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Manabound - Resilience - Chapter 22
🕑 Added 2023-11-07 02:39:05 +0000 UTCVillage Defenders
“Ugh. This is so boring,” Mariel groaned, her tone laced with the unmistakable impatience of youth.
Sloane, seated in the back of the wagon, cast a sidelong glance at her daughter. She was about to chime in with a gentle reminder when Nemura beat her to it, fixing Mariel with a stern look.
“Bones, you’re on lookout duty. You said you were up for it. If you're going to start complaining, I can have Stefan switch with you,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind.
Sloane’s gaze drifted to Stefan, who was currently enjoying a rather dignified slumber across from her. Even in sleep, the man managed to look poised and composed, a fact that Sloane found both impressive and slightly annoying.
His Insta' would be way too popular.
Vesper was likewise laying down, but closer to the rear, ready to hop down as needed. Sloane knew that the golem’s ‘sleepiness’ was all a facade to lull people into a false sense of security. The golem was very observant, and constantly kept her sensors scanning for any threat.
That had even pushed Sloane to work with Nemura to help her gain the [Danger Sense] trait, something that had definitely come in handy numerous times since leaving Nornport.
Mariel’s reply drew Sloane’s attention. “I know, I know. Sorry Nemmy.”
Nemura’s stern expression softened as she reached over, draping an arm around Mariel’s shoulders. “You’re still learning, Bones. Don’t worry about it. At least you’re not conked out like a certain someone back there.”
Mariel chuckled, and Sloane couldn’t help but join in.
“At least someone is paying attention,” Nemura added before turning and winking at Sloane.
The Pretender Queen rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Of course. Tiberius is up there, keeping watch from the sky.”
Nemura chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
She pulled up her excerpt reader and tapped into |Golem Sight| to check on Tiberius, ensuring that all was well from his vantage point in the sky.
Mana swirled under the glass of the screen and slowly resolved into what he was seeing.
The falcon golem was soaring gracefully as it flew overwatch for their small group. In the distance, the outline of the village began to take shape, coming into clearer view with each passing moment. Sloane could make out the details of a freshly dug trench encircling the settlement, accompanied by a precarious-looking palisade that seemed as though it might topple at the slightest touch. Smoke wafted up from a pile of monster carcasses, which was probably the smoke that Stefan had mentioned earlier at breakfast.
“Nemura,” Sloane called out, her voice steady as she relayed what she was seeing, “The village is just ahead. They’ve got some defenses up, but it doesn’t look very stable. There’s also a pile of monster carcasses; they’ve been dealing with attacks.”
Nemura’s eyes sharpened as she took in the information, her instincts as a warrior kicking in. She turned swiftly, signaling to one of the paladins riding alongside their wagon. “We’re approaching the village. Be ready for anything.”
The paladin nodded in acknowledgment, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she relayed the message to Nell the rest of the squad. The group fell into a state of heightened alertness, prepared to leap into action at a moment’s notice.
As their group continued their steady progression toward the village, the landscape around them gradually transformed, bearing the scars of recent attacks. The trench and palisade came into full view, their rudimentary construction speaking to the desperation of the situation.
Nell slowed down until she was riding alongside the wagon. “Do you wish to open discussions, Your Majesty?”
Sloane shook her head. “No, we’re pretending I’m nothing important here like all the other villages. Remember, like before, do not use the name ‘Reinhart’, if you have to say a family name, use ‘Rossi’. We’re just passing through but are willing to help with any defense efforts in return for staying a night or two. I’ll enchant some weapons as well. You and Nemura take the lead, but I’ll be with you.”
Nell gave her a long look before sighing. “Understood. Miss… Rossi.”
She clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of the word subterfuge.
“What about me?” Stefan asked a bit groggily as he sat up.
“You watch out for Mar. Speaking of…” Sloane looked over at Mariel. “Hey, Mar? Can you hop back here? I’ll get up there.”
As Mariel clambered over the wagon bench and into the rear of the wagon, Sloane turned to Vesper. “Vesper, stay invisible until we make sure there won’t be any issues. I can imagine the atmosphere is quite tense right now.”
