Chapter 54 - Choosing and Castigation (Patreon)

The two monsters continued their travel, making their way above the Peace and War Woods. Fumi pointed over the nearby mountain range. “Beyond the War Mountains is the Forbidden Coast. We should go there after The Choosing.”

“Why?” Echo asked, staring over to the dark, stormy skies that stuck above those mountains and surely shrouded the valley below.

“Rumor has it that there are ancient weapons and armored stored there. The remains of an ancient battle. The Dairan Clan protects the entrance – but we can go around.”

“We have pretty awesome gear.”

Fumi shook her head, “A battle between The Void, Angels, and Demons. From The Void Invasion.”

Gear from the Gods’ own realms?

That interested Echo. He had no clue what could harm a Goddess like Lux. But, if video games had taught him anything, it was that you always go to the side areas when pursuing a quest.

“Alright. First to this War Camp place.”

Fumi pointed further to the Northeast, “That way.”

They arrived and kept their distance, standing over the small mountain pass as they observed the various Clans arriving and setting up campsites. War Camp itself was not very well fortified – just an enormous plateau with the mountains on three sides and a cliff leading to the ocean on the Eastern edge. The ground was trampled – pressed dirt where the various Clans set up their enormous yurt-like tents.

There was a single structure – a single, obsidian spire. Fumi explained it was The Tower of Spies, a sacred site for Umbra as the creator of the Ogo. Near that, along the Western Mountain face was an enormous cave – The Vault of the Earthmaker. It was Terra’s most holy temple, and her religions used it as a meeting place. Also sacred to the Gori, as Terra made them.

“Are we going down there?”

Fumi shook her head, “We have a few days. We made good time.” She stared off into the distant ocean. “We would be cutting our Quintessence in half, constantly using the shards to sate our hunger.” She smirked, “Even then, we more than outmatch the rest of them.”

Echo sighed, “So what do we do for days on end?”

Fumi glanced at him and raised an eyebrow, “There’s some caves up higher. Eagles nest up in them. I’m sure we could find an empty one.”

Echo got the hint and the two dashed up the mountain side, finding a cave that he used transmutation spells to shape into a nice, cozy shelter from the wind. Setting up camp in there, they settled down to spend several days indulging in their carnal instinct.

Overlord Ragged Eclipse arrived at War Camp. To his dissatisfaction, their Clan was the second-to-last one to arrive. The Shauhua Clan would be right behind them – in a day or two. He waved to his warriors, and they began to set up their campsite at the ancestral battlegrounds.

His first wife rode up behind him on a destrier, “What troubles you, husband?”

Ragged Eclipse grunted, “I do not see the Maven.”

“You did tell her she is not welcome in the stronghold. She may have forsaken honor entirely.”

The Overlord shook his head, “No. She has more honor than all of us.” He rode forward and joined his warriors in setting up their large tents.

His second wife approached as they were settling in, “I have investigated as you requested. The Dark Lady assured me that the Maven will be here. They are nearby.”

“Her and her bed-servant?”

She pursed her lips, “Yes. Is that a problem?”

“Perhaps. He is strong. Stronger than any warrior I have ever seen. Perhaps even stronger than the Maven.”

His third wife – the youngest and most naïve – interrupted, “But he’s an outlander! Not strong like the Gori.”

The Overlord wheeled on her, and she shrunk from his presence, withdrawing into herself. “That outlander could destroy every Overlord here.” He turned to face the large dueling grounds that were being staked out as the day approached. “Pray to Terra that he does not try to interfere.”

The Choosing arrived. Echo and Fumi made their way from their temporary home and down to the War Camp proper, letting Rose out of the pocket dimension as they approached on foot. Echo and Fumi used the Aether Shards – and a steady stream of Quintessence – to sate their Evolution Instinct’s urge to kill and consume the living creatures around them.

An enormous pair of Gori stood at the main entrance to War Camp. They both stood upright and crossed large pikes. “Which Clan?”

Fumi pulled her armor down enough to show the Clan tattoo. “Xulatar. These are my servants,” she followed up, gesturing to her two companions.

The guard that spoke nodded and they gestured for the trio to enter. Fumi led them to the Xulatar Clan tent, rapping her knuckles on the wooden pole outside. They were let in and shown to a side-chamber of the enormous Yurt-style tent. The Overlord was sitting there on a cushion, eating with his wives. He dipped his head as Fumi entered. She sat, while Echo and Rose stood off in a corner.

“Maven. You are here.”

Fumi bowed, “Yes, Overlord. Xulatar is my Clan. It is my honor to fight for them.”

The Overlord grunted and handed his bowl of food to a servant, “The Clan has not forgiven you for your grave sin.”

I don’t need your forgiveness.

Fumi’s response was filled with a grim determination, “I understand. I will win you the mantle of War Chief, then depart.”

“I don’t know what affliction you suffer, but I know your honor is above reproach. Win honor, Maven.”

