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Kernstalion 2 - 44: Change of plans
🕑 Added 2021-10-31 18:47:02 +0000 UTC"Get the left one," I shouted as my ax sliced through the legs of the nearest metal dwarf.
"On it," Gresin shouted back as she jumped across two dwarfs crawling on the ground towards a rust-bearded dwarf that stumbled out of a side alley.
I got up and jumped away from the grasping hands, taking a quick look around. Lots of dwarfs were behind us, most crawling across the ground, their eyes sparkling balls of blue lighting. Their grey, red-flaked fingers dug in the dust for a hold as they pulled themselves after us, their fingernails eerily scratching across the stone. Their crawling shapes were blocking the other dwarfs behind, giving us a little breathing room. The line of survivors was right behind me, and I backed up further, passing the two last in the line; a grey-bearded man who coughed constantly and a woman with burned hair and a dirty apron.
Compared to when we started our journey, they were moving pretty fast, constantly looking over their shoulders. I could see their eyes focusing on the multitude of blue eyes behind us, the sole light in the darkness.
Screams came from the front of the group, followed by a roar that made my eardrums rattle.
What happened? I asked Casiron while at the same time picking out another dwarf that was moving faster than the others.
We lost another four, Casiron growled in anger. They are jumping from the sides of the buildings!
"Shit! Gresin, Casiron says those things are jumping from the buildings now! Keep an eye on the top," I shouted.
Startled and worried shouts came from the line of people as they shuffled forward.
"How much further," Gresin shouted back as she dodged around a dwarf, barely escaping his clutching arms and slicing through the back of his neck.
How much further? I asked Casiron, having totally lost my sense of time and place. The dwarf I had targeted stretched its arms out, ready to pull me into what would probably be a lethal hug.
I can see the entrance up ahead, but… they are fighting! Casiron replied. Candlewick is outside, fighting them off, but she is being pushed back. I need to clear the entrance, but that means leaving the front unguarded.
I roared in anger and slammed my ax through the side of the dwarf's head, causing a sparkling explosion of lightning and pieces of rusted metal as the top of the head flung off. Something that resembled a brain with blue energy coursing through lay open now, and the dwarf didn't stop attacking. I jumped back, feeling his fingers brush across my chest. My hair stood on end as a crackle of energy coursed through my body, then I swung my ax around, taking off the thing's legs before dodging out of harm's way.
"There are more rust dwarfs at the entrance," I shouted. "Casiron is clearing them, but one of us has to take his place at the front."
"Cinerage's exploding balls!" Gresin shouted as she backed up from another downed dwarf. I saw sweat dripping from her head. "You do it. I'll keep them away here."
"Good luck," I shouted back as I turned towards the front and sprinted along the long line of people.
Go, I've got the front, I shouted.
A roar came in response, followed by a thudding of feet, and I saw Casiron's shape disappear in the darkness just as I reached the front of the line. I tried to find where the building ahead would be, but all I saw was the road ahead and darkness. Casiron's dark vision had to be far better than mine.
Three quick, consecutive thuds came from a few feet away, and I jumped back from as many rust dwarfs that scrambled up. I jumped forward, my feet moving in a three-step pattern that my ax followed as I sliced their heads off. A glance up showed more dwarfs ahead of us.
Time seemed to pass at a crawl as I decapitated the dwarfs, just glad they didn't have any ranged attacks. Or intelligence. They reminded me of zombies.
A few minutes, which felt like forever later, I saw the gatehouse ahead and Casiron stampeding through a mass of dwarfs, leaving rubble behind. Many more rust dwarfs came from the right road, a dense mass of bobbing blue eyes and metal beards. I was about to look up when I saw lightning crackling from one set of eyes to the next. A moment later, it happened again. I swallowed as the lightning began speeding up. Slowly a blue light pushed away from the darkness.
Oh shit.
"RUN!" I shouted, turning to the row of people who were looking at me. They couldn't see around the corner yet, but there was enough light to see now. "To the gate," I shouted, pointing towards the gate where Casiron was still dismantling the dwarfs.
