The next morning Bloodstone was looking at the computer screen, at the pictures, they had taken. Some were of the bodies and some were of the woman above in the dome. Otheres were the golems outside.
“Your up early” Lady Amethyst said stretching
“I couldn’t sleep, something about this is making me nuts.”
“Meaning”
“It almost looks like the tower was attacked. The thing is, who or what killed them and why.”
“So use the mirror on one of the bodies.” She suggested.
“I can’t, let me be more specific, I won’t I have no idea who these people were, why they were killed or who killed them. I could accidentally resurrect the killer.”
“So you’re going to play it safe?”
“Ok, then you pick a corpse, and we can try resurrecting it.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea.”
“It’s not with our time here limited by the food we have, one person would reduce our time here a day. We wouldn’t be any closer to getting into that vault. I know we have a reserve of about a week, that’s the emergency reserve. The goblins ate a little more than I expected, we have the cushion we just are really running out of time.”
“What about that poor girl trapped in that time bubble?”
“With the golems there, I can’t even get close to see if it’s really a time bubble. The only thing that I could do is see if we can get to her from below. Even then if that’s what it is, I don’t see how we could free her from it.”
“Esprite could get in there, “ Kuya said.
“Im not understanding how Esprite could help” Bloodstone said
The small blue light floated over to Bloodstone, “Pi, pi pi pi pi. Pi pi pi. Pi pi pi pi” the small glowing blue spark said.
“I see, time doesn’t affect thought mites, since they exist mostly out of time to begin with. Could you carry a camera through the field?”
“Pi?” it replied.
“How does that help then?”
“Oh I see,” Kuya said.
“Explain it.” Lady Amethyst said complete confused.
“Esprite can go in there and can teleport the girl out.” Kuya said.
“What about the golems?” Lady Amethyst asked.
“Not a problem Esprit can move through that area unimpeded, he’s a thought mite.”
“Your too loud,“ Rana said yawning
“Sorry”
“You want to do this now? Or wait till everyone else is awake?” Bloodstone asked the small blue glow
“Pi?”
“Well it’s up to you, I have no easy way to get her out of that bubble, not without breaking a few laws of nature, and shattering this tower all over Rhir.”
“Your kidding right?” Xyrediane asked sitting up.
“Nope, I have one idea, but best guess is that it explodes the tower over Rhir. Honestly though I have no idea how to get her out. Esprit how about it, you want to save a girl from a time bubble?”
“PI!” the spark shot straight up through the ceiling and vanished.
“Stop encouraging Esprite, “ Kuya said looking up, “Hes going to be impossible after this”
There was a slight rumble and a loud snap and the blue spark appeared and the woman from the dome appeared. She was wearing a simple cotton or wool robe, with a small emblem near her collarbone, on her left side. It appeared to be an arcane symbol, she had a simple belt, and was barefoot.
She made a squeak, and the paused, looking around.
“How did I get into the basement?” She asked herself and then screamed when she saw the men and women with spells and weapons ready.
“Hold!” Bloodstone said.
“Why are you attacking, who are you!?” The woman asked.
Bloodstone stared at her dumbstruck, she was shorter, by a full foot, and her skin was a soft pale, white. The long flowing platinum blond hair accented the freckles on her face, what made him pause was the ears, she wasn’t a half elf like he thought she was an elf.
“Well! Explain yourself! Where is master Nereshal” She said.
Bloodstone bowed, “I apologize for the way we arrived, you have been locked in time. We had Espirit free you.”
The blue spark went “Pi” and zipped around her head.
“A great spirit!, who are you people?” she said confused.
“We found a copy of your diary and this place, what’s the last thing you remember?”
She stared at him, “The hourglass!” She swallowed and then looked at everyone standing around gaping at her.
“Take in slow, breath.” Bloodstone said.
Someone offered her a chair. “I am an apprentice, someone broke in, in the middle of the night. I heard screaming. I ran to find the master. I took the hourglass, and mithril soldiers from the workroom. I tried to take them from the case and I spilled them and it fell off the balcony. I recall three of them expanded and rose to defend me. Someone came up the stairs and threw something at me. That’s the last thing I recall until I was here.”
“Hold up before we get any further, I want you to know your safe, and no one will harm you. I am Bloodstone. This is my wife Amethyst, my daughter Kuya and my son Xach.”
He introduced Xyre and Rana and the others as they awoke. She looked tired. “I don’t know what to believe, I am apprentice, Ashera Rodove my master is the arch mage Nereshal, guardian of the white tower.” She yawned, “ I am sorry I will have to trust you, you could have killed me if you wanted.”
“Ashera, why not rest, we can discuss the tower, and what happened, more when you awaken.”
She nodded and was shown the bedroll and the odd cot that folded up. She appeared to be asleep in moments.
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Bloodstone asked. He shrugged and sat down and packed up the pictures into a compressed file. He found himself staring at the young elven woman more than once.
“You keep drooling and you are going to mess up your computer”, Eve teased.
He broke his gaze away from her and looked at Eve, “It’s not like that, I am in shock. I was under the impression that the elves were all gone. Seeing her, you can tell she’s not a half elf, there’s a feeling of life around her, she looks like a half elf in some ways and in others…”
“Well don’t freak the poor kid out, she’s worse off than we are, she’s lost everything. Think of how people will react to her. Even they are a bit shocked.” She gestured across the room where the natives were talking.
Zail , Xyre, Rana and Nyteria came over to where Bloodstone was sitting, they looked disturbed.
“She the last Elf,” Xyrediane said softly.
Bloodstone stared at them, “Stop it, you don’t know that for fact, she’s just the first elf you have seen. I see this is going to be a problem.” He looked over at Lady Amethyst who was looking through her spell book. “Hey hun, need you for a moment.”
She looked over at him. “What?”
“Before this gets out of hand when we get back to civilization, I want to make sure she’s got some protection, can you pick out some appropriate mage gear from what we have left and” he said looking at the others, “I think I may need your help too bind an illusion to a ring.”
“Fine,” she said using the door key and going into the room. It was packed with crates all along the walls, to the ceiling, in the back it was two deep. She began looking through crates for gear for Ashera.
“What are you going to do with her?” Xyrediane asked.
“Do, nothing except protect her, she’s an apprentice. If the king thinks he can take her, well over my dead body..” He looked at the open door.
“With your mirror.. Oh!” Xyrediane said.
“Precisely, try using an artifact on me and I will destroy it.”
“How would you do that?” Nyteria asked.
He stared at her, “I know a few tricks, that are not skill based. I also have a few that are skill based.”
Lady Amethyst carried over a white robe, as well as a wand, six rings, an amulet, a pair of women boots, and a belt, and a bag of holding. She also had a book of spells. “I think this should get her going, I put some money in the bag, not that she will need it right now.”
Bloodstone nodded. “Will you and Xyre take her under your wing and keep her safe.”
“Why us?” Xyrediane asked.
“Because I don’t feel I should baby her, she deserves the best, you two are the best, Kuya you can assist.”
“Fine.” Kuya said.
