been able to access their bioengineering research, but it was limited to creating odd hybrids and regrowing the limbs of veterans, not anything like this.


    Kothar sighed, and walked over to one of the walls, drawing a section of cloth out from one of his many pockets, and drawing his short blade.


    [There, this should be enough for you to investigate once we have the time and resources, as for the ''blood'', there''s hundreds of dead soldiers below whose weapons are filled with it.] Kothar said, as he sliced off a section of the wall, the wall rippling as he did so.


    Silane said nothing, though she wanted to point out that the ''blood'' within the ship and within the weapons might be different, she knew that Kothar had already gone out of his way to collect the piece of muscle.


    [Now, back to what we were here for..] Kothar murmured, turning away from the wall and facing the small, black doorway set into the wall, from which the powerful, spatial fluctuations emanated.

 Chapter 238 - Through The Heart Of The Aemos

    The doorway was set into the pulsing red muscle of the enormous heart, all dull black metal, clearly made up of the same material as the black beams that had barred the way into the chamber.


    Like the door to the chamber, the inscriptions were embossed within the door, except this door was far smaller, only  about two meters high.


    The pulsing flesh around the door seemed to be almost melded into the edges of the metal, strangely interlinked with each other.


    Silane wanted to ask Kothar to take a better look at the interface between metal and muscle, but she knew that asking for further investigation into the living machinery wouldn''t go over well, especially at such a critical moment.


    Even though Kothar and Silane could feel each other''s emotions and the general direction of the other''s thoughts, at this moment, Kothar was completely unaware of Silane''s interest in the metal/muscle connection.


    Right now, he was completely overtaken by the powerful thrumming, resonance of his Spatial Core with whatever was behind the door, while the Spatial Artifact also pulled in the direction of what was inside.


    Kothar strode over to the small doorway, and ignited his Plasma Blade, concentrating it into the thin shaft that he had used to slice through the doorway to the chamber.


    Immediately, Kothar began running his Plasma Blade down where the door met the frame, slowly following the shallow curve at the top of the door and then bringing his Plasma Blade around.


    The smell of burnt flesh filled the air as the heat from Kothar''s Plasma Blade charred the muscle that had melded with the frame, which would have been off putting for Kothar, had his mask not filtered the odors.


    Sparks flew through the air, as the plasma sliced away at whatever held the door shut, as well as completely destroying whatever held the door on its hinges.


    Kothar stepped to the side, cleanly avoiding the door as it fell forward with a thud.


    The open doorway was completely dark, only lit by the faint glow of the yellow lamps scattered around outside.


    Kothar summoned a ball of lightning, sending it forward into the darkness of the doorway.


    Kothar followed, and looked around, he found himself in a long hallway that slanted directly upwards at a steep angle, leading to the very center of the enormous heart he was in.


    The hallway was narrow, only about thirty centimeters wider than Kothar himself, and barely higher than his head. Thanks to the bluish light from the lightning, the corridor looked almost black.


    There were no steps or walkway, and Kothar began to walk up the slippery surface made up of exposed flesh.


    His boots from the Multiplanar Equipment gripped the muscle easily, and Kothar easily strode forward.


    Here and there, the shape of the corridor was warped, where the muscle that it was carved out of had started to heal. IN some places, Kothar had to push through tendrils of muscle that contracted with the ever constant thumping all around him, and in other places, he had to crawl through the narrowest gap in thick walls of muscle.


    [Seems like nobody has been down here in a long time.] Silane observed, the corridor had surely been completely open before.


    Kothar said nothing in reply, and walked on, and the further he walked, the stronger the resonance grew, and it began to feel as though his Spatial Core would fly right out of his chest.


    But Kothar persevered onwards, the Spatial Mana within him going completely wild, moving through his body like a wild beast.


    When the surging of his Spatial Mana became unbearable, Kothar intuitively focused on the resonance from the Spatial Artifact, and from it, he felt a calming aura that helped him regain control over his mana, and eliminated the powerful resonance with his Spatial Core.


    Even so, Kothar''s still felt drawn, both by curiosity and the pull that the Spatial Artifact had, drawing him closer and closer to the center.


    Kothar continued walking up the slope for another fifteen minutes, the spatial fluctuations growing greater and greater. If Kothar were to try to cause a Spatial Element spell now, then the result would be far more distorted than a simple change in direction, the spell might go


    completely awry, leaving him dead.


    After the long trek up the slope, Kothar''s destination was finally in sight. Up ahead, the dark muscle of the heart had encroached forward completely, completely blocking the way beyond.


    Kothar drew his Skysteel blade, using the Plasma Blade now would be overkill, and he might even risk damaging the heart of the ship and sending it plummeting down to the surface of Eclat.


    The edge of the blade gently vibrated, as the Lighting Element Mana coursed through it, and Kothar sliced at the wall of muscle in front of him, pushing it aside with his other hand.


    The thick red fluid that Kothar had seen in all the devices of the invaders now flowed from the cut muscle, making the already slippery floor of the corridor even slicker.


    The blood of the ship now flowing all around his hands, Kothar pushed the heavy sheets of muscle aside, and squeezed into the gap, completely painting him red.


    He continued to slice away, pushing the muscle apart and slicing, moving further and further into the passageway.


    "Splat." Kothar fell forward, dripping with blood, and almost stumbling into what he had been searching for all this time.


    In front of him was the cause of the spatial fluctuations, the thing that had sent his mana completely wild and the thing that allowed the enormous ship to open portals large enough to pass through.


    It was about as large as Kothar''s head, glowing with blinding purple light, an enormous spherical purple crystal, so full of Spatial Mana that from simply being near it, Kothar''s  Mana Core was growing, as it greedily drank up the mana that filled the small open space around the crystal.

 Chapter 239 - Within The Heart Of The Aemos

    The crystal had been surrounded with a housing made out of a bright, white, shining metal that enveloped it with two bands that circled it, meeting at the sides and top.


    The white metal was slightly glowing with purple light, it was clearly conducting the Spatial Mana out of the crystal, and it was to the metal that the muscle surrounding the heart was attached.


    [That''s ridiculous, no wonder they''re able to open such massive portals. It all makes sense to me now. The entire ship isn''t just built to carry their troops, but it functions to wield the mana and use it to create a portal.] Silane said, as they watched the purple glow meld into the heart, and spread all around.


    Kothar however, didn''t respond, he seemed completely enamored with the crystal, and was taking slow steps toward it, as if in a trance.


    [Kothar? Kothar! Kothar!] Silane called out, trying to get a response from him, but he continued onward, drawing closer and closer to the crystal.


    He slowly lifted one hand, and reached out to touch the crystal, his fingers outstretched, a dazed and absent look on his face.


    [KOTHAR!] Silane yelled with all her might, doing her best to communicate the fear and worry she was feeling, as well as a strong feeling of displeasure. She knew that that had caused Kothar to have a splitting headache, when they had last argued, and hoped it would shake him free of whatever trance he was in.


    "Arrrghh!"


    [Ahhhhhh!] Kothar yelled out, both mentally and out loud, falling to his knees and clutching his head with both hands, as a splitting pain pierced through his skull, feeling as though his head might split apart.


    Kothar knelt there, a pool of blood forming from the cut flesh behind him, and dripping from his soaked armor and hair.


    He took long deep breaths, fighting off the pain still splitting his head.


    [What the **** was that? Silane!] Kothar yelled, still reeling from the sudden explosion in his skull.


    [What do you mean? I only did it to wake you out of the trance you were in! You were about to touch that thing, and who knows what it would have done to us! I know I''ve joked about being reborn again, but I don''t want you to be suicidal!] Silane yelled, now actually upset with Kothar, which caused another, less severe wave of pain to wash over him.


    [Ow! Ah! I''m sorry, Silane. I''m sure you did what you thought was best, but I''ve no memory of being in a trance at all. The last thing I remember was cutting through the muscle with my Skysteel sword, and then pushing through it, but after that, nothing.] Kothar''s voice was filled with genuine confusion, and then as he sat himself up, he yelled out to Silane again. [What is this? Why am I covered in this stuff![ Kothar touched a hand to his breastplate, and looked all around him, processing the split in the heart muscle behind him and the pool of blood he was knelt in.


    [Oh. Forgive me Silane, it seems I was in some sort of trance. I wonder why it only affected me? I guess I should be thankful that it did.] Kothar said, as he sighed out loud with relief. The pain had now mostly faded away, and the enormity of what had almost happened started to wash over him.


    [It''s alright. I guess you had been unusually quiet the whole time we walked up here] Silane responded, as she tried to remember when Kothar had talked to her last. Surely he wasn''t still under the influence of whatever had caused him to almost touch the crystal.


    [I think it might have been the crystal itself that caused me to go into a trance. It did make my Spatial Mana move uncontrollably, and I thought the Spatial Artifact was enough to overcome the influence on my mana, but it seems like it wasn''t. Whatever it was, I''m alright now.] Kothar reassured Silane, but even so, a sliver of doubt remained, as she carefully watched his movements.


    [Just don''t get too close to it before we decide what to do. I guess it makes sense, the mana runs completely through your body, and neither of us fully understand it yet. I didn''t think you could go into a trance due to mana, but then again, it''s literally magical energy.] Silane said with a sigh.


    [My Spatial Core is growing thanks to the mana from the crystal, but I don''t think that I could disable it by absorbing the mana from it. It would take years, if not centuries, to do that.] Now conscious, Kothar could feel his Spatial Core grow, as well as the ridiculous amount of Spatial Mana within the crystal.


    [We have to disable the ship from travelling to different planes, and I guess removing it would work, but I don''t want to disable the ship completely.] Kothar continued, looking curiously at the junction between the crystal and the muscle.


    [I don''t think they''d use the Spatial energy for anything other than opening portals, if they used it to power this entire ship as well as keep it aloft, then that''d be ridiculously wasteful.] Silane said, trying to analyze the purpose of the hundreds of inscriptions that they had seen on the outside of the ship, though incomplete, they might give her some idea about how the spatial Mana was used.


    [Shall I slice it away from the muscle?] Kothar asked, his Skysteel blade still clutched tightly in his hand.


    [If we don''t, then all those people they''ve kidnapped will likely never see Eclat again. From the limited understanding I have of their technology, my best guess is the beating of the heart is what powers most of the functions of the ship, and the Spatial Mana is only used for portals.] Silane sounded a little unsure, as an AI, she still preferred being a hundred percent certain.


    {Your best guess? That''s good enough for me..] Kothar said, stepping forward, his blade slicing at where the muscle met the shining white metal.

 Chapter 240 - Within The Heart Of The Aemos(2)

    "Schnick. Scnick." With two quick swings of his Skysteel blade, Kothar cut the purple crystal free of the web of muscle in which it was suspended.


    The crystal fell to the ground, the metal housing around it sinking into the muscle below.


    [That wasn''t so bad, was it.] Silane said, they didn''t seem to be falling and there had been no reaction to the loss of the crystal.


    [I''ll pick it up by the metal around it, it doesn''t seem to be as full of Spatial Mana as the crystal.] Kothar said, reaching down to grip the metal prongs that had stuck out and allowed the crystal to attach to the heart muscle.


    Kothar gripped each side tightly, but the crystal wouldn''t budge at all, he looked closer, and realized that the flesh was rapidly growing around the metal, holding it to the floor.


    Kothar let go of one side, and sliced off the muscle again, pulling the crystal free. Clutched tightly in both of his hands, Kothar could feel his Spatial Mana Core rapidly drinking up the mana that was within the metal around the crystal, growing by the second.


    [Silane, I can''t hold onto this for long, or my mana core will explode!] Kothar knew that while he had some room for his mana core to grow, his body wouldn''t be able to contain it if it grew too powerful.


    The reason it was so important to meditate and pull mana into one''s core from the surroundings was that it gave the body a chance to acclimate to the elemental mana, and its resistance to the mana would improve as this happened.


    This was a gradual process, and the reason why few, except the most reckless and desperate, would not utilize the rich mana found within Mana Crystal to cultivate their mana cores.


    [Try bringing the Spatial Artifact near to it, it resonated with it, didn''t it?] Silane said, before adding, a little apprehensive. [Not while you''re wearing it though! Be careful, Kothar.]


    [I wouldn''t be so reckless. Of course I''d take it off first.] Kothar said, a little sore about how reckless Silane thought he was, knowing she was mostly right.


    [I''m not in a trance anymore.] Kothar sounded disgruntled, he unclasped his breastplate, allowing to drop to the ground, and then pulled down the top of his Multiplanar Equipment,


    Revealing the Spatial Necklace that he had crafted on Atla.


    He undid the clasp, the heavy square links of the chain heavy in his hands, and placed the enormous crystal back on the ground, the muscle rapidly growing around the metal as it touched it again.


    Kothar brought the Spatial Artifact near the crystal, and immediately the crystal reacting, blazing with a brilliant purple light.


    [Let it go, Kothar!] Silane yelled out, and Kothar opened his hand, letting the necklace fall onto the crystal.


    The Artifact didn''t fall to the ground as expected, instead, the artifact began to hover in midair, the blazing purple light from the crystal flooding toward the diamond shaped black stone.


    The space around the artifact began to ripple and curve, tiny cracks forming in the air, the flesh of the heart that tried to grow around the crystal rupturing and disappearing within the tiny cracks that led to the void.


    "****, ****, ****!" Kothar swore, backing away, his back slamming into the thick walls that obstructed the crystal, if he got caught up in the spatial fluctuations, he would either be pulled and twisted into spaghetti, or his Spatial Core might collapse, or be pulled into the convergence of Spatial Mana.


    "**** this!" Kothar yelled, all thoughts of not damaging the ship too much aside, only self preservation on his mind, his Plasma Blade roaring into life, and tearing though the sheets of heart muscle,  the air filled with smoke from the burning flesh.


    Kothar ran forward, wildly hacking and slashing, his artifact forgotten behind him, running down the steep slope of the tunnel.


    Gouts of blood started to pour off the flesh torn by the complete tearing and bending of space around the artifact and crystal, flooding down the tunnel.


    Kothar slipped as he was running, falling back and then sliding down the tunnel along with a torrent of blood, the artifact still hovering in the air, holding the crystal nearby.


    Kothar looked back as he slid down the tunnel, worried he would lose the artifact as well as the massive benefits it gave to his Spatial Magic.


    [Keep going Kothar! That artifact is only trouble, and besides, it returned to you even after Krieg stole it!] Silane yelled, and Kothar turned away, slicing at the obstructions in the tunnel that came flying at him as he slid down.


    It had taken Kothar almost a quarter of an hour to get to the crystal, and he had slid all the way down to the bottom of the tunnel in mere moments.


    Kothar stumbled to his feet, ankle deep in the spilled blood from the damage to the heart of the Aemos, more blood flowing down the tunnel behind him.


    The thumping that had been echoing all around Kothar raised in volume, the heart thumping louder and harder.


    The walls around Kothar started to convulse, and the floor beneath Kothar started to shake.


    Kothar ran for his life, running past the destroyed remnants of the doors that he had cut open to get to the crystal.


    [Oh no.] Silane said, as Kothar ran out of the hall and out into the circular hallway that he had portalled all along.


    All around them were guards outfitted similarly to Entuxa and Exena, their slain bodies still laying on the ground where Kothar had left them.


    They all turned to Kothar simultaneously, their faces filled with fury, for although their leader didn''t value their lives whatsoever, the Aemos were fiercely loyal to one another.


    "Get him!"


    "He must be the one who killed them!"


    "For our Supreme Ruler, and for all Aemos!"


    The guards yelled, swinging their staffs off their backs and into their hands, stepping toward Kothar.

 Chapter 241 - A Gambler And A Recluse

    As Kothar was plunging into the very heart of the Aemos, a fierce battle continued within the void.


    Qh''mros hurtled toward Xurha, its wings spread wide, a vibrant green glow surrounding it, and its jaws wide open, black fangs gleaming in the green glow.


    Xurha laughed as Qh''mros flew towards him, eager for the coming clash, now that both of them had transformed, Xurha knew the battle would be fierce.


    Qh''mros dove right into the red glow surrounding Xurha, the green glow of its domain converging around it, creating a thick barrier of green light around it, whipping its head toward Xurha, who raised his spiked shield.


    As Qh''mros'' jaws closed over Xurha''s shield, Xurha pulled in his domain also, concentrating it on his shield, thrusting out and trying to pierce through Qh''mros'' domain, and into the soft flesh of its mouth.


    Qh''mros roared in fury, frustrated at Xurha''s resistance, it considered Xurha nothing more than an upstart, and to have to transform and actually battle him, was humiliating at the least.


    Before Qh''mros could pull its head back, Xurha struck over his shield with his axe, but Qh''mros had already turned its head away, and the blow glanced off its branching horns.


    [Where are you going, lizard! Come and taste my axe!] Xurha yelled out, the skin visible through his armor now covered with bulging green veins.


    [Hssssssssss!] Qh''mros didn''t use any words, but since they only communicated mentally within the void, the loathing it felt for Xurha was clear.


    Again, Qh''mros dove at Xurha, this time, its domain was focused around its vicious black horns, charging towards him.


    Xurha clasped his axe with both hands, raising it up high, and slamming it forward to crash into Qh''mros'' horns, utilizing every inch of his power.


    His axe slammed into the horns on the right side of Qh''mros'' head, almost all of his domain concentrated on his axe, the barest minimum around his body and keeping him aloft within the void.


    This was virtually suicidal, it was rare for an Ascendant to devote so much of their energy to an attack, for almost all of them were wily old creatures, too fond of their lives after so long to risk everything on a gamble like going all out in one attack.


    Qh''mros domain was focused around its horns, but not to the same extent as Xurha, a thick barrier of light still surrounded its body, it was a careful creature, and anything could happen in battle.


    But Xurha''s reckless gamble paid off, and his axe, flaring with red light, broke through Qh''mros'' domain, shearing through one of the branching points of its horns, sending the piece of horn hurtling off through the void.


    But the momentum of his axe was now gone and it bounced off of Qhm''ros'' horns, the impact of the blows sending vibrations all up Xurha''s arms.


    [Hahahahaha! So, you can be hurt! A mighty old recluse lizard like yourself!] Right now, Xurha should have been completely dispirited, it had taken almost all of his power to barely break through Qh''mros domain and cut off a point on its horns, but instead, he was completely drunk with joy.


    For Xurha was a battle maniac, and nothing made him more satisfied than teetering on the edge of life and death, his life on the line, against impossible odds, a powerful opponent seeking after his life.


    [Krrrrrrrasaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!] Qh''mros gave a completely bestial cry, with not even an attempt at communicating, it was furious. How could a puny upstart even manage to sever its domain, the power it had cultivated for thousands of years, how completely humiliating.


    Qh''mros wrapped itself in its domain, if Xurha was going to gamble on his life with each attack, all it had to do was not give him even the slightest opportunity to attack.


    It slid through the void, its body sliding from side to side like a serpent, its wings folded tightly against its back.


    [Again!] Xurha''s eyes were gleaming in the darkness of the void, and his expression beneath the cage like mask of his helmet was an enormous grin.


    Once again, he sent almost all his domain toward his axe, and it shone like a beacon in the darkness of the void, blindingly bright.


    But Qh''mros dove down, moving so quickly that it seemed as though it had disappeared right before Xurha''s eyes.


    Speed was one of its greatest abilities, it had yet to utilize its full power, as full of pride as it was, and Xurha looked all around, confused.


    His eyes widened as he saw its ascending from directly beneath him, Xurha was extremely physically powerful, but things were different in the void, one had no footing to stand on, and would have to utilize their domain for the simplest of movements.


    Xurha had gambled, and had come up short, sending all his domain''s power to his axe might have worked had Qh''mros continued to disregard Xurha''s strength, but it had swallowed its pride.


    Now Xurha could barely move within the void, and sending his domain''s power back tow rap around his body would take all the time he had, not giving a chance to  move fast enough to attack Qh''mros as it approached.


    From below Xurha, Qh''mros came winding upwards, its amber eyes shining with fury, hurt pride, and the slightest hint of respect. Even though Xurha was an upstart and a savage in its eyes, he had still injured it, and so it had to respect his ability.


    Qh''mros body writhed though the void, wrapping itself all around Xurha, its body much more compact than before, and Xurha now much larger.


    Its claws and wings were wrapped around Xurha''s torso, holding tightly, while its tail wrapped all around Xurha''s legs.


    Only Xurha''s head was out in the open, his eyes glaring daggers at Qh''mros, if he had pulled his domain back from his axe a moment later, he would have been completely crushed by this attack.


    But Xurha had fought countless battles in his life, he was a creature that had been forged in battle, and so he survived a moment longer.

 Chapter 242 - Ascendant

    Qh''mros was tightly wrapped around Xurha, using its claws to rake all over his body, as well as the serrated edge of its wings. At such close quarters, the difference in their domains was clear, Qh''mros was easily tearing through Xurha''s domain, as Xurha was forced to evenly distribute it around himself.


    Golden sparks flew into the void as Qh''mros'' claws and wings scraped across the dull black armor, but even so, Xurha didn''t even try and defend himself, only staring daggers at Qh''mros, his head still free of the encirclement.


    Qh''mros was confused, Xurha''s domain wouldn''t be able to hold off its attacks for much longer, but the relatively weaker Ascendant still didn''t move, had he given up?


    Qh''mros found that hard to believe, especially with how passionate Xurha had been when they had started to fight.


    But concealed by the coils Qh;''mros shining green scaled body and tail, Xurha''s armor was shifting, as all of his muscles swelled up, the veins becoming swollen as his blood surged to his muscles.


    This was because for Xurha, his domain was only an extension of what had allowed him to rise to being an Ascendant, rising to his position through his will for violence and physical prowess.


    The bare minimum requirement for one to be an Ascendant was the ability to tear through space itself, with or without a domain.


    Xurha was one of the rare few who had achieved this feat utilizing only pure physical ability, only manifesting his domain of violence after slaughtering entire plane after plane.


    One''s will was what allowed their domain to exist, but for Xurha, unlike many Ascendants, his will was far more valuable in battle than the relatively weak domain.


    [Graaaaaaaahhhhh!] Xurha let loose a yell filled with fury, and with one of his trapped arms, he clutched his axe tight, and used it to lever Qh''mros coils away from himself, using his will to force his body to its very limits. Meanwhile, Xurha''s other arms wrenched Qh''mros'' coils apart on the other side, forcing an opening large enough for Xurha to start swinging.


    Again and again, Xurha swung his axe at the coils that were wrapped around his torso, one arm holding the axe away from himself, and the other swinging the axe like it was a twig.


    At first, Qh''mros ignored Xurha''s attacks, writing them off as the struggle of a dying Ascendant, desperately clinging on to his life.


    But then, it began to feel the extreme rush of stabbing pain, though Qh''mros'' domain was blocking the red domain surrounding Xurha''s attacks, the repeated blows were so focused, that they were forcing their way through, and eventually,  Xurha''s axe just barely touching Qh''mros'' green scales.


    [Krrrraaaaaaah!] Qh''mros screamed out in pain, even with its vastly powerful physical body, it was unable to resist the effect of Xurha''s weapon, which, like all weapons of the Aemos, had been crafted to elicit the greatest possible amount of pain, even with the slightest of touches.


    For even though Ascendants were vastly [powerful, able to tear through space, pass through the void and dominate entire planes, they were still flesh and blood creatures.


    Feeling the stabbing pain of Xurha''s axe, Qh''mros coiled body rapidly untangling itself from around Xurha, its amber eyes filled with rage and confusion.


    How was this puny Ascendant continuing to harm it? It should have been a straightforward battle, utilizing its vastly superior domain to overpower the upstart invader.


    But Xurha was not like other Ascendant, he was not fighting a battle of domains, of comprehension of whatever realm of the natural world that an Ascendant was seeking the essence of.


    Utilizing their will and power over the world around them to erode the other''s control.


    No, Xurha was simply fighting for victory by any means, fighting in the same way that he had been forged, for victory, and for the joy of violence.


    Qh''mros had retreated away from Xurha, now unwilling to engage in close combat, realizing that with his extreme physical prowess, Xurha would be dominant, even though he would be considered the weaker Ascendant by most.