Her panther golem shimmered out of the visible spectrum just as Mariel got comfortable across from Stefan. Sloane reached over and squeezed her shoulder, before climbing to the front.
“Alright. Let’s do this.”
Nemura pulled on the reins until the wagon came to a halt. “Evocati, could one of your men swap with me?”
Nell gave her a look, but then nodded and gestured for one of the other paladins to come over and let Nemura use his horse while he settled onto the bench next to Sloane.
“Your Maj—”
“No, not here. Just my name,” Sloane corrected, trying not to groan in exasperation.
Gwyn… How does everyone know? Seriously. We’re still hundreds of kilometers away. What the hell is that kid doing over there?
The man nodded. “Sloane.”
“Good. Let’s get going.”
They resumed their trek and as the entrance to the village became visible, a group of armed men emerged, positioning themselves with a practiced ease that spoke of many long nights spent on guard. They wielded spears and shields, along with a group of archers, their expressions set in grim determination.
At the forefront of the group stood a weathered, older sun elf, his short grey hair and scruffy beard doing little to hide the steely resolve in his eyes.
Sloane felt a momentary twinge of unease as their eyes locked, but she kept her posture relaxed, her face an open book of calm assurance. She had learned long ago that first impressions were crucial, especially in tense situations like these.
They slowed to a halt, and Nemura strode forward on her borrowed horse with Nell at her side, her stature and armor may have marked her as a person of authority in any other company, but the sight of the red armor of the paladins did more to ease visible tension in the defenders.
Nemura raised a hand in greeting, her voice carrying across the short distance between them.
“Hail! We are travelers moving toward the capital,” she called out, her tone firm but not aggressive. “We saw your smoke from a distance and thought you may need assistance.”
The sun elf's gaze shifted from Sloane to Nemura, sizing her up before nodding curtly. “We've had our share of troubles,” he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of many sleepless nights. “Who are you?”
“Well met. I am Ser Nemura Kho’lin and at my side is Evocati Nell, the squad leader of our paladin escort.”
Sloane could see more people crowding at the gate, men-at-arms and village folk both as they tried to catch a view of the newcomers.
She took a chance and spoke up, her gaze meeting the sun elf's once more. “My name is Sloane Rossi. An artificer traveling to the capital, we have been fighting monsters along the road from Nornport.” She looked over at where the smoke was coming from. Hopefully the smell stays upwind… “It appears that you have also been defending against them. We would like to offer our help in return for a place to stay for a night or two.”
The sun elf's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he finally nodded, stepping aside to allow them entry into the village. “I am Sergeant Elion, man-at-arms from Dayton sent by House Tor’ose. Welcome to Dellway. We could use all the help we can get. There’s a small inn, there’s room in the attic for all of you and space in the stables for your horses. We can talk there. Not much in the way of good food, but we can make do.”
Sloane smiled. “That’s perfectly fine.”
They quickly made their way through the village, escorted by Sergeant Elion and his men-at-arms, their spears and shields at the ready.
The atmosphere was tense, the weight of recent attacks evident in the boarded-up windows and the ruins of buildings that had succumbed to fire. The villagers, dirty and worn out, peered out from behind their makeshift barricades, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and cautious hope.
The sight of the paladins, clad in their shining armor, seemed to breathe a bit of life back into the beleaguered populace, a visible spark of hope flickering in their eyes despite the hardship they had endured.
The inn they were headed towards stood as a testament to the village’s resilience.
It was a two-story structure, worn from years of use and the recent attacks, but still standing strong amidst the chaos. As they approached, Nell turned to her men, issuing quick orders for them to take care of the horses and set up defensive positions outside.
Sloane turned and gestured for Stefan to stay close to Mariel, wanting to ensure she was safe in this uncertain environment. She then hopped down from the wagon, her boots hitting the ground with a soft thud.
Nemura and Nell dismounted their horses with practiced ease.
