Ch. 13 - Ryūganaru (II) (Patreon)

Felix woke up to the very eerie sight of Tinuriel standing in the corner. “Good morning,” he muttered as he rolled out of bed.

She nodded tersely, “You talk in your sleep. Otherwise, you remain still.”

“Good to know. What was I saying?”

“Something about a penny.”

Felix grimaced, “That would be my sister.” He stood up and rolled his shoulders, feeling several satisfying ‘pops’ as he stretched. “She’s back in my original ‘Verse.”

Tinuriel crossed her arms and a faint smile appeared on her lips, “What is she like?”

“She’s thirteen. Not the most athletic because of her condition, but she is really smart. Her math scores were off the chart.” At Tinuriel’s raised eyebrow he clarified, “Numbers. She’s good with numbers.”

“I see. Does intelligence run in your family?”

Felix chuckled and made his way outside, enjoying the lovely sunrise in the VBV. “I’m the first one to try and go to college.”

“Mage College? Like Sirinê?”

“No. A place for higher education. A University.”

Tinuriel shrugged, “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

The two made their way to the Shop and purchased breakfast using Felix’s currency, before sitting down and having a repast. Lucifer staggered out of the Recreation Room, looking incredibly hung over as he held his head. “I hit the wine too hard.”

“I didn’t know Angels could get drunk,” Tinuriel commented with a slight grin.

“It’s been a long time. My tolerance isn’t what it used to be.”

Felix chuckled and offered Lucifer half his bagel, which he graciously accepted before scarfing down. “When we get back to Ryūganaru, and this Northern Court, how will we know what the Crisis is? We just have to Assist the Court.”

Lucifer shrugged, “My guess is something to do succession.”

“Or,” Tinuriel said, “It could be that they are preparing for a momentous occasion.” She leaned forward on the table, “The Emperor of Invictus, Lothar Longsword III, has a birthday soon. It’s going to be a huge occasion. And since Ashiyoko is allied with Invictus…”

“This Crisis could just be assisting the Northern Court diplomatically. But then, there’s the other Crisis, where Invictus is going to collapse, and we have to stop it.”

“How could a whole Empire collapse?” Felix asked.

Tinuriel shook her head, “I don’t know. I am not familiar with politics. Just military matters.”

Felix stood up, “Well, we won’t figure it out sitting here.”

“You can add another Feature. Mind adding one that prevents hangovers?”

“Seems like a waste. Sorry, you have to deal with the consequences of your actions.”

“Okay, you asked for it.” Lucifer put his palm on Felix’s torso, and merged with him. Instantly, Felix was hit with a pounding headache and dry mouth. He held himself up on the table. Yeah. See? Not pleasant.

Fine! Add the damn Function, Felix thought back.

The headache vanished instantly, and he sighed in relief as his mouth returned to normal.

No more negative effects of poisons while you’re in the VBV.

Tinuriel went to her house and grabbed her gear, returning after a moment with her sword sheathed on her back. “Shall we?”

The duo exited the VBV and continued their journey through the mountainous regions of the Tier. The journey was pleasant, and they passed a few other travelers along the way as they wound through the cliffs and passes. They eventually came across a large expanse – a ravine – where the bridge had seemingly collapsed. An odd-looking group of people was on the side that Felix and Tinuriel were on.

Odd looking in that they were not dressed in the usual attire of this Tier. One of them was wearing what he could only describe as a princess dress. Another was a man dressed in shining, white, and silver full plate with a large sword strapped to his back, and the last was a cloaked figure with deep, black robes and a staff. The one with the staff was kneeling and tracing runes on the ground. Next to them was a large cart with an enormous, covered back, and it was tied off to two horses.

“What should we do?” Felix asked.

“Be cautious,” Tinuriel said.

They may have destroyed the bridge. That one with the robes seems…untrustworthy.

What makes you say that?

Something about him just feels off.

Felix walked up and waved his hand, “Hi there!”

The figure in plate armor and the princess in a dress turned around. The princess was very dainty, with arched brows and vaulted cheekbones with a wry smile on her lips. Her black hair was neatly put up into a bun. The man in the full plate was fully helmeted. He pulled his weapon, “Halt! Who are you?”