The survivors hesitated for a moment when I heard a low whining sound. I snapped back around to see a mass of lightning, like tesla coils on steroids, where the dwarfs had been. As the pulsing rapidly increased, I barely managed to jump back around the corner when a wall of lightning passed through the city. It lasted for only two seconds, but when it was gone, I had bright spots everywhere and couldn't see anything while a soft buzzing came from everywhere.
Est, move, they are coming, Casiron shouted, and I cursed.
I can't see anything!
I sensed a dull thudding through the ground, and a few seconds later, something large nudged me causing me to jump in fright.
Climb on!
I felt around, Casiron's smooth surface marred with pockmarks until I caught the edge of the ropes and pulled myself up. When I was on his back, I was slowly starting to see some red shadows again, but Casiron had already started moving.
"Follow my voice!"
Casiron's voice sounded louder than normal, and I groaned as he swayed and bobbed. I was afraid I'd fall off when he stopped again.
"Over here! I know you can't see, but you have to run!"
I was rapidly blinking when I realized that which I could see had turned slightly blue.
They are doing it again, Casiron said, and I felt him back up. They are….
As Casiron spoke, my vision cleared up enough to see the narrow gate ahead of me. Beyond it were a few of the dwarves, moving in from the left, while the survivors were running our way. The whining sound came again, faster this time, and just as the first of the people crossed the street, moving through the gate, another wave of lightning shot through the air behind them. I was blinded again, but not before I saw the survivors vaporize in the middle of the street.
Casiron was frozen below me, and I sensed the shock from him.
Can you still see? I said.
There was no response, and after a second, I tried again, more forcefully.
Yes, Casiron finally replied.
Get the last inside and then get me to the portal, I said.
Casiron didn't reply, but he turned below me, and a moment later, we were moving ahead again. He crouched, and I bent low across his back as I heard crying and weeping. We'd gone inside the building.
"Wait for me to return," I said as I scrambled from Casiron's back.
My eyes stung, and I rubbed them, trying to rub away the sight of the people that had just been wiped away. Luckily my eyesight was coming back faster this time, and with it, the image of a young woman with a terrified look on her face just before she vaporized.
As soon as I could see it, I jumped through the portal.
The room beyond was as I had left it, empty and with the massive door open on the other side. I sprinted towards it, constantly looking around for anything dangerous. Everything seemed fine as I stepped outside and froze.
The city below me had changed massively. The dusty, dark and grey buildings, previously badly illuminated by the teal light pouring down from the ceiling, were now a dull yellow and illuminated by soft golden light from metallic sconces hanging from many walls. A glimmering barrier sat a few yards away from the edge of the balcony, in between the city and the dark cavern beyond. The building where I'd left Rathica had grown, turning into a small tower.
I started as a soft fluttering sensation touched my mindscape's barrier, then Rathica's voice rang through my mind.
Est, you're back! Where are the survivors?
I turned around, realizing I was zoning out at a bad moment. I'll get them now. They are waiting for my return, I said as I sprinted back to the portal. Be right ba- my sentence was interrupted as I jumped through the misty portal.
My momentum carried over as I exited, and I stumbled forward before slamming into Bearra. She barely managed to stay upright, grabbing me around the shoulders and holding us both until I caught my balance.
"Sorry," I said, looking around and noting that Casiron was blocking the entrance with his massive bulk. Candlewick and her three remaining rogues were standing beside him, daggers drawn.
"Trouble?" Bearra asked, mirroring what I'd wanted to ask. Her face was pulled in a pained frown.
"No! I was just in a hurry," I said before looking around. It was time to get these people to safety.
"Everyone, go through the portal. It is safe on the other side," I shouted.
I didn't get the response I'd hoped for. Some people looked up before gazing down with a hopeless look, while others didn't look at all but seemed to be zoned out.
"What's going on?" I asked, turning to Bearra.
