Ch. 15 – Invictus (I) (Patreon)

Lucifer!

Already on it! Regenerate.

Felix pulled the crossbow bolt out of his eye as his Vigor drained to increase his Health. Thanks to Regenerate being at Rank 2, his obliterated eye was restored, as was whatever part of his brain was mush.

Felix grabbed Tinuriel and got to the other side of the statue as more bolts pinged off of the covered object. Roy grabbed Melanie and threw her down into the small foot space that was somewhat covered in the front of the cart. A few crossbow bolts bounced off of his armor as he stopped the cart and leaped down.

“What’s effective crossbow range?!”

Tinuriel activated her ring and vanished, “One-hundred fifty feet for a marksman. One hundred feet or less for untrained.” He heard her footsteps dashing away into the crops on one side of the road.

“Detect Hostiles.” The golden lines shot out and limned several hidden figures in the tall crops, just off the side of the road. He only spent enough Anima to go two hundred feet out.

There were twelve assassins spaced around either side, hidden within the crops. “Lucifer, can you use Affinity Empowerment to let me use Detect Weakness in an area instead of a single target?”

Yes. Going to switch to your bow?

Yes. “Detect Weakness.”

Affinity Empowerment. I have to pump extra Vigor into it.

The golden circles appeared on the usual spots for humanoids, and Felix swapped to his bow, jumping off the cart as he dodged a few crossbow bolts. He had no type of dark vision, and the only guidance for his shots were the golden circles. But it was enough as he loosed shots at several of the weak spots. Gurgling and brief shouts were enough to tell him that the targets had gone down. That, and the golden circles vanishing from their bodies.

He heard more screams and saw some viscous substance flying upwards, and the rhythming ‘tings’ of bolts bouncing off of Roy’s armor. Making his way to the other side of the cart, he saw that Roy was just covering Melanie. Felix activated Ghostwalk...

...and got up close to the assassins in the crops. He drew his dagger and killed them, one by one, and used his Show Mercy Talent twice to leave them barely alive, sticking an arrow point down to mark their location.

Tinuriel barreled across the road to the side Felix was on. She unerringly ran towards the last assassin, slicing him clean in half. “Is that it?!” she roared out.

Felix nodded, “That’s all I detected. Is everyone okay?”

He heard Tinuriel open a vial and heard the satisfied ‘ahh’ after, along with a grunt and a clatter of wood. “Now I am.” Felix dragged the two unconscious ones to the cart. “Roy, you good?”

Roy got up and helped Melanie up, “Yeah, we are okay. Thanks for taking them out.”

Tinuriel walked off into the crops and dragged every corpse back to the road while Roy lit a torch. “Can you see in the dark?” Felix asked his elven companion.

She nodded and crossed her arms, “Yes. All elves can.” She pointed to the two unconscious ones, “I assume to interrogate?”

“Yeah,” Felix said as he pulled them upright against the wagon wheel. “Got any rope?”

Tinuriel dug around in her sack and pulled out a length of thin cord, “The best kind of rope.” She helped Felix tie the two up as Melanie and Roy came around.

Felix tapped one of the men on the cheek until he woke up. He struggled against his binds for a moment before relaxing and chuckling a little, “Not sure how you survived a bolt to the head, but looks like you beat us.”

Tinuriel knelt and looked at the man, gripping his face and turning his gaze from her by force. “You are pathetic.” She let him go and he cackled in response.

“Who wants Melania dead, and why?” Felix asked. The assassin chuckled and gritted his teeth, grinding them back and forth for a moment before white foam escaped his mouth and he expired. Felix backed away out of instinct, “Poison? He killed himself?”

Roy leaned down to the other assassin who was still unconscious and fished around inside his mouth with a few gauntleted fingers before pulling something loose. It was a small capsule. “Seems like they would rather die than give up their employer.” Felix slapped the other one awake. The man gave a look of shock for a moment before his face hardened. Roy held up the capsule in front of him, “Looking for this?”

The man shook his head, “Fine. You got me. What do you want?”

Melanie walked in front of him, “I want to know why you’re trying to kill me.”

He grunted, “I’ll never tell.”

Tinuriel pulled her sword out once more, “Felix, tie a cord tight, right at the shin.”

“We’re not torturing him,” Felix replied as he stood up. “I won’t be a part of that.”

Tinuriel sighed, “Then what do you suggest?”

Roy looked at Felix, “Just step away with Lady Melanie. Let us deal with extracting information.”

Felix grabbed the princess’ hand and pulled her to the other side of the cart. The screams of pain reached their ears after a moment, and Melanie sat silently, staring ahead down the road. “It must be done,” she muttered.

After the screams subsided and became sobs, Roy and Tinuriel returned to the front of the cart. Roy smirked, and there was a dark gleam in his eyes, “He didn’t give up his employer, but he did give up their safe house. It’s in Etheria. We can go through it on our way to Hearthstone.”

Felix hopped off the cart and looted the assassins, holding his hand over them as the brief golden flash flared out.