Bloodstone looked at the rings, “These will work, they are not enchanted.”
“Those are from that dragon’s horde?” Eve asked.
“Yup, and they are just normal rings, with good quality gemstones set. I’m going to enchant an illusion into them, never done that before, I know the basics of how it’s done, just need to try I suppose.” He looked over at Lady Amethyst, “So can you mana me up, and we can get these enchanted.”
“Sure, you want to help?” She asked the others.
“Yea!” Nyteria said enthusiastically.
“Meh” Kuya said, “I’ll just watch, I don’t need to make magic items”
Bloodstone spent the next six hours enchanting three rings, the first was just the illusion, and once he understood how it worked he wove the spell into the next ring. Making it less noisy as well as a finer weave of the spell to the gemstone. Unfortunately, the number of spells put into the ring, made it unstable and the gemstone cracked.
“You can’t put that many enchantments into a ring, I can feel the imbalances from here” Nyteria said eyeing the ring.
“I can fix it, I know what caused the stone to crack.”
“Daddy, you might not want to put so many spells into a stone that’s flawed.” Kuya said examining the ring.
“Ok, so we have four left, pick one that’s not flawed.”
They were so intent on the rings, they didn’t notice Ashera get up and see what they were doing. “What are you doing?” she asked.
Everyone paused and then looked at Bloodstone.
“I am making you a ring, so that when you get back to civilization you can blend in. No one has seen an elf in…” he looked over at the half elves, “You two might want to tell her.”
“Me?” Xyrediane said looking Ashera and Bloodstone.
“Fine I will tell her, you’re the first elf anyone here has seen… You are an elf, right?”
Ashera turned bright red, “I, uh, am an elf, that’s a human term. I think the proper term is Sylvan.”
“I am sorry, that may sound racist to you Ashera”
She shook her head no, “I just, haven’t heard that term used before. What is the ring for?”
“This gear here, is to keep you safe, “ He said gesturing to the robe and other items. “I am making a ring that will let you hide your heritage, that’s if you want to. Others may want to talk to you, ask questions, and you will be famous.”
“Me. Famous?” she said turning brighter red., “I am just an apprentice.”
“Maybe so, your still going to be famous, unless you don’t want to. I am giving you that choice. We are enchanting the ring to have illusions, that you can use.”
“Can I watch?” she asked.
“Sure, we have four left to try you have any preference to the stone?” he pointed out the four gold rings each having a different stone setting.
“You’re really going to give me a ring with enchantments?”
“It’s to keep you safe, you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to.”
They group of them made the ring of illusion and handed it to her, an showed her how it worked. “That’s amazing,” Nyteria said, “She looks like a human. Can you make me one of those?” She asked.
“Sure, when we get back, if you really want one. I am a bit tired and we need to get Ashera up to speed, why we are here. In the interest of full disclosure, we came to see if we could get into the vault.”
“The vault? your just like the others then.” Ashera accused.
“It’s not like that, if you have a claim I will respect that. As it is we have no way to get into the vault.”
“And if I refuse to help you” Ashera asked.
“It’s your life, we can put you back in that bubble if that’s what you want, or you can come with us. You could go off alone, I suppose, that is a choice you are going to have to make. I want you to see all your options, we can leave now if you are not going to help us. Eventually you could hire someone or return on your own.”
Ashera stared at him, and the gear that was on the table. “Suppose I believe you, what’s to keep you from killing me once I open the vault.”
There was a sadness to his reply, “I don’t want any harm to come to you, you know where the vault is go and check it. No one will follow you, take the gear, as well.”
She hesitated and then pick up the clothes and other items. Kuya said to her, “My dad is trying to help you. Maybe something to eat might help?”
Ashera nodded slowly, “I will change first.”
Nyteria spoke up, “You can change over there, in the storage room.”
Ashera fled and took the clothes.
“She’s terrified,” Violet said walking over to them.
“I figured, “ Bloodstone said walking into the doorway and looking through one of the weapon crates. He pulled out a beautifully ornate gem covered dagger. He pulled it from the sheath and checked the blade, re-sheathed it and waited. Setting the blade on the table.
They waited, for a good ten minutes, then twenty and Ashera came out of the storage room, with her new gear on. She had put her hair down still and she walked over to Bloodstone. Her eyes were red around the edges.
“You are afraid of me?” He asked.
She nodded slowly, “Your going to kill me, this is all a trick. I open the vault and you take everything.”
“Maybe, unless you disagree, I’m not here to fight you Ashera.” He gestured to the dagger on the table. “That’s yours as well, its enchanted to be sharp, so be careful.”
She looked at the dagger and back at him. She reached out and slowly picked it up, she pulled the blade out and looked at it.
“If it makes you feel better, go through the passage we dug, go see what’s happened since you were stuck.” A little louder, “We are leaving in the morning, so get everything packed. Marcus, Hijala go relieve Elmok and Zail on horse duty.”
“I must protest,” Hijala said, “My place is with the lady.”
“Ok, Xach go with Marcus”
Xach followed Marcus.
Ashera stood watching them with the dagger in hand. She sheathed the dagger and started in the direction of the vault. No one moved to block her path.
Ashera was only gone five minutes and she returned in a panic, “Its gone!”
“What do you mean it’s gone?” Bloodstone asked.
“It’s gone! There is just a big cavern where it was.” She said somewhat panicked.
“Let’s go look then.” , Everyone then followed behind him as they went to the vault room.
The portal was glowing a soft blue, and it opened into a large cavern.
Bloodstone pulled a handful of glow marbles out of the light pouch and stepped over to the portal. It didn’t react to his presence, he stepped through and tossed two glass beads into the darkness.
“They got it first!”
“Who got it?” Xyre asked, stepping in after him.
“The Antinium, they must have had it for ages. I’m sorry Ashera, it’s gone, Dammit”
“Who are the Antinium” Ashera asked.
“A race of insect people, they got the vault, and best guess used a similar trick we did to get in to the tower.”
“What do we do now?” Xyre asked as the others began to file into the cavern.
“See how far this goes, and turn back in a day, or we leave now. We don’t have the time to follow this longer than a day or two. We are almost at point where we will run out of food for the horses and us. We need to decide now, are we going to follow this or are we heading back.”
“If the Antinium have it, isn’t it lost?” Nyteria said looking around.
“Most likely,” there was a shuffling in the darkness. A half dozen beads were thrown in the direction. There were dozens of antinium, in the cavern.
“Back through!” Bloodstone said and saw there were antinium behind them as well.
A bright green Antinium approached them, and spoke in common, “Surrender or we will consume you”
“What do you want, we have no quarrel with you and your kind.” Bloodstone said loudly.
“We have a quarrel with you and yours. I have orders from the Queen to bring you to her, resist and perish.” The Green antinium said.
They were led down the long dark cavern. The antinium took the horses and disarmed them and took all the obvious magic items they possessed. They walked for hours before being allowed to rest. There were four colored antinium that seems to be in control of the massive numbers they saw. The green one, a red one who didn’t talk, a jet black one who stopped them from talking. There was also a deep orange one who wanted to converse with them individually as they walked.