"What-..." Bearra swallowed what she was going to say, casting an angry glare at me before taking a deep breath. "Almost a hundred people were just killed, and many lost the few kin or friends they had left after those bloody Nailhounds… what do you think is going on?"
It was the first time Bearra had spoken at me with such anger, and it took me a moment to regain my senses. As I thought of Dibidi, dead as we were looking for a safe place for these people, I felt a slight anger surface, but I quickly squashed it. These people had been through enough. I took another deep breath, then turned to the people.
"Listen. I know you are all tired, hungry, and sad. Losing so much in such a short time is horrible… trust me, I know… but you need to get up. There is a safe place beyond the portal, and-"
I barely managed to stop myself from telling them about Rathica's temple. I had no idea who or what might be listening in on us, and I wasn't going to ruin the one hidden place we were building.
"And if you stay here, you will either starve or be killed," I continued.
"And whose fault is it that we are here?" a greying woman with a stained dress that had once been yellow shouted as she struggled up. Her eyes were red, tear stains visible in the dust and grime on her face.
"We came with you because you said we would be safe, and now… now… now Ashig is dead!" she howled before dropping to her knees, sobbing.
Ashig was her husband.
Casiron's mental message sounded tired and sad.
I moved towards the woman and kneeled beside her.
"I can't bring Ashig back," I whispered. "But there are still many, many people here… if they don't go through the portal, all this will have been for nothing!"
The woman didn't reply, her body shaking as she cried. After a moment, I got up and looked around. Some people were looking at me, others at the woman, but most were just staring at the ground.
"There are two things you can do now," I said. "Stay here and die, or follow me through the gate. It's your call."
I turned to Bearra, who was holding both girls by the hand. "Are you coming?"
"Yes," Bearra said. There was still some anger in her eyes, but she moved towards the portal. "Do we just step through?"
I moved closer to her and nodded. The girls were trembling as they held onto Bearra's stained clothes.
"Don't worry. It doesn't hurt and is actually pretty fun," I said as I ruffled one of the girls' hair. She flinched and hugged her mother's leg tightly as she looked at me with wide-open eyes.
Bearra pulled the girls forward, and I saw her close her eyes as she stepped through. I hadn't seen anyone move through before and looked in surprise as her body changed into a foggy version before being sucked into the cloudy portal.
I turned around again, and this time some of the people had gotten on their feet, slowly stumbling towards the portal.
This is going to take a while, I thought, wondering why things could never be easy.
Almost an hour later, I had managed to coax the last of the survivors through the portal. Candlewick was on the other side, making sure they would not stay and block the portal. Looking around the empty room, I couldn't wait to go through. I hoped Rathica had managed to get food and showers ready; that would be fantastic.
You ready, I asked Casiron.
I am, but I don't like it, the Dracoserp replied.
If you know a better way? I asked.
There was no reply, then a soft ping came from my status window, and Casiron's massive shape slumped down on the ground. I decided to leave the status window for later and moved towards his body to get my bags of wood.
Through the gaps between his body that blocked the entrance, I saw a mass of rusted metal dwarves glare at me with blue eyes.
"See you around, rustbuckets," I mumbled as I hoisted the bags up as far as I could. Their bottoms still touched the ground, and I dragged them to the portal. Looking at one of the bags, then the portal, I shoved it through. It dissipated as easily as the people had, and I shoved the other one after it then stepped through.
--
I sighed softly as I dropped my still dripping body atop the massive bed. Steam crawled across the ceiling, escaping through the wide-open window at the side of the room. I followed the movement and gazed out of the window at the cavern beyond. Soft voices and sounds echoed in from outside.
Sleep or status, I thought to myself as I felt my eyes grow heavy. After a moment, my curiosity won over my desire to rest, and I called up my status. There were dozens of messages, but most were the same, and I skipped those.
> The barrier around your mindscape is weakening
> ...
> Raparion used 10 karma and has begun growth of a Mildasir tree
> Mindscape barrier strength increased (2/10)
> The barrier around your mindscape is weakening
> ...