From the sky, Tiberius descended gracefully, landing smoothly on Nemura’s outstretched arm. The falcon golem let out a sharp screech, echoing through the air, causing a few of the men-at-arms to startle and lowering their weapons instinctively.
Nemura, unfazed, raised her voice above the sudden commotion, assuring them, “Easy, easy. Tiberius here is a friend, and a creation of Sloane. He’s been keeping an eye on things from above, scouting out the area for us.”
She nodded towards Sloane, who offered a small smile and wave in greeting.
Elion, though hesitating as he took in the sight of the mechanical bird, eventually gave a curt nod of understanding. “Very well,” he said, his voice steady as he gestured towards the inn. “We can talk inside.”
Sloane fell in behind Nemura and Nell as the three of them followed Sergeant Elion to the inn. Nemura slowed until she was next to Sloane and leaned close. “Rossi?”
“My maiden name.”
“Hm,” was all Nemura said before they walked through the door.
The air inside was heavy, filled with the scent of stale beer and the faintest hint of smoke. It was clear that the inn had seen better days, but for now, it stood as a sanctuary, a respite from the chaos outside.
Sloane took a deep breath, steadying herself. They were here to help, and that’s exactly what they would do. She could feel the eyes of the villagers on her as they entered, their gazes filled with a mix of curiosity and desperation. She met each gaze head-on, her expression firm yet compassionate. They might be strangers in this village, but they were here to make a difference.
And Sloane was determined to do just that.
As they settled around a worn wooden table, the room was filled with a palpable tension, the reality of the village’s dire situation becoming even clearer. Evocati Nell, with her sharp eyes and steady demeanor, took the lead in questioning their host. “Are you the highest ranking member of your troop, Sergeant?” she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of respect and concern.
Sergeant Elion’s face fell, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his expression. He took a deep breath before nodding solemnly. “I am. The captain… he fell during the first attack before we managed to get the pallisade erected. We’ve been fighting day and night for the last three weeks, and we’ve lost over half of our men.” His voice wavered slightly as he continued, “There are only twenty-three of us left, along with the villagers we’ve been training. We’ve been doing our best with whatever weapons we could…” He sighed, a deep, weary sound. “With whatever we could recover from our fallen.”
Nemura’s face was a mask of sympathy as she winced, the reality of their situation hitting close to home. “I’m sorry for your losses. Has there been any word on reinforcements?”
Elion shook his head, his gaze downcast. “We were told to hold until summer.”
“So, another week,” Nemura deduced, her tone somber.
He nodded in confirmation, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and exhaustion.
It was then that Sloane decided to step in, her voice steady and filled with resolve. “So, here’s what I can do for you. Tonight is obviously not the time, but tomorrow, I will work on using magic to improve your weapons and shields. Anything that can give you an edge and protection against the monsters.”
Elion’s eyes widened in surprise, his voice filled with disbelief as he stuttered, “M-Magic, ma’am?”
“Yes. I am a spellcaster. I will help with the defense, but we have a mission of vital importance in Calling before we have to head toward Avira. That is why the Evocati and her people are escorting us,” Sloane explained, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Elion’s gaze shifted to Nell, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and desperation. He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he realized the gravity of their situation. “So, I can’t convince you to stay until our reinforcements arrive?”
Sloane met his gaze, her expression firm yet compassionate. “I cannot promise anything beyond what I have already stated. Our mission is time-sensitive. A day, maybe two. Let’s see how tomorrow goes.”
Elion seemed to deflate, the reality of their situation settling in. “Very well, Artificer Rossi, that’s—”
He was cut off by the frantic ringing of a bell, the sound echoing through the inn and sending a chill down Sloane’s spine. Elion’s eyes went wide, and he was on his feet in an instant. “That’s the alarm. Monster attack! We have to take to the walls.”
Sloane, Nell, and Nemura were quick to follow.
Her gaze darted to Stefan and Mariel, her protective instincts warring with her knowledge of their abilities. She knew that Mariel had proven herself capable, but the mother in her still wanted to keep her safe.
