Ch. 16 – Invictus (II) (Patreon)

The four arrived at The Dark Ascent, a walled city at the base of the cliff. The cliff itself only had one structure flush against it – the elevator going up. There was a huge, one-hundred-foot-high wall that was easily twenty feet thick that ringed the entirety of the cliffs leading to the next Tier. Roy explained that the whole of the cliffs leading to Dirge was ringed with walls, and even the different parts of Invictus were split off by enormous defensive walls – they would see a few in a couple of hours.

“Why build walls when you have the giant cliffs?”

“I know that,” Melanie interjected. “Sometimes Tiers that have fallen out of use will collapse. There are tremors for a week as a kind of warning, and then the Tier falls into the prior one.”

Roy nodded and added, “The Emperor is pragmatic. Invictus might be the strongest militarily, but it has a strong defense just in case it or another Tier collapses.”

They also call it ‘pancaking’ when a Tier collapses.

Felix nodded gently, “So the walls are just a precaution.” Roy nodded.

The group turned their cart and upon the presentation of Roy’s quest slip, or Felix’s wings manifesting, they were able to get through any of the several military checkpoints.

Eventually, they saw one of the large walls that cut away from the cliff leading up to Tier 4, and it extended far off into the distance. Roy explained that the walls ran all the way to the edge of Tier 5, and then ringed the whole exterior. The only way up was The Great Lift.

They arrived at sunset in an enormous city on the Western side of the Tier. “This is The Canvas. The whole wedge of the Tier is called Artisan’s Reach,” Roy commented. “This is where people who have a knack for any of the trades or crafts are allocated within Imperial lands.”

“This is the place to buy things is what you’re saying,” Felix clarified.

“Indeed.”

Tinuriel spoke up, “But we have the Shop inside the VBV. Why bother buying things here?”

“She makes a good point,” Felix muttered. He activated Ghostwalk and kept it active, hoping it would make him the last target of the group.

He did not want to be killed again. We should look at better armor in any case, he thought.

The VBV does a bit of a mark-up compared to the ‘Verse that is the origin point for whatever you’re trying to buy.

Felix leaned over to Roy, “Let’s get some new armor at least.”

Roy smirked, “I know just the man.”

They made their way to the Southern side of town and Roy led them to the farthest building away from the town center. It was a cozy-looking cottage with an adjoining long, flat building with several chimneys sticking out of the top.

Roy parked the cart and walked up to the forge door, ringing the small bell hanging outside. A man opened the door and wiped his brow. He had the same hair color and general facial shape as Roy did, but was built like a brick wall. All muscle with a bit of a dad-bod. “Roy! You came home!” He hugged the warrior eliciting a small grunt of pain. “And you brought friends!”

Felix walked up with a short wave, “Hi, Felix Winters. Versewalker. This is Tinuriel of Avelion and Melanie.” Tinuriel waved at her name being mentioned, and Melanie curtsied.

Roy extricated himself from the smithy and clapped a hand on his shoulder, “This is my father. Strom Stromson. Best blacksmith around.”

Strom grinned and gave a small bow, “Welcome to my forge!” he looked to Roy, “I don’t have any food, and your sister is off in Sirinê still. She got offered a professorship!”

Roy grinned, “That’s amazing to hear.”

“How’s your tour in the military going? It’s been a few years.”

Roy’s grin quickly faded, “I…um…we should talk.” He turned to Felix and the group, “Do you all mind waiting here for a little?”

Felix nodded and Roy left with his father to go behind the small cottage. “I didn’t hear mention of a mother,” Felix commented.

Melanie shook her head, “She passed away. His sister is a few years younger, but getting to be a professor in the Mage College? That’s a ludicrously high honor.”

Tinuriel leaned against the wall of the longer building, “Do you think Roy has familial issues?”

Felix shrugged, “Probably not? I wouldn’t imagine it. Unless-”

They heard screaming from the back of the cottage and a few minutes later Roy came around the building looking pale and shaken. He silently made his way to the cart and sat up on it, staring off into the distance. Felix walked over and looked up at him, “I’m guessing he didn’t take the news well?”

Roy just stared off and shook his head slowly. “He…disowned me.” He put on his helmet, but Felix could tell he was just trying to hide his emotions.

The father came around the corner of the cottage with a frown. “Versewalker! A word?”

Felix glanced at Tinuriel and Melanie, “Stay with Roy.” And he walked over to Strom. “Yes?”

“Mind talking inside my forge?”

Felix gestured for the man to lead the way and followed him inside. The older man closed the door behind him and released a deep, pent-up sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sure you’re aware of what Roy informed me about.”

“Yes. Disowning him seems harsh.”

Strom’s face screwed up in anger before dissipating, “I…damn. I had such high hopes. For him and his sister.” He turned to a set of weapon and armor racks bristling with equipment, “At least his sister is accomplishing something.”

“Your son saved Melanie’s life. He’s helping me solve Crises on Heficyre. He’s accomplishing more than just ‘something’.”

Strom grunted in response and turned to face Felix, “There’s always been something off with Roy.” Strom grabbed a hammer and in a sudden fit of rage threw it across the workshop to clatter against something metal, “He threw away his damned career for a woman!”

Felix held up his hands, “Hey, I get it. I know what it’s like to be a screw-up and to have your parents be disappointed. Cut him some slack.”

Strom shook his head, “I doubt he came here just for a reunion.”

“I want to buy some equipment.”

At this, Strom’s expression brightened slightly. “Well, I can help with that.” He gestured to the arrayed weapons and armor. “I have a vast selection.”

“What’s that one?” Felix asked as he pointed to a sword that was prominently displayed. It was an intricate piece of work, blackened and silver metal intertwined together with a fuller that ran the length of the enormous blade.