“You are the leader, you will talk with the Queen.” The Orange Antinium said to Bloodstone.
He was led through caverns, and with his senses he could see the map in his head. It was deep underground and was much warmer.
“You are the one who freed the elven woman?” The orange Antnium asked.
“Not precisely, a friend of my daughter did.”
“You take no credit for her release?”
“Not personally no, I asked if they could and they did it. We were looking for the vault.”
“The vault, oh the cube. We are no longer in possession of it.”
“Is there something you want from us?” Bloodstone asked the orange Antinium.
“Information, we are aware that some of our brethren made and survived the journey, it is details that we require.”
“Not much to tell, most of the ships were sunk or destroyed before landing on Izril. From the books I have read there are six hives. Beyond that I have no more information for you.”
“We will inquire, what is the status of the Human kingdom”
“Desperate, terrified of the blight. I don’t suppose the antinium are responsible for the waves of monsters?”
“Monsters?” It inquired.
“Crullers, skin stealers, undead and other things that seem to come every six to eight summers. “
“That’s is not the antinium that is from the tear and the others.”
“Why did you attack the humans,” he asked.
“To secure a place to return, to gather more resources, we needed.” It replied.
“Do you consider humans an enemy?”
“Of course, do you not consider the Antinium a threat to your survival?”
“Maybe, that’s a complicated question. It there a way to make peace with the Antinium?”
The antinium didn’t answer immediately as if the question was foreign to its concept of humans, “I do not see how that could be accomplished”
“Small steps and a little bit of trust on each side.”
“Perhaps, we will discuss this further.”
The green colored Antinium pulled Ashera out of the line, “You will come with me”
“I don’t want to!”, she cried.
“Leave her alone” Bloodstone said his voice very loud in the narrow passage they had been following.
Six antinum grabbed him and held him in place. The green one walked over to him, “You speak of trust. No harm will come to her.”
“Ashera, I don’t think they would be foolish enough to harm you. I would make it a point to kill every Antinum on Rhir if you came to harm.”
“I do not see how you would be able to accomplish that.” The Orange antinium said.
“Don’t go there, I have three ways I could destroy you right now, don’t make me come up with more, or a reason to use them.”
They led her away and led the rest of the group to a large room. It was bare, and they allowed to place lights, to see.
“What do they want?” Xyrediane asked.
“No idea, we will find out I am sure.” Bloodstone said.
They brought Ashera back shortly after, he was in hysterics and terrified. The Green antinium told Bloodstone to follow him. “You will behave, in the presence of the Queen.” He stated
He followed the Green Antinium through the dark passageways. “I’m am surprised you have not bumped into anything?”
“I can see in pitch black.”
“I was unaware humans could see in the dark.”
“I’m a special case, most can’t without spells or gear.”
“I understand,” He led him through a few more passages and into a large cavern where a creature the size of a small bus was being attended to by six tall and thin looking antinium, “Is this the human?”
“It is my queen”
“Human, you will explain this.” She showed him a small crystal, an image was playing in it. It showed a woman being protected by Antinium, or at least they looked like smaller human sized antinium. They were attacking goblins
“What would you want to know, I have no idea who that woman is or where this is.”
“It is being sent by several mages, we would know why they are associated with this woman. Is she controlling them or is there something else.”
“I am sorry, I do not know. It’s possible this is from Izril, that’s where your brethren ended up.”
The images stopped, and the queens massive form moved closer to him, her eyes were huge and faceted, a giant insect, was his first impression, “We would know how you freed the sylvan from that temporal bubble”
“Luck and a being who time doesn’t matter, a friend of my daughter.”
There was a clicking sound as the queen ran a massive hand ran along a section of the wall. “I have been trying to decide what to do with you.”
“What are the options”
“Putting the lot of you to death, perhaps send you into the tear, or use in an experiment. I haven’t decided”
Bloodstone stared at the queen, “We are not dead yet, so there must be a reason.”
The queen was silent, the green antinium spoke, ”We know you were responsible for the death of one of the old ones.”
“The [geomancer] with [pyromancy]” he asked.
“We are speaking of the old one you defeated recently, “ The green antinium said.
“Why would I deny it, I have no reason to be deceptive. You already knew this and want to enact some form of vengeance? The others however have not harmed your people.”
“You don’t seem to be afraid, and you removed, the old one, we would know of the treasures and where they have gone.” The green antinium inquired.
“Some of the adventurers that were with us took a measure of it with them , the rest is safe and secure. Im sure you had difficulties getting back in there once it was sealed.”
“You think your magic could stop us, we are antinium” The Queen said.
Bloodstone shrugged, ”I’m not here to fight, I am here to recover the Vault, maybe come to some understanding with you and your people. Mistakes happen, let’s see if we can avoid making any more?”
“Perhaps. You are a strange human, your levels and classes are obscured from my sight, that is very strange.” The Quewn said staring at him, “The cube in question is gone, taken by a creature from the tear, we lost many of our number and it has been there since. I don’t think there can be an understanding between us.”
“How about an understanding with just those of us here that you have confined?”
The queen was silent and the Green antinium said, “As you wish my queen, I will bring the next one. You will come with me.”
“Hold on, I don’t think you quite understand what’s at stake here. The Blighted king is killing people to summon others to this world, I am not from Rhir, or anywhere else on this world. Making me an enemy is not a wise thing to do.”
“Wait” The Queen said, “You know of other worlds?”
“Depends on the context, outer space, like the stars, or in other dimensions. I know about gods and pantheons, though not about the ones that were here. If I had to guess, this was all caused by a conflict of Gods.”
“What do you know of Gods!”
“I know most of them are dead from this world, the thing is, dead is not gone. I don’t know what the rules are here, how deities are made, how they are broken and the important thing how power is passed from one to another. There can be different rules for each world, rules that usually are immutable, and are fixed.”
“You know nothing! Take him back, bring the next one I will have answers.”
Bloodstone smiled, “let me know when you want to talk again.”
They walked him back and picked Hijala and took her to talk to the queen.
“What did they want” Lady Amethyst asked.
“Answers to questions, I have no information on. I believe we will all be questioned, answer truthfully. I think they are intimidated, we took down a dragon, and released Ashera from a time bubble than makes us dangerous.”
“Is that what that was?” Ashera asked.
“An antinium queen.” He said to her. Lady Amethyst and Xyre were consoling her.
Hijala was brought back and hissed at the green antinium, “Honor less bug men”
The next to go was Rana, she was gone a long time. She came back with the orange and green antinium.
“You,” he said to Lady Amethyst.
“Ok get ready for the fireworks.” Bloodstone said.
“Why,” Xyre asked.
“If they piss her off or freak her out it’s over.” He said watching the entrance. “Kuya you ready in case we need your staff?” He asked.
She nodded, holding her small pen in her hand.
Marcus asked, “Does your wife still have the key?”
Bloodstone nodded, “They try and take that someone will die, I can guarantee it. You haven’t seen her pissed off, pray you never do.”
“Pray?”