In the end, she made her decision, her voice firm as she addressed them. “Stefan, Mariel, let’s go. Vesper, you too.”
The panther golem materialized with a low growl, its massive form startling the people around them. A woman let out a shriek, her eyes wide with fear.
Sloane raised her voice, her tone commanding as she addressed the startled villagers, “She’s with me. Let’s go take out these monsters.”
With that, they were off, heading towards the walls and the unknown dangers that awaited them.
The group, armed and resolute, quickly ascended to the walls, their steps resounding with the urgency of the moment. Sloane, with a swift motion, climbed onto a rickety platform that afforded her a clear view over the wooden palisade. As she steadied herself, she could see a large group of monsters emerging from the forest, their forms a chaotic mass of claws and fury.
Tiberius, sensing the impending battle, took off from Nemura’s arm, soaring into the sky to provide a bird’s eye view of the situation. Beside Sloane, Nemura and Nell stepped up, their eyes fixed on the approaching threat. Elion, his voice urgent, called out orders, “Archers at the ready!”
But Sloane was already in motion, her voice cutting through the chaos, “We'll handle these, save the arrows. Nell, call your squad. I'm going to place the exit point on the other side of the trench.” Her eyes shifted to Mariel, her tone firm, “Mariel, remember, stay back with me.”
“I'm going to try and raise one,” Mariel responded, her eyes filled with determination.
Sloane frowned, her protective instincts kicking in, “A battle isn't time to experiment.”
“That's exactly what you're doing, Mom.”
Sloane sighed, the urgency of the moment pressing on her, “Fine, but we both need to hurry.”
Several gasps sounded from behind her as Mariel’s [Bone Armor] took form. Bone regalia in place, her daughter turned and demanded a sword and shield which one of the men-at-arms quickly handed her.
Mariel nodded to Sloane that she was ready.
Closing her eyes, Sloane steadied her breathing and focused inward, reaching for the wellspring of power all around them. She could feel the rush of colorless mana, a cascading torrent of energy surging through her core, ready to be shaped by her will. This was the essence of magical prowess, the raw material for the spatial manipulation she was about to perform.
With her [Runic Knowledge] guiding her, she built upon what she had learned before. However, instead of using her spatial knowledge for expansion… she wanted to compress, to bend. She was not merely creating a passage; she was connecting two points in space, folding reality upon itself to create a shortcut.
She wanted what every science fiction story wished they could have.
And she would have it.
Time seemed to slow as her [Artificer's Insight] went into effect. Using the spell to guide her, she began to weave the intricate pattern of a spatial relocation rune in her mind. The trait helped her to understand the nuances of the spell and what she wanted, the delicate balance of power required to bend space to her will.
With a lift of her hand, her movements precise and deliberate, she drew upon the spell, channeling the mana into the rune she had formed in her mind. The complex pattern of lines and curves glowed with an inner light, each one resonating with the power she was channeling.
The magic flowed through her, a torrent of energy that she skillfully directed, letting the rune imprint itself in her mind alongside her other imprinted spells. She could feel the spell taking shape, the spatial fold becoming a reality accompanied by a click in her mind.
Then the rush of mana left her, the spell cast and as she opened her eyes, the [Arcane Gate] materialized before her, silently breaking every law of reality that Earth thought realistically possible.
A rush of essentia flowed through her, followed by a buzz from her excerpt reader. She ignored it, she could review her notifications after the fight.
The circular portal, three meters in diameter, hovered above the trench, a two-dimensional glowing ring filled with mist, visible only from one side. She had created a gateway, a shortcut through space, allowing her and her companions to move quickly and efficiently to confront the impending threat.
Sloane could feel the satisfaction of a spell well cast, but there was no time to revel in her success. The monsters were approaching, and they were ready to fight.
With a determined stride and unyielding focus, Sloane stepped through the portal, emerging into the open field beyond the village walls. The successful transition filled her with a surge of confidence, and without a moment's hesitation, she turned back towards her companions, calling out with authority, “Let's go!”
