Ch. 14 – Ryūganaru (III) (Patreon)

Roy gestured to the corpses that Tinuriel finished dragging over, “Check them for information.” He knelt and began rummaging through their pockets. “Nothing. Again.”

“This has happened before?” Tinuriel asked as she put her hood back up.

“Yes. Melanie and Traker were attacked once when they were fleeing Ethdellin, again on Mercantus, and now here.”

Ethdellin is Tier one, the very top. If we get to the top of the Soul Spire there, we solve a Crisis. Mercantus is Tier three, and we can solve a murder there also.

Felix held up his hand and looted the assassins.

[Loot Obtained]

·         Ring of temporary invisibility

[Experience Awarded = 10]

Tinuriel walked over to Melanie and lifted her up, “Come on, up you get. We should move.”

Roy walked over with Felix, “Agreed.” He looked down at Traker’s corpse, and glanced back at Felix, “We don’t have time to bury him. You used some type of fire Magic; can you burn the bodies?”

“Sure. But first, waste not, want not.” Felix looted the mage.

[Loot Obtained]

·         Black Mage Staff

He quaffed a <Rank 1> Anima Elixir and used two casts of Hellfire Beam, one to light up the pile of bodies, and the other on Traker. “Tinuriel, catch,” Felix tossed her the ring which she deftly caught.

“What’s it do?”

“Once per day, you can turn invisible for ten minutes.”

Roy glanced at Felix – where Lucifer’s voice came from – and took a ready stance, “What was that?”

“I’m his Summon. Hi there.”

He lowered his guard, “Right. Summoner and Versewalker.” Roy went to the cart and climbed up next to Melanie, who was inconsolable, leaning into Tinuriel’s shoulder and still sobbing.

The elven woman gave Felix a look and mouthed, ‘save me.’ Felix clambered up on the cart as it began forward under Roy’s control of the reins. “Umm…Lady Melanie?”

She looked at Felix, “Y-y-yes?” Tears streaked down her face.

“Maybe you should consider a few words to say. I’m sure a lady of your stature can put together a very thoughtful eulogy.”

She nodded and pulled out a kerchief, “I’ll…I’ll do that.” She extricated herself from Tinuriel who deftly hopped off the cart to walk alongside it.

The traveling was slower going with the laden cart, and the four travelers made it to an enormous, walled city by just after sunset. The large wooden gates were shut.

Roy shook his head, “They won’t let anyone in after nightfall.” He pointed to the side of the road, where other caravans were beginning to settle in to wait for the gates to open the next morning, “We can rest there.”

Felix, who had been silently focusing as he rode the cart for the past several hours, smiled and interrupted, “You have me with you.” He willed the VBV to open. Both Roy and Melanie gasped as Felix hopped off the cart, willing it to grow to accommodate the cart and cargo. “Please, come in.”

Roy led the cart through and once all the party was inside Felix shut the entrance. Both visitors stood, transfixed, for a few moments, whilst the VBV Feature that gave them knowledge of the interior and greater Multiverse filled their minds. Two more grey voids appeared another two guest houses appeared alongside Felix’s and Tinuriel’s.

Lucifer extricated himself from Felix and introduced himself to the two travelers. “You’ve got two more rooms to add.”

“Well, it looks like we get a new guest house for every person that shows up. So, let’s get some stables, and maybe a warehouse to store stuff.”

[Achievement Unlocked: Created more storage in your VBV]

That’s going to be handy.

Yeah, especially if the shop has something like explosive barrels I can just stock up and begin chucking out.

Oooh, that’s dastardly. Lucifer waved to everyone, “I’m going to hit the hot tub.”

Roy took off his helmet, “Mind me joining? A soak sounds nice.”

Lucifer put his arm around the man’s shoulder and began walking him over to the Recreation Room. Melanie looked after the duo but shook her head briefly, looking to Felix instead. “This place is beautiful. I’m sorry for the trouble we’ve put you through. You two protected me.” She sniffled but curtsied, “If you’ll excuse me.” She went over to the guest quarters.

Tinuriel smirked at Felix, “You fought well with your Magic.”

“Not as good as your swordsmanship. I just shot off some beams.”

“Don’t discount your skills. Goodnight.”

Morning came quickly and Felix used the Shop to purchase breakfast for everyone. Both Lucifer and Roy seemed quite tired and looked to be walking gingerly. Felix shot his companion a questioning glance.

Hey, I’ve said it before. Everyone finds me attractive.

Felix chuckled and set out the food – omelets – as everyone had their fill before they geared up, re-hitched the cart, and exited the VBV.