[Loot Obtained]

·         Heavy Crossbow (x12)

·         Crossbow bolt (x94

·         Dagger (x12)

·         Local Currency: Converted to 400 VC.

Want me to sell the junk?

Can you do that?

Now that we have a storage of some type, it looks like I can take stuff from the inventory and sell it right away. Buying, though, you have to do at that terminal.

Yeah, let’s sell-off that crap.

[Loot Sold]

·         Heavy Crossbow (x12)

o   600 VC

·         Crossbow bolt (x94)

o   78 VC

·         Dagger (x12)

o   110 VC

[Monies Dispensed]

·         788 VC

[Experience Awarded = 40]

[Congratulations! You have reached the Experience threshold to level up! Speak with your Versewalker Core when you are ready to Choose your next Class.]

Let’s do Fallen Angel again.

You got it.

[Selection Made: Fallen Angel]

[This is your 5th level in this Class. You gain access to a new Class Skill]

Finalize. His body felt cleansed like he had just exited a sauna. Refreshed.

Tinuriel and Roy rummaged through the bodies and came up empty for any clues. Felix looked up at Melanie, “I think we ought to discuss what happened to bring you down here.”

She looked terrified and clammed up, shaking her head. “Not out here.”

“Then we wait the four hours, go into the VBV, and you tell us there.”

She nodded, and Felix sat on the back of the cart while Tinuriel kept a close watch.

Thankfully, the four hours passed without issue, and they entered the VBV.

As soon as they were inside, Felix went over to the hourglass and shifted the passage of time to make it so that the outside world would slow down in comparison to his VBV. “Okay. Time to talk.”

Melanie shakily sat at one of the tables and put her head in her hands, “I’m-I’m royalty. Melanie Parslia Ventorus Remarda IV.”

Felix glanced at Roy who shook his head, “Alright then,” Felix muttered. “So, you’re being hunted by what, an angry relative?”

She nodded, “My father was murdered. He was on a business trip in Mercantus.”

“Let me guess,” Lucifer said as he unmerged from Felix. “Your father was named Billiam III?”

Melanie looked up and nodded again, “How…How did you know his name?”

Lucifer looked at Felix, “Crises have a way of finding their way to Versewalkers.” He glanced over to Melanie and Roy, “Versewalkers, as you call them.”

Tinuriel spoke up, “Does that mean that Roy here will have something to do with preventing the Imperial Interior from collapsing?”

“No idea.”

Felix sat next to Melanie and put a hand on her back, “So your father was murdered, and I’m going to hazard a guess – your relatives fought for his place.”

“Yes. Women can inherit equally on Ethdellin.” She shivered slightly and leaned in towards Felix, “My mother was killed, she would have been next in line. Then me…I fled with the help of my maid…she…she…” She buried her head into Felix’s shoulder and cried. He just held her gently, feeling the same sense of protection as he had when he would hold his sister’s hand and let her lean on him as she cried in post-operative pain.

Tinuriel came over and squatted next to Melanie. “We find out who killed your father, we can kill them. That’ll keep you safe, and you can take over…whatever it is.” She looked up to Felix, “Come to my quarters later.” She walked away, as did Lucifer and Roy who headed towards the Recreation Room.

Felix sat there for another good chunk of time until Melanie composed herself. “Thank you for caring enough to help. I know I haven’t been useful on the road so far. But I promise. If you help figure out who killed my father and get me back home…I’ll help however I can.”

“I’ll need to reach the top of the Soul Spire. Is that something you could help with?”

Her face went white for a moment before she nodded, “The top of the Soul Spire is right next to the Heavenly Realms. You’d be able to talk to the gods.”

“I just have to reach the top. Nothing in the Crisis description about going into some heavenly place.”

“I’m going to go to sleep.” She gave Felix a hug, “Thank you for being kind.” She got up as he did and they both went their separate ways.

Felix went to Tinuriel’s quarters and knocked at the door. She opened it, wearing a set of pajamas. “Lucifer helped me pick these out. Come, you are sleeping with me tonight.”

“Wha?” Felix blushed, “I mean, I’m not going to say no-”

“Not like that. As a prospective partner, I need to know if we are bed-compatible. That means we sleep in the same bed, clothed.”

Elves are very thorough in picking their partners.

I appreciate the advice, but don’t you have something else you’re doing?

I can multitask.

Felix nodded, “Okay if you say so.” He quickly changed and lay in bed with her, awkwardly hugging one side of it as she fell asleep almost instantly.

This is weird, he thought.

Elves are meticulous because of their long life span. Just wait for her to choose to cuddle up to you.

Since when did you become an expert on elves?

Lucifer chuckled, Since I saw that glimmer of passion between you two - the System gave me information on elven mating practices. When you’ve dealt with mortals enough, you get used to the signs. Now, if you’ll excuse me...