Nemura was, of course, the first to follow, the woman clearly trusting Sloane’s ability with fierce determination. Vesper emerged through next, the towering panther golem moving to Sloane’s side. Mariel was hot on their heels, a determined glint in her eyes, with Stefan, Nell, and the paladins trailing closely behind.
As the last person emerged, and with a small mental nudge from Sloane, the gate shimmered and folded in on itself before disappearing completely.
“Form up!” Nell’s voice rang out, and the paladins responded with practiced precision, arranging themselves in a formidable line, six abreast, with shields raised and weapons at the ready.
“Nemura, come here.”
Her friend stepped close and Sloane reached out and placed a hand on the woman’s warhammer. She pulled at her mana and focused, using her [Runic Knowledge] with her [Temporary Enchantment] to empower the warhammer with a |Shock| enchant.
“There, a |Shock| enchant to go with what you already have,” she then placed a hand on Nemura’s chest above her heart and cast again, adding a |Shielding| enchant. “Your armor has shielding, that one will only withstand a few hits. Now, hurry, if you need anything else, call for me.”
Her friend squeezed her shoulder and looked down at her with those big golden eyes. “I will. Shout and I’ll be by your side in a moment,” Nemura promised.
Sloane smiled up at her. “We got this.” Nemura smirked before turning and taking her place next to the paladins, ready for battle. “Vesper, go thin them out, don’t let them catch you,” Sloane commanded.
Vesper responded with a sharp, determined growl before charging off to the flank of the monsters. The air crackled with energy as beams of |Arcane Lance| shot out, cutting through the air as she rounded the line of defenders.
Sloane’s gaze shifted to Mariel, noting her daughter was already casting. Not wanting to be left behind, Sloane drew her caster, her left hand steady as her right began to channel mana, forming a runic spell with the guidance of her [Runic Knowledge].
A glowing purple rune materialized in the air before her, intricate and filled with power. Just as she was about to complete the spell, something burst from the ground, nearly startling her out of her concentration.
But Sloane held her focus, and as the rune completed, she pushed mana into the formation, unleashing the [Arcane Mortar].
The arcane energy soared into the air, reaching its zenith before rapidly descending, exploding in a burst of magical destruction amidst the horde of monstrous creatures.
Sloane’s attention quickly shifted to Mariel, her heart swelling with pride as she witnessed the Acolyte of Death raising a skeleton with a rush of black mana, the undead humanoid bursting from the ground in a shower of dirt. Another burst of black mana from her daughter and the towering skeleton quickly knelt in front of the littlest necromancer, its eye sockets ablaze with a dark, fiery glow.
Sloane missed what her daughter whispered to her minion, but with a sword and shield bestowed by Mariel, the skeleton turned and stood ready.
“Let’s do this, Mom.”
“I’m at your side, Mar.”
Mariel had finally done something she’d been trying for weeks and Sloane couldn’t be prouder of her little death loving daughter.
“Ready?” Sloane asked her.
Mariel nodded. “Ready.”
Nell raised her shield. “Spacing!”
Almost as one, the line of paladins adjusted, creating space between each warrior. Sloane and Mariel stepped forward, ready to unleash their own onslaught. Sloane raised her caster and fired off two |Mana Bolts|, each one slamming into a creature.
The monsters kept coming.
“Hold...”
The monsters were getting closer, and Sloane could see the paladins’ stances shift, as they readied to burst forward. This was no shield wall. This was a starting line.
On the left side of the line, Nemura adjusted her warhammer’s grip while Mariel’s skeleton stepped next to her, surprisingly only a few centimeters shorter than the woman.
Nell raised her sword, it suddenly glowed yellow and she shouted, “Let loose Alos’s Fury!”
She aimed the blade and a bolt of yellow glowing light shot forward and burnt through the face of one of the monsters, something that looked like a boar but with massive carnivorous teeth and multiple tusks.
“Attack the monsters!” Mariel commanded from behind her shadowy bone helm, her voice steady despite the weariness her slight slouch betrayed. The skeleton surged forward, charging into battle with a resolve that could only come from the undead.