Fumi bowed once more and stood up, leaving the tent as her companions followed.

“What was that about?” Rose asked. “You know I don’t speak Gori.”

Echo quickly explained the situation, turning to Fumi after. “Why not take the mantle yourself?”

Fumi shook her head, “I could. But I won’t. We must travel Heimfold and eat more, get stronger.” She led the way to the cliffside overlooking the water and instructed Echo to make them some seats. “This is the most honorable position. The most vulnerable.”

And it will let me set an example.

Echo did as instructed and soon the trio were sitting on a very ornate stone bench formed by transmutation. He also transmuted some cushions from their cot, and soon enough they were sitting comfortably.

Not ten seconds passed when a group of Gori walked up and planted a banner with a large horse on it – the Anseong Clan. “Move.” The leader was terse.

Fumi stood up and activated Achronerate. In the blink of an eye, she unsheathed her blade, cut the straps holding the warrior’s armor, and returned to her seat. The only indication she had done the act was the brief gust of wind, and the armor clattering to the ground after a moment. “I am the Maven of the Blade. This is my place.”

The leader went red as his armor fell off of him. Bewilderment or rage, Echo couldn’t tell, but he wrapped his arm around Fumi and waved his hand. “My mistress wants you to leave.”

The Gori ground his teeth and stomped away, leaving his armor scraps on the ground.

Echo chuckled, “That was fun.”

Rose shook her head, “I only caught about two words there.” She resumed reading her book, and Echo finally got a look at the title. Gori to Common Dictionary.

Echo swapped to Common, “Why not practice it while we are traveling? Immersion is the best way to learn a language.”

Rose shook her head, “I prefer learning through reading.”

The Sun and Inferno were high overhead behind the grey clouds as glinting shafts of sunlight pierced the gloom. Fumi stood up and stretched, “It is time. Stay here.” She looked at Echo, “Don’t interfere. No matter what.”

She strode forward and joined the large circle that had gathered. Other Clan members pulled up their various seats as a ring formed – hundreds in attendance as the competitors went into the shallow pit.

A Gori wearing a large fur about his shoulders along with heavy, mail armor stood on a box in the center. “As War Chief, I welcome my brothers and sister to The Choosing.” There was no raucous applause, only silence. “Every Overlord may enter the pit and declare themselves, or their champion.

One by one the various Clan Overlords stepped forward and declared either their intent to fight, or they declared a champion. When Ragged Eclipse stepped forward, he bellowed out, “I call upon Fumi Medrana Xulatar, Maven of the Blade.” There were shouts of outrage as he stood there, confident with his arms crossed, and Fumi walked to step in front of him.

The War Chief growled, “That warrior is dead and gone.” He raised his chin, “I will not allow an imposter to-”

He was cut off as Fumi raised her hand and let her Quintessence seep out of her, forming a bright-green aura that scattered crimson sparks. A pillar in the gloom that pierced up to the clouds above becoming a sunbeam on its own. “I am the Maven of the Blade,” she said, proudly. “You will acknowledge me. The Soju are no more. I am Xulatar.”

The crowd quieted save for hushed whispers and the War Chief shook his head, “I set the rules for The Choosing. I say, no Ogo! Only Gori!”

There were shouts of dissent from about half of the Clans, but many agreed after seeing the ridiculous, excessive display of power. Ragged Eclipse shook his head, “Are you scared? Afraid that the Maven will beat you?”

“Never! The War Chief does not know fear.” He grinned, “I declare that the next War Chief will be the champion or Overlord that strikes the final blow that kills the Maven of the Blade. We fight to the death.” He raised his arm, “Champions and Overlords who have declared! Enter.” He turned to an attendant and retrieved weapons and armor as a large gong was set up on by several servants and Ogo.

Fumi strode to the center – taking a vulnerable position – and drew her blade.

The stakes are set. Tradition followed. To the death.

She glanced at Echo – seeing an odd gesture where he held his thumb upwards – and grinned at him before calming herself. She steadied her breathing and stood in a seigan no kamae stance, closing her eyes.

RING, the deep, sonorous sound echoed across the battlefield.

Fumi opened her eyes and activated Achronerate as the world slowed to a crawl. None of the Overlords or Champions were fast combatants. None had this level of the Ability. The mastered version of Alacrity.

She dashed around the circle, easily and cleanly cutting heads from necks, seeing the spurts of blood that danced upwards in slow motion. She took her spot back at the center, and deactivated the Ability as she sheathed her blade.

Echo heard the gong, saw the bright-green and crimson flash, and then just like out of an anime, Fumi slammed her sword into the sheath.

That’s a bit overkill. But they asked for it.

The various combatants fell where they stood, their heads severed as a gush of blood shot out and began to pool towards the bottom of the shallow pit. Fumi stood up and raised a hand, “I declare myself the victor, as the War Chief is dead.” She walked over to his corpse as every observer stood, gobsmacked.

Bet they were expecting a brawl or outright massacre.