Felix got comfortable and shut his eyes, trying to let the sounds of the soft wind outside lull him to sleep. But he couldn’t sleep. Now that he was in a safe place, he thought back and felt the bolt thudding into his head again. The sudden darkness before he was brought back to the brink of death.

I died, didn’t I?

Your Health hit zero. So yes, you died.

Felix put his arm over his head and felt a deep pang of fear. He felt just like he did when he was dropped on the Death World. When he was fighting that bear creature. The sense that his own end was just around the corner and had been narrowly avoided. It resonated through him and shook him to his core. He could die at any minute out there, outside of this place.

I’m sorry. Death must be scary. If it makes you feel any better, I was terrified when that bolt came out of nowhere.

It’s not the same. Felix rolled over onto his side. You won’t die. You’ll just go back to another Versewalker Core like you said.

That’s true. I’ll never know what fear of death is like. But I can promise you I’ll do everything in my power to keep you alive.

…Thanks for that.

You’re welcome. Now, go to sleep.

Lucifer was doing something that filled Felix with a sense of self-confidence, and that was enough to help overcome the feelings of fear. Enough to fall asleep, at least.

Morning came and Felix was surprised to find Tinuriel had snuggled up to him in the middle of the night and was draped partially across his torso and above him – her larger build making him the little spoon by default. “Morning,” he whispered.

Her eyes snapped open, “I’ve been awake for hours.” She sat up and got out of bed, stretching, “You passed that test. You did not thrash about during your slumber, nor were you clinging to me.”

Felix blushed a little and got up as well, doing his morning stretches before re-equipping his gear. The duo exited the house and bought breakfast from the Shop, setting the table up for everyone as they emerged from either their house or the Recreation Room. The two started into their meal – waffles with plenty of syrup and bacon on the side, along with plenty of coffee which Tinuriel initially grimaced at, but when the caffeine hit, she drank cup after cup.

Eventually, Melanie came out of the guest quarters and joined them. Last was Roy and Lucifer, who were both seemingly exhausted once more.

“You two need to lay off,” Tinuriel commented.

Roy shook his head, “He’s been teaching me something called a power squat. We have been – how did you put it?”

“Pumping iron,” Lucifer said with a chuckle. “And we took some breaks to soak in the hot tub and sauna.”

I told you, I’m not into non-Angels like that.

“Did you get any sleep?” Melanie asked.

Roy shrugged, “A little. What’s this delicacy?”

The four dug into the meal with gusto before ensuring their equipment was all ready. Felix went to the Shop and purchased some items from the consumables section.

[Items purchased]

·         <Rank 1> Health Elixir (x5)

o   500 VC

·         <Rank 1> Anima Elixir (x5)

o   500 VC

·         <Rank 1> Vigor Elixir (x5)

o   500 VC

[Monies Paid]

·         1500 VC

[Current Balance]

·         4,988 VC

He gave one of each type to his party members, leaving two of each for his inventory. They exited the VBV. And immediately were accosted by several Imperial troops in heavy armor, wielding pikes.

“Halt!”

The group came to a stop, and Felix activated Fallen Flight to manifest his wings. “It’s okay, I’m a Versewalker.”

The soldiers glanced at each other with hesitation before Roy held up his quest slip. “Right,” the lead soldier said, his armor slightly adorned with gold epaulets. “But that doesn’t explain the pile of corpses.”

“Damn, we forgot about those,” Tinuriel muttered.

“They were assassins,” Melanie said, speaking up and standing atop the cart. “I am Melanie Parslia Ventorus Remarda IV, from Ethdellin. These men attacked us in the night, and thanks to the Versewalker, and my two bodyguards, we were able to survive. We retreated into the Versewalker’s personal realm to rest after the ordeal.”

The guards looked at each other once more, and the commander ordered them to stand down. “What you say sounds true. That, combined with the quest writ, and that grey portal led to no other conclusion.” He waved his men to come and gather the corpses. “You said assassins. Is Emperor Lothar in any danger?”

Roy shook his head, “No. They’re after Melanie. Not him.”

The commander nodded, “Very well. You seem capable enough of handling yourself, so I won’t spare the men to provide escort. Be safe.”

The guards trundled off down the road back towards The Great Lift, and the party went towards the enormous cliffs in the distance. As the day continued onward, Roy grew more fidgety, glancing up at the cliff face above before turning away and trying to distract himself. Felix sat next to him on the cart, “What’s wrong?”

Roy shook his head, “It’s Dirge. Tier four. The Dark Lord’s desolation. Whenever I’m near it I feel…gross on the inside. Like something is wrong. I’m sure it’s just the curse on his lands.”

We do know he’s the Dark Lord reincarnated. But it seems like he has no clue.

And we have to revive him. But isn’t he already alive? Felix thought to Lucifer.

Maybe that means a spiritual revival of some sort? Perhaps we get him to some significant location up there to complete the Crisis?

Maybe…but wouldn’t that be violating his free will to an extent?

Lucifer did not respond to that question. And that lack of response spoke volumes to Felix.

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