They joined the crowd heading into the capital of The Northern Court, Yontaru. They were screened at the gates, and Felix held up the sealed scroll. The guard cracked the seal and read the missive before handing it back. A detachment was assigned to them, and they were led into the city. The enormous cliffs soared overhead, leading up to the next Tier, and an enormous lift was alongside the winding stairs. The buildings were like right out of a Japanese travel guide, no larger than two stories save for an enormous stone castle.

At the castle entrance, they put the cart aside and were allowed inside. Handing over weaponry they were escorted by well-armed and armored samurai into an enormous throne room. They were instructed to stop fifty feet from the throne. A young boy, no more than seven or eight, was sitting on the throne in a resplendent golden robe. An older man sat next to him. Long, grey hair poking out from a Futou-style hat that joined a longer beard that he slowly stroked.

“Hi,” Felix said. “I’m Felix Winters, Versewalker. I’m here to assist your Court.”

The young boy gestured and the old man stood up, walking down. “I speak on his lordship’s behalf. I must say, your mastery of our language is quite astonishing.”

Felix glanced back. Tinuriel seemed to be keeping up with the conversation as a chosen Escort, having access to his (P) Multiverse Adaptation Talent. But Roy and Melanie were just standing patiently, not seemingly following the conversation. “Thanks for the compliment. So…what Crisis is going on?”

The older man raised an eyebrow, “We do not have any problems, save for our current war with the Echikaga and Kyikaga to the South and Western sides of the cliffs. Are you here to settle our disputes with them?”

Felix, the old dude is mind-controlling the kid.

What? Really?

He’s got a Crisis indicator over him, and there’s a bit of information from the System. The old guy is using a magic item of some type. Permission to use Detect Object?

Do it.

The Magic/Power cost more, as the item they were seeking out was quite rare. It turned out it was the man’s hat. Felix smirked, and activated Fallen Flight to manifest his spectral wings. The whole Court, some of whom were conversing off to the sides, stopped and stared. “I want to see your hat. May I?”

The man glanced to the boy on the throne who seemed disinterested before turning back to Felix, “Why would an angel wish to see my Futou?”

“Because I know what you’re doing. I think I found the Crisis that needed solving.” Felix’s high Agility enabled him to swipe the item from the man’s head, and he put it into his inventory in the same, smooth motion.

The boy on the throne shook his head for a moment and then stared angrily. “Komaro! What is the meaning of this?”

The old man cursed and turned around. Felix stepped up behind him and put his knife to the man’s throat as he gripped the top of his head with the other hand, “No sudden movement. Answer his question.”

The young boy stood up, and flanked by several guards, walked down the steps from his dais until he stood a few feet away. “I trusted you, and this is how you repay me? My father trusted you to watch over me.” He looked at Felix, “Release him to my men.”

Felix let the man go and he tried to make a run for the door, only for Roy to swiftly punch him in the stomach as Tinuriel tripped him. He collapsed into a heap before guards descended on him, carrying him off as he screamed about getting revenge.

The boy bowed slightly, “My thanks, Versewalker and Angel.”

Felix put the knife away, “Of course. You would be Lord Ashigura?”

The boy nodded and ascended his dais once more, taking his seat and looking out at his Court. “I command every loyal courtier to go to the vestibule and strip their weapons, armor, and clothing. Guards will then examine those for magic items.”

[Crisis: Heficyre – Assist the Northern Court of Ashiyoko on Ryūganaru, The Renowned Realm – Solved!]

[You have earned a Multiverse Charge]

Felix bowed slightly, “Happy to help.”

“I must reward you for helping. May I have that Futou?” Felix reached into his inventory and handed the hat to a guard. “My thanks. I shall award each of you a sum of money.” The young boy snapped his fingers and several boxes were brought out.

[Loot Obtained]

·         Local Currency: Converted to 2000 VC.

“Pleasure helping.” Felix bowed and the group was escorted out and back to their cart, being given their weapons back. Roy hoisted the chest holding his and Melanie’s loot, while Tinuriel handed hers to Felix.

“You’re using it more than I am. And you can buy me new items.”

[Loot Obtained]

·         Local Currency: Converted to 2000 VC.

Roy turned to Felix, “I don’t know what all you talked about there, but it worked out, it would seem.”

Melanie clambered up on the cart and nodded, “You solved whatever it was quickly.”

“Honestly? These Crises are pretty easy to deal with.”

I don’t think they are all going to be so easy. The next one is preventing a whole Empire from collapsing on the Tier above us.

The group made their way to The Great Lift and waited in line to ascend. They were there for several hours, waiting their turn, and purchased some food and drink from the various vendors passing by.