Just before it cleared the line of paladins, Mariel’s hands reached out, one forming her [Bone Spear] while the other shot forward and unleashing a barrage of [Splinters] at the approaching monstrosities.
Satisfied that her daughter was focused, Sloane also turned her attention to the approaching monsters. Raising her caster, she aimed at the first monster and fired a |Mana Bolt| that slammed into the shoulder of the first monster. She clicked her tongue and fired again, hitting the boar-like thing in the leg, causing it to collapse in a tumble that tripped up several other monsters.
The skeleton stayed along the side and managed to take out the legs of four monsters with its sword before it was battered aside in a way that would have probably killed a living man.
Instead, black mana surged as Mariel focused on it, and the skeleton reformed and stood up before rushing back toward its master, dodging and attacking monsters along the way.
Sloane took out another while [Splinters] fired from Mariel peppered the front line. Beams of |Arcane Lance| from Vesper took down any trying to flank them, all while the panther golem kept herself out of range, her two beam appendages staying fixed on the group, even when turned around.
She's likely using Tiberius for sight. Smart.
Sloane managed to get through another full chamber of |Mana Bolts| before the monsters were almost on them. She withdrew a grenade almost at the same time as Stefan, and the two of them toss them over the line of paladins into the midst of the monsters. A second later, two domes of |Arcane Explosion| went off, its crackling purple energy disintegrating six of the things.
Then the line of paladins, a wall of steel and resolve, met the charge of the enemy. Shields clashed with fang and claw, the sound a cacophony of survival as the paladin line pushed forward.
Sloane's heart beat a rhythm of war as she took aim once more. Her caster hummed, discharging a |Mana Bolt| that punched through the hide of the nearest abomination. It yelped, a grotesque sound, as it crumbled, its malformed body obstructing the path of its vile kin.
With practiced ease, she reached into her spatial pouch and reloaded the spell revolver. A moment later… another bolt, another monster down.
Mariel's [Splinters] continually hissed through the air, a deadly rain upon the enemy that took down a group of monsters that looked like a cross between a lion and a hyena, but with a horn.
Sloane cast a [Surge] spell on her golem, and watched as the panther’s form crackled with arcane empowerment. Taking advantage of the increased mana, Vesper, agile and swift, darted in and out of the fray, using her twin beams of |Arcane Lance| to slice through the creatures with deadly precision. Her feline form was a blur of motion, a dance of destruction that left fallen monsters in her wake.
The air filled with the sounds of battle as Sloane and her allies took on the horde of monstrous creatures. The paladins' armor clanked and shields clanged under the assault, methodically moving forward as the monsters threw themselves against their defenses.
Mariel continued to command her skeletal warrior, guiding it through the battle with an expert hand. The skeleton moved with surprising speed, quickly darting to the front line, to hamstring a monster before rushing back to its mistress’s side.
Nemura, towering beside the paladins, was a force to be reckoned with. Her warhammer bashing through the creatures with ease, a crack of blue-white lightning flaring after every swing while blocking blows with her shield.
But then, three of the beasts managed to slip past the telv’s guard, and instantly the skeleton rushed forward to engage one with sword and shield.
With predatory swiftness, the monster Nemura was fighting fell before her warhammer, its skull caving under the brutal force of her strike. The creature's body crumpled, a lifeless heap discarded as the telv warrior pivoted on her heel, eyes locking onto the new threat.
A moment later, she turned and [Charged], her form becoming a blur as she launched herself at the nearest monster that had made it past her. Her armored shoulder slammed into its side with the force of a battering ram, the impact knocking the creature off its feet and into a crumpled heap. Yet, even as she prepared to turn her wrath upon the second, it leapt with lethal intent towards Mariel.
Sloane's heart lurched, her instincts screaming as she swung her caster around, only to find that Mariel had already moved. Her [Bone Spear] was a streak of death, its sharp point singing through the air to rend flesh and bone with lethal precision. With a fluid motion she drove the spear into the creature's underbelly, even as it soared past her before stabbing forward as it crashed down onto the ground.