    Xurha had essentially dragged Qh''mros into a battlefield where he would be the victor, and Qh''mros, had first been damaged for the first time in hundreds of years, not hurt, though, only an injury to its pride as it lost the tip of a horn.


    But then, to add insult to injury, Xurha had actually been able to cause it to feel pain.


    Now, Qh''mros tried to utilize its domain to tis fullest extent, turning into a sharp green blur that flew smoothly through the void, circling around Xurha, sending attacks filled with blades of wind toward Xurha.


    But even as attack after attack flew at Xurha, he ignored them, and turned away from Qh''mros, for while Qh''mros had retreated from close quarters, Xurha had a way to draw it back in.


    Xurha raised his axe, and sliced into the substance of the void, tearing open the space, opening a window that lead back to Eclat.


    [No!] Qh''mros yelled, rushing toward Xurha, it knew that Xurha didn''t care in the slightest for the lives of his own people, let alone the lives of all the people of Eclat, and if the battle between them happened on Eclat, countless individuals, those of Eclat and the Aemos, would die in the process.


    Xurha grinned as he saw the enormous guardian beast flying toward him, Qh''mros was so fast that Xurha could have spent all his energy on trying to catch it within the void, and failed.


    But if he knew exactly where Qh''mros was going? That was a completely different story.


    Once again, Xurha''s axe was surrounded with a gleaming red light, as it readied it to swing, aiming for right in between Qh''mros'' eyes, aiming to kill it with a single blow.


    By the time Xurha''s attack had been readied, Qh''mros was mere meters away, and it seemed as though Xurha''s attack would land, cleaving right through Qh''mros'' defenses, and splitting open its enormous skull.

 Chapter 243 - The Saboteur

    Normally, in this situation, surrounded by enemies, in a disadvantageous position, Kothar would have opened a portal to escape. But with the twisting and curving of space caused by the Artifact and crystal, Kothar was sure any portal he opened would go completely off course.


    He didn''t have the luxury to calibrate his aim like he had previously, and even so far from the Artifact and crystal, his Spatial Mana was still roiling and surging uncontrollably, right now, Kothar was struggling to keep his Spatial Core stable, and with the increased size and loss of control over his mana, he could feel his insides being twisted and pulled uncomfortably.


    The guards all wore the same armor, a gray color mixed with the slightest metallic shine, as well as staffs with a hexagonal lump at either end.


    But even as the guards all around Kothar swung their staffs at him, everyone, Kothar included, was suddenly sent flying up into the ceiling, slamming their heads or helmets against the gray material of the roof.


    "The intruder! He has sabotaged the Aemos!"


    "He had doomed us all!"


    "Mother!"


    The guards all cried out as they realized that the ship was falling, whatever was happening within the heart had caused the technology that kept the enormous ship aloft to fail.


    But it was only a momentary plunge, the ship stabilized and Kothar and the guards surrounding him fell back to the floor.


    Kothar''s reflexes had served him well, and he had braced an arm against the ceiling, taking the brunt of the impact with his arm rather than his skull, allowing him to recover faster than the guards who were now scattered around him.


    [****. Silane, we''ve really done it now. If whatever is keeping this ship aloft fails, all of Eclat is done for.] Kothar said, scrambling to his feet as fast as he could, the wailing and complaining guards still kneeling on the ground, some covering their heads with their arms, others clutching on to one another.


    [From my calculations, the heart of this ship is far larger proportionally than it should be, even if a good portion fails, it should be able to hold everything aloft even if a large portion of it is damaged.] Silane reassured Kothar, she was certain that the Artifact and crystal''s transfer of energy wouldn''t damage the heart to the point of failure.


    Kothar''s Plasma Blade blazed into action as the guards were scrambling back to their feet, looking around for Kothar, since they all had been tossed around when the ship had plunged down.


    Kothar swung his Plasma Blade at a pair of guards who were still had their arms wrapped around each other''s shoulders, having helped one another to their feet.


    While his Plasma Blade blazed out of the base of his left palm, he had his Skysteel sword drawn in his left hand.


    The other guards, still a few meters away, Kothar pointed the Skysteel sword at them, shooting bolt after bolt from the point of the blade, the lightning crackling through their armor and shocking the guards all over, further disorienting them after their heads'' colliding with the ceiling.


    [Alright, but let''s try and find the control center anyway. If the worse comes to worst, we still should be able to steer the ship away from the land below.] Kothar said, even as lightning began to crackle all around him, as he cast his Lightning Aura, moving fast enough to surprise the still disoriented guards, swinging his blades one after the other.


    Screams filled the air, Kothar''s  Plasma Blade leaving the guards with missing limbs and burnt flesh at their wounds, while his Skysteel sword would cleanly slice at the gaps in their armor, sending gushing torrents of blood from their wounds all around Kothar.


    The guards who should have posed a real challenge to Kothar, thanks to the disorientation caused by the falling of the ship, were now laying all around him, either gravely injured, or dead.


    [That was lucky, wasn''t it. I think the control center will be at the top of the ship, from the structures that I''ve seen so far, and the information that I''ve managed to gather from their inscriptions, commands and directions are being issued from above.] Silane said, as Kothar walked over the bodies of fallen guards, without giving them even a second glance.


    Kothar picked one of the tunnels that lead away from the circular tunnel at random; he knew his best bet for reaching the control center would be along the maintenance tunnels.


    Hopefully the invaders hadn''t discovered the dead maintenance worker, and were unaware the Kothar was able to access the maintenance tunnels, he didn''t want to come up against such a large number of guards again, especially if they were fighting at full readiness, rather than disorientated after a blow to the head.


    [You seeing any of those maintenance doors yet?] Kothar asked, as he ran down the sloping tunnel, knowing he was getting further from the control center as he went further down the slope.


    [Not just yet, keep going, there should be one soon enough.] Silane responded, her voice distant, as she processed all the new inscriptions that Kothar saw, trying to better understand it, so she could pinpoint the control center.


    Kothar ran on, along the featureless gray corridor, lit by a dim yellow glow, the walls and the floor and ceiling all covered with the ever present inscriptions.


    [Right here.] Silane instructed, giving Kothar an overlay of where to push down.


    Kothar immediately pushed his hand onto the wall, pushing down. A satisfying click came from the wall, and it swung open, and Kothar stepping into the even darker maintenance corridor behind the wall.


    He looked around, but unfortunately luck wasn''t on his side, there were no vertical tunnels nearby. The pipes that had radiated a powerful heat now only gave off the slightest warmth, likely due to the damage to the heart of the ship.


    Kothar ran down the tunnel, heading away from the heart, glancing upward at regular intervals, desperately hoping for a vertical tunnel.

 Chapter 244 - For Eclat

    Kothar went flying up, in actuality, the ship fell down around him, and in the narrow confines of the maintenance tunnel, he wasn''t able to move his arm up above himself in time, and so running around as he was while looking up, Kothar was slammed face first into the ceiling of the tunnel.


    The fall only lasted moments, and Kothar fell back to the floor of the tunnel, now on his hands and knees, tasting blood, Kothar removed his mask.


    His nose was pouring with blood, since it had been smashed against the inside of his demon mask, although the interior was padded in case of any sort of blow, it wasn''t intended to take on the full force of Kothar''s body slamming against the top of a tunnel.


    Lucio had intended the masks for the Nighthawks, and the nature of their work was mostly secretive silent assassinations and intelligence gathering, not full scale combat.


    His vision still blurry, Kothar reached up and pinched his nose below the bone, reaching into his cloak for a strip of cloth with his other hand, he quickly wadded up two tiny scraps of material, and blocked his nose with them.


    [Let''s just hope I won''t be needing to sniff anything out.] Kothar joked to Silane, as he got back to his feet, one arm resting against the side of the tunnel, still disoriented.


    [All jokes aside, Kothar, according to my estimates, the ship shouldn''t have fallen again for at least another fifteen minutes. Either my estimates were wrong, or the damage to the heart is far more severe than I anticipated.] Silane''s voice was anxious, and even while she tried to remain calm, there was a clear hint of pain within her voice, after all, if the enormous ship fell out of the sky, it would be the end of the Isle, and perhaps the end of Eclat itself.


    [II''d like to think your estimations were incorrect, but in my experience, you''re never wrong, especially when it counts. Whatever''s going on between my Artifact and that crystal in the heart is probably tearing everything around it to shreds, and besides, when it comes to Spatial Magic and spatial manipulation, things never go according to plan.] Kothar said grimly, his mask hanging from his neck by one of the leather straps that wrapped around the back of it.


    [Alright then, Kothar, we''ve got no choice but to get to the command center as fast as possible. Go on. Cast a portal spell, only within your eyeline though, and I ''ll do my best to help you align your portals.] Silane instructed, she knew that given the enormous scale of the Aemos, walking along the maintenance tunnels to reach the common center would be foolish, taking far more time than they likely had.


    [Alright.] Came Kothar''s matter of fact response, his mind shifting into calm collected nature that he had always slipped into when it came to battle, not only was Kothar''s life on the line right now, but the lives of every being on Eclat.


    Kothar channeled his Spatial Mana, and aimed about a meter in front of him, bracing himself for the worst. This was a gamble, with the way space was curving and bending, the portal just might end up within Koithar''s body, ending his life.


    But it was a necessary one, Kothar could attempt an escape, but he would never abandon his home. Besides, without the Spatial Artifact, he was trapped on Eclat, just like the millions of innocent lives on the plane.


    There was an odd distorted noise, and in front of Kothar, nothing happened. Kothar felt around himself, trying to sense where the portal had appeared.


    It took a few seconds before he pinpointed its location, it had appeared above and to the right of him, moving far more than he had anticipated.


    [Alright Kothar, you know the drill, open as many portals as you can, even distances apart, so I can adjust your aim.] Silane''s voice was cool and composed, but Kothar could feel the anxiety underlying her thoughts, it was in the nature of their minds, neither could hide emotions from the other.


    [Silane, I don''t have the artifact, so I''m going to be using a lot more mana than usual. Even though my core was enlarged from the short contact with the crystal''s rich mana, I won''t be able to open as many portals as usual. Do the best adjustment you can with these few portals.] Kothar said, not surprised that Silane had forgotten such a vital piece of information, given her emotional state.


    Kothar opened another three portals, each an additional ten meters further than the other, all of them appearing more and more off course than the last.


    [Okay Kothar, but with this, I''ll only be able to correct the course by ninety nine percent.] Silane said as she overlaid the corrected aim for the portal over Kothar''s vision.


    [I guess there''s some habits that you can''t just change.] Kothar said, smiling, even while anxious and worried, Silane still retained some of her AI obsession with accuracy.


    Kothar opened a pair of portals, taking a little more time than he had become used to.


    He opened the destination portal as far as he dared, and with Sialne''s guidance, the first portal opened directly in front of Kothar, while the second hovered in midair further along the maintenance tunnel.


    [Alright, there we go.] Kothar stepped through the portal, looking around above himself, one air raised in case of any further unpredictable drops by the enormous ship.


    There were no vertical tunnels to be seen.


    Kothar didn''t complain in the slightest, instead he started channeling his Spatial Mana, opening another pair of portals and stepping through.


    Again, there were no vertical tunnels.


    Kothar repeated the process another five times, only finding the narrow vertical tunnel he had been searching for on the fifth time, the rungs attached to the wall extending high above.


    [Alright, this one''s going to be a little tougher..] Kothar said, channeling his Spatial Mana.

 Chapter 245 - For Eclat

    Kothar summoned a portal directly in front of himself, and then another within the center of the vertical tunnel. He stepped back, and ran into the portal, for he would need to ensure he had enough vertical momentum to be able to reach the rungs on the side of the tunnel.


    Kothar ran forward, phasing through the portal, almost slamming into the side of the tunnel, just managing to break his sideways fall by quickly grabbing at the rungs that grew out of the gray wall like natural extensions of it.


    But from here on, things would be even more difficult, since Kothar was within the narrow vertical tunnel, his body would want to fall back down toward the ground, so he would have to have enough horizontal momentum to prevent himself from falling into the portal as he passed through, losing parts of his body to the void.


    Kothar awkwardly turned himself around clutching the rungs awkwardly  with his arms behind himself, next, he opened a portal in front and slightly below himself, he would effectively be stepping down into midair.


    Kothar opened the next portal, high above himself, glancing up to make sure it opened in the correct location.


    [Wait a moment Kothar, if the ship falls again, your portals would become fatal traps.] Silane warned, the ship hadn''t fallen again, but for Silane, even the slightest chance was a significant danger.


    [What other choice do I have?] Kothar responded, flexing his legs and launching himself away from the rungs, falling a little as he came out of the destination portal, flipped around in the direction, facing the rungs of the tunnel again.


    Kothar grabbed the rungs, halting his fall, and took a few deep breaths, before turning himself around to repeat the process.


    Even moving so awkwardly, Kothar''s enlarged Spatial Core as well as the increased familiarity he had gained with Spatial Mana while suing the Spatial Artifact meant that using his portals to travel through the ship was far faster than slowly climbing up the maintenance shafts.


    Kothar repeated the process, over and over, and then, passing bay other horizontal shafts, ignoring them to continue his upward climb.


    But after about five minutes of repeating this process, the monotonous process was broken, as a vibration travelled through the enormous ship, Kothar feeling it in his hands as he tightly gripped the rungs.


    [Stop! Don''t portal just yet.] Silane called out, as Kothar gathered his Spatial Mana to open another portal.


    Her warning was well timed, and the ship suddenly sank, sending Kothar flying upward, as it plunged downward. From the outside, an observer would have seen the enormous craft dip the slightest amount, a subtle shift in its positioning.


    But that was only thanks to its enormous bulk, this time, the ship fell for kilometers, plunging uncontrollably downwards.


    Immediately, as he felt the ship shift beneath his hands, Kothar let go of the rungs, allowing the ship to fall down around, sending himself up what felt like an endless climb.


    [A few more of these, Silane, and we''ll be at the command center in no time.] Kothar joked, as the ship came to a stop, reaching out to grab the rungs, stopping himself form falling back down and wasting the progress that he had made.


    Kothar continued upwards from almost an hour, opening portal after portal, occasionally being boosted upwards by the ship falling, as it continued to do so at regular intervals, Kothar avoiding any near misses with his own portals.


    Soon enough, the upward tunnel came to a halt, the pipes disappearing into the gray material around Kothar, the black inscriptions within faintly visible in the dim yellow glow.


    [What now? Looks like we''re out of the tunnel.] Kothar said to Silane, almost opening another portal out of habit. By now, his nosebleed had stopped, and Kothar had replaced his mask. Over the past weeks, he had grown fond of it, feeling more comfortable wearing it than not.


    [It shouldn''t be too far now, all those falls made things far easier for us. Just climb back down to the closest horizontal tunnel, there ought to be one close by, we should be able to find our way from there. Be careful though, don''t be too hasty, we don''t want to be setting off any alarms. I don''t think there''ll be too many maintenance workers up here, but there''s sure to be a lot of guards.] Silane warned, as Kothar climbed back down the shaft.


    Sure enough, there was a horizontal tunnel waiting for Kothar as he climbed down, Kothar jumped from the rungs to the vertical tunnel, his arms and back aching and tight from constantly pulling himself out of falls each time he passed through a portal.


    Kothar only walked a few meters along the new tunnel, before Silane stopped him.


    [Right here, just push on the wall.] Silane highlighted a section of the wall, and with the same satisfying click as before, the wall swung inwards, and Kothar hopped out into a wide tunnel.


    The tunnels toward the top of the ship were far more spacious than all those Kkothar had seen elbow, there were wide enough for at least fifty men to march abreast, and were well lit, with the entire ceiling thick with the hollow see through tubes of yellow fluid that lit the ship.


    Here, the inscriptions were thick on the walls, and Silane was silent, as she took in what she was seeing, processing it to find the best route to the control center.


    [Go right.] She said, mostly occupied with deciphering the inscriptions all around them. Since the inscriptions seemed to both be utilized as a language, and as a kind of circuity for the living machinery, it was difficult for Silane to puzzle out the meaning and purpose of it without any reference.


    Kothar turned to the right, and far off along the tunnel, he saw a hulking silhouette moved through the light.


    Just as the heart had been guarded, so too were the tunnels at the top of the ship.

 Chapter 246 - Distress Call

    [Don''t be too rash in engaging with the guards, Kothar. The strength of these invaders seems to be purely physical, you cannot gauge it based on their mana. If these guards are anywhere near as powerful as those who guarded the heart-] Silane started to warn Kothar, who interrupted her.


    [Is there any other way for me to get to the control center?] He asked, knowing that if there were, Silane would have already found it, and he would be well on his way.


    [No, there isn''t. But still, please be careful, Kothar.] Silane knew her warning fell on deaf ears, with his home in danger, Kothar would not hold back on throwing himself into any sort of danger


    [Just keep this in mind, if you''re surrounded by guards again, there isn''t going to be another fall from the ship to bail you out like when we left the heart.] Silane said finally, sighing a little.


    [Alright.] Kothar replied, Silane''s warnings already fading to the back of his mind, as he crept forward, hugging the wall. The corridor was so well lit that Kothar was in no way being as stealthy as he had been earlier, the issue was ,that there was no way for him to properly hide from the eyes of the guard up ahead.


    As he drew closer Kothar could better see the guard, it seemed that Silane''s fears were well founded, the guard was enormous, a whole head taller than the guards he had faced far below, with the same pale skin peeking out from beneath his armor.


    The armor he wore had more of a dark metallic tint, Kothar was beginning to see a pattern in the materials that the invaders used.


    For most purposes, they used the nondescript, gray, lightweight but almost stone-like material, and on the other end of the spectrum, was the dark, dull, metallic material that they used for things that had to be more durable.


    Kothar thought back to the bars that had obstructed his entry into the heart, and the armor of those that guarded the heart, they had clearly used some sort of alloy between the two materials.


    The guard in front of Kothar had armor that used more of the dark material in its construction, it was sure to be somewhat resistant against his attacks, perhaps not his Lightning Element spells, but definitely his physical attacks.


    Kothar pushed his Skysteel blade upward, and drew it out of its sheath, taking care to make sure the blade didn''t clash against the mental collar of the sheath, so that the distinctive scraping of a sword being drawn didn''t alert the guard.


    Next, he channeled his Lighting Element Mana into blade, and the faint humming that came from it increased in volume. At the same time, Kothar gathered a ball of lightning above his other palm, ready to strike the guard.


    Kothar gently tossed the ball toward the guard, a soft crackling coming from the ball of blue lighting as it writhed and moved through the air.


    It moved rapidly through the air, and Kothar followed it, taking long leaping steps toward the unaware guard.


    The guard turned, moments before the Ball Lightning Spell struck, his mouth widening in surprise at the sight of strange blue light emitting from the odd ball in front of him, still not registering it as a threat.


    Then, his eyes flicked to the hint of movement behind the ball of lightning, the glow from the Ball Lightning causing him to squint, and there, he saw Kothar, with a drawn blade, running toward him.


    This made the guard register the danger he was in, and the staff was swung free from his back, and he reached toward his belt, in an odd gesture, reaching for a cylindrical device that had an obvious button at the top of it, densely covered in inscriptions.


    [He''s trying to raise the alarm!] Silane recognized the device for what it was, some sort of transmitter that would alert the guard''s comrades of an enemy.


    But even before the guard''s meaty hands could clasp themselves around the device, a bright blue light completely filled his vision, as the Ball Lightning slammed into his head.


    The guard fell to the ground, convulsing, the electrical signals within his brain going completely haywire, the powerful surge of electricity practically roasting his brian from the inside out.


    Even as the guard convulsed and fell to the ground, Kothar was sweeping forward, his Skysteel blade humming as it darted forward, sliding into the slightest gap between his helmet and the chunky armor that covered his torso, cleanly opening up his neck, slitting his windpipe open, so that the guard was left gasping for breath, as blood filled his lungs..


    [Pick up that warning device he was about to use, we might be able to use it to our advantage.] Silane said, as the guard tumbled over to the floor, a pool of blood forming around him.


    Kothar reached down to the guard''s belt, pulling the cylinder free from the clips that held it onto the guard''s belt.


    [Try and feel if there''s any sort of electromagnetic field within it. Even if they use living machinery, for this device to be able to warn others at a distance, it must be using some sort of electromagnetic frequency.] Silane instructed, she couldn''t hide the curiosity she felt for the strange technology, even in the midst of such an important mission.


    Kothar moved the device near to his belt, waiting for the inevitable disruption in the weak electromagnetic field that he maintained around himself.


    But there was nothing, even as Kothar moved the device back and forth, nothing at all happened.


    [Maybe it only works once the switch is pressed. That would make sense, as that would likely be what completes the circuit.] Silane said, highlighting the inscriptions all over the device in Kothar''s vision.


    [So how am I going to use this?] Kothar asked, eager to move on to finding the control center, ideally without having to worry about guards waiting for him around every corner.

 Chapter 247 - Distress Call(2)

    [Let''s head back to the maintenance shaft, if you activate and drop it down, it should stir the guards into confusion and give us a window to find the control center. Take the guard''s body with you, if they see him lying here without his warning device, it''ll be far too obvious.] Silane explained, and Kothar started to drag the guard''s body, holding him underneath his arms, the armor clanking as the guard''s body shifted and moved.


    [You don''t think they''ll see this pool of blood and be just as wary as if they saw their comrade''s body?] Kothar asked, pushing against the panel that would open the maintenance tunnel with his shoulder.


    There was a click, and the wall swung open, and Kothar pulled the guard inside the wall with him.


    [I don''t think their technology has the right to focus to determine whose blood it is. To them, it could just as likely be the blood of an invader from Eclat. After all, they bleed red, just as you do.] Silane explained, as Kothar dragged the body through the horizontal tunnel and over to the side of the vertical shaft.


    Kothar heaved the guard'';s body over the side of the vertical shaft, watching as it fell, limbs flailing about, quickly disappearing from sight within the dim light.


    [And what if they come through here?] Kothar said as he held the cylinder in his hands,thumb ready to press down the button and activate the alarm.


    [Come now, Kothar, I''m beginning to think that you''re gaining some sense of caution again. You saw the size of that guard, you think they''re going to be crawling into here and pose any threat to you. I don''t think that anyone other than the maintenance staff of this ship have access to these tunnels, and besides, if it comes to it, you can fight them off in here.] Silane teased Kothar a little, making fun of his recent recklessness.


    [Alright.] Kothar said simply, pressing his thumb down and tossing the device down after the guard.


    As soon as he pressed the button down, Kothar felt his belt vibrate as the electromagnetic field around the device was activated.


    [Now we wait.] Silane said, and Kothar walked back over to the door that led out into the main corridor, one ear against the wall as he listened for the guards.


    "The signal is coming from below! Follow me men!" Kothar heard a gruff voice, as well as the heavy stomps from the armored guards.


    "Sir! It looks like someone was wounded here, perhaps Evuxa wounded the enemy here, and then pursued them down below." Another voice called out, and there were many echoing grumbles in response.


    "Alright men! This is serious, we''ve got traces of combat, and Evuxa has sounded his alarm, let''s get down there as fast as we can." The first voice said gruffly, and then Kothar listened as their booted feet thudded past.


    Kothar waited a few more minutes, making sure any stragglers would have passed by. But there were no more sounds coming from the corridor, and so Kothar pressed down the panel again and stepped back out into the corridor.


    [Head back towards where the guard was, and keep going.] Silane instructed him, and Kothar, now sure that there would be no guards ahead, ran freely forward.


    The corridor stretched on for a few hundred meters, before ending in an intersection, but even so, the way forward was clear, one of the corridors sloped upwards, and Kothar ran towards it.


    Kothar continued running through the corridors, which were progressively getting shorter, running up those that sloped upward.


    [Alright, Kothar. It''ll be just up ahead.] Silane said, as Kothar came to a wide corridor, this one so wide that he could have mistaken it for a grand hall.


    Unlike the other corridors around it, this one was dimly lit, and lacked the fine designs decorating the ceilings and corners of the walls.