> Raparion used 5 karma and sped up the growth of a Mildasir tree
> Mindscape barrier strength increased (3/10)
> Casiron has retreated into your mindscape
I whistled. So, Raparion could spend my karma like that? It made sense, and I was glad for it as I recalled how the Barsoc, with its creepy child voices, had tried to break in. The line about Casiron made me realize I hadn't checked in on him, and with a weary sigh, I closed my eyes and stepped into my mindscape.
As I materialized in my own mind, the first thing I saw was the two massive trees in the middle, their crowns partially intertwined. Then I saw a long serpentine form wrapped around one, the top disappearing into the leafy canopy. From inside the shadows, two golden glowing eyes stared at me, and I heard deep breathing.
"Casiron?" I asked as I curiously examined the dark green, almost black scales and the curled up wings on his back. I'd expected him to look more like the statue I'd made, but he looked more like a leathery winged serpent. I didn't see any arms or legs either, just snake coils.
"And he finally decides to show up!" Par's voice came from the other tree, and a flash of moment moved across the trunk. A moment later, his squirrel self stood before me, standing on his hind legs with his tiny arms crossed before his chest and a scowl on his face.
"Can you warn me before you let some ancient being pop up in here? I almost had a heart attack!"
I mentally grinned, then hovered towards the tree with Casiron in it. The massive Dracoserp hadn't replied yet, and I wondered if something was wrong.
"Did you know that Dracoserps sleep with their eyes open?" Par sniffed as he ran along below me. "This one just went to sleep a few minutes after arriving. Didn't even care to answer my questions. He better be glad I don't have my powers, or I'd turn him into a scaled cloak!"
A low, deep growl came from the tree, and the two golden eyes flashed down at Raparion.
"Mind your tongue, lest I decide you can perform your duties from within my stomach!' Casiron said. His voice was smooth and deep, and the image of oil running down a pipe came to mind. It was also very different from when he had been inside my Vengeful Mount.
"You just try it, you straggler of a deceased species! I'll send you to join your kin in the Primal Chaos!" Par shouted as he moved towards the tree and puffed out his chest.
"A lost Deity shouldn't be the one to speak! You can't even exist outside of this small place," Casiron growled back.
"You can't either, not without help," Par hissed, taking another two steps forward.
As he spoke, I could sense Casiron was actually in a good mood, seeming to enjoy himself immensely. I didn't know about Par, but I didn't expect any problems. Still, although I enjoyed their banter, I felt my weary mind succumb to the desire to roll up and fall asleep. I almost wanted to try and sleep in my mindscape, then decided that was an experiment for another time.
I disappeared back to my real body just as Casiron began uncoiling, threatening to make good on his threat. As the sleep caught me, my last thought was what I'd do the next day.
--
Laughter and shouting woke me, and as I lay beneath the sheet on the soft mattress, for just a moment I managed to forget where I was. My arm slid over to pull Sandra closer only to find an empty bed, then the reality came back, and I rolled on my back.
Right, Eliandra, I thought as everything returned to me.
I gazed at the ceiling, relaxed, well-rested and curious.
"Rathica?" I asked out loud.
Get dressed and meet me at the temple, Rathica said almost immediately.
On my way, I replied as I pushed myself up and saw the stone shower cabin at the back of the room. With a wide grin, I got up and strolled through the room, naked except for the loincloth-like thing that they dared call underwear here.
Ten minutes later, I moved out of my new room, dressed only in clean pants and a loose-fitting shirt, courtesy of Rathica. I did have my ax with me, and four brand new Thorncasters decorated my otherwise unadorned arms. The entrance exited opposite the temple, and I saw a dozen people sit before it, looking at Rathica's statue with their eyes closed.
Are they praying? I thought in surprise.
Don't remind me. They have been there since waking up, Rathica said.
That's a good thing, right? I asked.
I got a grumbled reply, and an annoyed feeling passed through our connection. Wondering what that was about, I moved towards the temple.