The beast let out a pained screech, thrashing under Mariel's relentless assault. Nearby, the other monster stood and growled at Nemura. The telv shifted her stance, clearly prepared to charge again, but Sloane was faster.
With steady squeeze of the trigger, a |Mana Bolt| shot forth from her caster, a streak of glowing energy that pierced through the monster's head, silencing it forever.
Nemura gave Sloane a nod of gratitude, acknowledging the timely intervention, as she turned her attention back to the battlefield just as another monster rushed forward.
Nemura's [Charge] met the beast with the unstoppable force of a thunderbolt, her armored form slamming into its side. The monster's ribs shattered upon impact, its breath escaping in a pained hiss as it tumbled to the ground, struggling to rise. But Nemura was relentless, her hammer descending in a merciless arc to crush the beast's head, ending its threat forever.
Sloane swiveled her caster and fired two more |Mana Bolts| into the monster the skeleton fought at the same time a barrage of [Splinters] peppered its flank, causing it to cry out in pain before Mariel’s summon quickly ended its life with a final slash.
With the backline again clear, Mariel stepped forward, firing off more [Splinters] as her skeleton rushed forward.
The telv moved to stand protectively over Mariel, her chest heaving from exertion, her eyes scanning for more foes. But the monsters were learning to fear the might of this makeshift fellowship. Nell and her paladins moved in a synchronized dance of defense and counterattack, their training evident in the precision of their movements.
Sloane, amidst the fray, was a tempest. Her mind a whir as she eyed the battlefield, noting each movement, each opening. She returned her caster to its holster and focused on ending the fight by targeting the monsters in the rear.
Drawing on her [Arcanomancy], she became the silent epicenter of an impending arcane cataclysm.
She summoned her power, drawing mana into herself with a deep inhalation, feeling the familiar rush of energy that always preceded her most potent spells.
Her hand moved with precision, tracing the intricate rune of her [Arcane Mortar] in the air before her. The rune was a thing of beauty and power, glowing with potential energy, a complex pattern that pulsed with her heartbeat. Sloane’s [Runic Knowledge] guided her hand, ensuring each line and curve was perfect, a blueprint of destruction made manifest in shimmering mana.
With a final gesture, she released the runic spell. The rune flared brilliantly, then shot skyward, arcing gracefully over the paladins' heads and the melee before them. It soared, a comet of arcane fury, before descending rapidly towards the enemy’s rear ranks.
The impact had the effect they needed.
A resounding blast echoed across the battlefield as the [Arcane Mortar] detonated, unleashing a maelstrom of magical energy. The ground shook, and for a heartbeat, the advancing horde was silhouetted against a blinding light.
When the glare faded, the monsters’ backline was in disarray, the survivors scattered and crippled by the devastating assault. The tide had turned; Sloane’s magical prowess had carved a swath through the enemy, leaving her companions to mop up the remnants with steel and spell.
“Advance!” she commanded, her voice a rallying cry as she stepped forward, her form a bastion against the darkness.
With that, the monsters, once a mass of fury and claws, began to thin out, their numbers dwindling under the relentless assault. The paladins pressed forward, their line breaking up as each paladin rushed to attack any monster closest to them.
And then, as quickly as it had begun, the battle was over. The remaining monsters fled back into the woods in fear even as Sloane, Mariel, and Nell took potshots at their retreating forms, leaving the field littered with their fallen.
Sloane’s eyes swept across the scene as she sought out the forms of her comrades. “Is everyone alright?”
A grin split Mariel's face, a beacon of youthful exuberance amidst the grime and grimness. “I gained two levels!” she exclaimed, her triumph a vibrant note against the dirge of battle.
Her skeleton stood at her side, protective yet clearly damaged. Cracks spread throughout the entire structure, and it looked like it was missing several ribs along with part of its skull.
We need to get it some armor. I’ll enchant its gear too. Anything to protect Mar.