    Kothar slowed his pace, even if the guards had run toward the distress signal, there were sure to be guards posted at the control center of the entire ship.


    Taking small steps forward, Kothar squinted his eyes, channeling his mana to his Mana Sensing Lens, and spotted the guards, two silhouettes, empty of mana, standing with staffs in hand to either side of an enormous door.


    Kothar took a deep breath, these guards looked just as intimidating as the one he had taken out earlier, but they should be just as susceptible to his Lightning element spells.


    Kothar summoned two Ball Lightning spells, one in each hand, the corridor coming ablaze with a brilliant blue glow.


    "You seeing that?" Silane translated, as the guards stepped forward, even as Kothar send both balls of lightning spinning toward them, aiming for both of their heads.


    The lightning was bright enough that they failed to see Kothar, raising their staffs to intercept the balls of glowing blue light.


    But Kothar controlled the two balls of lightning expertly, curving them around the raised staffs, a faint crackle sounding out as the balls of lightning melded into both of their heads, and they both fell to the ground, their muscles twitching and spasming.


    Kothar had his blade ready as the spells slammed into the two guards, the humming Skysteel  blade darting out and slicing both of their necks, killing them as quickly as he had dispatched the guards earlier.


    Their bodies slumped down, at either side of the gray door, covered in inscriptions, but without the same reinforcement that Kothar ahd seen for the doors protecting the heart of the ship . It seems that the invaders didn''t feel the need to guard the control center in the same way.


    Kothar pushed the door open, straining a little with the weight of the door, the door swinging open smoothly.


    He found himself within a large room, the walls thick with spinning cubes that formed an image of the skies outside the enormous ship.


    And at one side of the room, slumped against the bottom of a wall, was a familiar face.

 Chapter 248 - Reunion(3)

    Kothar could have recognized the orange jumpsuit from miles away, let alone within the confines of the control center.


    But the broad, handsome face that Kothar had met was now gone, instead, the pale skin was now a patchwork of dark blue, pink and yellow, a mess of bruises.


    The dark hair which had been curly and shining was dull, thanks to the sweat and blood that caked it.


    A swollen and torn lip, as well as a small gash on one corner of his head completed the look.


    When Kothar had first seen the invaders arrive, he had thought long about how he would punish the man who had given up Eclat''s location, somehow using Kothar to find it.


    "I''ll go, I''ll go." Xerev whimpered as he heard Kothar''s footsteps approaching him. It seemed that he had already experienced more suffering than Kothar had been imagining he would exact against the crumpled mess of a man before him.


    Standing over the softly wheezing figure, Kothar removed his demon mask, clutching it in his free hand, his Skysteel sword held tightly in the other.


    "Hey! Remember me?" Kothar murmured, as he knelt before the crumpled figure, keeping quiet as he looked at the doorway on the other side of the room, a tall door currently keeping it closed. There was a high chance of soldiers being posted there, and Kothar quickly sent a burst of mana to his Mana Sensing Lens.


    [Kothar, don''t let him call out!] Silane warned, as Kothar''s Mana Sensing Lens revealed the mana less silhouettes of the guards posted at regular intervals beyond the door on the far side of the control center.


    "Huh, you''re not an Aemos?" Xerev mumbled, his eyes swollen shut, as he desperately squeezed them open, fumbling at one of the many pockets on his orange jumpsuit.


    Kothar watched the man who had supposedly saved him from Idwa, his face looking like it had seen the worse end of multiple fistfights, struggling to even pull something from his jumpsuit.


    Kothar watched as Xerev bulled out a familiar cylinder, and began turning rings all along its length, then raising his hands to lift the headset that hung around his neck and placing it over his ears.


    "I thought I recognized that language. What are the chances, huh?" Recognition dawned across Xerev''s face, and Xerev twisted his swollen and bruised face into the semblance of a smile, as his eyes peered through swollen and teary eyelids at Kothar.


    Kothar just stared at Xerev, not saying anything, his youthful face as expressionless as the mask he had been wearing moments ago, but his piercing blue eyes were filled with emotion. Rage, sadness, betrayal all filled his eyes, Kothar had spent so long thinking that Xerev had been his savior from the insectoid plane, and a few hours ago, he had realized that Xerev had betrayed him, leading an invasion force right to Eclat.


    "Will you take my life? Or torture me in retribution? There isn''t much you can do to me that my people have not already. Look at me, boy! This is my reward for selling out you and your plane. This is how the great ruler of the Aemos treats a loyal member of his own family! This is the fate of you and your home if he is victorious." The cut on Xerev''s lip split open as he talked , blood oozing out of the wound, spilling down his chin and into his mouth.


    "The great ruler of the Aemos shall find a use for this plane, he will squeeze it dry of anything in the slightest bit useful, then he shall beat it and break it, just as he has done to me." Xerev continued to croak, his device translating his throaty language into perfect Ursten.


    All the while, Kothar said nothing, his sword clutched tightly in his hand, as a swirl of emotions filled his head, he knew that torturing or punishing this wreck of a man would do nothing but fill him with guilt and regret.


    But he couldn''t walk away without doing anything.


    "I was once his right hand man! After the Supreme Ruler of the Aemos, the name on the tongue of all the Aemos was mine, my name! Ptuh!" Xerev spit, a blob of congealed blood flying out of his mouth and landing to one side. He seemed delirious, his head waving from side to side as he clutched the translating device tight in one hand, his other gesturing wildly at Kothar.


    "I would have done anything for the Aemos, but then, all was taken from me! All becau-" Xerev continued.


    "Urk." The Aemos scout''s words were cut short, as blood began to bubble out of his mouth, his wheezing fading to silence.


    Kothar slipped the sword out of the broken man''s throat, he felt a sense of bitterness in killing the man, but he was sure that if he had taken the time to torture or punish him, he would''ve been filled with a sense of hollowness.


    [You did the right thing, Kothar.] Silane said softly, as Kothar wiped his sword clean on the orange jumpsuit, slipping it back into its sheath.


    [I guess that confirms it, Silane. This invasion, all the killing and turmoil going on around my home, it is my responsibility. Somehow, I led these invaders right to my home.] Kothar''s head was bent down, and there was a sinking feeling in his stomach and a tightness in his throat.


    If only he had been more careful, more aware, if he had never found that damn Spatial Artifact, maybe things would be different today.


    [Perhaps I would still be studying naively under that madman Krieg.] Kothar said to himself, and then shook his head.


    He turned away from the corpse laying slumped against the wall, and swept his gaze all around the room.


    Now, it was time for him to take control of the enormous ship, and make sure that none of the invaders would leave.

 Chapter 249 - The Saboteur

    Kothar looked around the bridge, each of the walls depicted the view outside the ship from their respective perspective, and as Kothar looked more closet at the floor and roof, he could see that beneath a thick layer of clear material, they also were made up of the countless spinning cubes that created an image on each side of the room.


    As Kothar examined them closer, he could see that the cubes were colored in a variety of shades, ranging from black to white, and two different shades of gray.


    This created what were effectively black and white images of the outside. Kothar looked around, the ship was so high up that he could see the isle stretching out below him, tiny in comparison to the ocean stretching out on three sides, and the Fidour mountains to the north.


    Kothar looked beyond the Fidour mountains, and, perhaps, for the first time in years, a resident of the Isle got a view of the continent beyond. Kothar''s jaw dropped open in surprise.


    From up here, the Isle was like an afterthought, the tiniest sliver of land sticking out of the bottom of the continent.


    [No wonder Father wants to traverse the Fidour mountains, it''s like going from a tiniest backwater village to a nation.] Kothar said to Silane, still gazing around in amazement at the scale of the land beyond.


    [Sure, but tear your eyes away from the floor from a moment, it seems we aren''t alone in attacking the ship.] Silane said, and Kothar raised his eyes, looking at the walls.


    Focused toward the north side of the ship, were countless Advanced Rank individuals, appearing as tiny winged silhouettes on the walls, dancing around endless streams of Aemos ships, their attacks bright white against the gray that the sky had been painted.


    [It seems that Eclat is not in such dire straits as I thought. I hope that the Ascendant can fight off the invader, though.] Kothar said, turning to the focal point of the room, the rectangular table in the center.


    Out of everything that Kothar had seen on the ship, from top to bottom, the table was perhaps the most dense with inscriptions.


    Kothart''s eye''s swam with the countless circles, lines and right angles, all of them converging at the center of the table, where there were two enormous spheres.


    Other than the two enormous spheres, there were smaller knobs, dials and buttons scattered around the table, but from their size, it was clear the spheres were most important.


    [What do you think, Silane? Thrust and steering?] Kothar asked, applying his years of experience with Alliance spaceships to the controls of the vessel.


    [From my understanding of the circuitry surrounding them, that''s most likely to be the case.] Silane responded, her voice a little distant as she took in all the new patterns she was seeing amongst the inscriptions. [I guess there''s only one way to find out.] Kothar said with a grim smile, and reached forward, having to lean his entire body to reach the spheres, obviously, the controls had been designed for someone far larger than him.


    Kotahr placed a hand on each of the spheres, they were warm under his hands, and while they appeared polished smooth, their surfaces were slightly rough under his palms, allowing him to grip them easily.


    Kothar started with the right hand sphere, gently spinning it to the right.


    There was an immediate response, and while Kothar felt no movement within the control center, it was clear that the ship was moving, as the scenery on the walls all spun to the left.


    [That''ll be to steer, then. Seems like this room is stabilized.] Kothar said softly, as he gently spun the other sphere forward, and the ship instantly responded, as it slowly moved forward, the images on the walls shifting in response.


    [Let''s see if our friends have noticed anything] Kothar channeled a stream of mana ot his eye, and looked to see if the many guards has stirred, but they stood still, staring forward, lining the corridor.


    {Looks like the stabilization extends beyond this room. Lucky for us, or one of those guards might''ve arrived to investigate.] Kothar observed, spinning the steering sphere to turn the ship further to the right.


    Far below, the few citizens of Eclat who weren''t in hiding, caught up in battle with the Aemos, or being dragged away by the Aemos stared up in amazement.


    The enormous craft was spinning in a smooth circle, as if turning about an invisible axis that travelled along its center.


    High above, Kothar continued to turn the ship, so its nose now pointed south, from what he could make out from the cubes in the floor, there was nothing but water visible south of the Empire.


    [Most of the southern coast of the Isle is cliffs, so the worst of any waves caused by the crash shouldn''t affect things too much.] Kothar said to Silane, as he spun the left hand sphere forward, sending the ship forward.


    [Try to keep things as slow as possible, the slower you move, the less momentum there''ll be once the ship crashes, and the less alarmed those inside will be.] Silane instructed Kothar, who nodded, his face twisted in concentration as he maneuvered the ship out over the open ocean.


    [I just hope father and the others will be able to escape safely. They''re almost definitely still fighting below, and when this thing comes down into the ocean, the entire bottom of the ship is probably going to fill with sea water.] Kothar said with a worried frown, as the ship glided smoothly to the south. He wished he could warn Tam and Anteris, but as much as it hurt Kothar, the decision he should make was obvious: gently setting the ship down would probably save all those on the Isle, and possibly beyond.. Who knew what kind of catastrophe such an enormous object slamming into the surface of eclat could trigger.

 Chapter 250 - Crash Landing

    [Hold on, Kothar. There must be a way to close all the hatches and doors on this ship, when it first arrived on Eclat, they were all closed.] Silane said, remembering how the doors all over the ship had opened to release the stream of Aemos ships.


    [Alright, you try and figure out which one of these buttons or dials does that, and I''ll keep taking this ship- out over the ocean.] Kothar said to Silane, while gently spinning the thrust sphere, the scenes of combat all around the ship being left far behind them.


    The ship was slow moving, it could have moved faster, but Kothar wanted to keep the fall out from it being brought down minimal.


    The scenes all around Kothar suddenly fell, if Kothar had been elsewhere in the ship, he would have been sent flying upward, as the ship fell once again, but in the stabilized control center, Kothar only saw the visual effects of the ship falling.


    [Is it just me, Silane, or was that fall further than the others?] Kothar asked Silane, looking at the cube-screens around him.


    [I believe that one was a little further than the ones you experienced within the ship, but I couldn''t say for certain, I''m just estimating the distance.] Silane replied, but Kothar felt a sense of anxiety wash over him, to him, Sialne''s estimates were as good as fact.


    Kothar resisted the temptation to send the ship hurtling forward, he didn''t want to prematurely alarm any of those soldiers below, and he knew that he would have to land the ship at an angle, the nose plunging into the water.


    So far, Kothar didn''t have a way to lower the ship vertically downward.


    Kothar continued gently spinning the thrust sphere forward, his steady hands keeping the ship travelling forward at a steady speed, the constant thrust counteracting the enormous amount of drag from the size of the ship.


    Even as he steered the ship, Kothar could feel the spatial fluctuations growing more and more intense far below him, surely the heart of the ship would be torn apart, he thought.


    It was almost a half hour before the Isle was out of sight on the cube-screens, and thankfully, Kothar had yet to see any other landmasses, which made him more confident about bringing the ship down soon.


    [Kothar, see the large button just above the left sphere, if my understanding of their inscriptions is correct, that should close the doors. ] Silane said to Kothar, highlighting it within his vision with a soft blinking blue circle.


    [Alright, Silane, I''ll wait till I''m ready to bring this ship down before closing the doors. My father and the others might think that the doors closing is a trap by the Aemos, and try and break through. Knowing them, they might even breach the doors. If they can feel the ship descending, and they see the ocean outside, then I hope they''ll realize that an an ally is bringing the craft down.] Kotahr said to Silane, his voice was hopeful, but he wasn''t all that confident, at this point he was just hoping that his father and the others would survive.


    But he would do what he had to, Kothar was not the selfish sort to jeopardize an entire plane for his father, and besides, if the ship came crashing down, Tam and the others would likely be the first fatalities.


    [Of course, Kothar. I''ll keep trying to decipher the controls, perhaps I''ll be able to find something else that might be helpful.] Silane said, falling back on her routines as an AI, not knowing how to comfort Kothar in the tense situation.


    All over Eclat, Advanced Rank fighters from all corners of the plane had converged around the massive craft, they had flown to intercept the seemingly endless stream of ships that had spewed out of the countless openings all over it.


    All doing their best to protect their home and their people from the pale skinned invaders, who wielded weapons that caused excruciating pain when they touched bare skin.


    They had all watched, in fascination, as the craft slowly turned and glided away, flying away to the south, where there was nothing but open ocean.


    The enormous wedge shaped craft left great winds in its wake and all around it as it flew, such an enormous amount of air was being displaced by the craft that it affected the weather itself.


    But from all those Advanced Rank individuals, and all those watching the ship from the land below, none of them realized that the enormous craft was being steered by a native of Eclat, a young man by the name of Kothar.


    In the monotonous flight out over the open ocean, with no land in sight, the featureless and blank cube screens all around him, only a few stray clouds breaking the constant gray, Kothar''s mind was thrown back to the days when he had stood on the bridge of enormous battleships.


    Very rarely would he be at the wheel, more often than not escorting a higher up of the Alliance, typically someone from the Council.


    In those days he had loved to stare out of the vast windows of the bridge, watching as the stars turned to streaks of light, and soon disappeared, as the ships would accelerate faster and faster.


    In those moments he would let his mind turn blank, switching off from being constantly alert, ready for combat at every moment, relying on Silane and her access to his countless sensors to warn him off any possible situation.


    His hands on the spheres that controlled the enormous ship, Kothar was in a similar state, his instinct guiding his hands as he made miniature adjustments to the spheres, keeping the ship completely steady as it slid through the skies of Eclat.


    [This should be far enough..] Kothar said, and spun the steering sphere forward, setting the ship onto a forward angle, the nose slowly tilting forward, pointing down towards the choppy waters underneath.

 Chapter 251 - Crash Landing(2)

    Kothar continued tilting the ship, until it was about forty five degrees from horizontal, and the ship continued on its forward trajectory, heading for the depths below.


    Down below, at the very bottom of the ship, within a launch bay that had been a battlefield for the past few hours, the slain Aemos within forming literal hills of corpses, five citizens of Eclat were still fighting.


    "She''s going down! Slate, with me! Vaya, grab Shale!" A bloodsoaked Tam yelled out, his voice hoarse, after the first hour of combat, the enemies had grown stronger and stronger, and it came to a point where Tam had called the others to regroup with him, the constant stream of Aemos wearing event he Advanced Rank fighters down.


    Tam flew into the air, the talons of his Hawk Aura clutching Slate within, and Vaya did the same, clutching the other twin, the pair of them still slinging out Earth Element spells even as they retreated.


    Spears of stone flew through the air, while stone that littered the launch bay from their prior spells shifted and spun, keeping the Aemos off balance so that they couldn''t dodge or defend.


    Teves had summoned up a literal sandstorm, still fighting alone, his need to prove himself shining through, but even so, Vaya had instructed Tam not to call him back, for he knew the young chief fought, his inexperience would fade, and he would be able to hold his own.


    One corner of the launch bay now had the appearance of a desert, piles of sand across the floor, and Teves spun and danced there, spinning rings of sand slicing through his opponents.


    "Teves! Come now, lad!" Vaya roared out, knowing it would take at least that to get through to Teves'' battle-fixed state. However, Teves continued to fight, surrounded by heavily armored Aemos, their armor with the black tint that all those that had been fighting them now recognized as the armor of higher ranking soldiers.


    Currently, he wielded an enormous spinning disc of sand, grains of sand flying of in every direction as it sawed through Aemos after Aemos, the sand becoming dyed red as it soaked up the torrents of blood that flew out in every direction.


    "Teves! Tunrar Nahg!" Vaya yelled out again, in the tongue of the Tribes, and Teves finally turned around, his almond shaped eyes bloodshot, and his face spattered with blood, just like the others.


    Even Slate and Shale had droplets of blood staining their battlemage robes, though they favored taking out enemies at a distance, they had dealt with a few close calls.


    Teves now leapt into the air, flying toward the others, who were now hovering around the exit of the launch bay.


    Seeing that Teves was now following them, Vaya and Tam flew out into the open sky, their auras now faded, no longer shining bright as they had when they had first landed inside the enormous ship.


    As Tam and the others were flying away, similar scenes were repeating themselves all around the ship. For they hadn''t been the only ones who had attacked the ship.


    Other Advanced Rank fighters from across Eclat had made their way to the enormous craft, following ships that had abducted their people, and fighting the Aemos once they arrived.


    Some of these individuals now carried entire Aemos ships between themselves, the only way they could carry out the countless kidnapped citizens, taking them with them as they fled the ship.


    Anteris was among them, struggling to carry a ship filled with kidnapped people alone, his son within the craft, lacking the ability to fly, wishing that he had Advanced long ago, so that he could help his father.


    Graffius could see how Anteris'' aura had faded, and he could even hear the labored breathing as he carried the ship in the open air.


    But even as they flew away, the ship descending toward the ocean behind them, the survivors inside found their way to the controls of the craft, and Anteris felt the weight on his back lighten, as the straightforward controls were soon grasped and the ship flew away on its own.


    But the people of Eclat weren''t alone in leaving the ship, the ever battle ready Aemos gave chase, in their ships, launching their pain causing weapons at all those fleeing.


    A smile came over Kothar''s face as he saw the countless dots flying into the air on the cube screens around him, he knew that they could only be Advanced Rank fighters, taking flight.


    Even as he saw Aemos ships take flight and chase after them, the smile remained, for he knew that they would be no match for the spells of the people of Eclat.


    Kothar felt confident that his father was amongst those who had left the enormous craft.


    As the nose of the ship was about to touch the waters below, Kothar pressed down on the button to close all the hatches on the ship, and all around, they closed in unison.


    Slowly closing shut, the surface of the ship once again becoming a flat and featureless gray, the Aemos within now trapped with the ship as it went down.


    Kothar spun the thrust sphere backward, slowing the ship down ass much as he could; it breached the water, already an enormous wave spreading out from the point the ship had touched down.


    The ship continued to plunge into the water, and as it did so, it displaced more and more water. It was a truly impressive sight, as a wall of water formed all around, slowly becoming larger and larger.


    Kothar spun the steering sphere back, bringing the ship out of its nose dive, trying to land it like he had landed countless spacecraft in emergencies, bringing it to a horizontal as the water now cushioned it.


    But the craft was enormous beyond belief, and the wall of water continued to grow, and the ship plunged further and further down into the depths of the ocean.

 Chapter 252 - Alone, In The Aemos

    By now, everyone who had landed on to the Aemos in hope of fighting the invaders or rescuing kidnapped people were flying away, floating high in the air above the enormous ship.


    Here, the ocean was so deep that the ship continued to descend, Kothar at the helm, taking the ship down, trying his best to level out its trajectory.


    There was an explosion of sound, all throughout the ship, a kind of grinding, scraping noise.


    Even high up in the bridge of the ship, Kothar heard the sound, and realized that he had been successful, the ship had landed onto the ocean floor.


    But the ship continued sliding forward, for even though it was moving slowly, its massive size meant that it still had an enormous amount of momentum, and even as Kothar spun the thrust sphere backwards, and the ship pushed the sea apart in front of it, and continued onward.


    The ship was reshaping the seafloor as it gouged out the sediment and the solid rock beneath, replacing the rising hills and peaks that decorated the sea floor with a long undersea ravine.


    The floor of the control center was shaking beneath Kothar, it seemed that even with the ship''s ability to stabilize any movement in the upper portion of the ship, the repeated vibrations from the ship grinding against the seafloor had broken down whatever system stabilized the top portion of the ship..


    Beneath Kothar, the cube-screen has turned completely black, and all around him, most of the cube-screens were dark, where the ship had become submerged in water.


    Slowly, after traveling forward for a few more moments, the ship ground to a halt, two enormous waves travelling behind it diagonally from the wake of the ship.


    [So, what now?] Silane asked Kothar, they had achieved their objectives, the ship would not be travelling to any other planes, and they had prevented it from slamming into the surface of Eclat.


    [Right now? It seems that we''ve got some friends coming our way.] Kothar said, as he sent a quick burst of mana to his Mana Sensing Lens, the mana empty silhouettes of the guards lining the corridor beyond the bridge were rushing toward him.


    They hadn''t noticed anything until the vibrations had broken down the stabilization, and were now rushing toward Kothar.


    [How about leaving this control center? Xerev''s dead body should keep them occupied for a moment, and that should be enough time for you to slip back into the maintenance tunnels.] Silane suggested, she could tell Kothar was fatigued after the hours of fighting the Aemos and traversing the enormous ship.


    [Alright then, time to go. Let''s hope they just assume Xerev decided to crash the ship and then commit suicide. He seemed to have enough resentment to do so.] Kothar said, replacing his mask and pushing open the heavy door, slipping through as it opened just enough to let him through, pushing against it with his shoulder to slam it shut quickly once he was through.


    Kothar ran down the corridor, Silane highlighting the path through the maze of constantly intersecting and sloping corridors, leading him back to the hidden door within the wall that led into the maintenance tunnels.


    Breathing heavily, Kothar pushed his palm onto the wall, and with a familiar ''click'' the wall swung open, and Kothar stepped though, into a narrow horizontal corridor.


    There were droplets of blood on the floor where Kothar had carried the corpse of the slain guard, and soon Kothar found himself at the vertical shaft which he had pushed the guard down.


    [I don''t think it''d be ideal to go down this way. They''ll probably be searching for the guard''s killer down there.] Kothar said to Silane, who immediately replied.


    [Just go down a few levels to a  nearby horizontal shaft, that should put enough distance between you and the control center. Besides, all the maintenance workers on this ship are probably near the heart, trying to figure out what''s going on.] Silane said, and Kothar started climbing down the rungs, a few of which were still damp with the blood of the slain guard.


    Kothar slipped off the rungs and into an adjoining tunnel, hurrying down it. The guards he had seen through the door were even larger and likely even more powerful than the others he had faced, and he had no interest in fighting any more than he needed to, he was beginning to tire, and he was still trapped in the enormous mothership of the Aemos.


    [Well, what are we going to do now?] Silane asked, they were practically stranded in the middle of the ocean, thousands of kilometers from the Isle, and from any land in particular.