The people either didn't notice my passing or didn't care, and I stepped into the open temple. A staircase sat directly to my right, leading into the tower, and green plants with large golden fruit hung from the walls. In the middle, and facing the cavern beyond, stood Rathica's statue. As I moved closer, the statue glowed, the hair flowing down as it turned and stepped from the pedestal.
"Good, you don't stink anymore," Rathica said as she stepped forward and put a hand on my shoulder. "You did good, Est. From what I can tell, none of the others know of this place, and you didn't alert anyone."
I shrugged, slightly uncomfortable, and moved towards the balcony that oversaw the immense cavern beyond. Far in the distance, I noticed small walled towns, toy size from this distance. Had those been there before? I didn't recall.
"So… Do I need to get those control stones now?"
Rathica stepped beside me and leaned forward with her elbows on the railing. It was an incredibly human move, and it reminded me once again how different these deities were from what I had long ago imagined.
"No. Libidi got those while you were getting the survivors. It's why I was able to change the city," Rathica said.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She grieves and worries about her brother's soul," Rathica said. "It will be good for her to leave here with you."
I blinked as I realized the implications of what she had just said. I'd only just gotten here and not thought about leaving yet, but Rathica's intent was obvious from a pointed look. I guessed I would have to if I was to assist the people at Steadfast.
"Before I go," I began, then stopped and looked at her. She just raised an eyebrow, and I sensed a gentle prod against my mindscape. Right. I hadn't granted her access yet.
"Before I go," I said again, a sly grin coming to my face. "I have a few questions."
'Why, of course you do, my dear Prime," Rathica said, her eyes twinkling as a wide smile crept on her face. "What-ever could they be?"
I barked a laugh and put my own elbows on the railing beside Rathica.
"Those doors into the Library have all been reset, right?"
"Yes, after our last chat, I looked into it. I can create a new one here, but I'm not sure what would happen if you enter with that old monster in your mindscape."
I'd been afraid of the same thing and had hoped Rathica would have known. But, hearing the uncertainty in her mind, I sniffed. "I guess you can't help me gain some sort of energy or fire spell?" I asked hopefully.
Rathica looked at me for a moment, and I sensed her curiosity, then she laughed and stared off into the distance. A frown appeared on her face. For a moment, nothing happened, then she held out her hand and the air above it began shimmering. Her frown deepened and I could sense her struggle with something. My gaze remained glued to the shimmering air, hoping she was doing what I thought she was. A moment later the shimmering turned into the outlines of a small book that rapidly solidified before dropping into her hand with a solid thud.
Rathica exhaled, and steam came from her mouth, circling away. Then she handed me the book.
"I am not doing that again anytime soon. So, see this as your reward for getting us into Boglodon," she said as she stretched.
My eyes widened as she arched her back, raising her hand in the air and stretching like a cat. I quickly averted my gaze, shook my head, and turned my attention to the small book. A soft peal of laughter came from Rathica, but she said nothing, and I ignored her, looking at the book. It was of black leather with a few simple golden words on it.
~ Controlled Conflagration ~
"It might take you a while to learn that, but it is a useful spell with more than one usage," Rathica said as she looked at me. "But before that, I need to tell you a few things."
I pushed down my curiosity and took my eyes from the book.
"With Cinderage still trying to rebuild his devastated realm, Lischen under Nimron's thumb, and Preyatar-" Rathica frowned. "Well… I don't know what he is doing. I still haven't managed to locate his realm, and the rumors are that all of his Prime's have vanished."
"Perhaps he is hiding from Nimron and his pantheon?" I asked.
"Perhaps," Rathica said, but I could feel the doubt through our connection. "Let's hope he stays gone for a while longer. One spiteful, angry deity is enough, especially with the other problems that are brewing."
For a moment, her presence faded as if her attention was on something far away, then it snapped back.