Fumi grabbed the blood-soaked fur and carried it to Ragged Eclipse, bowing deeply at the waist as she held it up for him.

The Overlord accepted it and threw it over his shoulders, the blood dripping down. He gestured for her to stand and walked to the center of the pit. “Fumi Medrana Xulatar has won The Choosing. She has named me War Chief.”

The various Clans began to pack up – rather unceremoniously as they came to terms that some of their mightiest warriors and leaders were killed in an instant – and they started to leave. Fumi walked over to Echo and did the thumbs-up gesture, “What did this mean?”

Echo chuckled and explained the gesture as the Overlord came over. His deep voice grumbled out, “I cannot invite you to the feast. But you have my thanks, Fumi Medrana Xulatar. While I am War Chief, none will attack you or your servants in the Krekyo Dominion.”

Fumi nodded curtly and faced her allies. “Let’s go back to the cave for the night.”

The Overlord put a hand on her shoulder. His voice was softer, almost apologetic. “I release you from any binds.”

Fumi nodded as she began to jump into the sky with Immovable Object. Echo followed as Rose activated her necklace and the trio ascended towards the mountains.

“What was that about?” Rose asked as she pulled out her notepad.

“I do not have to respond to any calls for war. Sanctioned or not. I do not have to participating in the next Choosing in ten years.” She smirked, “I might, though. To keep the Xulatar in power.”

“Fascinating,” Rose scribbled in her notebook. “What’s the plan?”

Fumi pointed past the mountains, “We rest. Then, we go to the Forbidden Coast.”

Lux paced her citadel, followed by a retinue of her archangels – the strongest of her servants. Azurianth, the archangel in charge of the Administratum, keeping a log of souls and running the affairs of The Sun, was giving her a tally of those who had died and been sent to her afterlife. “And, my lady, there is the matter of an angel being given a body, killed, and his soul not ret-”

Lux waved her off, “Yes, that rat bastard spurned my grace. Rickard is gone. May he rot in whatever his next life brings.” She looked back, “But those paladins he was guiding were devoted. Is The Arbiter of Souls holding them back? It’s been over the standard week.”

Azurianth shook his head, “No, my Goddess. Their souls are not at Last Light Temple. It is as if they never existed. We can find no trace of them on Heimfold, either.”

She shook with rage. Her paladins. Their souls and eternal worship were hers. She is the only one who could destroy their souls outright – her and The Arbiter. Any others who did so committed a grave sin.

“Why have we not found them yet?” Her rage seethed and was palpable despite her bright countenance.

Azurianth frowned, “We do not know, your holiness.”

I don’t have time to use miracles constantly.

She had tens of billions of souls to see to on The Sun, and hundreds of millions more still alive on Heimfold, actively worshipping her. Being a God was busy work. She couldn’t deal with every problem on her own.

I need more angels in the administratum segment. And more scouts. Perhaps I should cull more followers to reconstitute.

Lux channeled her Heat and performed a miracle, seeking the answer through the light Domain’s access to the Affinity of knowledge. She could not find the same information that a true god of knowledge could gather, but it was good enough as she saw the events of the fight in front of the Soju stronghold.

She saw the mage use an Aether Shard, turn her angel servant Rickard into a creature, saw the monstrous transformation, and the slaughter of her paladins. More infuriating was that he used that same shard to shred their souls.

She screamed and slammed her fist into the wall, exploding the entire side of the citadel in a radiant burst of white and gold energy. “Those were mine!” She turned on her heel as her angelic servants cowered – only her highest archangel did not move. “General.”

Chrystalis stepped forward. The once Prime Human was her first paladin when she was alive, and strongest martial combatant at Lux’s command at that time. She knelt as her Brightsteel full plate clinked, her glimmering white and blue wings fluttering behind her and leaving sparkling outlines. “Yes, my lady of luminescence.” Her perfect, porcelain skin and light-blue lips marking her as truly ethereal in beauty.

“You are to go to Heimfold. Find this mad mage – Tiberius – and slay him.”

“Your will be done.” She vanished in a column of blue and white sparks.

Lux knew that she was teetering on the edge of breaking a Divine Pact of non-intervention.

But bringing this mage to justice is acceptable.

But this sin? She was sure they would forgive her bending the pacts to ensure that mage could not manipulate souls. She would send out messages to them.

Lux calmed slightly, knowing that her strongest archangel would bring vengeance.

She glanced at another of her servants, “And what of those two monsters that the group of paladins was training to fight? The monster Rickard was so intent on slaying?”

“They just finished The Choosing.”

“Where do they go next?”

The angel shook his head, “Over the War Mountains.”

She looked up at him, stopping in her tracks. “Over the Forbidden Coast?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Lux grinned, her mood improving slightly at the prospect of purifying her world. “Pacts do not cover that place. It is Forbidden for a reason. You will go there. Take a detachment.”

“Your will be done.” The lesser angel flew off to gather a force.

One hundred angels should be enough to deal with any monster.

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