    Kothar knew he wouldn''t be able to swim that distance, and that all the Advanced Rank individuals had bailed off of the craft long ago, flying abc to the Isle.


    [I guess I''ll wait for the Spatial Artifact to find its way back to me, I don''t think we can use any of the smaller ships, since the hatches are all closed, and opening them would be catastrophic.] Kothar said grimly, as he realized that he would be stuck on the ship, with who knew how many Aemos, who would all be looking for the person who had sabotaged their ship.


    [I don''t Kothar, they''re bound to find us sooner or later, and it''s not like there''s anyone else on board to distract them anymore. You''ll be the only invader on the ship,and every single one of them is going to converge on you.] Silane''s voice was filled with concern, Kothar had managed to avert a major disaster for Eclat, but now he was stuck in between a rock and a hard place.


    Kothar stayed silent, walking along the dimly lit maintenance tunnel, brow furrowed in thought.


    [I don''t see what other options I have, Silane. Holing up in these maintenance tunnels is probably the best place to hide for me to survive as long as possible..] Kothar''s voice was filled with resignation, even he was exhausted after the grueling day he had.

 Chapter 253 - Father And Son(3)

    As the great leviathan of a ship settled into the ocean, Tam, Vaya and Teves flew through the air, nearby each other, their eyes sweeping the skies behind for any sign of Anteris or Graffius.


    "What of the soldier who you carried into the ship? The masked soldier, who wielded the blade of glowing light?" Vaya said to Tam, as they side by side, Slate and Shale clutched in the talons of their respective auras.


    "Him? I think he''ll find a way out, he''s survived far worse, and I don''t know of a more resourceful man." Tam said with a soft smile on his face, after hearing of Kothar''s adventures through the cluster of planes that surrounded Eclat, and his achievements, both on the battlefield and in his missions with the NIghthawks, he was utterly confident in his son''s abilities.


    But even so, there was a persistent thread of worry gnawing at him, for though he trusted Tam as a soldier, as father, he was still being eaten by worry.


    Tam tilted his head slightly, looking into an empty space in the air on his other side, as if listening to someone else, and then nodded in agreement.


    Vaya gave Tam an odd look, and then continued speaking. "That''s high praise coming from you, I''m surprised he isn''t among your lieutenants." Vaya was prying a little, though they were currently allied with Ursten, alliances weren''t everlasting, and it never hurt to know more about one''s allies, and possible enemies of the future.


    "That would be depriving him unnecessarily, he''s still young and has much room to grow. And both you and I know, real growth occurs in battle, on the front lines." Tam responded, still scanning the air for any sign of Anteris.


    They were keeping an eye out for Anteris'' aura, but among the numerous glowing shapes that flew through the skies, it was difficult to pick out any one individual.


    "You''re right, I''m eager to meet with this promising young warrior. Perhaps he can teach my grandchildren a thing or two." Vaya said with a sly grin, he was making it clear to Tam that he would go to any length to learn more about this mysterious soldier, after all, Vaya had heard of his exploits against the Imperial Elites, and letting Tam hear about the abilities of his grandchildren would be nothing compared to learning more about the blizzard ability that allowed the masked soldier to ignore the Elite''s defenses completely.


    Yells and shouts echoed out from far behind them, as the first of the Aemos ships caught up to the flying Advanced Rank fighters, but they quickly faded away.


    The sky was covered with spears of Ice, which rained down on the trailing ships, as a particularly powerful individual of the Advanced Rank let loose.


    Immediately afterward, balls of blazing hot magma materialized in the skies, mimicking the previous ability, as they rained down on the few remaining ships.


    "It seems we are still little fish, compared to the big pond that is the continent." Vaya murmured to Tam, as they watched the Aemos ships being blasted and separated out of the sky.


    "A bigger pond only has more room to grow." Tam murmured back, his face determined, his dark eyebrows narrowed, and his mouth set in a line.


    "And has more vicious predators." Vaya muttered back, quietly. And Tam shook his head at him.


    "Of course, without risk, one can expect no reward. What happened to the daring Master of the Crow Tribe?" Tam responded, still shaking his head at Vaya.


    "He became old. Look Tam, see my white hair, and my aged face." Vaya replied, with a sad smile, everyone wished to remain forever young, but the reality was that on the Isle, few could attain the heights of strength that allowed one to age so drastically slowly.


    "I have already lived far longer than I should have." Vaya continued, when he had fought the Ursten, he had already been an old man by the standards of most humans, and now he was ancient.


    "Not ye-" Tam started to say, but was cut off by a loud, booming yell.


    "I could recognize those birds anywhere! Hop on here, fellows! And save your strength." Anteris yelled at the three of them, standing atop an Aemos ship, waving at the other Advanced Rank individuals in the air all round him, to make sure they didn''t attack.


    Of course, his wasn''t the only ship that carried Eclat survivors, there were others, some flying under their own power, some carried by winged glowing silhouettes.


    "Anteris!" Tam said with a smile, placing Slate gently in the open back of the craft, before landing on the top next to Anteris.


    "How is Graffius?" Tam asked, but Anteris cut him off before asking loudly.


    "You all didn''t make it out? What of the masked soldier?" Anteris said, a frown on his face.


    "I was just saying to Vaya, you needn''t worry about him, he''s dealt with far worse." Tam said, clapping Anteris on the back. He wouldn''t tell them that it was his own son that was missing, and he asked that worry that granted deep inside of himself.


    Knowing Kothar, he was probably at the center of whatever had caused the enormous ship to go down.


    After all, he did say something about finding the control center for the ship before he had disappeared into its depths.


    "Whatever you say, Tam. I must admit, though, leaving a soldier behind, in any situation, leaves a sour taste in my mouth." Anteris frowned, his wrinkled face crumpling, and his bushy white eyebrows bristling.


    "He was nowhere to be seen when the ship was coming down, and if we waited any longer, then we would''ve all gone down into the ocean with it. We''d be at the bottom of the ocean right now if we had stayed." Tam said, his voice cold. It sounded as though he was justifying himself to Anteris, but in truth, he was justifying leaving his son behind to himself.

 Chapter 254 - Dying Aemos

    The Aemos had become a hive of activity, without Xurha present, there was virtually no chain of command.


    Xurha had ruled the Aemos with an iron fist, and as an Ascendant had been able to issue commands to all the dispersed divisions that were in the ship.


    Xurha''s personal guards were scouring the bridge, trying to make sense of Xerev''s deceased body and the fact that the ship had been flown without them noticing.


    Meanwhile, the maintenance division was overwhelmed, alarms ringing all over the enormous ship, sending them scattering in every direction.


    They were losing many of their workers to the spatial cracks that were spreading through the heart of the ship, the brave maintenance workers who had tried to go and find the source of the problem not returning.


    Others rushed down to the bottom of the ship, which had become damaged from its crash landing into the ocean floor, while a few others rushed to repair the stabilization system.


    As for the common soldiers, they milled around the ship aimlessly, many in tears, for the Aemos had not suffered such a great loss of life in any of their campaigns so far.


    Until now, they had been lucky enough to attack planes where no significant resistance could be mounted against them, but on Eclat, their Ascendant had been pulled into the void, while their great mothership was grounded, having been crashed into the ocean by an unknown saboteur.


    As for the saboteur himself, he was currently huddled in a dead end amongst the maze of maintenance tunnels that crisscrossed the inside of the Aemos.


    [I think the Spatial Artifact should return to me soon, the spatial fluctuations coming from the center of the ship are fading.] Kothar said to Silane. He was currently wrapped up in his dark cloak, the hood pulled over his head, and his knees pulled up to his chest, with only a tiny gap for his eyes to peer through into the tunnel ahead.


    This was so that any casual passersby wouldn''t notice him hiding away in the back of the tunnel, and alert the Aemos that were currently swarming the ship in disarray. Giving the disorganized mess a target to go after would quite probably be the worst thing Kothar could do.


    [Once you''re out of here safely, Kothar. I think you should find a deep chasm, or some sort of volcano, and throw that artifact down there, and be done with it. That thing has only brought us trouble and danger, and I don''t trust it one bit.] Silane''s voice was serious, she had never liked the artifact, and the strange goings-on with the enormous Spatial Crystal in the center of the ship had only made that dislike worse.


    [You only say that because you don''t understand it, Silane. If you could make sense of whatever it''s doing, I''m sure you''d be yelling at me to rush into the heart and recover  it right now.] Kothar chuckled as he said that Silane''s dislike of all things she didn''t understand had always been an issue.


    When they had fought all across the Alliance, it had taken many years before she had stopped protesting against Kothar, following his gut instincts.


    [Maybe that''s true. But tell me, Kothar. How well do you understand it? Didn''t you say that you had only scratched the surface of it what it was capable of.] Silane continued, still dead set on Kothar getting rid of the artifact.


    [Sure I did, but I meant that as a positive, not a reason to get rid of it altogether. You might not understand what it''s doing, but you can''t deny that it''s made my Spatial Magic increase by leaps and bounds.] Kothar said, thinking on how difficult it had been for him to use the repeated portals to travel through the Aemos, after he had left the Artifact behind in the heart.


    {Nothing that helps you so drastically is likely to be without significant risks. And Krieg''s definitely isn''t going to be the last person who comes after you, just for the artifact.] Silane knew that  Kothar didn''t like talking about Krieg, but she was that certain that the Artifact was a negative influence, and was bound to be a danger to Kothar, if not now, then in the future.


    Kothar was silent for a few moments, remembering Krieg was always painful, as memories of his betrayal would flash through Kothar''s mind. Kothar hadn''t spent long with Krieg, but he had respected him, after all  he had been one of Kothar''s only real; teachers.


    [Okay, so what if I do go and toss the Spatial Artifact off some cliff. I only see two real outcomes, someone comes after me looking for it, and finding that I don''t have it, they try torture its location out of me. On the other hand, I toss it, and it returns back to me, just as it has before. And anyway, Silane, without it, I can''t travel to other planes, which is definitely a perfect last resort escape route.] Kothar said, clearly a little upset, as memories of Krieg flicked through his mind.


    Silane didn''t respond for a while, while Kothar had made some good points, she wasn''t familiar with being wrong, and even less familiar with admitting it.


    After sitting in silence for a long few minutes, it was Kothar who broke the silence.


    [The spatial fluctuations are decreasing rapidly, this should be it.] Kothar said, closing his eyes to focus on the spatial mana and space around himself.


    The spatial fluctuations faded away, and as they did, Kothar heard a faint groaning noise.


    If he had been at the heart of the ship, the noise would have been deafening, and in the heart, some maintenance workers fell to the ground as the sound reverberated through the ship.


    Though there were no words or any meaning associated with the noise in particular, it was still clear what it meant.


    The mighty living ship, the Aemos, the culmination of the Aemos'' technology, was dying.

 Chapter 255 - Dying Aemos(2)

    Though the ship was now set down on the ocean floor, it was by no means stable where it sat, the ship had been kept aloft by the remaining dregs of power that had been pulsing through it.


    But now, as the heart gave out, and the blood stopped pumping, it was over.


    Kothar felt the floor tilt beneath him, and he was sent sliding toward the wall of the maintenance tunnel.


    [What''s going on, Silane?] Kothar called out, bracing himself against the wall with one arm, the other out towards his other side in case the ship rolled the other way.


    [The ship is dying, Kothar. It can''t stay standing up how it was without any power, it''s far too top heavy, and the waves battering it can''t be helping.] Silane responded, even as the floor tilted further, and Kothar almost tumbled, head over heels.


    Kothar got back to his feet, now half standing/half squatting on the wall of the maintenance tunnel, the ship was falling onto its side.


    The groaning noise continued to resonate through the ship, and the warmth that had radiated all throughout from the pipes was fading away.


    [Do you think it''s going to stay watertight, Silane?] Kothar asked,anxiously. As brave as he was, the thought of being trapped in what was essentially becoming an undersea coffin while it filled with water didn''t appeal to him in the slightest.


    [I think so, but I can''t be certain. The ship''s made to withstand all kinds of odd environments, since it''s supposed to be an interplanar vessel, but who knows what''ll happen when the whole structure loses power.] Silane said, while Kothar struggled to balance on the constantly shifting wall.


    [I guess we can''t rule out some of the soldiers getting desperate and trying to break through the hull, and who knows, the guards up above might even open the hatches and doors all over the ship.] Kothar replied, a frown on his face as he imagined all the possible scenarios.


    [Let''s hope that the ship has lost enough power that the doors stop functioning.] Silane said, even as the strange groaning noise continued in the background.


    The yellow tubes that lit the ship had yet to fade, even the tunnel Kothar was in was still lit by the dim yellow light, it seemed that whatever powered the lights wasn''t connected to the heart of the ship.


    Kothar was sent slamming into the roof, as the ship rolled even further, almost tipping over within the ocean completely. All over the ship, the Aemos were screaming and crying out, even within the maintenance tunnels, Kothar could hear their screams.


    Kothar had mixed feelings about the potential death of at the very least, thousands of lives.


    The ship was so enormous, it could house at least hundreds of thousands, if not more.


    The Aemos had invaded his home, and had kidnapped countless citizens, and who knew what they intended to do with them.


    BUt was Kothar justified in stranding them all in an enormous coffin at the bottom of the ocean?


    As he waited, Kothar was wrapped up in these dark thoughts. Silane could feel his unease, but she remained silent, for she was even more unfamiliar than Kothar when it came to things like guilt or regret.


    In the dark corner of the dying ship, Kothar''s mind whirled back to missions for the Alliance, where he had eradicated entire rebel planets, commanding battleships to completely bombard them from every possible angle.


    In a few moments, a vibrant planet full of life would turn into a charred husk of its former self. But at least then, he had been so mechanical and emotionless that he hadn''t had to think twice about his actions afterwards.


    It had been the mission, and he had completed it, it had been as simple as that.


    If only things were still so simple, of course, a random soldier of the Aemos army wasn''t personally responsible for the invasion. But Kothar had seen their determination, and as he thought, he became more and more sure that he had made the right choice.


    The spatial fluctuations that had continued in the distance now faded to nothing, and Kothar was crouched there, arms spread out to either side, wedging himself in the corner.


    All of a sudden, he felt a cool sensation against his neck, and a  sudden resonance with his Spatial Core.


    The weight of the necklace settled around his neck, and Kothar knew that the artifact had returned.


    [So its back.] Silane said with a sour tone, as she felt Kothar''s elation at the return of the artifact.


    [It''s back.] Kothar unclipped his breastplate, letting it fall away, and pulled down the stretchy material of the neck of his Multiplanar Equipment, and reached behind his neck, unclasping the necklace.


    He wanted to take a look at it, after it had caused such a massive disturbance, and absorbed so much spatial energy.


    Kothar summoned a ball of lighting, since the tunnel was so dim, the bluish white light of the lighting mixed with that of the yellow from the tubes, and lit the necklace in a strange glow.


    Kothar peered at it, it was hard to tell in the light, but it seems the surface of the artifact was no longer black, rather it seemed to be an extremely dark purple color.


    Apart from that, the artifact itself was as unassuming as ever, and remained set within the Titanite Alloy that Kothar had made for it. Even after absorbing an enormous amount of Spatial Energy from the enormous crystal at heart of the ship, it didn''t give off any kind of strong fluctuations.


    [Time to go?] Silane asked Kothar, as he clasped the necklace back around his neck, picking up his breastplate and clasping the font and back halves together.


    [Time to go.] Kothar replied, and focused in on the artifact, looking for the threads of Spatial Mana that tunneled into the air, the tell-tale sign of a ''thin'' area of space, where Kothar could open a portal to another plane..


    Kothar channeled his Spatial Mana, preparing to open a portal.

 Chapter 256 - Qhmros(2)

    On Eclat, the Aemos sunk down into the depths of the ocean, all the Aemos on board crying out in fear, leaderless and lost, completely taken over with terror.


    As for their leader, the mighty Xurha, Ascendant of pure physical prowess and violence, he was locked in combat, with the guardian of Eclat, Qh''mros, Ascendant of the wind element and speed.  1


    Xurha had just opened a tear within the void itself, ripping open the space to open a gash that lead back to Eclat. Qh''mros, seeing this, was rushing toward him, playing right into the other Ascendant''s hands.


    Qh''mros greatest asset in combat, its speed, was about to become its undoing, for Xurha channelled almost all of his domain to his axe, and was striking down exactly where he expected Qh''mros'' head to be in the next few moments.


    Qh''mros was unprepared, its domain still distributed all over itself, reacting to Xurha''s sudden tearing of the void.


    The axe made contact.


    The glowing red domain that surrounded the axe clashed with the green glow that surrounded Qh''mros, and tore through the comparatively thin layer.


    Too late, Qh''mros realized what Xurha had done, and sent its domain toward it''s head.


    But by now, Xurha''s axe had broken through the layer of green light that had protected its head, and was plunging into the scaled forehead of Qh''mros.


    Qh''mros felt an unbelievable amount of pain, to such an extreme that it would paralyze most beings, but Qh''mros was an Ascendant, and as such, continued channelling its domain to its head.


    "Crack." Xurha''s axe split apart the scales protecting Qh''mros'' delicate dark green skin, and tore into the velvety smooth skin that lay below the scales.


    The blow carried all of Xurha''s physical prowess, and easily split apart the delicate skin and flesh below, a gout of bright blue blood spouting out into the emptiness of the void.


    Qh''mros jaws were open, and it let out a great tormented scream, as the axe continued onward, plunging into the dense bone of Qh''mros skull.


    But Qh''mros was no sluggish giant, the split second amount of time that the axe had been crashing through its defenses had been enough for it wrap its skull in its domain, a bright green glow emanating from within its skull, defending against the razor sharp, chisel like edge of the axe.


    [Graaaaaaaah!]


    "Graaaaaaaah!" Xurha yelled out, both in his mind and into the void, his mouth open below the bars of his helmet in a silent grimace, for not even the slightest murmur would travel within the void.


    All of Xurha''s muscles were bulging, and his veins were twisting and writhing under his skin like serpents, as he pushed down onto his axe with both of his enormous arms.


    This was his chance, his only chance, to destroy the far older Ascendant.


    But Xurha''s ace only travelled a few millimeters further, gouging into the bone, an impressive feat for anyone, but it lacked the power and momentum to strike Xurha''s true target. Qh''mros'' brain.


    [Sssssssssss!]


    "Sssssssssss!" Qh''mros  let out a great hiss, pain and humiliation mixed with its rage, not only had Xurha managed to sliced of a section of its horn, but he had managed to truly wound it.


    Its tail whipped forward, utilizing its speed to the greatest extent, and wrapped around Xurha''s legs, pulling his body toward it.


    Qh''mros front and rear legs lifted up, the black claws wrapped in a brilliant green glow, and pulling Xurha''s body toward it with its tail, the claws struck out, again and again, against the brutish breastplate that covered his chest.


    They easily slipped through the thin amount of red domain that Xurha had left wrapped around his body, striking through to the metal below.


    As the claws struck the dark metal, white sparks exploded out into the void, the claws striking out again and again, with impossible speed.


    MEanwhile, Xurha''s axe was still trapped within the dense bone of Qh''mros'' skull, though Xurha had struck decisively, he had also made the mistake of striking Qh''mros'' skull where it was thickest, right between its branching horns, where its skull bore the weight of its horns.


    Xurha eyes bulged in shock as Qh''mros'' claws tired through the metal of his armor, stirling again and again, impossibly fast, the cold touch of Qh''mros'' claws on his belly.


    Qh''mros'' claws tore into Xurha''s belly, striking over and over, in a clear attempt to disembowel him.


    Now Xurha''s face twisted into a silent grimace, though he was used to being harmed in combat, for he was covered in scars, always tip-toeing the line between life and death.


    But Qh''mros'' domain was wrapped around his claws, and it wrapped his claws in thousands of slicing and swirling blades of wind. So that they all tore through the muscle of his abdomen, making Xurha feel as if his flesh was being chewed from the inside out.,


    Qh''mros'' claws continued wreaking havoc on Xurha''s belly, tearing into the delicate organs beneath, tearing through each and every one of them.


    Scarlet blood sprayed out in every direction from Xurha''s midsection, the black armor that had protected it now torn and twisted. Due to the nature of Qh''mros'' domain, the blood formed a fine mist as the spinning, swirling, slicing tiny blades of wind whipped it out in every direction.


    Xurha, finally dislodging his axe, lurched backward, stumbling and flipping, Qh''mros'' tail still wrapped around his legs.


    [You''ll not escape me! Upstart!] Qh''mros yelled out, whipping his tail abc toward himself, pulling Xurha toward him.


    But the Qh''mros had underestimate Xurha''s raw physical strength, and Xurha broke free of the tail wrapping around his legs, his axe clutched tightly in one hand, while his other was pressing strongly down on his belly, holding in his organs.


    [Come on! ISn''t this what you live for! Upstart! Come to your end!] Qh''mros'' amber eyes were wide, and it''s face was dripping in the blue blood that poured from the gash on its head.


    The blood dyed its fangs and its scale in an eerie hue, and combined with the green glow that surrounded it, cast Qh''mros in a terrifying light.

 Chapter 257 - Return To Slumber

    Qh''mros'' blood was pumping, and for the first time in hundreds of years, it had become truly enraged. It opened its jaws wide, letting out a silent, yet primal and savage roar from its jaws.


    Calling back to its bestial origins. Its tail swished back and forth, and its eyes were wide, its jaws dripping with its own blue blood, while Xurha''s red blood dripped from its claws.


    But Xurha knew that he was defeated, and the gash he had torn into the void was still open behind him.


    Xurha, pushing all of his domain toward his midsection, weakly flew toward the hole in the void that led to Eclat.


    Ascendants were powerful beings that grasped the laws of the world itself, but they were still beings of flesh and blood, and Xurha''s blood was currently dripping out his torso.


    Xurha flew out of the hole that he had torn in the void, and out in the bright blue skies of Eclat. He looked about in confusion, where was the Aemos? Where were his countless soldiers?


    The hole torn in the void behind him was closing, but a pair of dark claws gripped the sides of it, tearing it open.


    In that moment, Xurha spread his domain out, covering all of Eclat, in search of his flagship, the Aemos.


    "Who did this!" Xurha''s voice bellowed out, echoed all over Eclat. His eyes were now bloodshot with rage, and the hand that gripped his axe was quaking.


    Fleeing from Qh''mros, he had thought that he would at the very least be able to leave Eclat with the Aemos, and would be able to leave with the countless energy rich denizens of Eclat that his soldiers had captured,


    Instead, he returned to find his mighty warship laying on its side on the bottom of the ocean, all the Aemos that he had bought with him scrambling aimlessly throughout the ship.


    He had instantly locked in on the lack of the spatial fluctuations at the center of the ship, the heart of the ship torn to shreds by spatial fluctuations.


    The resources that he had built up after so many conquests, to build the enormous ship, all wasted.


    The spatial crystal that he had procured after so much effort, now spent and empty, laying within the shredded remnants of the heart of the ship.


    There was no trace of the individual who had taken out his ship and stolen the energy of the crystal and Xurha let out a scream of pure fury.


    Xurha might have been able to hone in on the portal that Kothar had left by, moments ago.


    Unfortunately for Xurha, the absorption of the Spatial Crystal by Kothar''s artifact had twisted and torn the space within the ship to such a degree that it was a mess, and Kothar''s traces were obscured and hidden.


    He also took in the fallen ships all over Eclat, those ships that had managed to leave the ship had been torn and broken by the denizens of Eclat, using their energy rich bodies to destroy the invaders.


    Xurha, trembling with fury, stared down at a glowing silhouette below him, his mouth opened in a snarl, and tightly gripping his axe, he made to fly down toward the being, ready to vent his rage.


    "Not so fast." Came the rumbling voice of Qh''mros behind him, as the enormous creature pulled itself through the hole in the very fabric of Eclat, its scales shining in the light of the beaming sun, the sky now clear.


    "Seems like someone cleared things up." Qh''mros could see Xurha''s fury at losing his ship, and taunted him, a toothy grin on its face.