“Travelers,” Felix said. “What happened to the bridge?”

The figure on the ground glanced back. A young man, probably no more than sixteen, with a crop of brown hair and a greasy face, looked up at them. “It was destroyed. I’m remaking it.” He turned back around and put his palm onto the array of runes as the mountains extended and a large, artificial bridge connecting the two halves of the ravine. He sighed and stood up, brushing off his robes. “I’m Traker.”

The armored figure put his sword back, “Roy.”

The princess curtsied, “Melanie. Pleased to meet you?”

“I’m Felix, and this is Tinuriel. Where are you headed?”

The armored man – Roy – glanced at the other two before shrugging his shoulders, “Taking this sculpture from Atarki to Yontaru, the Capital of Ashiyoko.”

That’s the mining town we were just at.

Tinuriel grunted, “We passed through there.”

Traker nodded and pointed at Felix, “You are a Summoner. I can see your Summon within you.”

Can he see you?

No. The kid can just see Powers/Magic, and since you’re a Versewalker, you’re brimming with it. And Summons are the most powerful type of Magic…You know how one of the crises was to Revive the Dark Lord?

Let me guess, this kid-

No, not him. That Roy fellow. He’s the Dark Lord, but he doesn’t know it. The System has a big indicator over him. He groaned; I hate escort missions.

What do we do?

Work your way into their group for now.

Felix nodded, “Sort of. I’m a Versewalker.”

Melanie walked forward and looked him up and down, “Really? Prove it.”

Activate Fallen Flight. The spectral wings manifested, and as usual, people were impressed or shocked. Except for Traker. He looked on with a sense of smug satisfaction. “I knew it. I knew the higher powers would send a champion to help me retake my realm.”

Tinuriel raised an eyebrow, “Is that what you all are doing with the statue?”

Roy shook his head and pulled off his helmet, revealing long, blonde hair that was tied up in a high ponytail and a set of piercing, grey eyes. “The statue is going from the Northern Court up to Invictus as a present from the ruler of this land, Ashigura Ashiyoko. We needed the money to fund an expedition up to Dirge, and hopefully higher, as this one,” He hiked his thumb at Melanie, “Is trying to reclaim her family’s seat of power.”

Felix looked at Traker, “You want to reclaim your realm? Which realm is that?”

Traker raised his arms wide, “I am the Dark Lord, reborn from the Cycle of Souls to rise once more.”

Roy waved dismissively, “He’s been saying that for months. We haven’t seen any proof yet.”

Traker fumed and walked to the cart, re-orienting it to the road and cracking the reins, “Let’s go!”

Felix walked up to Roy, “Why not travel as a group? Safety in numbers and all that.”

Roy smirked, “Sure, why not? If Lady Melanie is okay with it.”

She looked at Tinuriel and giggled, “Only if I get to talk to this enormous woman. How’d you get so big?”

Tinuriel looked down at the much smaller woman, “Diet and exercise.” She looked at Felix, “Really? You want to travel with them?”

Felix walked over to her and gestured for her to lean down, whispering, “Roy is one of our Crises.”

She nodded and whispered back, “I don’t have to entertain this bitch, do I?”

“No. Just stick behind me.” Felix looked back to the duo that were waiting patiently as the cart slowly made its way across the bridge, “Our offer still stands.”

Melanie walked past Roy and gestured for him to follow, “Sure! Come along. We should reach Yontaru by nightfall.”

Felix caught up to Roy who was at the back of the group, walking alongside the cart, as Melanie climbed up onto it next to Traker. Lucifer, how do we want to handle this?

Let’s see what he knows. If he has no clue he is the Dark Lord reincarnated, then telling him out of the blue might be a shock.

“Where are you from?” Felix asked.

Roy put on his helmet once more, “Invictus. I was part of the Imperial Military, studying at the Ironhold Citadel to become a commander.” He pointed to the cart, “Then, this noblewoman came from a higher Tier, and had some type of favor she cashed in with my superior. Since I was the best equipped for the situation, I was assigned.”