Strom grunted, “That one? I made it shortly before Roy was born. It designed it in a fit of inspiration that came out of nowhere.” Strom shook his head, “Every time the boy got near it, his attitude changed.”

I bet that if we gave that to Roy, his inner Dark Lord would reawaken.

“How much?”

Strom shrugged, “Five hundred coins?”

“Done. I also want to get a set of heavy armor for my ally.”

“Bring her in here and I can measure her. If you stay the night in town, I can have the adjustments done by tomorrow.”

Felix nodded and stepped outside, calling Tinuriel in. She was measured with a length of cord, and the smith made some notes before he asked what design she wanted. They went with a suit of scale armor with a matching full helm.

“That’ll be seven-hundred-and-fifty coins,” Strom stated bluntly.

“I also want to get something to protect my head. But it needs to be light, like the rest of my gear.”

Strom looked at him with a hand on his chin in thought before he snapped his fingers, “It’ll be expensive, but the best I can do is…” he went to a cabinet and pulled out a key, unlocking the cabinet before pulling out a magnificent set of leather armor with tiny scales all along it, each a deep, crimson color. “Dragonscale Leathers.” He pulled out a hood with a mask that came across the front to provide full protection – unless there was another lucky eyeshot. “This’ll run you two-thousand coins.”

Felix pulled out the VC from his inventory, and they warped into the local currency. “Done.”

Strom took the monies and then measured Felix before smiling, “Pleasure doing business. You can take the sword now. I’ll have your armor adjusted by the morrow.” He handed Felix the sword, and he put that into his inventory. Strom chuckled, “You really are a Versewalker. That sword just vanished when you put your hand on it.”

The two left and joined their allies outside. Roy was still stoic and unreadable in his armor, and Melanie had climbed onto the cart next to him. Tinuriel and Felix hopped up on the cart. “Let’s go a little way away, and I’ll open the VBV for the night.”

Roy mutely followed the instructions, moving the cart a short distance down the road before pulling off to the side.

Felix concentrated and after a while opened the VBV as they all went inside. Wordlessly, Roy began to walk towards the guest houses. Felix ran up to him, “Wait. You need to talk to someone about this.”

Roy’s helmeted head turned to him, and sorrow poured out of him. “I…my own father…” He shook his head and kept walking to the guest quarters.

Felix stood in front of him, “Listen to me. You’re what, twenty-something?” Roy nodded. “Same age range as me. My parents,” Felix sighed heavily and stood up to his full height. “I’m going to tell you something only my sister and I know about. My parents kicked us out. They moved to another country, abandoning us.” He put his hand on Roy’s shoulder, “I know what you’re feeling right now. And you don’t have a sister to turn to for comfort like I did. So let us be that comfort.”

Roy leaned forward and gripped Felix, “…Thank you.”

Lucifer walked up, having split off from Felix once they arrived. “Come on, let’s talk.”

I’m very good at uplifting people. I’ll take it from here. There was a sense of pride coming from him, but not pride in himself. Pride in Felix. Good job keeping him from spiraling into depression.

Thanks.

Lucifer and Roy went into the guest house as Felix turned back to the two ladies who were seated at the table, chatting about something. The conversation abruptly halted when he walked up and sat down. Tinuriel turned to him, “Your parents left you?”

Felix nodded and put his forearms on the table. “My sister’s medical expenses were too much to deal with. They decided to just up and leave instead of taking care of her. They valued their comfort more than the life of their daughter.” Just saying those words and reliving the emotions brought rage into Felix’s gut. And he hated feeling anger.

Tinuriel nodded sagely and put an arm around his shoulder, “And how is she now?”

Felix smirked as the anger fizzled away at the warm touch and sincerity, “She’s being taken care of. I mean, my ‘Verse is time-locked. She’s probably just getting settled in at the new hospital.”

“What did you do in your ‘Verse?” Melanie asked.

“I was learning. Going for higher education. And working odd jobs to try and pay bills.”

Melanie looked quite confused, “What are bills?”

Felix chuckled, “Right, you wouldn’t know what that is being a noble and all that. Think of it like paying to live. You have to pay a bill for your food that is delivered, the pay for your employees is sort of like a bill.”

Melanie shook her head, “Not ringing a bell. Everyone on Ethdellin serves their purpose. Once you arrive on Tier one, you cease aging. Often the noble families will use that as payment for people with promise from the lower Tiers.”

Tinuriel shook her head and chuckled, “The short-lived make some strange decisions.”

“You’re telling me that just being on Tier one means you’re immortal?” Felix asked to clarify.

Melanie nodded, “Mhmm. It’s considered an honor to be there.” She stood up and bowed slightly, “If you’ll excuse me. I’m off to draw a bath and use that amazing ‘bath bomb’ that Tinuriel mentioned.

Felix looked at the elven woman, “What’s your opinion on Melanie?”

Tinuriel shrugged, “She is nobility. They are out of touch. She just wants to get home.” She looked down at Felix, “Thank you for buying me armor. Another box checked.”

Felix raised his eyebrow inquisitively, “Oh? What would that be?”

“Gift giving.”

The next day came and they had breakfast once more and put on their gear. Felix pulled the unique blade from his inventory and held it towards Roy, “Here, this is for you.”

Roy looked at it and his face darkened for a moment. Some shadow – a literal shadow – flittered across his face. “Where’d you get this?”

“Your father’s shop.”

Roy looked at it and slowly reached a hand for it, “I…I’ve never seen it.”

“He said he made it before you were born.”

“I…remember this.” Roy’s eyes glazed over for a moment, “I was a child. Six. I got into father’s smithy.” His hand reached to the blade and slowly traced along the edge, “I…I know this sword.” He gripped the hilt.

The world exploded in darkness.

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