    "You! Tell me! Who did this! Is there another Ascendant hiding on this plane!" Xurha yelled out, completely overtaken with rage.


    "Huh? You really think I would suffer another Ascendant residing in this plane besides myself? What kind of deranged fool do you think I am? I''ve no idea who destroyed your puny craft, but I''m glad whoever it was did so. That thing was a bit of an eyesore." Qh''mros sneered, wings flapping as it threaded through the air toward Xurha.


    "Do you have time to be worrying about that little toy of yours?" Came a threatening growl, Qh''mros had easily closed the distance between them, claws swiping out toward Xurha.


    Xurha raised his axe at the last moment, and was sent tumbling through the air, while Qh''mros watched with a satisfied smile.


    Xurha looked over his shoulder, his gaze filled with fury, and swung his axe, tearing through the space in front of him, and slipped into the void.


    "Hmmmmm. I hope he spreads the word, I hadn''t expected that I''d be forgotten so quickly." Qh''mros'' rumbled to itself as it watched Xurha flee, with a satisfied smile.


    "I expect he''ll return, for revenge or to recoup his losses. That''ll be good entertainment whenever he does." Qh''mros flew back toward the Fidour mountains.


    By now, most of the invaders had been subdued, and the citizens of Eclat had emerged from the basements and cellars that they had been sheltering in.


    They had stumbled as the yells of an enraged Xurha had echoed all across the plane, and then watched in amazement as he was swatted through the air like a fly.


    Now, they all watched in wide eyed amazement, as the enormous creature that had emerged from the Fidour mountains now flew back toward the mountain that it emerged from.


    Qh''mros flew down toward the mountain it had resided under, it swept the debris, consisting of enormous chunks of rock and dirt, and slid into the resulting hollow.


    The rubble piled up over it, and once more, the missing peak in the Fidour Mountains was there, now slightly different in shape, and a little lopsided.


    Once again, the guardian of Eclat returned to its slumber.


    Tales of this day would be told all over the plane, and would be passed on, through the generations, over and over, until, once again, they would be forgotten.

 Chapter 258 - Another Portal(2)

    Moments before Xurha had returned to Eclat from the void, within the walls of the Aemos, hidden in a maintenance tunnel, a portal was opened.


    Kothar opened an interplanar portal, just wide enough for him to step through, and walked into it, the portal shutting behind him.


    A red glow suffused all of Eclat as the portal closed, looking for the culprit who had destroyed the enormous ship, but Xurha was too late.


    Kothar was now floating within an endless sea, around him, there were silvery silhouettes flashing, as the fish fled from the object that had suddenly appeared within their shoal.


    [Looks like this is the right ''direction''.] Kothar said to Silane, as he started to sink downward, weighed down by the Ursten armor that he wore.


    Kothar swam upwards, struggling a little against the weight of his armor, but his strengthened body propelled him easily through the water.


    If he wanted to make sure his next portal would be in the open air, rather than within rock, he would need to travel higher.


    As far as he knew, and from his experience, the myriad planes were roughly in the same location, with slight variations in elevation, and sometimes water in place of air.


    But Kothar''s choice of the ocean plane had been correct, if he had travelled elsewhere, while aboard the sinking Aemos, his destination portal might have opened inside dense rock, rather than water.


    And as curious as Kothar was about Spatial Magic, he didn''t want to risk his life in testing a portal into solid rock.


    [So we''re heading back to Atla?] Silane asked, as a brightly colored eel swam up to Kothar''s face inquisitive, curious if the sinking object was a dead carcass, but upon the slightest twitch from Kothar''s head, it fled.


    [I would much rather traverse that plane, then try and make my way across the unknown ocean of Eclat. In my lessons with Simon, he did mention that the earliest explorers had refused to travel too far from the coast thanks to the beasts that populated the deep oceans.


    Seeing as I cannot fly, I''d probably lose my life trying to swim back to the Isle.] Kothar''s decision had been clear, and additionally, travelling to another plane was the best way for him to escape the sinking ship.


    [You''ll be stuck using portals to travel, the ship is back on Eclat, and the Hoverbike is hidden in the base.] Silane said, her tone a little concerned. Kothar ahd constantly been using Spatial Magic for the past few hours, even after its enlargement from its contact with the Spatial Crystal, Kothar would surely be depleted.


    [I can always rest on the safer planes, and once we arrive on Atla. Besides, I have the Artifact again, and from what I can tell so far, its able to nourish my Spatial Core now.] Kothar said with a hint of pleased surprise, as he diverted his attention to his Spatial Mana Core.


    [You know, travelling by portal is risky, and while I can run fast enough on foot, I think some changes are in order.] Kothar said, thinking abc to some of the designs that Silane had shown him.


    [Really? We can utilize the hideout on Atla then, it''s perfect for gathering raw materials, and I''ll be able to use the helmet and construct everything we need.[ Silane was clearly excited, and Kothar smiled. He didn''t mind an implant or two that would help him move faster and wouldn''t impact his senses in any way.


    {Alright, Silane. Is this high enough?] Kothar asked, ready to open the next portal. The last time he had traversed planes, Kothar had need to wait far longer between opening portals.


    The reason for that was due t two key aspects, first, he had been opening comparatively enormous portals, large enough for his ship to pass through. Second, Kothar was far more experienced with Spatial Magic now, and had grown in the time that had passed on Eclat.


    [Swim up a few more meters, better to fall a little, than be stuck within rock or whatever happens when a portal is opened inside a solid.] Silane replied, and Kothar nodded, swimming up higher, before channelling his Spatial Mana.


    Kothar opened a portal, and swam through, tumbling down as he fell out of the portal, onto the soft sand below.


    Kothar squeezed his eyes almost completely shut, he was familiar with this plane, it was blindingly bright, with the enormous red sun that dominated the sky.


    Kothar looked around quickly, ensuring there were no clear threats, other than a few oddly shaped cacti, Kothar noticed nothing alarming.


    Before settling down, Kothar spread the weak electromagnetic yield that would allow him to sense any disturbances as wide as he could, and then he sat down right here, on the hot sand, and closed his eyes.


    Kothar was gathering ambient Spatial Mana as fast as he possibly could, drawing it in like a starving man gulping down food.


    His Spatial Mana Core grew brighter as he sat there, the mana twisting through his body as he pulled it in.


    A few kilometers away from Kothar, a large winged creature had been asking atop a cliff, warming itself in the extreme heat, it had batlike wings, and a large beak. And though its wings were more luke extensions of its hands, it was covered in colorful feathers.


    The creature''s ebay eyes fixed on to the glint of light that shone off of Kothar''s breastplate, and the creature ran awkwardly toward the cliff it had been basking on, flapping its wings desperately.


    As it ran off the cliff and into the empty air, it plummeted for a few meters, before its ungainly wings caught the air, and it started to fly.


    It flew through the air, half gliding on the currents of hot air that rose from the desert.


    Its target was clear, the odd shining thing that had appeared within its territory.


    Meanwhile, Kothar was totally focused, sweat beading his brow, not from the heat, for the Multiplanar Equipment took care of that, but rather from the intense concentration, as he pulled in more mana than he was used to, feeling it twisting and pulling at his insides.

 Chapter 259 - Another Portal(3)

    Kothar pushed through the pain and discomfort, knowing that this was exactly what he needed right now, after his Spatial Core being forced to expand unnaturally, he needed to acclimate his body to the increased amount of Spatial Mana.


    Otherwise, he would run the risk of being torn apart from the inside out by his own mana.


    All the while, the strange creature flew closer and closer to Kothar, currently, it was flying high up above him. Even if Kothar were to open his eyes and look around, he would only see the faintest dot in the sky above, barely visible against the glaring sun.


    The odd creature''s feathers were a mixture of red, blue and purple, unlike many other creatures of this desert plane, it was not the drab colors that blend with the desert.


    For it had no need to hide, with its sharp beak and talons, it could define itself, and against those threats that it couldn''t fight, it could take to the skies and flee.


    Now, the beast was above Kothar, peering down at him as it circled high above, unlike birds of prey though, it was not able to dive straight down at him.


    Instead, it flew away, off to the side, before turning down, and extending its wings straight out to the other side.


    It would swoop down, in a shallow arc with its talons extended, to catch its prey.


    The beast started its glide down towards Kothar, who still sat there, unaware. Kothar had extended the field far further than it usually was, but it was only about fifty or so meters wide, anymore would strenuous, and he wouldn''t be able to meditate.


    So, it wasn''t until the beast had picked up speed, and had its talons outstretched, that Kothar sensed the slightest vibration from his belt as the electric field was disturbed.


    Immediately, Kothar''s eyes snapped open, and he turned his head toward the disturbance, in moments, he realized the threat.


    Kothar was already drawing in Spatial Mana, and so, his right hand snapped up, and rather than dodging or running, Kothar opened a portal right within the beast''s trajectory.


    "Squaawwk!" The creature cried out, as the odd purple portal appeared in front of it, but it was going too fast for its ungainly wings to steer it away.


    The creature''s head and torso passed into the portal, and a spray of blood spurted all  round.


    The two halves of the creature continued on their forward path, falling away to either side, a semicircular chunk missing from the edge of them.


    It was a far cleaner cut than any blade, claw or jaw could create, the creature''s head and torso had passed into the void, as anything that entered a lone, unpaired portal would.


    Kothar closed his eyes again, and continued to gather his Spatial Mana, this plane was far safer than the others he would need to pass through on his way to Atla, and so, he was committed to gathering as much Spatial Mana as he could while he was here.


    The heat from above had faded slightly, as the enormous sun was starting to set, it was so enormous that even as it disappeared behind the horizon, the desert was still lit in its red light.


    Kothar now came to his feet, brushing the sand from his cloak, it was time for him to resume his journey.


    Kothar channeled his mana, feeling around for the ''thin'' spot that would allow him to travel to the nearest plane.


    Finding it, he opened a portal, and stepped through. All around him were large trees, their trunks so wide that even five men could not wrap their arms together around them.


    Vines hung from their branches, and wrapped around their trunks, while ferns grew below, as well moss that lived in the crack in the bark of the enormous trees.


    Kothar only looked around quickly, scanning for immediate danger, then opened another portal, this time, in another forested plane.


    However, the trees here were twisted and warped, their color slightly off, the vines hanging from them vibrant and green as they leached the life from the trees.


    It was as if there were curtains of green all around Kothar, and he pushed apart the vines to look for danger, pausing for a few moments before channelling his mana to open yet another portal.


    Kothar took a deep breath before he stepped through this portal, and he stepped through, into the frozen hellscape that he remembered from all those months ago.


    Kothar grit his teeth, and braced himself, as he was plumelled by frozen shards of ice that were whipped at him by the chilling winds that screamed through this plane.


    Beneath the sound of the wind, and the crackling of the ice against Kothar''s armor, was the eerie wail that had set his teeth on edge the last time Kothar had passed through this plane.


    Just as before, Kothar felt as though he was being watched, and quickly channeled his Spatial Mana.


    Unlike the clearly dangerous planes, this plane was off-putting, it gave one the kind of feeling that you might get when turning your back to a dark cavern, the mysterious emptiness weighing on your mind.


    The wailing grew louder, and Kothar felt a genuine sense of panic, he opened the portal as fast as he could, and leapt through, closing it shut behind him.


    Here, the Multiplanar equipment showed its strength, as Kothar stepped foot onto the asteroid, the darkness of space all around him.


    The air here was thin, the barest remnants of an atmosphere clinging to the enormous hunk of rock that was the barest remnant of the planet hat once stood here.


    Kothar felt a strange lightness, and he resisted the urge to leap into the air, as he had always done when landing on a low gravity planet.


    For here, one wrong step might send Kothar hurtling out of the bare remnant of the atmosphere that protected him from the vacuum of space.

 Chapter 260 - Return Journey

    Kothar bent his knees, carefully, moving as slowly as possible, and sat down, cross legged, on the bare rock beneath him.


    All around him, was the dark emptiness of space, and the faded light of a dying sun off in the distance.


    Kothar took slow, steady breaths through the mask of his Multiplanar Equipment, and it worked as promised, delivering sufficient oxygen to him even in this thin atmosphere.


    Kothar sat, recovering as much Spatial Mana as possible, he didn''t need to rest right now, but the next plane on his route was one of the more dangerous ones, so he wanted to be at his best possible condition when he passed through.


    After a short while, Kothar opened a portal in front of himself, and drew his Skysteel sword, while simultaneously firing up his Plasma Blade.


    Kothar stepped through the portal, and immediately leapt forward, a bright purple vine, edged with razor sharp pointed leaves, had swung through the air at him as soon as he passed through the portal.


    Kothar spun around, and swung his Plasma Blade, shearing through the vine, the burnt ends sending up a thick black smoke.


    But that was just the beginning of what Kothar was about to experience, the plants on this plane were completely savage, and Kothar wasn''t about to get off so easily.


    Even as he cut through the first vine, hanging from the grey trunk of the tree just to the right of him were many more veins, and they all shot toward him, whipping through the air.


    Kothar''s Plasma Blade formed a ring of light in the air, as he spun his arm over and over, slicing through the tough vines as they approached, his Skysteel sword at the reader in case anything slipped through.


    Kothar felt a slight vibration in his electromagnetic sensor belt, and rolled to the left, almost losing his group in his sword.


    "Booom!." A thick, twisted green trunk had slammed down where Kothar had been standing, having missed him, it reared back up into the air, ready to slam down again.


    All around Kothar, the vibrant forest was coming to life, a whole being filled with precious carbon had appeared, and all the plants were eager to capture it.


    Kothar ran ahead, trying to put the vines and twisted green trunk behind him, and there was another boom, as the trunk slammed down once again, missing Kothar.


    Kothar almost ran into a thick wall of light blue tangled thorny branches. Kothar stopped, and looked closer, inside of the tangle of thorns were the remnants of the flying plants that he had spotted the last time he had passed through this plane.


    Without even looking, Kothar felt the faint vibration as more vines swung at him, and he swung his Plasma Blade behind him, slicing the vines that were attacking him.


    Kothar channeled his Spatial Mana, looking for the nearest ''thin'' spot, and opened a portal in the midst of where the vines and trunk had been attacking him.


    He would much rather run back to where he knew the dangers, than open a portal where there would be some unknown threats.


    Kothar ran toward the portal, slicing out with both blades, the burnt and blackened ends of the vines falling to either side of him, and the booms of the enormous trunk sounding out, over and over.


    Kothar switched off his Plasma Blade, and sheathed his sword, he needed to run faster, as he saw a bright blue tree, with a bulbous trunk, uproot itself from the ridge above, and began walking, on thick roots, down toward him.


    Seeing that was more than enough for Kothar, and he dove forward, going headfirst through the portal ahead.


    Kothar rolled as he hit the ground, and all around him were the massive spheres that made up the dirt of Atla.


    Finally, he was back in the plane that he was most familiar with.


    [Silane. I hope you were able to keep our bearings after all that?] Kothar asked, as he took in the towering green pillars that were blades of grass, and an even larger column with an explosion of color at its top, a flower of Atla.


    [Given that your orientation is maintained when travelling between planes, and the distances that we travel are relatively proportional to each other. Then I think you should head in this direction.] Silane said, projecting a glowing orange arrow over Kothar''s vision.


    Of course, Kothar couldn''t be certain that he was heading in the right direction, since it was possible that one''s orientation and distances travelled weren''t consistent between planes.


    But he had to at least try, for it was really the only way to find out what was the case.


    [Alright. Thanks, Silane. Now, let''s see how the artifact does with regular old portals.] Kothar said with a grin, he was eager to see how the artifact had changed after absorbing so much energy.


    Kothar opened an entry portal in front of himself, and tried opening a portal at the maximum distance that he had previously been able to, about a hundred meters away if he used all of his effort and concentration.


    To his surprise, the portal opened as easily as if he had opened one only about ten meters away.


    Kothar stepped through the portal, and looked back to where he had entered from, a wide grin on his face.


    [This is truly impressive. It took only the slightest amount of mana, and it was far easier than in the past. Some of the improvement would be thanks to the increased size of my Spatial Core, but a lot of it is thanks to the Spatial Artifact. No wonder it was so easy to open the interplanar portal on the way here.] Kothar now focused even further, another fifty meters beyond  the first portal.


    This was quite ambitious, given that it became exponentially more difficult to manipulate one''s mana the further one got from themselves.


    Kothar opened the entry portal, and then focused on the spot he had chosen.

 Chapter 261 - A New Home

    Kothar sent his Spatial Mana out toward the location, almost a hundred and fifty meters away, to his surprise, it wasn''t difficult in the slightest, and the portal smoothly opened.


    His jaw dropped open in surprise, and Kothar stepped through, and tried to open a portal even further than the last.


    Again, he opened it easily, it seemed that the Spatial Artifact had gained a lot from absorbing the enormous Spatial Crystal.


    Kothar kept testing further and further distances, before finally finding his new limit, of about five hundred meters.


    [This is ridiculous, just having this Artifact puts me equal with most at the higher end of the Intermediate Rank. Even though my Spatial Core is still at the size of someone just entering within the Intermediate Rank, and that''s after it being artificially enlarged.] Kothar said in surprise to Silane, a clear smile on his face.


    [Wonderful, this does put your Lightning Core far behind, but it should still have it''s uses.] Silane replied, as Kothar continued summoning portals and stepping through them, this was quickly becoming Kothar''s favored method of travel.


    This method was actually quite common amongst Spatial Mages, but Kothar wasn''t aware of this, having lost his mentor before he could learn anything significant from him.


    [The distance to the hideout is probably enormous, considering how far I flew the Aemos'' ship out into the ocean.] Kothar said, the landscape around him changed from grasses to enormous trees.


    ------


    The enormous sun that hung in the sky of Atla was beginning to set, the sky changing from a bright blue with wispy clouds all through it to a deep orange, with a thick carpet of fluffy clouds that were lit up like a bonfire by the setting sun.


    Kothar had constantly been opening portals for the entire day, the rich mana on Atla meant that his body was nourished as he travelled, his mana draining dar slower than it should.


    Unfortunately, this time around, Kothar hadn''t come across any beasts travelling toward his hideout, and wasn''t able to hitch a ride within their hides.


    There had been a few that had crossed his path, their footsteps shaking the ground as if Kothar was experiencing an earthquake, but Kothar was far too small for them to even vaguely be interested in them.


    Now, Kothar had finally come across a familiar sight, the enormous torrent of water that was the stream that ran past the willow tree he had carved his hideout within.


    Kothar felt a faint sadness, it had been so long since he had been thrust into this world by betrayal, and it had become a great opportunity for him.


    A world rich with resources and dense with mana, that would allow him to grow stronger in both the realms of his ability, through improving his magic and upgrading his body.


    Kothar decided against using portals to travel the rest of the way, while the small stream was like a mighty raging river to him, walking alongside was still quite calming.


    As he walked, Kothar thought over the constant swirl of action he had been embroiled in when he had returned to Ursten.


    It felt as though he had barely had even a moment to rest, he wished he had the chance to properly spend time at his childhood home, and return to the Academy without fearing for his life.


    But for that, he would need to become far, far more powerful than he already was. That would also allow him to protect his new home, it was impossible that he wouldn''t become fond of Eclat and its people.


    This time, he had managed to stave off the threat, by sabotaging the enemy''s greatest asset, and trapping their troops within an underwater coffin.


    BUt he had been extremely lucky, with his Spatial Artifact affecting the crystal and by not having to confront the Ascendant.


    Kothar needed more strength of his own, he didn''t want to rely on luck, or on an artifact anymore, when the time came to protect his home again, he wanted to be sure that he could do it with solely his own ability.


    As Kothar was ruminating in these thoughts, he came to the willow tree that contained his hideout without realizing, almost walking past and continuing his walk.


    There it was, the tiny hole in the enormous trunk, as well as the hidden staircase that he had carved out within the trunk to help with travelling up and down the enormous tree.


    [Be careful around here Kothar, those Freemen that Krieg sent after you may have left traps inside, or one could even be laying in wait.] Silane warned, as Kothar started up the staircase.


    Kothar walked slowly up the stairs, carefully inspecting the floor, walls and roof as he did so, looking for any sign that anyone had left a trap or even been there.


    By the time he made it up the staircase it was dark outside, and he summoned a ball of lightning to light the way as he continued.


    [Everything is exactly as we left it. And by that, I mean exactly, nothing has been moved by even a millimeter.] Silane commented, as Kothar sent the ball of lightning spinning around the main cavern.


    [Wow, we really left a mess here, didn''t we.] Kothar said, with a smile, remembering the excitement they had both felt upon the launch of the ship.


    The chunks of wood that he had sawed out to widen the tunnel that led between the main cavern and Silane''s workspace littered one side of the cavern, while the rest of it was dominated by chunks of metal and components for the ship that had failed to make the cut.


    At one side of the room, was the tidiest area, where Kothar had parked the Hoverbike, as well as creating a space to store the tools he had purchased from the Pebble Network.


    [Well, I guess you''d better get to cleaning.] Silane said, teasing Kothar a little.


    [Hahaha, sure thing, The sooner that gets done, the sooner we can get to work.]

 Chapter 262 - Wings Of Steel

    Kothar hadn''t had the chance to rest in over an entire day, to think that he had woken up and gone to a simple meeting with his father, and now he was standing, planes away, in the hideout he had carved out with his Plasma Blade.


    As far as he knew, the Eclat''s Ascendant was fighting the invading forces'' Ascendant, and with their ship destroyed, Kothar had done all he can to help defeat against the invasion. As for what happened now, it would be determined by the result of the battle between the two Ascendants, so Kothar had decided to spend some time on Atla before returning to Eclat.


    Returning earlier wouldn''t change the outcome of the battle, and if he was better prepared, he would be more capable of dealing with whatever had happened on Eclat when he returned.


    He unbuckled the Ursten armor he was still wearing, revealing the black Multiplanar equipment underneath, and then removed the beautiful yet demonic mask that Lucio had carved for him, laying it down carefully in one of the many alcoves he had carved in the walls of the hideout.


    Removing the rest of the equipment, Kothar headed down to one of the pools next to stream, washing the grime and blood of the battle off of himself, before finally heading to sleep.


    Kothar slept a deep dreamless sleep, his body naturally drawing in the dense mana of Atla, and recovered from all the tiny wounds and tears that he had accumulated over the past day.


    Kothar had been damaged not only from the impact of the few blows that had gotten through Kothar''s defense, but also from the use of far more Spatial Mana than his body could bear.


    [Good morning, Kothar. Or should I say good evening, depending on whether we are going by the time on Atla or back on Eclat?] Silane said, as Kothar opened his eyes with a satisfied yawn.


    He slowly rose to his feet, and stretched, he had slept for almost an entire twenty four hours, his body and mind now well recovered.


    [Whatever you prefer Silane, now, let''s take a look at the schematics you''ve prepared for me.] Kothar said, sitting down cross legged, waiting for Silane to project the blueprints over his vision.


    [Alright, considering that we''re focusing on flight this time, here are the options.] Silane said, projecting three different blueprints over Kothar''s vision.


    The first one, was simple, it involved replicating the Plasma Unit in Kothar''s left palm, and then implanting two of them into his feet, after which, they would build a housing around them that would allow Kothar to use the plasma generated by the air around him to fly.


    The second was a little more complicated, instead of implanting another two Plasma Units, it was more of a jetpack, that would use Kothar''s Lighting Element Mana to power two high power turbines within it, and allow Kothar to fly.


    The final option was the most ambitious, and it was clear that Silane had tossed it in amongst the others, not expecting Kothar to pick it.


    It was a full suit of Titanite armor, that Kothar could wear into battle, and additionally, it would require no additional implants or use of Kothar''s Mana Cores. Rather, it would use the residual electricity from Kothar''s full powered Lightning Aura spell to power it, which Kothar already used almost always in battle.


    The spell would power one large turbine on his back, and the air would be ejected from ports on the forearms and lower legs of the armor, allowing Kothar to steer by moving around his limbs.


    Kothar was silent for a long while, then he asked Silane to focus in on the different schematics, looking them over, inspecting all the different portions, and weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of the different options.


