Moonlight Relic, Ch 33: Banished (Patreon)

A shockwave of crystal flame and moonlight tore through the area as Sam slammed into the first Lykaris. The impact sent the Axe Barbarian flying twenty feet away, where he crashed into the ground with a bone-cracking thud. He was strong for his level, but it wasn’t enough to put up a challenge.

The Flame Mage was next, right behind the Berserker, and for this one, Sam simply grabbed him around his skinny neck and hurled him after his ally. The inferno trapped between his hands lashed outward as the spell erupted, burning the area around the two of them until an Essence Shield crashed down, pinning both of them to the ground with a shimmering geometric dome.

The Khanir Construct was there a moment later, its strange bone spikes punching toward him, and Sam spun to the side as he grabbed it by the arm and the neck. It was barely half his size, and he lifted it into the air by its neck as he tore the arm free in a crackling explosion of stressed wood and shattering joints. Then he hurled its body at the wizard, followed a moment later by its lost arm.

The construct let out a raspy scream as it whistled through the air like a meteor and slammed into the ice shield around the caster. The impact sent both of them staggering backward as splinters of bone and shards of ice flew away. The wizard’s face paled as he held his scepter higher and a surge of light blue mana came from as he tried to reinforce his shield.

Two crystal flame arrows tore through the air, shredding the shield in a scintillating explosion of disrupted mana. Then they struck the staff in the wizard’s hand, sending it tumbling into the distance as half of its length was melted into slag.

Another Essence Shield snapped out, pinning the construct to the ground, and then Sam’s hand closed around the wizard’s neck as he lifted him into the air like a chicken. Wrath was burning through his veins and it felt like his eyes had become molten lava. Reflected in the wizard’s pupils, he could see himself: a golden giant with eyes that were shining like twin stars.

A growling rumble resonated in his chest as he glared down at the wizard and he squeezed his neck as he raised him higher, bringing him level with his eyes. Before his race transformed he might have killed them all immediately, but now he felt like he was balanced on the edge of a knife, hanging between a crystal clarity on the situation and the desire for sudden, sharp movement. He didn’t mind killing them, but first he wanted answers.

“This land is under my protection,” he growled at the trembling wizard as he shook him back and forth like a rag. “What are you doing here?”

Nearby, the other three were struggling against the Essence Shields that pinned them to the ground, but he paid them no attention except to push them back down harder.

The fight had taken only seconds and he could sense the Ice Sylphs approaching from behind him. He glanced back to check on them. When he saw them, he almost forgot about the wizard.

The hunting team was there now, even Raelia and Danir who were still recovering, standing at the edge of the village wards like an advance guard. Bows and spears were ready in their hands as they drew up in a battle line and dense frost was curling through the air like a fog around them, shrouding them in a billowing cloak. The frost was shaping itself to their clothing, weapons, and hair.

All around them, there was the heavy vibration of mana rising from the valley as it flowed around them like shifting glaciers. Their features became stern and jagged, the tips of their ears like icicles pointing to the sky. Their armor began to gleam with frozen layers like scales, and their weapons glinted coldly as the icy tips reflected the sun. Blue and white mana swirled around them in wisps, drifting like spirits of the snow. Their eyes were frozen sapphires shining with power.

Behind them, a wave of the villagers with lesser abilities poured into the area, forming into ranks behind the hunting team. As they moved into place, the ice that was around the hunting team spread outward, covering them as it took on a life of its own.

Their features shifted as their bodies grew taller, layers of ice formed into armor, and frost poured down their backs to form cloaks. Their hair grew, becoming tangled with icicles and jagged shards, and weapons formed in their hands as the ice stretched into spears and bows. As they transformed, the vibration of mana from the valley swelled louder, taking on a deep and resonant heartbeat like a beating war drum.

They stood in ranks, the evening sun glinting from them, like a frozen primordial army that had just been awakened from ages long in the past. Beneath their feet, the valley shuddered as the drumbeat continued, and from the distant slopes of the mountains, he felt an answering echo.

Then came Siwaha, gathering up the children of the village to stay close to her as she walked toward the border. His family and team were there as well, all walking with her. Waves of shimmering ice flowed out around her, and each tap of her staff on the ground sent another shaking drumbeat through the valley.

None of the sylphs looked pleased. Their faces were stern as they stared at the fallen adventurers and scanned the area. Seeing them now, it was easy to remember who they were at heart. They were kind and generous, but they were not harmless villagers. They were warriors born from the grief of a long war, and the ice of the world was part of them.

Siwaha patted Jeric on the shoulder and motioned for him to stay with the villagers. Then she walked out alone toward Sam.

“Don’t kill them, Hunter.” Siwaha’s voice cut through the air like a freezing wind. A deep frown accompanied her words. “There are questions they must answer before we deal with them. This is the first time in many years that someone has dared to test our borders with spells meant for war. I would know why.”