“Sorry bad choice of words, how can I put it, she’s a high-level raid enchanter, she can take on a group of antinium with ease. All she needs is her spells, and there is no being I know of that can remove her spell book. She has her illusions and with the spells she’s added since we first came here. Like I said don’t ever piss her off.”
“I don’t understand “, Nyteria said, “I have not once seen her use a spell book.”
“It’s part of her, I had a test with her, and she casts like breathing, is second nature to her, she doesn’t even need to know the spells name, she just casts it.”
“I have never heard of that, but now that you mention it she never chanted or waved her hands she just made the spell happen. How powerful is she.”
Bloodstone paused, “By herself, maybe equal to a gold rank mage, with anyone else, deadly. The thing is she can charm and hold that charm on someone or something if she desires. With the charms she has, she is never truly alone.”
“And Kuya, what can she do, I heard about some of it in the trial” Nyteria asked.
“I can answer,” Rana said, “She’s so dangerous if she’s bored or angry that I don’t think there is anyone who could stop her, or her brother.”
“Xach is the one who opened the rift in front of the walls,” Kijala said., “That’s was him trying to impress his sister.”
“How much danger are we in here,” Elmok asked.
“On a scale of one to ten maybe a six or a seven” Bloodstone said.
“What was the invasion from the demons?” He asked.
“That maybe an eight or nine” He shrugged.
“Less but still dangerous.” Elmok nodded.
“Violet, are you getting anything from Lady Amethyst?” He asked her.
“Just tired and bored, I don’t think she’s there yet.” Violet said avoiding his look.
“You ok?” He asked.
“Mmm, I guess, just thinking is all.” She said softly.
“Anything you want to talk about?”
“No, maybe, I’m just confused.” She said looking up and smiling at him.
“About?”
“You could have killed them, I wonder why you didn’t”
He looked over at Em and Xach who were sitting against the wall. “I don’t want to get any of you hurt, unless we have to fight let’s see if we can talk our way out of this. Besides, this is a practical application of necromancy.”
“You knew?” Em asked opening one eye.
“Of course, I looked through your bag before we revived you, some of them are really ingenious. How many are you running now?”
“Six, and Xach has four going.” She said closing her eye.
“Wait six what?” Xyre asked.
“Trust me, right now you don’t need to know. Later have her show you her tiny pets.”
“Pets?” Rana asked.
“Found the path back” Xach said.
“And I found the horses” Em said shortly after
“Excellent, now we just need to wait.” He sat down against the wall with them and closed his eyes, “Let me know if anything changes.”
Excerpt from the personal notes of Lord Bloodstone on his impressions of the Antinium on Rhir, after the White tower incident.
The first Antinium Queen that I met was at the time was confident they had us contained and under control. Being confined, however is not a bad thing with the antinium protecting us, we were all free to rest and relax for the first time in several weeks. Some would say how can you relax when your confined, surrounded by hostile enemies. We were able to study the antinium in a manner that few could, both with the scientific method as well as observation.
As this was the first time that is known where the Antinium took prisoners, the others were notably nervous as to why they hadn’t just attacked us. I will get to that later, however this presented us with the opportunity, to see if any of the speculation was correct. From some of the writings it was speculated that they had different forms of communication, my guess, was seeing as many as I had, that they used a form of hive mind, possibly with chemical signals, like ants did. One way to test this was to see if I could find the hive mind, it wasn’t going to be easy and how does one think like an antinium.
Lady Amethyst came back shortly after, “When are you going to smash these ants?” she asked.
“Did the big scary bug bother you?” I teased.
“No, I told her that if they didn’t let us go, I would take over this whole place.”
“What was the reaction?”
“I don’t think she considered me a threat.”
I laughed considering that if they didn’t consider her a threat they had vastly underestimated us. “I’m going to try something, let’s see if they catch on, it’s going to take me a bit to figure this out”
I sat and meditated, on the world around me listening, and feeling and I activated the skills [analyze energy], and [purity of thought] these were skill from the [EMPTY] class, it was a hybrid of a few casting classes. Violet asked me if the class is empty how can it have skills. I explained to her that it means Energy, Matter, Psionics, Time, and Yar. She didn’t understand what I meant by the words. It’s a class that gives me a quick and agile use of Energy, Matter Psionics and Time. There are Skills, associated with the class. One is [Matter Transmutation], this allows me to manipulate matter from one thing to another based on what I concentrate on. Another is [Telekenisis] the ability to move objects at a distance without touching them.
There are a few other skills, that the class has, I had been building up the class itself from some of the demons that were killed before and during our time in the blight. One thing that I have noted is that I haven’t gained any Lord skills, I think it’s mainly because I haven’t needed them, or been opposed by any other lords or ladies. I did ask my wife and she had one skill from the Lady class, called, [Sovereigns Grace] while I have an idea what it might be, I haven’t had the nerve to check. She does have a few other skills, mostly related to her [Raid Enchanter] class. There is one person that I haven’t asked, about her skills is Kuya.
Now while I sat and meditated, I activated the following skills [Third Eye], [Mind of the Dragon], [Temportal shift], [Quantum Distortion],and [Brainstorm] It didn’t take long for me to find what I was searching for, the telepathic communications that the Antinium were using. I had in the past used Psionic abilities; I decide that it was perhaps time for the Antinium to understand what I was.
Using the telepathic ability with them if it’s done wrong is could be either they ignore me, or realize I am a threat that must dealt with immediately. I wanted a middle ground, where I knock on the telepathic door and see if they are willing to talk there. So I knocked.
At first, I don’t think they even realized I was talking to them.
Hi, would you be willing to talk about the vault we are looking for? There was confusion at first, since none of them seem to recognize the mind they were being communicated with.
Are you an aberration? Was a reply from a strong mind.
No, I figured this might be a better way to communicate with the Antinium.
There was a brief pause, as if they were unsure what was happening.
You are not antinium yet you communicate like one.
Shock resonated through the antinium, something fundamental had happened; a non antinium had spoken with them as they spoke with each other.
I opened one eye as there were ten antinium that flooded into the room, intent on seeing what was going on.
Hostilities are unnecessary, I have no problem exchanging information and knowledge.
I will not go into the details as to what was discussed, however they learned a lot about humans and myself as well as what had happened to me since arriving, I also in exchange learned a lot about the antinium and the revenge they swore.