    [Well? What''s it going to be, Kothar?] Silane asked, as usual, excited at the prospect of constructing new machinery for Kothar.


    [The first option is a definite no go, this is just a temporary option, until I''m able to condense my own Aura, and then I''ll be able to fly all on my own. I''m not in the mood to have any new implants, at least not something that I''ll only be using for a short time.] Kothar said, and Silane made the first option disappear from his vision.


    [The second option is better, but unless we adjust it to be powered similarly to the third, I''d rather not use it, I don''t want to tie up any more of my Lightning Element Mana, if it used the Mana Storage Unit, then I wouldn''t mind it, but it''s utilizing mana directly from my core.] Kothar said, and Silane kept that option in his vision, marking some of the components in red, to be adjusted.


    [To be honest, Silane, I almost feel like you planned this so only the third option would fit my preferences, it doesn''t involve any new implants, it utilizes a spell that I already use, and it''ll also be useful as regular armor It seems to me that this is something you really want to create?] Kothar said with a grin, teasing Silane a little, even though he had already decided on what option he would choose.


    [Alright, you got me. I''ve got hundreds of other designs to choose from, if you want to look at all of your options, but I picked these out as they represent the spirit of the different types of designs I created.] Silane teased  Kothar back with an overwhelming info dump,


    [I can adjust the designs also, so they fit your specific requirements, also, but that''ll increase the number of schematics you need to look at by-] Silane continued, but Kothar sat there with a subtle smile on his face.


    [No, no, no.] Kothar cut Silane off, and then laughed.. [There''s no need for you to do all of that, I''ve already decided on what design I''m going to choose.]

 Chapter 263 - Wings Of Steel(2)

    [Well, don''t keep me waiting in suspense, Kothar, what is going to be?] Of course, Silane already knew the answer by now, but she still wanted to hear it from Kothar.


    [It''s got to be the third one, it''ll be perfect for the battlefield, especially if I''m facing multiple opponents, and to most, it''ll only look like an odd suit of armor, so I can wear it without suspicion. The flight capabilities will really be a trump card.] Kothar replied, and he could feel the joy emanating from Silane at his response.


    [Wonderful, let''s get started on it immediately!] Silane said joyfully.


    [Alright, but even if I melt down all these castaway parts, we won''t even have close to half the Titanite that we need. Unless, of course, we use an alloy.] Kothar said, knowing it was almost impossible, Silane would decide to compromise and use subpar material to construct the armor.


    [You won''t get out of going and gathering the ore we need that easily, Kothar. Come on, that Hoverbike it waiting for you.] Silane highlighted the Hoverbike in Kothar''s vision, as if he couldn''t see it.


    [THere''s no need for that, I''ll do it, I''ll do it.] Kothar swiped in front of his eyes with his hands, as if trying to rub away the intrusive highlight.


    Kothar walked over to the shadowy silhouette in one corner of the main cavern, and pulled off the canvas covering of the Hoverbike.


    There it was, the roughly crafted Hoverbike, with the two gauntlets that also functioned as handles for Kothar, the roughly stitched seat, and the spherical housings at either end that contained the bladed rotors that allowed it to fly.


    Kothar hopped astride the bike, and sent a surge of electricity into it via the gauntlets, immediately the rotors hummed to life and the Hoverbike hummed as it lifted off the ground.


    Kothar steered the bike carefully out into the open air of Atla, soaring out of the entrance of his hideout, heading toward the ore deposits he had previously mined.


    With his Plasma Blade, he could replace most tools, and as such he didn''t need a pickaxe, he could just cut the ore straight out of the vein, easily removing any extra material, and then bringing it back to the hideout suspended below the Hoverbike.


    By the third trip, Kothar''s brain had zoned out, and he was moving around on autopilot, flying out, carving out the ore, piling it up onto the square of canvas, tying and attaching the canvas to the Hoverbike, and then flying it back.


    Then repeating the process all over again.


    When Kothar had first left the hideout, the sun was high in the sky, and even though the days on Atla were far longer than those on Eclat, the sun was low in the sky, just about to dip below the horizon, by the time he had gathered enough ore for the amount of Titanite that they would need,


    As the sun set, and the clock of darkness spread all across Atla, Kothar began by melting down the Titanite cast offs from the ship, melting down each forged piece.


    Within the cavern of Kothar''s hideout, a bright white light lit everything up starkly, as Kothar used his Plasma Blade to melt the Titanite down.


    He shaped the blade into a concentrated beam, collecting everything in rectangular molds that he had prepared, forming ingots of the sturdy material.


    Eventually, Kothar had melted down everything, and then he started on the ore he had gathered, this portion went by faster, since before the powerful alloy was formed, its constituents could be melted down by the heat of Kothar''s forge.


    Kothar melted down the separate ores, and mixed them, forming the shining gray Titanite, ingot by ingot, until he had created enough for the project that lay ahead.


    For the next portion, Kothar would have to forge the Titanite, heating up each of the ingots and hammering them to create each piece of the armor.


    By the time Kothar was finished, there was a large pile of dense ingots next to him, and he looked at them with amazement.


    On another plane, even on Eclat, it would have taken an enormous amount of capital to purchase enough of the rare ores to produce this much Titanite, but here on Atla, gathering everything required could be finished in a day.


    The armor potions wouldn''t be too difficult as Kothar could make slight errors, and they would still be usable, but the more delicate, working components of the armor would be painstaking to construct.


    However, Silane had allowed for Kothar to make errors, and the gathered ingots were enough that Kothar could make more than a few mistakes.


    Besides, they would use far smaller portions of the Titanite, and Kothar could always melt them down if need be, which, while time consuming, would only need Kothar to channel the energy from his Mana Storage Unit.


    [Let''s get started, shall we?] Silane said, and Kothar nodded in agreement, now in state of focus, as he gathered everything he would need, the anvil, hammer and tongs


    As well as the first ingot of Titanite, that he utilized to create the first piece of the armor.


    Kothar fired up his Plasma Blade, shaping it with his Lightning Element Mana into a small sphere, just large enough to engulf the Titanite ingot that rested within the forge.


    Once it began to glow, Kothar picked it up with the tongs, and moved over to the anvil.


    "Clang! Clang! Clang!" The sound of the hammer slamming into the ingot rang out, over and over, the first piece of the armor slowly taking shape.


    Kothar continued hammering for hours, and the shape of the ingot slowly changed,


    It grew flatter and flatter, until it was about two centimeters thick, it was shaped into a precise pentagon.


    The piece of metal was about fifty centimeters across, and twenty long, this would be the center of the armor, the piece of Titanite that would act as the breastplate.

 Chapter 264 - Wings Of Steel

    Kothar held up the piece of metal to the deep orange that emanated from the forge next to him, and turned it all over. The piece of metal was perfectly smooth, and the edges had just the slightest curve to them.


    It was the perfect beginning to the forging process, and Kothar tossed the piece of Titanite into the tub of oil set to one side, an enormous rush of smoke filling the air, and a loud hissing sound sounding out as the hot metal contacted the cool oil.


    Without missing a beat, Kothar picked up the neck ingot, heating it to the required temperature with his Plasma Blade, and then beginning the hammering process, once again, a loud clanging filled the cavern.


    The forging process continued on for days, Kothar would rest for a few hours, wake and then would pick up the hammer again, and would begin beating the Titanite into shape.


    Gradually, each piece of the armor was taking shape. The oblong, angled plates that would layer over each other and would protect Kothar''s stomach, the curved planets that would sit at the sides of Kothar''s abdominal region, which would afford Kothar protection as well as flexibility.


    With those pieces, the frontal portion of the torso was completed, and then Kothar moved on to the back of the armor, this time, he formed a pentagonal plate, however, this one did not have the gentle curve the chest piece did, rather, it curved strangely, forming a wavy line if one looked at it along its length, this was so that Kothar''s movement would be impeded as little as possible, allowing his shoulder blades to freely rotate under the armor.


    Another set of oblong, angled plates were formed, which would protect Kothar''s lower back, all slotting together, allowing Kothar full motion, bending forward and backward.


    As for the shoulders, Kothar formed two larger, almost spherical pieces, which would sit over the shoulders, and allow Kothar to be protected. They also had a small notch at their abc, which would allow for the air from the turbine to reach the arms.


    Kothar continued, forming the curved pieces that would protect his upper arms, and upper legs; these pieces were a little more complex, as Kothar needed to form the channels that would allow the air to flow from the unit at his back, down to his forearms and lower legs.


    After completing these, he formed the large plates that would protect his hips and pelvis, these were also curved, and would slot into the back and rotate, allowing Kothar to run, jump, sidestep, and all the other motions that were key in combat.


    Soon enough, all of the less complex pieces of the armor were formed, all of them quite large plates, some of them with clear channels that the air would flow through installed.


    Now, Kothar needed to make the more delicate pieces of the armor, firstly, he took an ingot of Titanite, and shaping his Plasma Blade to be razor thin, he started carving thin slices out of it, to form the fan that would draw in the air from outside the armor and then send it all throughout Kothar''s armor.


    Next, he drew out an ingot, forming the tiny coils of wire that would spread out all over the armor, within the more delicate inner potion, harvesting the electricity from his Lightning Aura to power the motor within the back unit.


    Kothar formed the outer housing for the turbine, this portion of the armor would sit over the upper back plate, slotting in with the shoulders of the armor as well as the back, only adding about ten centimeters to the circumference of the upper portion of the armor, still keeping it low profile.


    The motor would also be installed in the same housing, utilizing a large magnet that would be spun using the field generated by the electricity that would be picked up by the countless coils all over the armor.


    The entire turbine and motor unit was light, thanks to the Titanite''s properties, but was durable and strong enough that it wouldn''t be susceptible to damage in battle, even in close proximity to extreme heat, cold, moisture, electricity or impacts.


    Additionally, the entire unit could be removed, and the armor used only as battle armor, if Kothar chose to do so, but it was unlikely he would do so, since the added utility provided by being able to fly was incomparable.


    With the turbine and motor complete, Kothar started on the lowe leg and forearm portions of the armor, the openings for the air would be on the inner forearm, and on either side of the lower leg, near Kothar''s calf muscle.


    These portions didn''t take too long, as Kothar only had to form the channels that the air would flow down, apart from that the pieces weren''t too complex.


    But then, Kothar started on the more delicate. Smaller, armor pieces, to create these, he cut the ingots into smaller chunks, and would create the small, angled, pieces that protect his fingers, allowing him to fully articulate them and move his wrists freely, preserving his ability to use his sword.


    The boots of the armor were forged with two large pieces, one covering the upper foot, and another forming the base, ridged and pointed to allow his feet to grip the ground.


    The ankle portion was formed of thin rings, allowing for the same articulations at the wrists.


    Of course, when creating these more delicate pieces, as well as the wiring, smaller portions of the motor, Kothar made small errors that would result in him having to start the piece over from the beginning, which extended the amount of time he had been creating the armor for.


    Once all the plates that would form the armor had been completed, and the delicate inner wiring, turbine, and motor portions were all finished, Kothar was covered in soot, grime, splashes of grease, and filings of Titanite.


    But now, Kothar could start on the final portion of the armor, the helmet.

 Chapter 265 - Wings Of Steel(4)

    [Silane, I want to change something.] Kothar said, as he looked at the design of the helmet, it was simple, a molded single piece of Titanite, angular in shape to remain consistent with the design of the rest of the armor, with a molded set of holes to either side of the lower portion, which would allow Kothar to intake air easily whilst still wearing the mask from his Multiplanar Armor beneath.


    [What! What do you want to change? Kothar, the armor is perfect as is, and you already agreed to-] Silane had been so caught up in the process of crafting the armor that she was caught off guard, thinking that Kothar had changed his mind about something important.


    [No, no. It''s not like that, Silane.] Kothar interrupted her, consoling her, before continuing.[ I want to change the design of the helmet. I want it to resemble the mask that Lucio carved for me as much as possible, seeing as how effective of a tool it became on the battlefield.]


    [Oh. Okay, that''s fine then, I was worried you wanted to completely overhaul something.] Silane sighed, and immediately began changing the blueprint, changing the structure of the helmet.


    Now, while retaining its angular appearance, the helmet had a savage grin, the intake for Kothar''s breathing air formed into an open mouth, complete with a twisting tongue and curved fangs.


    There was the broad nose, as well as the two glaring eyes, which Silane had enlarged, and now lay extended from the middle of the helmet all the way to the side, with small holes at the very center of the pupil for Kothar to peer through.


    [Alright, that''s good enough for me.] Kothar said, and picked up a ingot of Titanite, preparing to form the armor.


    [Before you begin, how about you shave your head, just so I can start assembling the armor using the robotic arms.] Silane said, with a cheerful tone, she knew that Kothar didn''t like shaving his head so the electrodes could attach, but she also knew that Kothar would probably damage the tiny components if he tried to assemble wiring and more delicate portions himself.


    [Alright. I probably need a trim anyway.] Kothar groaned, and went over to the large barrel of water that he kept within the hideout.


    His reflection was clear in the water, thanks to the shining sunlight coming through the entrance.


    Kothar hair was now at his shoulder, the shaggy curls caked with soot and grime from the days of forging he had been doing.


    Even his face was sooty and grimy, obscuring most of his features, with only his piercing blue eyes shining out from the dirt.


    Kothar took his short blade, and shaved off the hair, deciding to completely cut off all of his hair, slicing off chunks at first, to get it shorter, before shaving it off close to the skin, so that the electrodes could firmly contact his scalp.


    Then, he washed his face, revealing his pointed noise, the only part of his features that resembled Ophil, and the rest of his angular and firm face, looking almost exactly like TAm.


    He had a light beard and mustache now, and he shaved those off too, and as he looked at his reflection, he was reminded of the days when he was a fresh in the Sentinels, where every young soldier had to keep their heads and faces shaven.


    "Hmmph.'''' Kothar sighed, and picked up the strange looking helmet, and placed it on his head.


    Already, Silane had started slowly moving the robotic arms in the cavern above, testing out and becoming familiar with the motions again.


    Kothar carried all of the components up to the cavern, sweeping aside the bits of wood that he had yet to clean up.


    After setting them all down where Silane instructed him to, he headed back down to his anvil, where he could begin forging the helmet.


    From above, the whirring and grinding noise became louder and louder, as Silane picked up speed, and Kothar wanted to start hammering as soon as he could, if only to drown out the distracting noises from above.


    This was quite a bit more difficult, thanks to the fact that Kothar had to shape out every one of the fangs, the twisting tongue, and the shape of the eyes into the helmet.


    Kothar decided that instead of trying to forge the complicated expression, he would make a thicker helmet, forge into a rough shape, and then compress his Plasma blade down to a razor thin line, and basically carve out the shape of the final piece.


    To do this, Kothar first had to melt down a few ingots, so that he could make the piece thick enough so that pieces of it could be shaved away.


    After melting them down and allowing the larger ingot to cool, Kothar started hammering it out, thinning out the ingot, and slowly forming the spherical shape.


    The inside portion had to be slightly larger than his head, and it had grooves within ti to allow Kothar''s mask from his Multiplanar equipment to slot in side and stay flush with the armor.


    An entire day of hammering later, the rough shape of the helmet had been formed, and Kothar then fired up his Plasma Blade, compressing down to a thin line, and started shaving portions off of the armor.


    During this part oft he process, he had to be extremely careful, as slicing of even a centimeter too much would completely ruin the helmet, so he took his time with each piece.


    Chunks of Titanite fell away, making small ''clink'' sounds as they fell to the ground, and gradually, a terrifying face emerged from the chunk of rough Titanite.


    There were the fangs, the glaring eyes, the thrust out tongue and the almost vertical eyebrows.


    The angular shape of the helmet made the face look more bestial than on the mask, and only added ot its terrifying appearance.


    [Kothar, you''re finished. Come up here and try on the armor!]

 Chapter 266 - Launch(2)

    Kothar placed the completed helmet under his arm, picking up a thick piece of leather on his way up to Silane''s fabrication room, where the constant whirring and clanking that had been coming from it had slowly faded away.


    Walking up the tunnel, Kothar felt a genuine tinge of excitement, taking to the skies, without assistance from something, or somebody would be truly thrilling.


    There, at the center of the room, the newly forged Titanite shining in the dim light that filtered up from the main cavern, was the complete suit of armor.


    Silane had assembled it so that it stood on its own, and Kothar hummed gently in appreciation as he walked a large circle around it, taking in its appearance from every angle.


    From the outside, one could see that the armor was made up of mostly large, angular plates that all fitted together seamlessly to form a larger whole.


    At the joints, neck wrists, and fingers, the plates were smaller, forming overlapping layers that allowed for as much mobility as possible while still protecting the delicate wiring, machinery, and flesh beneath.


    [Come on then! Try it on!] Silane exclaimed, and Kothar looked over the armor in appreciation as he pulled it on, starting by pulling each piece of the lower body section of the armor..


    As he pulled each piece on, they slotted into the others that he already wore with loud , satisfying ''click''s, and before long, Kothar was wearing almost all of the armor, excluding the helmet and turbine unit.


    Kothar lifted up the turbine unit with both arms leaning forward slightly and sliding it into place on his back, where it slotted in perfectly, seamlessly connecting with the rest of the armor.


    [Now, for the finishing touches.] Kothar murmured, taking the pieces of leather, and driving it into place with rivets that fitted cleanly into sockets in the armor, lining the helmet with a layer of cushioning that would mold itself to Kothar''s head, and grow more supple and soft with time.


    After cushioning the helm, Kothar slipped it over his head, and was immediately taken aback with how much visibility the small holes within the eyes carved on the surface of the helm gave him.


    He could see almost as well as he would be if he weren''t wearing the armor, with it slightly obstructing his sight around the very edges of his vision.


    Kothar''s nose was filled with the scent of metal, oil, and the stink of the leather he had used, altogether, it was the smell of most armor that Kothar had come across on Eclat.


    [Go on them, use your spell, and see if the suit powers on.] Silane encouraged, her tone excited, she couldn''t wait to see how the armor would perform.


    Kothar walked down the slope of the tunnel, pleasantly surprised with the grip of the metal boots on the relatively smooth floor, and continued out, towards the glowing light of the main entrance.


    There wasn''t even the slightest whisper of a creak or grinding from the armor, the pieces smoothly moving over each other, well lubricated and fitting together perfectly.


    Kothar stood at the edge of the entrance, looking out over the stream that ran past the willow, as well the towering neighboring trees, he reached back behind him, and flicked a hidden switch that would activate the motor hidden in the upper back of the armor..


    Then, Kothar channeled his Lightning Element Mana, casting his Lightning Aura, slowly increasing his strength, wanting to test out the armor gradually.


    Lightning crackled all across the surface of Kothar''s skin, and permeated his flesh, enhancing his speed and providing a small amount of defense. As the sparks of electricity arced over his skin, they were captured by the coils of wire hidden within the inside of the armor, a current flowing through the wires to the motor on Kothar''s upper back.


    Kothar felt the slightest hint of a vibration, as the motor whirred into life, and without even a whisper of noise, the turbine spun into action, drawing in air from intake ports around Kothar''s upper back and sending the air rushing out toward Kothar''s forearms and legs.


    The turbine spun faster and faster, and Kothar stood, his arms at his side, waiting.


    He felt the slightest pressure, as if the armor was pushing up into him, and he sent more and more Lightning element Mana into the spell, increasing it in strength, more and more sparks being absorbed by the mesh of wires that ran underneath the surface of the armor.


    Now, Kothar could hear the slightest of whooshing noises, his arms almost went flying up to the sides, and he strained to hold them down, while he felt a similar pressure on his legs.


    Slowly, Kothar started to rise up from where he stood, at the edge of the entrance to his hideout, the air blasting out of his arms and legs propelling him into the sky.


    Kothar removed all stops, and sent an amorous surge of mana to his Lightning Aura spell, the crackle of sparks now audible to him, a few sparks even escaping the mesh of wires and dancing over the surface of the armor.


    With his arms held tight to his sides, and his legs stretched straight out, Kothar was sent blasting up into the sky, the air smoothly flowing over the aerodynamic armor, thanks to Silane''s careful design, the slight angles only aiding it in its flight.


    Kothar let out a whoop of joy, as he looked down, and watched the surface of the ground grow smaller and smaller, fading away into the distance.


    As shot up into the sky like a bullet, Kothar felt his surroundings grow colder and colder, then he moved his arms slightly, trying to steer himself into a more horizontal flight.


    Kothar''s muscles were worked hard, trying to push his arms back from his sides, struggling against both the air resistance and the flood of air that flowed out of them.


    While taking flight was easy, it seems that steering through the sky was not.

 Chapter 267 - Steelwing Armor

    Kothar strained his arms, pushing them out toward his back as hard as he could, and it was only then that they moved through the air, causing Kothar to slowly arc, and Kothar heaved his arms back to his sides once he was flying horizontally through the air.


    Flying through the skies over Atla in the suit of armor was a completely different experience to when he had used the ship.


    He was no longer separated from the sights below him by a viewing window, and additionally, he could look around freely in every direction.


    Far below, the stream that Kothar''s hideout was situated next to was now a thin line, almost completely obscured by the green circles of the tree tops.


    Out towards one side, Kothar could see the palisade of the giants'' village, and as he flew along, he spotted more clearings, seeing the dots that were the giants moving to and fro inside.


    Kothar shuddered in mid air as he flew, he remembered the enormous dragon that he had come across during his last flight though the skies of Atla. As if running from that memory, Kothar pushed one arm out away from his side, turning in a slow arc, heading back towards his hideout.


    Now that Kothar understood the amount of sheer strength that he needed to apply when steering himself, he easily spun, turned, and even flipped as he flew back toward the hideout.


    As he grew more and more confident with the armor, Kothar even started moving his legs, directing the stream of air that flowed from them to make even sharper turns, spinning himself almost so fast that he couldn''t keep up with it.


    Slowly, the large willow tree swam back into sight, Kothar had enjoyed his short flight through the air, but this suit of armor wasn''t the only thing that he wanted to create, there were many other projects that he couldn''t wait to get started on.


    Kothar thought to himself, that it had been far too long that Silane had been cooped up inside his head, doing nothing but providing the occasional analysis, translation or guidance.


    Her abilities were being wasted, she had always been an asset on the battlefield, concurrently remotely controlling weapons systems, drones, and ships, all to support Kothar as he fought.


    Now that they had the robotic arms, as long as Kothar wore the helmet, Silane could begin constructing all manner of things that would allow her far more independence.


    [The first thing I''m going to do is streamline that helmet, and turn it into a below the skin implant. With that, you won''t need to constantly shave your head, and I won''t be trapped inside that boring mind of yours.] Silane said, as Kothar carefully maneuvered down toward the entrance of the hideout.


    Kothar slowly decreased the strength of the Lightning Aura spell, he could have added some sort of throttle to the armor, but as the saying went "the less moving parts, the fewer things to break." and besides, he could control the strength of the motor, and in turn the turbine, by manipulating how much mana he sent toward activating his Lightning Aura spell.


    [Alright, I''ve got no complaints, as long as you don''t leave me with an enormous antenna sticking out of my scalp, you can do whatever you like.] Kothar said, half joking, half serious, he wouldn''t put it past Silane to add an antenna ''to enhance signal reception.''


    [Tha does sound tempting, but I wouldn''t do that to you, I know how you value your handsome appearance.] Silane laughed a little, as Kothar shook his head, muttering a curse in response.


    Kothar reached back to his back, flicking the switch that engaged the motor with the mesh of wiring that ran through the armor. The purpose for that switch was that, since Kothar often cast Lightning Element spells, it would prevent the turbine from being accidentally activated when Kothar didn''t intend it to.


    [Well, have you thought of a name for it yet?] Silane asked, as Kothar marched inside, removing the helmet and tucking it under his arm.


    Kothar was silent, removing the armor piece by piece, deep in thought.


    [How about the Steelwing armor? I know it''s not technically made of steel, but Titanite, but it has a nice ring to it, and it''s less of a mouthful than "Residual Electric Energy Powered Armor Unit.] Kothar said finally, deciding against the more direct and descriptive names he had given to the rest of his equipment.