"I've looked through Libidi's mind," Rathica said slowly. "What she knew was a trove of knowledge, and I won't bore you with all of it. Suffice to say, what I've seen spells trouble. You know of the Guidar war, well, shortly after the Deities started losing ground to the Guidars, a primal chaos demon called Ux Disir Lar was drawn by the death and soul flames. More powerful than all of the remaining deities, it threatened to wipe out everything. In the end, the remaining Deities and the Guidar set aside their differences for a single time and destroyed it… at least, that's what Preyatar always said. I wasn't there, the loss of my elves-" Rathica froze, then shuddered before she continued. "The loss of my previous followers had made me almost powerless.|
Rathica began pacing around, something I hadn't seen her do before.
"I should have known that petty hunter lied… That demon managed to crawl away with part of its power and began corrupting the already infected beings on what was left of Leralion. Libidi's memories show me that it stayed hidden in the shadows for eons, but it made its move around the time the Guidar left. Now, it is taking control of one of the most powerful factions on Leralion, growing its power unchecked. If we leave it like this, it will end up as powerful as before."
"So, why did Libidi come here?" I asked, wondering if she was also under that demon's control.
Rathica was quiet, a soft smile growing on her face. "Ux disir isn't the only one that survived. How she did it, I can't even imagine, but Seriona, a deity that was thought destroyed during the war, managed to survive. From what I can tell, due to the war and the fallback, her followers mutated into monsters, and she has been diligently trying to shape them back into something partially resembling their old shapes. Libidi and her unfortunate brother are two of those, and she sent them here to find a place for the rest of them to live."
"Sounds familiar," I said as I thought of humanity.
"It's not as uncommon as you might think," Rathica said with a half-grin on her face.
"And now...? "I said, letting the question linger.
"Now, you need to go do something dangerous for me," Rathica said as all the hilarity faded from her face. "Based on the Barsoc symbols on the portal, Ux Disir Lar has started sending his followers here, and I'm beginning to believe that the mortal war that rages above us has something to do with him. Either that or it is Nimron. Either way, what I need you to do is find out who is directing this war. Those Nailhounds are committing atrocities far beyond what they would normally do, and I suspect either one of Nimron's Primes or a demon-infected follower of Ux Disir."
"And how do you expect me to find out what is going on?" I asked, feeling my easy-going mood vanish.
"Your mindscape makes you almost undetectable to Deities. Sneak into their camps and find evidence that proves it is Uxin Disir. If it is Nimron, locate and finish his Prime," Rathica said as she examined me.
I felt like groaning, thought for a second, then decided it might make me feel better, and groaned as loud as I could.
"It's about time you make some more Primes… What about Haltir and Laurel?" I asked, wondering what those two had been doing.
"They aren't powerful enough, and yes… I need more Primes," Rathica said as she looked up at the chanting survivors behind me.
"So, what will you do?" I asked, looking at the book in my hands with less joy than a few minutes before.
"With Boglodon mostly under my control, I've got the perfect spot to begin my Pantheon. I'll be starting that as soon as you are on your way."
I looked up in surprise. "Doesn't that mean you have to tell others where this is?"
Rathica nodded, a nasty smile on her face. "True, but the first step of creating the Pantheon will give me a lot of power. If one of them tries something… they will not enjoy the consequences! Besides, that old tree and I have too much and common now, and the two of us are stronger than the other three."
Rathica sounded confident, and I shrugged. I had my problems.
"So… how long do I have until I need to leave?" I asked, wondering if I even had time to learn the spell or unwind a bit.
"As soon as Libidi is back," Rathica said.
I wanted to groan again, thought about it for a moment, then just sighed as I turned away, clutching the book in my hand.
"Then I'd better learn as much of this spell as I can," I said as I moved to the exit.
Rathica laughed softly, and a wave of warm love spread across me, both through our connection and from within. "Don't pout, Est. It doesn't suit my main Prime!"
"I can pout if I want to," I snorted, then grinned and waved across my shoulder. "Tell Libidi to knock if she comes to find me. I'm taking another shower!"