Sam’s grip tightened on the wizard until the man began to choke, but instead of squeezing harder, he turned toward Siwaha, bringing the man with him. Despite her solitary presence, the elder carried an aura of unmistakable power and confidence with her.

“Speak,” he growled as he shook him back and forth again. “Explain to the elder why you came to the Ice Sylph village.”

“It’s...the...” the wizard’s words came out in a stutter as he stared between Sam and Siwaha. His face was turning blue and Sam glared at him as he relaxed his grip slightly.

“Speak,” he demanded again.

“It’s...we were hired to investigate the area.” The wizard coughed as he dragged in a gasp of air and spoke. “We didn’t know it was your territory...or their territory.”

He stared at the Ice Sylphs with wide eyes, making it clear he’d never seen an Ice Sylph before, much less one prepared for battle.

“That Dimensional Mage who was on the peak,” he continued when Sam gave him another shake. “He said he was looking for a man and a girl. He paid us to come here and find them, and to bring them back if we could. He didn’t say anything about the Ice Sylphs, just that the area might be dangerous and use force if needed.”

Sam’s grip trembled as he heard the answer. The man’s desperate screech for breath sounded a moment later. He wanted to crush his neck, but he forced himself to open his hand as he tossed the wizard on the ground.

If he'd held onto him any longer, the wizard would be dead. He was clearly talking about Micas, and about his father and Altey.

“Did he say anything else?” Siwaha asked, her voice sharp as she looked down at him. “Why did he want them?”

“He...said...” the man coughed, his hands touching his neck. “He said they were traitors to his family, and he wanted to take them home for justice. It was just supposed to be a simple pick up.”

“What ‘girl’ did he want you to find?” Sam growled as he loomed over the wizard. The answer was obvious, but he had to ask it anyway.

“A small girl with blond hair,” the wizard spit out. “A daughter of the Hastern clan. Easy for the Visionary to recognize from her name, if he saw her. He paid him twice as much to come along for that.”

Altey.

Sam almost slammed his fist through the wizard’s head as soon as he spoke. The only thing holding him back was that the wizard was a pawn. Micas was the one he needed to deal with. He’d been expecting something to happen, but he hadn’t thought the man would hire mercenaries. Nor had he imagined that he was after Altey.

That didn’t make sense.

“Six adventurers and half of them at the First Evolution for a simple pick up?” Sam growled instead. “And you asked no questions? You just agreed to kidnap a girl and her father?”

The wizard shuddered as he looked up at Sam and then he fixed his gaze on Siwaha, as if he thought she was more likely to be lenient to him. Unfortunately for him, her expression was cold. Siwaha had promised Aemilia to look after them, and ever since they’d been here, she had taken them into the clan. If she allowed them to be seized by mercenaries, it would break her promise and allow her clan to be ransacked.

She looked down at the shivering wizard and then to the other mercenaries where they were pinned to the ground. When she spoke, her voice was wintery, like a judge passing sentence on the condemned.

“It seems that we have been silent too long, if visitors are so quick to scorn our borders and to forget who we are. The Adventurer’s Guild is at fault as well, for not warning you of the rules of the valley, and they will be appropriately chastised.” She studied the wizard and the other three who were left.

“You came with poor intent, but your spells that tested the wards did no lasting harm. At the same time, you intended to kidnap my clansmen, and that is something I will never allow.” Her staff struck the ground and an answering drumbeat of mana surged up from the valley all around her. “Additionally, when faced with the Horned Hunter, who has done nothing but protect this valley, you chose to attack him on sight and dishonored the land.” Her staff struck again, punctuating her speech.

“For these acts, you are banished from the valley for 100 years. If you return during this time, you will be marked as criminals and anyone who slays you will be rewarded by the Ice Sylphs.”

Four crystal snowflakes formed in the air in front of her. With a wave of her hand, they flew toward the foreheads of the adventurers, where they settled and began to burn with a chill light.

“You have two hours to leave. If you are caught within the borders after that, the earth will rise against you, stones will break your bones, the wind will freeze your heart, and the sun will never find you. Should you survive that, the marks on your forehead will draw attention to you from every side. Do not think that you can hide them.” Her staff struck the ground as she waved them away.

“Go.”

Sam’s jaw was clenched as he released the other three. They were hesitant at first, but a look at the Ice Sylphs and Sam was enough to motivate them. They stumbled to their feet and began to run, heading for the slopes that led up into the mountains, rather than the more distant entrance.

Two hours was more than enough for them to move out of the borders. It only took a moment for the long-limbed Lykari to outpace the others, swearing as flames sparked around them. The Khanir Construct also drew off on his own, separating from the wizard. None of them cared anything for the others.

There were shouts of protest and complaint, but Sam tuned them out as he watched them. Then he turned to Siwaha. She was waiting there, her expression calmer now.

“I did not banish them because they tested the wards, Sam Hastern,” she said slowly. “I banished them because they attacked you and threatened your family. The root of the problem, however, lies with the one who hired them.”