Where words would take weeks and days, we came to an understanding of each other in minutes and hours. The sorrow of them losing so many fleeing to rebuild, to come back, stronger was mixed in with the elation that me a human understood the need for change, as a species and as an individual. Antinium think more of the hive as a collective, not as a single or individuals, there were some downsides to that, in that they lost a measure of free thought. Where we as humans saw hundreds of antinium they saw it as we would use a hand to take out an annoying insect. I realize the analogy is somewhat backwards, but it did fit. We as humans don’t hear our liver complain when we drink too much, and if something like that were to happen we would most likely go mad. It was the same for the Antinium, if a single cell raised its voice, in our body we might think it was damaged. It took time to explain the differences, to find the common ground and a place and framework we could work together. They had simple basic goals, where our goals were hazy undefined and we came to each problem as it presented itself. They had a simplistic way of attacking a problem. I asked why they had attacked the humans and was told that at its basics, they didn’t know what humans would do. They needed the resources and we were in the way, or could be used as potential resources. I then had to explain to them that the hostilities must cease, between us, as they were making a mistake that they didn’t recognize as a mistake. Humans could be reasoned with, the question was could the antinium. That simple concept that was both alien to them and at the same time they understood its implication. Queens came to consensus and they began to understand that while we had a primitive way of thinking we also could adjust tactics without commands from someone in the chain of command. Some of the antinium were considered autonomous and could think for themselves, they only thing was they tended to view everything through the lenses of helping the hive. They could revive a fallen one if it was still connected to the hive, the memory of what they had been could be rebuilt, but only partially, as they didn’t have any way to remember everything an individual did. A kind of an echo of the original, the closest analogy would be a clone or copy.
We discussed what would happen to us, with the antinium. I made a proposal for them to move a hive behind the walls in secret, to learn about humans, and to protect a place they could have their brethren return to if need be. They asked if my king would object, I explained that he had put me in charge of the wall being built, he needed it build. The antinium could help with that, doing that would at least give them some semblance of trust. It would take time, we could train them to use the ships, and get messages to the hives outside Rhir and perhaps find a way to setup hives elsewhere. In exchange they would help me recover the vault. I know in this exchange they seemed to get the better part of the deal, and in a sense they did have us and didn’t have to agree to anything.
A plan was laid out where I would attempt to recover the vault, and all its knowledge that was still contained, and perhaps remove a dangerous creature that was in control of it.
I explained to them that I have tools that allowed me to keep knowledge from my world and use it here. They were intrigued by the phone and the computer. They under stood the organics of biology in a manner that was frankly mind blowing. Coupled with the knowledge I had game wise as well as biology, there were only three true Queens still on Rhir. They had the [Prime Queen] The oldest queen and the only one that listened but did not comment one way or another on anything I suggested. They had dozens of beings they called shapers, those who could change the forms and shapes of the antinium, they were old, taught by the few shapers who did not make the journey, they had lost knowledge when they sent out the fleet. I then understood, a danger they were unaware of, they had no written language, no way to pass on information to the next generation of antinium and if they lost to much they would be making mistakes they already had and possibly not knowing. I proposed a new antinium, be created, a sentient living creatures to remember every change, to remember the magic, and the past, that had a longer life, and could pass this on to others, antinium or humans. I know this sounds like I was betraying humanity, but I knew that this antinium could be a bridge or at the very least, save the knowledge that they had still.
The orange antinim that was called, Gvvrrxx came in to the room the demeanor was different than before. “Your presence is requested.”
“I suppose I made an impression?”
“The Hive will speak with you. Your proposal is acceptable we would however like to retain your knowledge as well.”
“I see, lead on”
I will not discuss what went on with the Queens and others, there was a consensus that was reached, when I explained, I would be willing to assist them, if they were willing to put aside hostilities to humans in general. At first they didn’t understand, what I meant until I activated the mind skills, and allowed them into the brainstorm session. There was an exponential explosion of ideas, that shook the foundations of the Antinium, They understood in a short time that humans as an enemy would eventually destroy them. It wouldn’t be today or tomorrow, eventually there would be enough knowledge left behind or learned that they would eradicate anything they saw as a threat. They currently saw antinium as a threat, changing that mindset would take time.
I felt drained when I returned to the others. I explained that I would be going north with horses, and that the rest of them would be going to where the antinium built their ships. They would give us a ship to sail down the coast, to the lands we controlled. I would attempt to recover the Vault.
I wanted to take three people, Kuya, Ashera and Xach. My wives objected, strongly. It was decided that Violet would accompany us, it was decided not ny me but my wives, she was the fittest of them and could as they put it keep an eye on me.
I explained that the Antinium could get us close to where the vault was so we could observe the creature. I needed someone with destructive capability, and another who had the ability to teleport. The plan would be as follows, Xach and Kuya, Violet, Ashera and myself would move through the underground areas, or the blight as needed to get where we needed to go. We would take the horses, and feed for them. We would use them to get as far north as we could, as the journey would take at least a week possibly longer.
Since linking with the Antinium, I was able to co-ordinate with them it was like having a few extra hands if you needed them. I understood that I was being given some authority in the hive, simply because I could communicate with them on a level a human never had before, it a first of sorts for them as well.
I rested, and slept. We ate from our supplies, and shared some with the workers who came to clean up. While I understood they didn’t have much intelligence, I alone could sense the potential in each of them. The hive would become stronger if they each had a personality but could work as a cohesive whole. I found the antinium considered free though from the workers as, an aberration. I explained that that might be so, but they should be nurtured not suppressed. I explained to them that these aberrations should be noted and not punished; the rate that they would go insane would drop dramatically. They were coded to be workers, and if they started to question things they were evolving. Evolution of the species is necessary for growth. When it was explained to them in that manner, they understood somewhat, at least I think they did. We still hadn’t been allowed to move forward.
We had been assigned several of the antinium that were considered borderline aberrations. Kuya was the first to ask one a question that I know was a catalyst for its short breakdown. She asked it, “Are you happy.”
That specific antinium broke, it had never been asked that, and it decided that it wasn’t happy. I tried to articulate why it wasn’t. The fear it was feeling is what made Violet step in to help. “You don’t have to be afraid of us.” Violet said, between the others they understood finally what the antinium were.
After it had time to rest, it followed Kuya everywhere. She told it about home, as well as her drawings and magic. The antinium worker asked a question, “Could I learn magic.” Kuya at first didn’t want anything to do with the Antinium, it took her some time to understand them.
The hive was fascinated with the fact that it wanted to learn magic. A worker learning magic was new. I asked the hive what the workers do, or the others types doing when they are not eating, sleeping or working. They had nothing else; I suggested giving them time to be creative, or a place where they could decide they wanted to go. I knew it was too early, to do more, and asked if they would allow it if they moved a hive south to behind the walls. We never really got an answer one way or another, I feel the queens thought it a waste of resources and didn’t pursue it.
The next morning, we were all escorted to the horses. Once there our gear was returned to us, and we were taken through the tunnels to an underground grotto, there it was explain that this was where they had build the ships and sailed them through underground channels to the ocean. There were antinium there working on a ship, I asked where they got the lumber and they showed us a valley it had been replanted from the trees they had taken decades before. There were trees as well as food. They protected that place as it was very close to the only hive that knew how to build ships. There were more than one ship under construction, They were simplistic, and knowing what I knew about ships in general, they wouldn’t have fared very well on the open ocean, the design was akin to a frigate or cargo ship. Not a deep sea vessel. This was pointed out to them and they decided to have some changes made, once I showed them pictures of wooden ships from a book on the computer.