She looked up to see a woman giving her a feral look. Then as Nemura caught Sloane’s eye, it was as if a silent conversation had passed between them in a single glance. There was no need for words; the telv’s nod was as good as a shout of victory.
Not to mention, there was a desire in those eyes that the woman knew Sloane couldn’t reciprocate.
She… ugh.
Sloane looked away before she could blush at that fierce gaze the woman gave her.
As her cheeks heated up, she knew she failed.
Damn it, Nemura. Why does fighting make you so horny? Fucking weirdo.
Luckily, a distraction presented itself as Nell shouted, “Sound off!”
Nell's command was met with a chorus of affirmations, her paladins' voices weaving a tapestry of resilience. They had done well, and the paladins again showing their professionalism and skill.
From beside her, a reassuring weight settled upon Sloane's shoulder, and she turned to Stefan. He nodded towards the village with a tilt of his head, directing her attention to the walls where the defenders had gathered.
The men-at-arms and the hastily assembled militia stood lined along the wooden palisade, eyes wide and mouths agape. Their expressions were those of people who had just witnessed the impossible, their looks of desperation now tinged with a spark of hope.
To them, the paladins, Sloane and her companions, might just as well have descended from the heavens, such was their awe.
Sloane allowed herself a small smile.
Let them find comfort in their myths and legends; if belief in divine intervention gave them strength, so be it. She wasn’t about to argue with faith, not when it was clear they needed every ounce of hope they could muster.
Well, that and she wasn’t going to piss off the very devout paladins that were escorting her to her daughter.
With the monsters routed and their dead scattered across the field, the group turned back towards the village, their silhouettes etched against the twilight sky. As they walked, Sloane's excerpt reader vibrated against her side, a subtle reminder of the world beyond the here and now.
Surprisingly, Mariel’s skeleton didn’t even draw a second look as it maintained its presence at the Cutest Necromancer’s side. Vesper looked smug, if something made from steel was even capable of that followed by a screech as Tiberius arrived and landed on Nemura’s shoulder. Sloane smiled at the little scout golem, glad that he was helping keep her friend safe.
When they moved to the gate, there was no fear in the eyes of the men-at-arms or even the villagers as they all stood around watching the group enter.
Sloane turned and looked at those who walked with her. For some reason, Nell had an almost look of awe as she stared at Sloane which only made the Pretender Queen roll her eyes.
Mariel moved close and whispered, “Forty-five now, Mom. I think I’ve almost caught up to Stefan.”
Sloane chuckled and stole a glance at Stefan who was just shaking his head, but the upward curl to his lips betrayed his thoughts. She knew that he didn’t mind, he even joked about Mar taking so long to catch him.
Sloane really had the best companions for this journey.
Just gotta get Nell to lighten up.
Then, as they walked into the village proper, Sloane looked down at her reader, a smile spreading across her face as she saw the notifications on the screen before delving into the full excerpt.
[Spell – Arcane Gate created!]
[Artificer – Step 63 attained!]
…
[Artificer – Step 64 attained!]
[Path Refinement Available!]
Sloane Reinhart
“The Artificer”
Terran
Path: Artificer (*) (Innovator)
Steps: 64(*)
Core Quality: Exceptional
Affinity: Artifice, Alteration, Evocation
Attunement: Blue, Red, Yellow
Alignment: Magical
Primary Attribute: Control
Secondary Attribute: Capability
Traits: Artificer’s Insight, Mana Sense, Runic Knowledge, Telekinesis, Golem Mastery, Arcanomancy, Shadowtender, Inspect, Master Tinkerer, Innovator’s Archive, Danger Sense
Passive Spells: Mana Sight, Meditation, Temporary Enchantment, Share Sense (Golem)
Active Spells: Mana Bolt, Arcane Barrage, Starburst, Surge, Emergency Repair (Mechanical), Arcane Gate(*)
Comments
John O'Connor
At this point with 2 trailblazing magical daughters surely she deserves the trait Mother of Magic.
Klakkers
She is Gwen's level
Somebody
Can someone tell me she is Gwen's level please.