    [Steelwing, hmmm, I like the sound of that.] Silane muttered, before continuing. [Well, I guess it''s time for you to start gathering materials again. Otherwise, we''ll have nothing to craft all these potential upgrades with.]


    Kothar sighed out loud, and removed the boots of the armor, carefully stacking the pieces away in one of the many alcoves that surrounded the cavern.


    [Maybe I''ll wring up some kind of makeshift trailer for the Hoverbike, one that''s powered also, so I can move more material back and forth.] Kothar murmured and immediately, a blueprint appeared before Kothar''s eyes.


    [Alright, alright. As soon as we get enough material, I''ll make the trailer.] Kothar sighed with resignation, realizing that Silane was going to be working him to the bone for the foreseeable future.


    [It''ll all be worth it once you''re finished Kothar. You won''t have to rely on that Mana Sensing Lens as much if we have a couple of reconnaissance drones flying above you, and I could even outfit some drones with weapons.] Silane muttered, and then continued. [Soon enough, we''ll find a material strong enough to start replacing your bones, but for now, it seems that utilizing mana is more than enough to strengthen your body.]


    [Well, that''s a relief. I''d like to keep my flesh and blood for as long as possible. And besides, whatever it is, it needs to at the very least be powerful enough to challenge the attacks of an Ascendant, don''t forget, I need to be strong enough to weather the Devourer''s attacks. And I''m sure it''s an Ascendant, how else would it be roaming in the Alliance, appearing out of thin air.]

 Chapter 268 - A Longing For

    Kothar only took about a day to craft the additional trailer that would sit behind the Hoverbike, it was connected to the bike by both a tow hook, and a thick wire, which would conduct the electricity that would power the rotors on the trailer.


    Having crafted most of the components before, it had been quite simple to craft the Hoverbike, additionally, Kothar didn''t have to use Titanite in its construction, which made things even faster.


    With the trailer now attached to the Hoverbike, Kothar started gathering the materials that Silane needed, he would need to gather enormous amounts of raw materials if they were to craft all of the different things that Silane wanted to create.


    Kothar would only rest for a few hours, and then would immediately hop on to the Hoverbike, going out to the ore deposits he had visited earlier.


    Since everything on Atla was on a far larger scale, once Kothar found a vein of ore, it became a practically inexhaustible supply for him. Even with all the ore that he had mined so far, it hadn''t even put in a visible dent in aunty of the veins from afar, if one were to look at the even from a  distance, it would appear virtually identical.


    So Kothar''s days blurred together, consisting almost entirely of mining ore, driving to and from the hideout, and occasionally carving out new rooms to store the ridiculous amount of material he was bringing back.


    ------


    It had only been a few days since Kothar had arrived on Atla, from time to time he wondered what had become of Eclat, his home, but he knew that worrying about it wouldn''t change the outcome.


    Some small part of him wanted to rush home, and find Tam, reassuring his father that, yes, he had survived the battle with the Aemos, and he was well.


    But he still had no idea what he might return to, Eclat might be ruled by a different Ascendant, but deep down, he felt a strange sense of certainty that the enormous winged, dragon-like creature that had risen from the Fidour Mountains was far more powerful than the invader.


    [I''m sure Tam is confident you''re alive. He knows that you''re able to travel between planes, and so I''m quite certain that he''ll be able to make a pretty good guess about where you are right now.] Silane''s voice cut into Kothar''s melancholy thoughts, as she reassured Kothar.


    [The man is quite the cunning and intelligent strategist, and he knew that you were looking to find the control center, it''s only reasonable that you''d have bailed out of the ship to another plane.] Silane continued, as Kothar sat on the edge of the hideout''s entrance, staring off into the distance.


    [What about Eclat? Silane, I need to see if my home is safe.  Creating new weapons and armor is all well and good, but what if there''s no home left for me to protect.] Kothar''s voice held a genuine hint of anguish, as his thoughts turned to his other home, and what had become of it.


    [Well, there''s no reason to stick out around here unnecessarily, Kothar. You have the Spatial Artifact, and the new Steelwing Armor, why not head back for a few days, you can find out if Tam and Eclat are safe, and then we can come to Atla. If Eclat seems dangerous, then you can always use the artifact to flee.] Silane said matter of factly, as always, she was as practical as possible.


    [It all sounds so simple when you put it like that. You''re right, let''s go.] Kothar''s voice was filled with resolve, and he immediately dropped the chunk of ore he was unloading from the trailer on the Hoverbike, and walked over to a large alcove on the other side of the cavern.


    There, on a roughly shaped wooden dummy, was the Steelwing Armor, Kothar had taken the time to polish the surfaces, and it shone with a silvery gray luster.


    Kothar wasted no time in quickly pulling armor on, a series of clicks sounding out as each piece locked into the other, seamlessly fitting together on to Kothar.


    Once the helmet clicked into place over his head, Kothar fired up his Lightning Aura spell, flicking the switch, causing him to hover ever so slightly above the ground.


    He then put one palm out in front of him, and channeled his Spatial Mana, searching for the ''thin'' zone that would lead him to the plane filled with carnivorous plants.


    As he had grown more and more familiar with the artifact, he had realized that the converged strands that led to different planes had a different feel to them, and no one plane was alike.


    This made it far easier for him to retrace his steps when he was hopping from plane to plane.


    A purple portal appeared in the air in front of Kothar, and he stepped through, far more confident now that he was wearing the Steelwing, and that he had already travelled both to Eclat from Atla and from Atla to Eclat.


    As soon as he passed through the portal, Kothar flew upwards, anticipating an attack by one of the violent plants that populated the plane.


    He sped through the forest the plants vainly snapping and twisting around behind him, and then opened another portal.


    The journey back was far easier, since Kothar was no longer exhausted of Spatial Mana, like he had been post battle when he had fled the enormous ship.


    It wasn''t too long before Kothar had arrived on the underwater plane, and the Steelwing Armor was surprisingly useful, propelling him cleanly through the water.


    Wasting no time, Kothar opened another portal, this one leading to Eclat, and went speeding through it, emerging into the open air of Eclat with a splash of water, and flying into the sky.


    As always, Kothar felt the almost cozy, familiar feeling of the mana of Eclat, and then looked down, trying to get his bearings.

 Chapter 269 - Home

    All around Kothar, as far as he could see, stretched pale yellow grass, gently waving in the wind, without the slightest shadow in sight, the hot sun beating down from the sky above.


    Kothar had perhaps portalled into the one place it would be difficult to get a grasp on what had happened on Eclat, the featureless grasslands of the Southern Tribes.


    [Surely, by now, they''ve returned to Ursten?] Kothar mused, as he spun gently around in the air, looking at the sun and trying to approximate exactly which way he would need to travel to reach his home.


    [I can''t see any reason why Tam would have remained in the Empire, especially after such a catastrophe had impacted his home.] Silane replied, as she overlaid Kothar''s vision with a bright arrow, pointing at Ursten.


    [Hey! You don''t need to baby me constantly, I have a sense of direction without your help you know.] Kothar was a little indignant, as he had been pointing roughly in the same direction as Silane''s arrow.


    [You were off by twenty five degrees. That would have added a few thousand extra kilometers to your journey.] Silane responded, her voice was so pleased that Kothar could almost picture her smirking.


    Kothar shook his head, and said nothing. He sent a surge of Lightning Mana to increase the output of the Steelwing Armor, and went blasting off toward the north.


    The endless plains sped past him as he gazed below, even with the extreme speed of the Steelwing, it took a few hours of staring at the endless grasslands before the landscape changed, the pale yellow grasses changing to a more lush green, more and more trees dotting the landscape as they neared Ursten.


    Then the first of the border towns appeared, the towns that until recently had been half autonomous, somewhat under the rule of Ursten, somewhat operating independently, some even ruled by bandit lords until Tam''s crackdown where he had dispatched the nobles to war at all of Ursten''s borders.


    Now, instead of a constant stream of grasses, there were patchwork fields of the farmlands that took up most of the south of Ursten, with the occasional orchard, or vineyard.


    Barely anyone looked up, and those who did saw nothing more than a steely gray blur that they dismissed as a smudge in their eye, as Kothar flew across the landscape, hurtling through the air.


    Another hour passed, and now the roads below were wider, and well paved, the odd wagon or two was now replaced by a steady stream of wagons, carriages and horsemen, and the smaller towson sped by.


    Kothar felt a growing sense of excitement as he sped closer and closer to Balin, he hadn''t seen his home in months, and from the look of it, most of Ursten seemed to be running along as usual, and it gave him confidence in the outcome of the war.


    There, in the distance, the walls of Balin gradually swam into sight, the low ring that surrounded the countless buildings, and beyond the buildings, the deep crevasse from which rose the mighty keep of Balin, the shining black granite almost glowing in the late evening sunshine.


    Kothar reduced the power output to the armor, and angled his arms downward, so he was standing vertically in the air, and gradually he descended through the air, cleanly landing on his feet.


    [Let''s hope the gatekeepers think I''m some travelling warrior, and let me into the city.] Kothar said to Silane, as he emerged from the tree he had used to cover his landing, and  headed toward the paved stone road, to join the stream of travelers heading toward Balin.


    That was the first odd thing that Kothar noticed, though the roads around Balin had always been busy, there had never been such a constant stream of travelers travelling to the city.


    [Looks to me like you''ll blend right in.] Silane observed as they drew closer to the road. While there were many farmers carting their produce, and fine carriages, the usual travelers didn''t make up the majority of those who populated the roads.


    No, instead, every other traveler was wearing some sort of armor, or the leather robes of a battlemage, or at the very least, openly carrying some sort of weapon.


    Kothar had expected an odd look or two, at the very least, but as he joined the stream of people travelling along the road, he was barely even given a glance by the other travelers.


    Their eyes passed over him like his suit of armor, which definitely departed from the usual Ursten style of armor, was the most normal thing they had seen.


    [Their expression, they seem, almost hardened.] Kothar whispered, though only Silane could hear him.


    The faces of all those around him were serious, usually, the people of Ursten would at the very least engage in light conversation with one another, the rudest would give a restrained smile, while the friendliest would laugh and joke happily.


    But not these people, their faces were stern, and many of them walked with a hand on the hilts and hafts of the weapons they carried.


    But it was not as if the people were battle thirsty or excessively violent either, Kothar watched as a young man, a short axe hanging from his hip, accidentally stumbled into a large, thickset man, who wore a leather breastplate and had a wicked sword hanging from his hip.


    From both of their expressions, Kothar expected the larger man to draw his sword, or at the very least push the younger man away, or yell at him.


    But nothing of the sort happened, the young man just mumbled a quiet "Sorry." to which the mena looking older man just nodded, and helped the man up.


    Usually, those around the two might have stepped in, to try and arbitrate the altercation, but the people just walked on, basically ignoring the small collision, as if nothing at all had happened.


    Kothar was filled with confusion, what had happened to the people of Ursten?

 Chapter 270 - Greg

    While he walked toward the gates of Balin, Kothar grew more and more confused. It wasn''t as though the people of Ursten were being enslaved, and it didn''t seem like any had been kidnapped either.


    If anything, from the number of people on the roads, Kothar thought they might have somehow increased in number.


    "Sir! Draw your sword! I have noticed your strength, and I wish to challenge you!" A shrill voice yelled out from up ahead, and Kothar craned his neck to look over the shoulders of all those who had stopped in their path to get a better look.


    He could see that a thin, spindly, young man, in a set of ancient armor, had a long spear clutched in both hands. He seemed not much older than Kothar, with a wisp of a beard on his chin, and the shadow of a mustache.


    His eyes, however, were filled with determination, and from the appearance of the skin that was uncovered by either his armor or his short, cape-like clock, it was clear he was a fighter.


    Scars criss crossed his skin, and his thin frame had sinewy muscles all across it.


    Currently, the spear in his hands was pointing at the neck of another young man, who had been sitting on the back of a wagon, dozing off while he leant on a barrel in the back, a pair of blades in leather sheaths attached to a belt that was laying next to him.


    He wore leather armor, with thin bands of steel protecting his vitals.


    This young man with the dual blades was clean shaven, and as he stirred from his sleep, a dangerous look flashed in his eyes, like that of a serpent coming across a lone field mouse.


    With a lazy grin at the man who had challenged him, he hopped out of the wagon, landing easily on his feet. From the way he hopped out of the wagon without any wind up at all, it was clear that he was physically trained to some degree.


    "Alright, let''s see what you''ve got then, country boy." He said as he drew a pair of curved blades from the belt, tossing the belt back into the back of the wagon.


    Out of curiosity, Kothar looked at the two young men with his Mana Sensing Lens, wondering how strong they might be.


    [What! That''s strange, I thought it would be the other way around.] Kothar said in surprise, the man with the spear, who seemed awkward and inexperienced, was blazing with mana in comparison to his opponent.


    Both of them would be around the Novice rank, but the man with the spear would definitely be on his way to the Intermediate Rank.


    [Perhaps the one with two blades is a Thief, which would explain his confidence even with so little mana in comparison to his opponent, and the other man must be a warrior, no wonder he had such a large reserve of mana.] Silane said, as the two men slowly circled each other.


    "I am Greg! Remember my name, for it''s the name of the man who will defeat you today!" The thin man yelled out to the other, resulting in a chorus of chuckles from all those watching.


    "Who does he think he is?"


    "A fabled knight from the stories I see! How I wish I had the courage to yell out my name like that."


    "Oooo! Scary, he yelled out his name before fighting!"


    The onlookers jeered and mocked at GReg, the skin that was exposed by his dented old helmet flushing bright red.


    "Well, Greg, I am Timothy." The leather armored young man said with a grin, winking at one of the onlookers.


    "Yaaaaaah!" Greg yelled out a challenge as he ran towards the other, a layer of ice forming around his spear, as he thrust out toward Timothy, who easily sidestepped the attack, and sliced out with one of his blades.


    Timothy''s attack slipped through the joint in Greg''s clunky old armor, while Timothy went stumbling past him.


    "Ahhh!" Timothy let out a high pitched squeal, and recoiled from the blow, almost falling over his own feet, as he stepped away from Greg.


    "GIve it up, country boy!"


    "There''s always one, isn''t there!"


    "You think you''ll join the Hawk''s Army while you shriek like a little girl!"


    Greg was mocked and jeered at again, and as he turned back around, to face Timothy, Kothar could see tears welling up in his eyes.


    "I''ll beat you!" He yelled, and Kothar, standing quite a distance away, even felt the sudden surge in mana, as a layer of frost spread out from all around him, covering the ground in a layer of ice, and chilling the hot evening air.


    "Ohhh! Look at that, he can use big spells!"


    "You''re done for now, Timothy!"


    All those watching continued to call out, and Kothar couldn''t be more confused. Firstly, the people watching were acting more like battle enthusiasts rather than the common citizens of Ursten.


    Secondly, why would a mostly incompetent, young Warrior, who had more mana than sense, be wanting to join his father''s army?


    Greg easily slid across the ice, moving faster and smoother than earlier, his spear tracing a small circle in the air as he drew closer to Timothy.


    All of a sudden, Timothy froze, as if he had become scared, and Greg''s spear point drew closer and closer.


    When Greg was only a few meters away, Timothy suddenly moved, with only a few of those watching being able to trace his moves.


    What he did was half jump/half sprint past Greg''s blade, pushing it aside with one of his blades, and slipping past him, almost touching the other man.


    The other blade darted out, and slipped into a gap in Greg''s armor, but this time, he didn''t aim for a safe blow to one of his limbs, rather, Timothy''s blade slipped in between Greg''s breastplate and helmet, slipping toward his neck.


    Those watching who could track his movement all gave gasps of surprise.

 Chapter 271 - Return To Balin(2)

    What Kothar didn''t know was that these sorts of impromptu duels had become common all over Ursten, but very rarely, and typically only by accident, would someone die in one of them.


    Timothy let his blades fall to his side, now standing a few feet from Greg, and he turned back to the lanky young man, who had a confused look in his eyes.


    "It seems to me that you''ve got a lot more power than you have experience. Next time, do a little more training before you decide to challenge someone you''ve never seen before." Timothy gave Greg a toothy smile, before leaping back on to the back of the wagon he had been sitting in.


    As for Greg, the confused expression on his face was soon replaced by a sequence of shifting emotions.


    First, was pain, as he registered the slight cut that Timothy had made to his neck, then was shock, as he realized that he had been cut without even noticing.


    Finally, was embarrassment, as TImothy spoke, and Greg raised a hand from his neck, which was now wet with blood. He had been so outclassed, that his opponent had been able to just nick his neck, without him even noticing, and being unable to counterattack at all.


    "Come here, kid. I''ll bandage you up." A friendly voice called out, from an elderly man who wore a tattered robe. Greg walked over to him, his head hanging low, as they were chuckles, and mutters from all those who had watched the battle.


    [That was strange, to say the least.] Kothar commented to Silane, as the mass of people started moving again, now that the duel was over.


    Kothar had only landed a few kilometers from Balin, but thanks to how crowded the roads were, and a series of similar duels that blossomed on the way, the sun was low in the sky by the time he reached the gates.


    The guards looked him over as he waited, one long nerve wracking moment, and then they waved him forward, looking at the next traveler who awaited entry into the capital.


    Though it hadn''t been long since the invasion, Kothar walked around in fascination, the capital, his home, was completely repaired, without even the slightest sign of damage.


    Even more surprising, was the fact hat he could tell that many of the inns, and hotels that he walked by had built extra floors, and from every single one he passed, came the sounds of laughter, raucous conversation and music.


    The capital had never before been more alive, Kothar walked on with a smile, there was no way that a capital that had been occupied by invaders would be this peaceful and alive.


    Besides, there wasn''t even a single glimpse of the pale skinned Aemos, the only sign that they had been a street hawker selling scraps of material that had clearly been salvaged from one of their ships.


    Kothar found his steps retracing a familiar path, as he walked toward his home, passing by familiar stone houses and storefronts.


    Kothar dipped down an alleyway that led right to his home, and was surprised to find that it had been blocked off, by a building that was clearly new, the top half of it still unpainted.


    He shook his head and doubled back, his pace growing quicker and quicker as he grew closer to his home.


    Kothar looked up at the stone building that was sandwiched between two other similar buildings  with a sinking feeling in his chest.


    Not one of the windows had a light within, and when he walked up to the door and knocked, there was no sign of anyone stirring within.


    There weren''t even guards posted at the door. Dark thoughts rose in his mind, perhaps Tam had never returned, perhaps he had never escaped the enormous ship of the Aemos, perhaps there was no one waiting for him Balin.


    But then Kothar shook his head, dismissing those thoughts, and turned toward the center of the city.


    If his father was not at home, then he would surely learn about where he might be at the keep, or maybe, he might even find him there.


    Kothar''s resisted the urge to run toward the keep,. Or even take to the skies and fly directly there, a knot of anxiety was brewing in his chest, and he wanted to quickly find out the whereabouts of his father.


    But he held those urges back, and walked at a moderate pace. The last thing he wanted to do was to raise the alarm and have all the guards in the city coming down on him.


    As the streets grew wider, the towering black granite walls of the keep became visible, shimmering with the silvery glow of Magemetal and of the countless runes that covered the surface.


    Before long, Kothar was in the enormous square that ringed that deep crevasse that surrounded the keep, and without missing a beat, walked confidently toward the guards at who stood at the bridge.


    "Halt! State your name, and your purpose!" The guards called out as Kothar neared them, both of them lowering their spears as he drew closer. Their faces seemed familiar to Kothar, but he couldn''t be sure, but then, Silane piped up.


    [Yes, you''ve seen them before. We came across them on the Multas Islands, but didn''t see them in the battle for Aznur, or anytime afterwards. They may have returned to the capital with Leynish when he was dispatched by your father.]


    [Thanks, for that tidbit Silane.] Kothr said a little sarcastically, right now, he wanted to find out whether or not his Father was in Balin, and more importantly, alive.


    "My name is Rufus, I''m from the Nighthawk Unit. My business is strictly confidential." Kothar said, not wanting to appear ignorant or unfamiliar to the situation in Balin to the men.


    CIf he had asked for his father, and he had fallen, then he might find himself at the bottom of a dungeon, rather than being welcomed into the castle.


    The first guard looked to the other, a knowing look on his face.


    "Wait here. Alright.." The guard said, before trotting down the bridge toward the keep.

 Chapter 272 - Kenneth

    Kothar narrowed his eyes under his helmet, channeling mana to his Mana Sensing Lens, keeping a careful eye on the guard who remained, ensuring that the two of them weren''t trying to surprise him by pretending to go and relay a message.


    But the guard''s mana was calm, Kothar shook his head internally, even though the guard''s stance was at the ready, his mana was still concentrated within his Mana Core, if somebody who was sensitive enough to mana had been intending him harm, he would be dead by now.


    Most, if not all, of those who had seen a significant amount of battles and combat, would always hold at mana ready for at the very least one spell.


    The guard looked over Kothar as he waited, carefully looking over his armor, and its odd design.


    "You went south, then, with the Grand Marshal?" The guard asked, his voice sounded as though he had a blocked nose. It seemed as though he was bored enough to risk conversation with one of the infamous Nighthawks.


    Kothar didn''t say anything, he just nodded, his feet still planted where he had stopped a few minutes ago.


    "No wonder you armor looks like its from foreign parts, you nighthawks are an odd bunch aren''t you." the guard continued, not taking a hint from Kothar''s silence, and instead continuing to talk.


    "You know, my cousin went south too, he told me about one of you lott, a demon with a glowing sword, who completely tore apart the Empire''s finest." The guard had a smile on his face now, and was leaning on his spear, looking more like a gossipy young teen than a guard charged with defending the keep of Balin.


    "I heard he fought the invaders too, leaped into the sky and tore apart those strange craft of theirs. Wow. In the capital here, there were so few of us that we just got as many people inside the keep as we could, and the rest, we had them barricade themselves in their basements." The guard was watching Kothar carefully, waiting for any kind of response.


    [He really doesn''t stop talking, does he?] Silane joked, as the guard grabbed his spear tightly, and stood ups straight.


    "I took one of those filthy invaders out myself! Ran him through with a spear, I wasn''t about to let them do as they please in my home!" The guard thumped his chest with a gauntleted hand, resulting in a jarring clanking noise.


    "Well done. I''m sure the people of Balin were thankful." Kothar finally said, it seemed as though the guard wouldn''t stop until he got some sort of response out of Kothar.


    "Yeah, they sure were! I had some fine young maidens give me some flowers after the battle was all said and done, and one of ''em even danced with me afterwards." The guard took Kothar''s reply as a sign to brag, and by now he had walked closer to Kothar, and was leaning his head down towards him, as if telling some sort of secret.


    "By the way, Rufus, I''m Kenneth. You''ll put in a good word with the Marshal for me, won''t you." Kenneth grinned at Kothar, and raised his eyebrows at him in a friendly manner.


    Kothar said nothing, his mind was filled with thoughts of his father, and of Simon, wondering about their whereabouts, and if they were alive, and the Kenneth''s constant conversation was beginning to wear him down, causing even Kothar to develop the slightest headache.


    Kothar sighed inwardly with relief, as he saw the other guard running across the bridge, breathing heavily, almost tripping over his own feet in his hurry to get to them.


    "My, hah, apologies, hah, hah, Sir, Rufus." The guard was gasping for breath while bowing and scraping to Kothar,.


    "The Grand Marshal will see you immediately, sir. Please go on ahead." The guard gasped out, before seizing Kothar''s hand and shaking it, and then standing aside.


    Kothar felt a wave of relief sweep over him, his father was alive, and had returned to Ursten, within his helmet, unseen to the two guards, Kothar had an enormous grin plastered on his face.


    Meanwhile, Kenneth''s eyes were bulging as he watched his comrades and antics, and then he also seized Kothar''s hands in two of his own.


    "Sir, please forget about what I said, and don''t worry about saying anything to the Marshal, just don''t mention me at all to him, please." He pleaded with Kothar, his stomach sinking at the thought of the Grand Marshal hearing about his bragging and bluster.


    Kothar extracted his hand from the vice grip Kenneth had on him, and walked across the bridge.