I let Coreen know that we were splitting the group up and five of us were heading to recover the vault and the rest were going to be delayed, and taking a sea route. It was decided that since Eve had the only sea skills she would be the captain, she objected but once we decided she accepted, as long as she got to name the ship. She joked that she wanted to call it something anyone from our world would know. We knew the ship would take two weeks to complete, so they would wait while we journeyed up north and then I would call them all. I setup the spell, that would do the calling with Kuya helping with the teleportation aspect of the spell itself.
Once that was set we set out to try and recover the vault. We illuminated the horses and were guided through the tunnels, we saw few antinium along the route, and mostly because they knew where we were and exited the passage to allow us to pass through unobstructed. Once the horses needed to rest, we watered them and fed them with help from the antinium.
“What is it?” one of them asked.
“A horse” I answered.
“I have never seen one before; they are not part of us.” It replied.
“It’s not, you can pet it if you want, and it needs to be rubbed down. Would you help me with the saddle?”
“Saddle?” It asked.
“To ride it”
“Ride?”
I showed him how to get on a horse in the passage being mindful of the ceiling.
“Do you want to try?”
The antinium tried and mounted the horse; it bumped its head and ducked down. It then dismounted.
“If you want to help us with the horses, then come with us in the morning.”
This is where I know the antinium had problems with choice, wanting to go but having duties elsewhere.
“You can bring them back if we leave them behind.”
I never saw that antinium, and it didn’t come with us. I was tired, and never really got around to asking. I kept in touch with all my wifes. Lady amethyst and the others had been helping with the ship, Lady Amethyst still had the laptop along with plans for the ships. It was during the discussion of the cove, and water that I learned they were terrified of the water. I understood why, it was how they breathed, the antinium were biologically similar to ants, and they didn’t breath through their mouths like a human would they breathed through their abdomen. It wasn’t obvious but once you were aware of it they could compensate. I explained Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, or SCUBA. Not that I have ever gone diving with a tank, it made me wonder if there was a way they could hide underwater, if they needed to. We never got farther with the inquiry.
—
It took ten days to make the trip, I had a chance to speak with Ashera, and teach her some magic. We did figure out that she wasn’t sure what to do once we retrieved the vault. Technically was was hers by right, and the fact that I was going to retrieve it wasn’t lost on either of us.
The antinium had given us a spot to rest. They wanted us to wait before we left the safety of the tunnels, as once we went above they wouldn’t be able to protect us as efficiently. They had killed two hundred and eighty-seven creatures to get us this far. I was aware, Ashera was not. The antinium Gvvrrxx accompanied us, more to guide us through the tunnels than anything else.
“Why are you helping me retrieve the vault?” Ashira asked a couple of days into the trip.
“You don’t want to recover it?”
“I thought you wanted it for yourself?”
“You could have told me no at any point.”
“I just don’t know this is all happening so fast, I barely have time to think.” She said taking a drink from the water skin.
“What do you have, if we can’t recover it?”
She looked at the cloths and gear she was wearing. “Just what I have on me and you gave it to me.”
“I am interested in what’s in the Vault, not going to lie about that, but it’s something you will own once I can retrieve it for you. It’s not about gold, or magic. It’s about knowledge; I want to know what happened here. The antinium have shown me some I want to know what the elves knew, what your people knew.”
“You just met me, how do you know I am worth all that, what if the vault is now empty?”
“Then we leave and move on, we have a chance let’s take it, we may not get another.”
We spoke about her life, and she cried when she remembered her parents were long gone. I let her talk with the others using one of the ear sets, and I let her keep it. Gvvrrxx kept his distance from us. Ashera spoke with Violet, Xach and Kuya about little things, and they seemed to give her a measure of confidence. I could tell she was stressed, almost near the breaking point.
The antinium had also been busy, they were many, but from what they told me they had lost thousands when they left Rhir.Tehy had been rebuilding their numbers but it was still a slow process. The Queens knew that if they didn’t change they would soon be gone, at least on Rhir, the fact that the other hives hadn’t contacted them spoke volumes of what they had lost. We made a single stop along the path that was out of the way.
I was brought to another Queen, one of the ones who were skeptical of me. She gave me two eggs of the new subspecies of antinium two of four she had. They were white and leathery looking two feet long and maybe six inches round, it was an egg. These antinium would have a longer life cycle, since they would store the antiniums memories. The eggs I had been given fit into my leather backpack, with barely any room for anything else. I transferred all my clothes and other items to one of two bags of holding I was carrying. The book, of storage, was in its own leather case tied to the main backpack.
When we arrived at the destination the antinium had indicated. They let us out from a secret type passage way, behind a ridge. It was explained that the creature whatever it was had dragged it away, in its attempt to consume it.
We carefully found the location and even still we were not close, we could see the vault in the distance a rough black cube. With something that looked like a giant centipede on it, the thing was a red and black color, and seemed to blend in with the cube itself.
Gvvrrxx had somehow kept up with us even though we only saw him three times during the trip spoke with us.
“We dare not get closer, we are not able to harm it with magic or anything else we have thrown at it.”
“How long has the vault been here?” Bloodstone asked, “We never did resolve that question”
The Antinium paused and asked the hive, “Before the first walls of the human kingdom were built, a definitive measure time before that would be meaningless without some context. We can guess at least several hundred years prior to the humans returning to Rhir.”
“That thing has been attacking the vault for maybe a thousand years, or more that speaks volumes about the vault.” Bloodstone said looking at Ashera.
“I know it’s the ancestors vault, with knowledge of our heritage. I know my people were reluctant to remain on this world. I have no idea where they might have gone. If they couldn’t beat it what makes you think you can?”
Bloodstone laughed, “I am the master of the impossible! It may be indestructible but it has to obey certain laws of the physical world, even add magic, it is beatable.” He looked from Kuya to Xach, “Right, who wants to live forever!”
Kuya smiled, “I can try erasing it” She expanded her staff and the three feathers dropped lower making it look like a scythe. She waved it in the creature’s general direction. “Nope, no idea why that didn’t work”
“Was worth a shot” Bloodstone said looking at the Cube, “I have no idea how we are going to move it, or where to move it to.”
“No idea,” Kuya said.
“We could levitate it up,” Xach suggested.
“How does that help?” Violet asked.
“Well, we can then move it to where we want it to be like near the fortress or near where we are building our house” Xach suggested.
“Still have a monster to deal with, lets figure out that. Then have Ashera see if we even need to move it.” Bloodstone suggested.
Ashera looked pale, “why are you so insistent?”
Bloodstone looked away from the cube and at her, she was shaking, the fear was visible, and Violet, looked at Bloodstone.
“I can give you two empty bags of holding you can go in pull whatever you think you might need out, and we can leave the rest here.”
“I don’t want to.” She said looking over his shoulder.
“Then you tell me what should we do?” Bloodstone asked Ashera.
“I want to wake of from this nightmare, I want to go home.” She said trying not to cry.
Bloodstone knelt in front of her, she was taller than him and had to look down, “I know, I want to go home as well. I understand you’re scared; We won’t let anything happen to you. Either you trust us or you don’t. I know it’s a lot to ask.” He looked in her eyes, “I’m a scared to, I just know how to hide it better. I want to recover that Vault, not for me, not for anything else but for you. Will you help us help you?”