“Tell us a bit about the Empire, Roy,” Tinuriel said as she munched down on a haunch of meat.

“Invictus proper – Tier five – is called The Imperial Interior. The Invictus Empire has outposts on many Tiers. I’m surprised you haven’t seen any on your ascent from Avelion.” Tinuriel raised an eyebrow, and he continued, “Well, everyone knows the Elves left to travel to their forest kingdom.”

Tinuriel swallowed down a hunk of the meat, “That is fair. The exodus happened long ago, though.”

“Why hide the ears?” Melanie asked as she nibbled on some sugary treat.

“It prevents staring. And, sometimes, aggression.” She continued to munch down on the haunch of meat.

Felix looked at Roy, “Tell us more about where we’re going. If it’s on the verge of collapse, you must have seen some things happening.”

Roy frowned slightly, “I wasn’t completely honest with why I was allowed to leave.” He looked away towards the lift, “I was in a relationship with my superior. It was found out. Either I could leave, or she could. She had a higher position, and I loved her…so I left her. That’s when I met Melanie and Traker.”

“So, you can’t tell us much about what might be happening. Guess we’ll have to rely on Lucifer querying the System once we arrive.”

If it works. I swear, the Administrator is messing with me still.

You saw the Crisis indicator thing the last two times. Why would it be any different once we get there?

Just a hunch. An enormous, multi-tier spanning Empire? And we are going into their heartlands? I have a feeling that we are going to get involved in something big.

Roy smirked, “What I can tell you is a bit about where we are going. The Great Lift has a standing garrison of ten thousand men, and there is a large, main road that runs through The Amber Divide – where I grew up before being tested and taken for training. Then, we arrive at another lift called The Dark Ascent which goes up to Tier four, Dirge. The main road goes around the cliffs leading up to the next Tier, and there are many districts, each approximately fourteen-thousand square miles.”

“It’s a big Tier,” Melanie added as she licked her fingers clean of the sweet treat she had just finished.

“And,” Roy slapped his hand on the covered statue atop the cart, “We get to deliver this to Hearthstone, the Capital. It’s a megalopolis. The best of the best are invited to live there.” He had a distant look in his eyes for a moment, “Including Roxanna.”

Tinuriel smirked, “The woman you left your career for?”

He nodded as a small smile graced his face, “Yes. Roxanna Highsword. She is the Grand General.”

Melanie gasped slightly, “That’s the highest position in the military! You were sleeping with her?!”

Roy leaned back and smiled, “Yeah. I’m a skilled swordsman. I caught her attention with my prowess.”

He is quite capable. He was benching a lot of weight.

Didn’t need to know that. Wait - you guys were lifting?

Hell yeah. It's a great way to pass the time when you don't have to sleep.

Their turn on the lift came and the sun was high overhead as they crested the cliff to Tier five. “Invictus, The Imperial Interior,” Roy said with pride as they emerged and went into the enormous town.

They were unimpeded as Roy held up some type of identification whenever a group of guards began to approach and inquire about their business. Felix asked to take a look at it, and it was some type of quest slip. “When I left, Roxanna gave me a lead on this job. I suddenly needed money, so I figured, why not?” He gestured to Melanie, “Then I came across her and Traker descending the Tiers, and they were trying to evade those assassins.”

Felix looked around suspiciously, “Should we anticipate another attack?”

Roy shook his head, “Probably not in the city. When we get into The Amber Divide and are in between farming villages? Yes. I’d expect it.”

More assassins mean we might get one alive and can figure out why they’re coming after Melanie.

If she’s from Tier one, then maybe if we help her with getting whatever objective she has completed, she can help us find this Soul Spire and reach the top.

They exited the town as darkness began to fall. The cool wind blew through the rustling fields of crops, and the moonlight provided plenty of illumination. Felix stared up at the stars, in awe of the new sky he was looking out on.

Tinuriel scooted over next to him on the cart and nudged him, “What are you looking at?”

He gestured, “The stars are so different. The moon is enormous. There’s not a black void of space. It’s that deep blue of an ocean.” He glanced over to her and smiled, “I knew that traveling the Multiverse would let me see some amazing places, but I haven’t taken the time until now to just look up at the sky at night.”

She leaned towards him a little, letting her hand brush his for a moment, “It is beautiful. We don’t appreciate it enough.”

Felix looked over at her and the two smiled gently at each other. Her blue eyes were piercing and drew him in closer.

Incoming!

Felix’s head snapped back, and he felt a horrible pain. Everything went black, and then his vision came back in one eye. Tinuriel gasped out of shock. He reached up and felt a wooden spike lodged in his eye.

[Final Stand Activated]

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