Sam let out a breath as he nodded in agreement. The muscles across his back and neck were clenched. Micas had hired the adventurers to try and seize his father and sister. Punishment was due.

He looked to where his family was standing among the Ice Sylphs. His father’s hands were clenched around his biceps so deeply that his arms were turning purple despite his Constitution, and his mother’s face was harder than he’d ever seen. Lenei, Lesat, and Krana were standing close beside them, their hands on their weapons. Altey was securely placed in the center of them all. They'd all heard what the wizard said and their anger was apparent.

“It is time to decide what to do with your distant cousin,” Siwaha told Sam as she motioned him to walk with her. “Take your time to discuss it with your family. Whatever you choose, we will support you.”

“Aren’t you worried about the Hasterns?” He asked with concern. His Battle Aura fell away as he walked beside her, until he was his normal size. “I don’t want to drag the Ice Sylphs into a fight with them.”

“I adopted you the day you came to my door,” Siwaha shook her head with a smile that was much warmer now. “The village was under attack and you aided us with no thought for yourself, only to protect the clan from its enemies. That is why I gave you the Blessing of Ice and why I will stand with you now, no matter what.” She touched his shoulder lightly, her hand like an ancient root.

“Ice once frozen does not quickly thaw. Although we are not the strongest in the world, we will never fail you. Be assured. You are not alone. You are part of our clan, for now and for all the ages to come.”

Her words resonated with a solemn promise, and as he looked around at the sylphs who were standing there, he saw the same resolve in all of their faces. The tug of familiarity with them that came from the Blessing of Ice was deep and poignant.

It was the first time Siwaha had called him part of the clan, but if he looked back, there was never a day where she had treated him as an outsider. Her welcome had always been clear. She must have felt like it never needed to be mentioned. For her, like all the sylphs, actions were stronger than words.

“But what if someone at the Third Evolution comes here?” Sam frowned as he looked around the valley. That was the main thing he was worried about. Micas was dangerous, but it was the weight behind him that was really important. He wasn’t sure the sylphs would be able to hold up to something like that.

“The Hasterns are a powerful family, it is true, but they are only one among many.” Siwaha shook her head. “If they wish to cause trouble, they are welcome to visit our valley. The wards are not for show.” She gestured toward the entrance of the valley and then her hand moved in a circle to indicate the entire thing.

“No one can last long in Aster Fall without a place of power to fall back on. This is ours. Everything here is linked to the hearthstone, and the land itself will rise up against anyone who troubles us. The dwarves and the drakes are strong allies as well.” She smiled suddenly, like a winter lily blooming. “Ice does not thin so easily.

“As for Aldric Hastern, your many times great-grandfather, I understand him well enough. He came here once, some years ago. He is not a man to care about worldly things, even his own blood. Even if you kill Micas, he will think it is because Micas was too weak, and so unqualified to be his descendant. Some other members of the family might seek you out for revenge, but he will only move if the whole family is on the verge of collapse. His eyes are set on a higher power.”

She tapped her staff on the ground again, but this time it was just a matter of habit. The mana that had been gathering all around her was fading, flowing back into the earth and the wind. Behind her, the icy weapons and armor that had coated the sylphs were dissipating like frost in the sunlight. Tiny flakes of bright blue mana and an ancient aura radiated through the air. At the same time, none of them were leaving. Instead, they had closed their ranks around his family.

“While we are not all powerful,” Siwaha continued, “neither will I allow us to be pushed around by such fears. That is not how a hunter lives. You must do what is right.”

“Thank you, Elder,” Sam said gratefully as he gave her a bow. He used her title this time, which was something he didn’t always do. He wasn’t sure how deep the Ice Sylphs strength ran, but there was an unshakeable confidence to her words that made him take her seriously.

All the same, he had to make sure that trouble didn’t come to them because of him. He couldn’t allow her to risk the clan. He would deal with Micas in a way that didn’t cause an issue, and that meant dealing with him as the Horned Hunter. If he killed Micas, the relic and the aura of the World Law around him should be enough to bear it. At least that would keep the Hasterns away from his family.

“As for the city, I will deal with the Adventurer’s Guild and the other forces who have forgotten their duties,” Siwaha added. “Perhaps we have been too distant from the governance of things. It would be good to send them a reminder.” She tapped her chin with a pale finger, and then smiled slightly.

“I will also share some stories with your mother about our history, old ones that will strike fear into an enemy’s heart. The early songs, when we marched to battle in ranks a thousand deep to follow the Mother’s will and cleanse the land of her enemies. She can distribute them in the city. It will help her to level and remind visitors that we are not to be bothered.”

Sam gave Siwaha a grateful nod as he glanced upward to check on the position of the moons. Time was running late for his meeting with Garild, but if he pushed himself, he might still make it. It was time to get the governor to do something for the Horned Hunter.