She sobbed once and hugged him, Kuya, Violet and Xach hugged her as well, until she stopped sobbing.
“There is one thing you could do,” Ashera said rubbing the tears off her cheeks and out of her eyes.
“Whats that?” Violet asked.
“If the Key staff is still there that could be used to control it, at least that’s what everyone kept telling me to bring out.”
“Key staff?” Kuya asked.
Ashera nodded, “Last time I was in there its up on a dias it looked heavy, and I was afraid to move it.”
“Whatever you think is best, “ Bloodstone said, “looking through the spyglass. “That thing is a monster if I ever saw one it doesn’t even look like a real centipede” He handed the spyglass to Xach,”take a look Xach”
“Gross, it doesn’t look like a centipede, I see the shimmery door.” Xach said pointing it out.
“It’s been flipped up” Bloodstone said, “I bet everything is a mess in there. You think we could get inside” He asked Ashera.
“I don’t think so the barrier only lets elves in.”
“You think it would let a rope in or out?” Bloodstone asked Ashera
“I don’t see why not, it’s not alive.”
Bloodstone pulled out of one of the bags of holding a loop of robe with a grappling hook on it, and handed it to Ashera. She put it over her left shoulder and held the grappling hook in her left hand.
“We are going to distract it, Violet is going to stay here and will run if we get to close, to her or Gvvrrxx. We will help you get onto the cube, now for us to get this raid started. While most of my spells will last about twelve hours or so, we should be done in one or two beyond that Kuya will teleport everyone else back. Everyone ready on your side” He stood back and began casting.
[Call of the Raid] Others began appearing in a circle around them, “Thanks for inviting us to the party!”, Lady Amethyst said. Each of them had a green band on each right bicep. The band glowed softly, with a green light.
“Don’t thank me yet, I think the spell should send you all back to where you started when the spell ends.
Marcus, Rana, Xyrediane, Hijala, Zail, Nyteria, Em and Elmok were there they looked a bit confused at first.
Bloodstone began to cast spells onto the group [Enhanced speed][Slow time][Dragon Strength][Mind of a computer][Regeneration][Swift like the Eagle][Lightning reflexes][Afterimage][Endless Endurance][Flicker]. It was then that Lady Amethyst began casting [Voice of Foresight III][ Umbral Rune][Speed of Silver] and [Mirror].
Kuya cast [Teleblink] on everyone it was a glowing band that appeared around their right wrist. “Let me know if you break that”she said aloud. She then handed Violet a bracelet, “that should keep you safe as well”
“Now listen, just attack, if you feel you are going to get hurt cut the band on your arm if you can. That will end the spell and send you back were you started, that will be here or where you were summoned. I am going to be helping Ashera get into the cube. Is everyone ready!?”
There was a shout from the group assembled.
There were spells that started to go off, and landed on the creature on the cube. Zail fired arrows and even at the extreme distance they were seen bouncing off the creature. More spells were used, and Xyre tried to right the cube with her [Geomancer] spells. “[Move earth]” She said completing the spell.
The cube shifted but did not fall onto the correct side. Elmok and Marcus charged, weapons ready. They both were wearing heavy plate mail. They were the first to arrive, and slashed at the creature, it didn’t even seem to recognize it was being attacked. Lightning, fire, ice, and white javelins of light hit the creature, yet it still didn’t react. Xyre adjusted the terrain, dropping the cube onto the correct face so that Ashera would have an easier time to get inside.
“Pull back,” Kuya ordered, those who were close backed up a tornado formed and came in and spun around the cube. The creature still hung on, and the cube began to rotate. Lightning and fire poured into the tornado, making visibility nil. They stood on the edge of the tornado, as the lightning flashed. Just as soon as it formed it began to dissipate, and they rushed in again to try cause damaged to the creature.
“This isn’t getting us anywhere it we need to step up the attacks or find some weakness” Bloodstone said to the raid.
The tornado completely dissipated, showering the area around the cube had been scoured of all the loose earth.
“We can’t seem to hit it, or these weapons are not biting.” Marcus said swinging repeatedly at the creature.
“That blade should be doing something it’s a collision, razor sword.” Bloodstone said.
“Tell it that, I’m not even scratching it”
“Ok let’s try a different tactic, get ready.”
Bloodstone opened the book, flipping pages to the one with massive chain links. “[Invoke] target creature on the cube. [RELEASE]. There was a loud snap as the heavy chains appeared around the creature. Marcus and Elmok grabbed an end of the chain and started to pull. They pulled the section of the creature off the cube, enough to expose entrance fully. In that moment, Hijala, Rana and Xyre took the other side of the chain and with a spike from underground they began to anchor it to the earth.
“Lets go!” Bloodstone took Ashera’s hand in his and started off at first a slow run pulling her along. She caught up and then went faster. It was as if the ground around them smoothed out and they moved like lightning across the distance to the entrance. He stopped just short of the revealed entrance, and drew his purple blade, as he let her hand go. She ran into the entrance.
“We have the first part done, still no reaction?” He asked.
“Nope,” Marcus said pulling the chain tight.
“I’m going to try my blades, be ready!” He stalked to the closest part, and swung the purple glowing blade, it just bounced, not leaving a mark. “I am going to try something.”
“Is that wise?” Xyre asked.
“We need to find a weakness.” Bloodstone began casting, [call Lightning] and the lightning began to rain down, [change lightning] [Energy Manipulation] A glowing white ball of light swirled slowly in his hand about three inches from his palm. [Matter Transmutation] and slammed his hand at the creature. For a moment nothing seemed too happened. It was then that there was a blinding flash of light, and heat. Bloodstone looked confused as there wasn’t a scratch on the creature. “No Fu…” The creature shifted, and seemed to be caught in the chains.
It seemed to orient on Bloodstone, and its mouth appeared to move towards him, “Its awake!?
Ashera came out of the vault at that moment with a large staff, the creature oriented on it and her. She took a step back to reenter the vault. “I have it Bloodstone. I don’t know how to use it.” She said as the creature started to move towards her.
Bloodstone touched it again, this time he used his [Remove class] skill. The creature made a hissing noise and turned and attempted to bite him. Bloodstone rolled out of the way, the creature continued to try at bite him.
[sub class Monster tier VIII 98 acquired]
Bloodstone ducked and used his skills [wall of blades] he stumbled as the skill wave hit. The sword didn’t do much but push him back as the creature advanced.
[Condition dragon skin] —> [condition improved reflective skin]
[Condition Regeneration]
“I can’t do anything with the key” Ashera smiled as she threw it close to Bloodstone and tore at the green band on her arm. The creature sensed the movement and saw the staff and lunged for it.
Bloodstone dove, his head swimming as the new abilities washed over him.
As his hand grasped the staff, he knew something was wrong it was either the skill wave or the staff it was if every cell in his body was on fire.