    The other two guards manning the gate across the bridge looked far more familiar to Kothar, and they looked battle ready, and even as Kothar used his Mana Sensing Lens, he could see that even though they had welcoming signs on their faces, they held spells at the ready.


    It seemed that the two buffoons from earlier were simply there to deter the public, while these two were the real guards.


    Kothar recognized the two of them as men from his father''s personal guard.


    It seemed as though many of the troops had also returned to Ursten, Kothar was surprised, the journey north from Aznur to Balin was by no means a short one, yet his father had somehow made it along with his troops.


    The guards raised their crossed spears, and gave Kothar a salute. He didn''t outrank them, nor was he a commanding officer, but they had seen him fighting against the Imperial Elite''s first hand, as well as glimpsing him in the skies above the palace as he fought off the flood of Aemos ships.


    Their eyes were filled with clear admiration, and one of the pair even mumbled to Kothar as he passed, "Well done, sir."


    The small gate set next to the two large gates swung open, and waiting for him was a familiar face.

 Chapter 273 - The Keep(2)

    Standing in the door was Jonas, as always, he wore as set of immaculate black clothing, with silver inlay. But his face looked aged, with deep wrinkles, and though his hair had been white before, now it looked dry and limp.


    There was a deep sadness in his eyes, and even as he bowed, it seemed halfhearted.


    Kothar knew what had caused him to become like this, and a lump formed in his throat as he looked at him.


    At the same time, Kothar felt a deep seething rage, Krieg had not only betrayed him, but he had also come after Rotan, all because he had tried to negotiate with the Academy on Kothar''s behalf.


    "Please, follow me, sir." Jonas said, his voice shaky and weak, and he turned around, walking in toward the great hall of the keep.


    The walls and great chandelier that hung above the hall were just as Kothar remembered them, but the throne that Roton had once sat on was gone.


    In its place was a long wooden table, quite bare, with only some decorative carvings around its edges, apart from that, it looked far too simple to be within what had once been the throne room of Ursten.


    There were many wooden chairs around the table, made of the same deep brown, polished wood, and right now, they were all empty.


    "This way." Jonas'' voice brought Kothar out of the daze  he was in, staring at the space where the throne had once been, and he looked around to see Jonas standing in one of the many doors that branched off of the hall.


    Jonas led Kothar up countless staircases and hallways, all of them well lit with Mana Crystal lamps, the silver within the black granite shining and shimmering in the light.


    Jonas was silent as he walked, and after a few minutes of leading Kothar through the twisting and winding corridors of the castle, he stopped in a small antechamber, one Kothar had never seen before.


    As was Tam''s preference, the antechamber was decorated simply, with only a tapestry of a scene of the Fidour Mountains on one wall, and a few chairs.


    "Please, go on in, the Grand Marshal is waiting for you." Jonas bowed, and gestured with one arm toward the door. Before he went in, Kothar gave the man a long look, as much as he wanted to reveal his dignity to and comfort the man, he knew that while Krieg was alive, he would only endanger those he knew by revealing himself.


    Kothar walked over to the wooden door, and gently pushed it open, stepping through and pushing it gently shut behind him.


    The room was as simply decorated as the antechamber, with only a few cushioned chairs, a small writing desk, and an all too familiar tapestry on the wall, that made a lump appear in Kothar''s throat.


    It was one of those that had decorated their home, woven by Ophil, a scene of a lush forest, with all sorts of animals delicately pictured between the trees, peeking out from behind the trunks and out beneath the roots.


    And by the tall windows at one side of the room, a tall man, with a ponytail of long straight dark hair, a pair of piercing blue eyes and proud nose was pacing back and forth.


    He wore a set of dark clothing, and had his usual curved sword at his belt.


    As Kothar entered, he spun on his heel, and looked at the armored figure in front of him, with a confused expression.


    But as Kothar removed his helm, tears welled up in his eyes, and a smile spread across his face.


    "Son." Tam croaked, as he wrapped Kothar up in a tight hug, causing even his Steelwing armor to creak slightly, as he lifted him up off of the ground.


    "You''re okay." Tam breathed, and as he set Kothar abc down, he shook his head in disbelief, as if confused that Kothar was standing in front of him.


    "When I didn''t see you, with all the others who fled the ship as it went down, I wasn''t worried. I was sure you had something to do with it. But I expected you to return, but then the days went by, and you didn''t show, and I began to fear the worst." Tears welled up in Tam''s eyes as hugged Kothar again,a s if making sure he really was standing there, in front of him.


    "Sorry Father, I escaped by taking a portal to another plane, but I couldn''t know if the invasion was truly repelled, since I didn''t know the outcome of the battle with the Ascendant."


    Tam led Kothar over to the chairs and sat him down, and then nodded for Kothar to keep talking.


    "So I stayed there, and I was preparing myself for whatever might have happened back here, and I would have stayed for far longer, but I couldn''t bear not knowing if you and Simon were alright. As well as all of Eclat, so I returned." Kothar said with a half smile, still overcome by seeing his father and home after so many days of not knowing whether they were still alive, and whether his home even still existed.


    "Wow. You should have seen it, son." Tam shook his head, as he thought back to the sight that everyone who had been watching the skies on Eclat had seen.


    "The other Ascendant, he was enraged when he returned to find his ship sunk in the ocean. And he tried to take his rage out on Eclat, but then the great beast that protected us followed him  out of the tear in space that he came out from, and then swatted him like a fly." Tam stopped for a moment, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at his son, who was really there, in front of him.


    "He ran away, with his tail between his legs. We finished off the remaining invaders, and that was that." Tam leaned back, and crossed his arms.


    "What about the people, Father? What has come over them?" Kothar asked, as he remembered how strangely all those he had seen had been acting.

 Chapter 274 - A Martial People

    A wry smile came across Tam''s face, and he looked towards the window, looking over the city.


    "What do you mean, Son? What has come over the people?" Tam asked, though he clearly understood what Kothar meant.


    "They''re all flooding towards the capital, I''ve never seen so many people on the roads before. And I came across people, fighting duels, left and right, challenging random passersby. The most surprising thing was that they all accepted the challenges!" Kothar''s voice rose as he recalled the bizarre events that had transpired on his way to Balin.


    "Ah. Sometimes I forget how young you are, son. What''s happened isn''t unique to Ursten, or even the Isle itself. All around Eclat, every single person has been reminded of their own mortality, of the fact that even though they live in great, walled cities, some threats transcend the realms of walls and moats." Tam paused for a moment, and then continued.


    "But most people on Eclat, even those who have failed the assessments that allow one to join an Academy, Institute or Army, disregarding all that, almost everyone on Eclat has the potential to form a Mana Core. And so, people all over have been spurred on to learn to fight, to learn how to yield weapons, to learn spells, and to duel others in pursuit of all these things." Tam smiled at Kothar.


    "Not everyone is like us, Son, not everyone enjoys battle and warcraft like we do. But after experiencing the invasion of our entire plane, and glimpsing the great forces that decide the fates of entire planes, others also gain a similar mindset. They have become martial due to what they''ve experienced." Tam''s hand was on the hilt of his sword, as he fell into thought.


    Kothar thought about what Tam had said, thinking back to how the planets in the Alliance that had experienced rebellions, civil wars and invasions had changed the next time he had visited them.


    [He''s right, you know, the highest rate of recruitment for the Alliance Army was from planets that had experienced a major conflict in the past ten years.] Silane piped up, as she noticed Kothar''s thoughts about the war torn planets.


    "I see father. It makes sense, even I was spurred on by glimpsing those Ascendants. I had heard about them, but seeing them in the flesh was another thing. That level of power, to hold entire planes in one''s hands, it is truly mind blowing." Kothar replied, and at the mention of the Ascendants his father''s gaze flicked back to him, from where he had been thoughtfully staring out the window.


    "True. It is mind blowing, but that you do realize, that becoming an Ascendant, is what truly qualifies one to travel the Myriad Planes. It''s what all of us at the Advanced Rank seek to reach. To gain the power that allows one to tear apart space itself, and to extend one''s domain over and entire plane." Tam''s eyes were bright with ambition as he spoke, and Kothar noticed it, his father rarely looked so fired up.


    "That''s a long way away for me. But what''s this I''m hearing about you recruiting people for an army?" Kothar asked, his father had just returned from a lengthy campaign, surely he wouldn''t be going to battle so soon, not after the entire plane had just experienced an invasion. But then again, now would be the best time to start a conflict, since most would be recovering from the aftermath of the invasion.


    "You already know about my intent to lead an expedition north. That was the reason that we conquered the Empire, without uniting all of those who live on the Isle, we would have no chance against the beasts of the Fidour Mountains." Tam''s eyes were now on the mountains that peeked over the walls that ringed that city.


    "This Isle of ours, it''s a mere fraction of Eclat, a tiny little village in comparison to the great expanse of the world. Without facing off against more powerful enemies, and experiencing their techniques, how will I push myself to beyond my current ability." Tam''s eyes were gleaming, and he gestured passionately to Kothar.


    "To forge oneself through battle, is the purest way to improve, fighting across the Fidour Mountains, and then experiencing what the rest of the continent has to offer, that''s what I want to experience, that''s what''ll help me advance beyond. And if I fail, then so be it, I would rather go down fighting than wasting away with no opponents to face." Tam''s face was glowing with excitement, and he had stood up from his chair, a wild look in his eyes.


    Kothar listened with a sickening feeling in his stomach, he had always known that his father was a talented and powerful General, and that dominated the battlefield.


    But to think that his campaign against the Empire was for such a reason, for him to increase his own prowess, as he tried to push himself to the next level, Kothar didn''t know what to think.


    So many had fallen in the battle with the Empire, and surely, many would fall in the expedition north. Such an enormous undertaking, sacrificing so many, and destroying so many others, all for such a selfish reason.


    But what Kothar didn''t know was that his father''s thirst to become more powerful was due to something that also haunted him, the passing of his mother.


    Tam was convinced that once he was more powerful, he could finally reach out to the phantom of his wife that was lingering around him.


    He just knew that she was waiting for him to come to her, and would return, living and breathing once again, when he finally had the ability to reach through the veil that separated the living from the dead.


    Tam stared into the empty space next to Kothar''s chair, smiling at the woman who stood there, caressing Kothar''s hair, while his son sat in silence, wracked with thoughts of the terror that was his father.

 Chapter 275 - Memories Of Home

    "I''ll be going then, Father." Kothar said, he felt torn by the recent revelations of his father''s intentions, he needed time to gather his thoughts.


    "Leaving so soon, son? Wait a minute, I''ve got something to give you." Tam said, walking over to the writing desk that was ducked away in one corner  of the simply decorated room.


    Here. Take this key, you can stay in the house for as long as you need, don''t worry, you won''t be disturbed." Tam opened the drawer of the writing desk, and gave Kothar a large metal key, smiling at him as he tucked it into his hand.


    Kothar returned the smile, though inside he could only focus on the sinking feeling in his stomach.


    "Ah, son. Before you go, your Uncle isn''t in Balin, he won''t be back for some time, so don''t spend too long waiting around for him." Tam called out to Kothar as he got up to leave.


    "Thanks for telling me, Father." Kothar said, wondering where his uncle had gone. His heart sank further as he realized that he had likely been sent on yet another impossible mission by his father.


    Without even another word, Kothar got up, and hurried out of the room, brushing past Jonas who stood waiting outside.


    "Sir! Please, wait for me, I shall escort you out." Jonas'' tired voice called out, croaking a little.


    The chamberlain''s tired voice, and his dry and limp hair, and the overall sad appearance of him only made the sinking feeling worse for Kothar.


    Jonas''s state was just another reminder of what had been lost, the smiling and bright King, who had been so filled with hope for his people, completely dedicated to improving their lives, was gone.


    Now, he was replaced by a battle hungry maniac, Kotjhar''s own father.


    Kothar kept walking, ignoring Jonas'' yells, and making his own way down the twisting corridors.


    "What on earth did I do wrong, huh, dear?" Tam was staring at the door with a frown, talking to an empty space next to his chair.


    "I''ll never understand that son of ours, he''s always been an odd one, but he''s even more so nowadays. ALways coming up with strange ideas, disappearing off to who knows where, wearing strange armor and always seeming to have the oddest weapons." Tam continued speaking, his frown growing deeper and deeper.


    "Ah, I wish I could hear your voice, you were always far better at dealing with people." Tam sighed, and fell back into his chair.


    As Tam complained about Kothar''s odd behavior, Kothar himself was hurrying out of the castle. He emerged outside to find the last remnants of light fading from the sky, and hurried back toward his childhood home.


    It was almost completely dark by the time Kothar arrived in front of his home, and since the street was completely deserted, he let himself in through the front door.


    The inside of the house was dark, and Kothar pulled the small lever by the door to activate all the Mana Crystal lamps throughout the house, causing the hallways to suddenly blaze with light.


    The house had obviously not been used in sometime, there were sheets covering much of the furniture, but with a distinct absence of any dust, it seemed that someone had been through to keep the palace clean.


    Ignoring everything, Kothar walked straight through the house, and out the back door, into the large courtyard at the back of the house.


    He walked slowly through, stopping for a moment to rest his hand on the tree he had sat under, years ago, when he had trained to gather mana for the first time.


    Then, with a lump in his throat, Kothar walked into the explosion of color that was the garden at the very end of the courtyard.


    He looked around at the flowers, avoiding looking at the spot where he knew his mother lay.


    With a deep sigh, Kothar turned to the spot, and let a sphere of lightning float up from his hand so he could see her resting place better.


    A small green sapling was growing from the place, and Kothar smiled, just as his mother had wanted, a tree was growing from her remains.


    It was a vibrant green, and as Kothar looked closer, he could see the tiniest of flowers sprouting from the thin branches.


    Kothar let the ball of lightning disappear, as the moon came out from behind the clouds, silver light shining down onto the garden.


    Each of the flowers were like tiny little jewels, of every color, shining brightly in the moonlight.


    Kothar sat down next to the sapling, and began to talk.


    He told his mother of everything that had come to pass since her death, starting with how he had been thrown into a random plane, and had found himself in a world of giants, dwarfed by even the smallest of insects.


    Kothar kept talking, as the moon slipped behind the clouds again, thrusting him into darkness.


    He sat there, in the dark, next to his mother''s grave, and continued to talk in a low, quiet voice, telling her all about his adventures, and the battles he had fought.


    As the first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, Kothar finally stood from where he had been sitting, and gave a sad smile.


    He wished his mother were still here, his father had changed so much after her passing, so much so that he didn''t even recognize the man that he had become.


    Kothar walked back inside, walking through the corridors, memories of warm smiles, laughter and cheerful conversion flitting through his mind.


    Beneath his helm, his eyes were streaming with tears, looking at the tapestries on te walls that he had seen Ophil weave as he was growing was far too much of him.


    Without another look at the house around him, Kothar channeled his Spatial Mana, and opened a portal, stepping through, away from Eclat, his changed father, and the painful memories that haunted him.

 Chapter 276 - For Silane

    A small stream ran through a lush and vibrant forest, walking through it, one would hear the calls of birds and the stirrings of small woodland creatures. The forest was bustling with life, and there were even people who walked through, though their skins were made of stone.


    Most importantly, these people, and all the other things in the forest,  would tower over any regular person, dwarfing them to such an extent that the person might not even be able tor realize they were standing next to a living being, mistaking it for a mountain or some other feature of the land.


    Near the stream that bubbled its way through the forest, its branches draping their way down and over the water, was a large willow-like tree.


    If one were to peer very closely at the trunk, they might see a small hole, inside which, was not the expected small animal, or bird''s nest.


    Instead, there was a person, of a regular size, but extremely small in relation to everything else in this world.


    For the last few days, there had been the sound of incessant clanging and crashing coming from the hole, along with billowing smoke and steam that drifted out of smaller holes that the person within the hole had created.


    Right now, he clutched in his hands an odd contraption, it was a thin piece of metal, about the thickness of a piece of paper.


    It was formed of many small circles of metal, joined by lengths of metal and thin wires, all of which came together in a round unit in the center, which was slightly thicker than the rest of the contraption.


    [Is this really necessary?] Kothar asked Silane, as he stared down at the implant, of course, he didn''t mind wearing the helmet that allowed Silane to communicate with the robotic arms elsewhere in the hideout, but this was different, this would become a permanent fixture.


    [It isn''t necessary, but it''s far less intrusive than wearing that helmet of yours all the time, and this way, no matter what, I can communicate with all of the new external devices and sensors that we''ll create.] Silane explained, trying to convince the reluctant Kothar.


    [This is practically completely future proof. All this is doing is giving me back the capacity to send and receive signals that I had when I was a chip slotted into the side of your head, rather than being some sort of disembodied voice in your head.] Silane said with a sigh, as she thought back to the almost ridiculous amount of freedom that she had once had.


    When Kothar had been a Sentinel, especially as his authority had grown, Silane had been freely able to control entire fleets, enormous battleships, laboratories and even send orders to units of troops on Kothar''s behalf.


    Ever since she had awakened in this new and amazing world, she had almost felt crippled, like a person who had once run freely, and had suddenly woken up one day without their arms or legs, completely stranded.


    And even beyond that, she couldn''t investigate things of her own accord anymore, what independence that she had was completely gone, it was as though she had become a spectator in Kothar''s life, rather than the partner that she had always been, and Kothar felt she was.


    [Look, I know you want to keep any implants and augmentations to a minimum, but I have to say, doing this would really give me back my-] Silane started to explain to Kothar, but he interrupted her with a sigh.


    [I know, I know. Of course I''ve known forever. You aren''t yourself without the ability to do things your own way, being able to send out countless drones to investigate the surroundings, keeping sensors of all sorts in the air at all times, or even just storing information on an external device.] Kothar wasn''t exactly interrupting her, rather, he was confirming the emotions and thoughts that he had been feeling from Silane ever since she had awoken in the wilderness of the foothills of the Fidour Mountains.


    [Alright, then. Stop whining and let''s get on with it.] Silane said, laughing a little. It seemed that Kothar''s reluctance was merely a bit of discomfort, rather than any strong desire not to have the implant.


    As much as Kothar didn''t want to rush into altering his body, he understood how freeing the new implant would be for Silane.


    Rather than Kothar having to shave his head, and wear the odd helmet he had crafted, whose electrodes would pick up on the small electrical impulses that Silane could direct, the new implant would do the work.


    It would sit just under Kothar''s scalp, and it had all the electrodes that the original helmet had and more, and using the Titanite meant that they could be both extremely thin and low profile, as well as being extremely strong.


    Additionally, rather than a bulking transmitter/receiver unit with a large antenna, at the center of the implant, was a slightly thicker portion, which contained a tiny antenna, the circuits to translate the impulses into binary code that could be transmitted as well as the circuitry that would use the residual electrical impulses to power the whole contraption.


    All of this was enclosed between two thin discs of Titanite, that were sandwiched securely together, holding everything in place.


    The delicate nature of the implant, the fact that it was extremely thin, all of the tiny pieces for transmitting and receiving signals, as well as the tiny, tiny circuits, meant that even though the entire implant could be completed in one day by Kothar, that had not been the case.


    Because he had to be so careful, Kothar had failed, over and over, even the slightest tensing of the wrong muscle in his hand ruining entire hours of work, and so had needed to build the components over and over, which had thankfully taken a few days, keeping his mind off the recent meeting with his father that had stressed him so much.


    [So, should we begin?] Silane asked, as Kothar held the implant in both hands, staring down at it, deep in thought.

 Chapter 277 - For Silane(2)

    [Huh? Oh, okay. Yes, let''s get started.] Kothar said, and he set the implant back down on the workbench.


    Firstly, he set up a large bucket filled with the sanitizing fluid he had previously used on Eclat. After looking into the recipe, it wasn''t too difficult to make with herbs and plants that he could easily forage from around Atla.


    Then, the implant went into the slightly translucent, purplish liquid, along with the set of surgical tools that Kothar was going to use.


    A while the implant and tools sat in the liquid, Kothar took a small razor that he had crafted from Titanite, after becoming sick of having to shave with the edge of his short blade or sword, he had crafted it during a break he took in between the intensive sessions of crafting that he had done for the implant.


    "Schnick, schnick." The razor scraped easily over his scalp, cleanly cutting away the stubble that remained from when he had cut it for assembling the Steelwing Armor.


    Then, after giving him a thorough wash, he was ready.


    This time, Kothar had actually taken the time to set up, unlike many of his other self operated surgeries, this was not going to be done in a hurry, emergency or by cutting any corners.


    Kothar sat down on the chair he had prepared, which had a series of mirrors attached above and around it, so he could see exactly what he was doing at all times.


    Firstly, Kothar took a small tub of numbing ointment, which he liberally applied with a rag, taking care not to get any on his hands, otherwise he would be trying to conduct surgery on himself, already a difficult task, with numb fingers.


    As Kothar felt the faint tingle across his scalp which was the numbing cream beginning to work its magic, he took a cloth doused in the sterilizing liquid, and gave his scalp a thorough wipe down.


    After this, he carefully tied an absorbent piece of cloth all around his head, but focusing particularly over his eyes, he didn''t want to have to deal with blood dripping down into his eyes while he conducted the surgery.


    Once it had dried, Kothar looked carefully at his scalp from all angles, then asked, [Silane, can you please highlight the lines along which I''ll cut.]


    [Of course, I''ll guide you all the way.] Silane answered, and immediately a ''T'' shaped line appeared on Kothar''s scalp.


    Then, Kothar took up the scalpel, and lifted it up to his scalp, gently pressing down, applying just the slightest amount of pressure, and cutting a thin line which bisected his skull, running down the middle, beginning at his crown, and ending just before his forehead, easily following the line that Silane had projected over his vision.


    Next, Kothar made another gentle cut, this line was perpendicular to the first, beginning from the center of the first cut, and running down toward his left ear, once again, following Silane''s projected line.


    That cut stopped far before his left ear, stopping short where his skull sloped down.


    Now came the painful portion, where Kothar would use a thin dull blade like tool with a gently rounded end, to carefully lift up the skin, and while doing as little damage as possible, make room for the implant.


    Kothar grit his teeth as he worked, while some of his other surgeries had been grueling, pulling his skin away from his own scalp was off putting in its own way, if it hadn''t been for how much this would help Silane, he wouldn''t have done this.


    Putting all the possible benefits to himself aside, at the end of the day, this implant was for Silane.


    There were soft tearing and ripping sounds as the connective tissue that held the skin down to the tough band of tissue that covered the scalp entirely, the aponeurosis which all the muscles of the scalp were attached to.


    But soon enough, a wide enough area had been cleared, under which the implant could sit, it looked almost like an art piece, with multiple circular pieces, connected by thin bars that held them together, as well as the wires that ran in between and to the central disc.


    [The guides, again, please.] Kothar said, this time sounding clearly slightly nervous.


    A few dots of bright red light appeared on Kothar''s skull, and first, Kothar cut tiny x shaped slits at them, and once he had done that, and exposed the bone in those portions, he picked up a tiny hand drill.


    In these areas, Kothar drilled tiny holes into his skull, barely even a few millimeters deep.


    Into these were inserted specially crafted housings, which would allow the implant to be attached completely securely to Kothar''s skull, so much so that the bone would heal around it.


    With the housings in the palace, Kothar picked up the implant, and with its screws already within the matching holes on the implant, carefully lined it up with the hotels they had drilled.


    The next step, had Kothar''s hand at an awkward angle, where he had to screw in each of different points that held the implant to his skull.


    But once that was done, the implant was pretty much ready, all that remained was for Kothar to strict himself back up.


    But he couldn''t do that right away, no, before doping that, it was important to make sure that it was actually functioning, otherwise Kothar would be stuck with a non-functioning implant in his head, that he''d have to slice open, all over again.


    Kothar wiped off the blood that was dripping down all around his head, the cloth he had tied had done its job in preventing blood falling into his eyes, but it was not completely soaked.


    [Alright then Silane, go on, this is it, it''s your chance to test the new implant..] Kothar said with a clear smile, even without hearing Silane speak, he could feel the clear excitement coming from her.