Tinuriel cut in, “Why come down the Tiers if her goal was to go back up?”

Roy chuckled, “That’s where Traker comes in. He was traveling with her and would not shut up about being the Dark Lord reincarnated. He’s not very smart if he is really that person. Invictus was one of the Tiers that fought the hardest when the Dark Lord tried to unite all of the Tiers under his banner.”

“What’s so bad about uniting everyone?” Felix asked.

“Invictus is a strict hierarchy. Every citizen is assigned to a class and lives in a certain part of Tier five. The only way to advance is if you pass tests as a child to join The Imperial Academy, or you’re found to have Primal Chaos or Heavenly Realms Anima. Then, you’re sent up to Tier two to study as a mage before coming back to serve.” Roy pulled out a canteen and pulled aside his visor as he took a sip.

The System gave me more information. It seems like I’m locked out of some information unless it’s prompted by a ‘Verse’s inhabitant. This Dark Lord about four hundred years ago tried to unite all the Tiers through martial might, to eliminate the classes and ensure everyone was treated equally.

That’s not evil. Why call him the Dark Lord?

Propaganda. The other Tiers run off some sort of hierarchy or superiority system. He took in everyone and treated them the same.

Felix glanced at Tinuriel who was glancing behind them consistently. “What is it?”

She frowned, “We’re being followed. They just crossed the bridge. But they’re well hidden by some type of Magic. I only saw dirt puff up from the ground.”

Felix turned and pulled his dagger out, “Detect Hostiles.” He spent extra Anima to increase the range.

“We’ve got company,” he muttered as saw three, floating circles that were located where – he assumed – the vital points were.

Roy turned around and pulled his blade, “Traker! Stop the cart! Covering Magic!”

Tinuriel pulled her sword as well and gave an approving glance at Roy’s equally large blade. She pulled back her hood and her long ears twitched slightly as they pivoted minutely. She turned to face one of the creatures that was invisibly approaching from the right.

Affinity Empowerment, “Hellfire Beam.” Felix’s Magic/Power arced outward and split into three beams, each impacting the weak spot of the targets. Their invisibility was negated as they all became burning beacons.

The sky darkened, causing Felix to glance back as Traker stood up on top of the cart, next to the covered statue. “Abyssal Cascade!” He raised his staff as the black sky suddenly cleared, save for a mass of black, sticky matter that flew downward and impacted one of the burning targets, consuming him entirely.

It was then that Felix saw the golden circles illuminating three of the creatures that must have been approaching from the other side. “Look out!” he yelled as he started to run towards the cart. But it was too late, Traker’s body erupted in spurts of blood and viscera as he was stabbed by invisible blades, over and over again. Melanie screamed and got off the cart, trying to run towards Felix, but was grabbed by the other invisible one.

Tinuriel ran forward and sliced into one of the two on fire, as Roy engaged the other. They made quick work of the burning, screaming creatures before turning around and charging towards the cart.

Affinity Empowerment, “Hellfire Beam.” Felix launched a beam that forked into three once more and impacted the two that had just killed Traker, and the one holding Melanie. With them aflame, he was able to dash in and deliver a killing strike against one, as Tinuriel moved in on another and slew them.

Roy approached the last one but stopped as the invisibility faded, and a cloaked figure stood there. They threw their cloak aside as the flames sputtered out and held a knife to Melanie’s throat. “Don’t move. Not one step.”

Melanie lifted her heel and slammed it down into the assassin’s foot, eliciting a scream from him as she launched her head back into his face. She ducked down as Roy came in with a horizontal swing, bisecting the would-be killer.

All three combatants were huffing, and Melanie ran over to Traker’s body, crying as she fell next to him. “No!”

“I’ll ensure it done,” Tinuriel muttered as she walked to each body, ensuring they were dead with large, cleaving strikes, before dragging the bodies to a pile.

Roy looked at Felix, “You fought well. Both of you.” He looked at the corpse of his fallen ally and shook his head, “He was an annoying bastard, but useful.”

“Condolences,” Felix said as he sheathed his knife. “What now?”

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