[Curse Race Adjustment: Elf]
[Condition timeless body]
[Condition Error…1]
[Condition Error…2]
[Condition Error…3]
[Condition Error…4]
[Condition Error…5]
[Condition Error…6]
[Condition Error…7]
[Condition Error…8]
[Condition Error…9]
[Condition Error…10]
He screamed, sending shockwaves out from the scream. The creature was pushed back several feet and then attempted to bite him in half. Marcus and Elmok dove on top of him dropping him to the ground. The others began to hit it with explosion, ice projectiles, Light lances, and even a cloud of green mist. Bloodstone convulses as waves of energy were seen washing over his body.
“Teleport us, “ Marcus said to Kuya through the raid link.
Elmok and Marcus vanished. “Where’s your father!” Marcus asked as he appeared back in the cavern a few hundred miles south.
“He didn’t go, that staff is blocking it somehow.” Kuya said.
Rana danced over to him Xyre right behind her. “Whats happeneing!” Xyre asked.
“I don’t know but I’m going to use my skill, and see if it helps him. [Eye of the Gazer]” Rana focused all her eyes onto Bloodstone, a beam of light that converged on him. The energy stopped and dissipated. Xyre knelt and lifted him up, “Something wrong Rana, he’s lite”
“No those are the buffs we have strength.” Rana replied and looked at the monster. It lunged at Bloodstone and Xyre jumped both of them out of the way. “What can we do Rana”
Rana leapt after here and took up Bloodstones other side. “We need to wake him he will know what to do.”
They landed ten feet back and Lady Amethyst stepped in front of them, “Ladies, keep him safe.” She gestured and the creature was thrown chains and all away from the cube. It lay in a heap.
“Violet, wake him up” Lady Amethyst said to her., she turned to Ashera, “Take the staff, I saw the grin you tried to hide.”
Ashera stopped trying to tear the arm band, “He got what he deserved. He was going to steal everything, you humans are all alike.”
Lady amethyst strode the three steps to her and stuck her across the face with her palm, “You miserable brat! What did you do!”
“It’s only going to make him an elf, as long as he holds the staff. The ancestors made the staff to control it. They put safeguards in place. He just needs to relinquish it and the curse will be lifted.”
They looked at Bloodstone, his features had changed, and he looked smaller being held up by Rana and Xyre. His skin seems to glow more, like a half elf but even more so, and his ears were pointed.
Bloodstone shook his head, and came too.
“Drop the staff, the brat gave you a cursed staff.” Lady Amethyst said.
Bloodstone dropped it there was no change in his appearance.
“What about the creature how long will is stay like that” Hijala asked.
Everyone looked at the creature as it slowly began to disengage itself from the chains.
“Put me down, I don’t think it can be destroyed by normal means. Why do you all look a little taller?” He asked.
“Not now! How do we deal with that!” Xyre asked, pointing her wand at the creature.
Bloodstone thought for a moment, “Throw it into the sun”
Everyone stared back at him then the creature
“Uh how!?” Hijala asked.
“Ok this is what I need,” He looked at the cube, and then Ashera. “I have a promise to keep.” He bent over and picked up the staff, and touched it to the Vault. The staff and the vault began to shrink down. Once it was small enough to carry he handed the small staff that looked like a key and cube to Ashera.
“But I thought?” she said somewhat shocked.
“That I would lie, I don’t if I can help it, stretch the truth maybe leave out important information never lie.”
“What about the curse” Xyre asked.
“One thing at a time. I need you all to get out of the area, I’m going to use some epic level spells.”
“What do you mean epic level spells?” Xyre asked.
“You know how there are tiers, of magic, first second third and so on.”
She nodded, “Yeah but what does that have to do with.”
“Epic is like a tier ten or higher spell, for that I need to make some checks.” He pulled the bag of dice from his pocket, found four that he was looking for and dropped them to the ground.
“Oh this is going to suck! Anyone care to help me with this?”
“I will just tell me what I need to do Xyre said.”
“I will help as well,” Em said looking at the dice, “If you explain what you just did”
“No time, I need magic, as much as you can gather. Xyre make a the stone below the creature break free in a disc.”
Xyre nodded there was a rumbling as the earth began to shift.
“Xach I need you to ice that monster up, as much ice on it around it over it as you can.” Her looked at the others, “Hijala and Rana I need you to use that Gaze on the creature, when I call. Can you do it.”
“I will see that we are ready.” Hijala said putting her hand on Rana’s shoulder.
“Nyteria, Zail I want to to stay with Xach and Kuya, make sure they leave before you do.”
“We can help as well,” Zail said.
“You are helping if I know they are protected I can do what needs to be done. That’s what Heroes do.”
The temperature began to drop as Xach began to pour cold at the creature clogging the chains as ice began to form, slowing it down a little. The ground rumbled as a ring of cracksformed from a central point around the creature.
“My turn. [Telekenis][Energy manipulation][Matter Transmutation] Now Rana!” He said running towards the ice coated creature. Rana and Hijala appeared from a shadow, and the beam impacted the creature. Lady Amethyst cast a spell [Mind cleave] The creature staggered and fell into the ice. Blodstone knelt and picked up the dice, placing them into the bag.
“Time for everyone to go!” Bloodstone said, everyone tore the armbands, and the only ones still there were Lady Amethyst, Kuya, Xach, Ashera and Violtet.
Lady Amethyst ran over and hugged him, “You don’t have to do this.”
“I do, it will be fine.”
They disengaged and he tore the green armband and she faded as the spell took hold.
“Get them out of here Kuya,” he yelled.
There was a flash and they were gone.
The creature shifted in the ice attempting to right itself.
“Let go for a little trip.” The stone they were on covered in ice rose up into the air and began to move faster as it moved higher.
It was near dusk when they noticed the bright object going up in the sky. Sailors around Rhir took it as a good omen as start never went up. only a few others saw it some of the others in the raid were in tears. It was noted in several ships logs of a strange star that rose to the heavens and then disappeared, in a shower of sparks that streaked across the sky in a red burst. The whole event lasted for a minute and then was soon forgotten.
Shooting starts were rarely seen, the meteors were prized as they were perfect for making some of the most powerful weapons.
The small town of Telizmet was still the same muddy mess with the new inn, that evening after Lady Magnolia had visited the sound of thunder awoke everyone there was no rain. A ball of bright flame fell in the mountains to the west. It too was noted, and people went back to sleep.
In a small valley in the mountains surrounded by just woodlands and streams a ball of Ice fell to earth, it shattered on impact spreading ice everywhere, and leaving a trench of uprooted soil.
No one came to investigate the first day. The second day three young goblins went to see what had fallen in the valley, they had been run off their lands, when the humans began a purge of goblins. They had hid, and now were alone and lost.
The goblins found a very strange creature in the mud. It looked like a muddy goblin, but smelled like ashes and fire.
Meek, poked it with a long stick.
“Quit it” the creature said his voice raspy and raw.
Meek poked it again. “Knock it off or so help me.”
Meek poked it a third time.
The thing struggled in the mud a little more. The sun rose, slowly.
The three goblins conferred, and they decided to eat whatever that was, they got vines together and lassoed it after several attempts.
“Oh, hey thanks for pulling me out of that mud.” Meek hit in the head several times , with a rock.