Ch. 38 – Ethdellin (I) (Patreon)

The old man’s form shifted and sitting in front of them was a young man with sparkling, blue skin that looked like the night sky. “I’m Geteus, the god of Magic.”

Called it.

“Good to meet you,” Felix replied as another chair appeared next to him. Tinuriel hesitantly sat down in that one.

“Well, you did what I asked. You not only provided the magi who wished to leave the Colleges with their place to practice, but you also cleared the Dungeon that was the root of the current strife on the Tier.” He clapped, and a bunch of other clapping hands made of spectral energy joined him in applauding the two. “As promised, I’m going to give you an Affinity. A Legendary one.” Geteus raised his hand and the sparkling, blue magic swirled around Felix before being absorbed by his body.

He just gave you a new Affinity. The System is classifying it as Anathema. Basically, you’ll be able to shut down other Magic or Powers.

“Thanks,” Felix said as he bowed his head.

The deity looked to Tinuriel, “I wouldn’t forget about your Escort either. You can’t use Magic, but I can give you something that will help you against it.” He waved his hands, and her Berserker Collar turned a shimmering blue color, contrasting and standing out from the new, red-scale armor. “This will make it so that your Berserker Collar not only increases your power the more injured you are, but you will also resist Magic the more injured you are.”

Tinuriel bowed her head as well, “My thanks.”

“What about me?” Lucifer asked.

Geteus chuckled, “Well, the Summon talks. I suppose I can do something for you. But I’ll need to know what you are.”

“I’m a fallen angel.”

“Interesting…Hmm.” He held his hand up to his chin and looked puzzled. “If I give you something, it will go to Felix here since you’re a part of him.” He scratched his head, “I can’t really think of anything.”

“How about you add a feature to our VBV.”

“Tell me more about it.”

“Give us a few hours, and you can come in.”

“Passage of time? I can accelerate that in localized space.” He snapped his fingers and the VBV opened next to the trio. Geteus stood up, and gestured, “Please, ladies first.” Tinuriel stood up and went inside, quickly followed by Felix and the god of magic. Once they entered, Lucifer separated from Felix.

“Hi. Lucifer Morningstar.”

Geteus nodded, “I have an inkling of what you want to do. This ‘VBV’ as you call it lacks its own reservoir of Magical energy, and you want me to add one.”

“That’s right.”

The god of magic looked at Felix, “It will require one of these Functions of yours to make it permanent, but I can facilitate this reward for your Summon.”

“Alright, just tell me what I need to do.”

Geteus clapped his hands together as blue sparkling energy infused the air around them before shooting out in all directions. The whole of the VBV glowed sparkling blue for a moment before it faded. “That is the ‘spark’ as it were. Use a Function to allow the spark of Magic to take root. It will then grow in power over time.”

“Lucifer? You know how to word what he’s asking for?”

“Yeah. Here, I’ll do it…Function added.”

Geteus bowed, “My thanks, Versewalker. Glimpsing the Multiverse is always a treat. But my reality calls to me. Take care.” He left through the portal, and Felix willed it to snap shut behind him.

Lucifer let out a gust of air with a heavy sigh, “I haven’t been face to face with a deity in millennia. It’s always jarring.”

“Seems like we handled it well enough,” Tinuriel said as she touched her improved item, the blue sparks flashing off of it where her fingers caressed the metal.

Lucifer nodded, “Yeah. Well, time to rest up. Tomorrow we head up to Ethdellin and Tier 1.” He flew off towards one of the mountains.

“Where’s he going?” Tinuriel asked.

“Probably to think. He was cast out by the God of his ‘Verse. Maybe that encounter just now shook him.” Felix knew that he just had to give the Fallen Angel some space. “Let me restock at the Shop, then we get some rest.”

[Items purchased]

·         <Rank 5> Health Elixir (x4)

o   2000 VC

·         <Rank 5> Anima Elixir (x3)

o   1500 VC

·         <Rank 5> Vigor Elixir (x5)

o   2500 VC

[Monies Paid]

·         6000 VC

[Current Balance]

·         15,050 VC

Felix walked with Tinuriel over to his house and the two took turns washing down before collapsing into bed.

Hey, wake up.

Felix rolled out of bed and yawned. What’s up?

We have a decision you gotta make.

Okay, give me a second to throw some pants on. Felix quickly got dressed and went outside. To his surprise, there was a covered table sitting in front of his house, and several chairs were placed around it with various title placards. Roy, Melanie, and Lucifer were all seated. “Who made this? I didn’t use a Room selection, did I?”

“No,” Roy said. “My ogres made it – they are skilled stonemasons. Come, we have to discuss an issue at hand.”

Felix sat down at the chair with the placard Versewalker in front of it. And this is where I get to manage a kingdom. Feels like a CRPG. “Okay, what am I deciding on?”

Melanie cleared her throat, “There is some tension rising between the more monstrous humanoid races that have moved into the VBV – goblins, ogres, ghouls, that sort of ilk – and the now-arriving humans who have begun to move into the city on the lake.”

Roy nodded, “There’s discontent.” He leaned forward, “It won’t amount to violence thanks to your Function preventing that, but it may cause an exodus of individuals unless actions are taken.”

Lucifer crossed his arms, “You have three options here. Either go with one of the proposals or come up with one of your own.”

“Okay, let me hear them,” Felix said.

Melanie stood up, “I propose to install or build walls – or maybe even reshape some of the mountains – to form a sort of barrier. Separate the various people that are in contention.” She sat.

Roy’s turn, “I believe that we should instead level out everything save for the surrounding mountains in the distance. Get rid of any separation. If people don’t like their new neighbors, they can leave.”

Lucifer shook his head, “I have no opinion on this matter.” He looked to Felix, “So, either come up with your own idea or go with Roy or Melanie’s. I’ll make sure it gets implemented.”

Felix nodded, “I want to get Tinuriel’s opinion.” He got up, went to the house, woke her up, and she joined the group at the table. After he briefly summarized what had been spoken of, she closed her eyes in thought.

“Well,” she started, “I know that my people will not get along with other races. I would go with Melanie’s decision. Especially if we are going to have people from various Universes all trying to live together in harmony, the best way is to give them their own safe space.”

Felix nodded, “Thanks for the input.” He turned to Lucifer, “Let’s go with Melanie’s plan. More separation.

Melanie tilted her head in a small bow, “Thanks. This is the right choice, I’m sure of it!”

Roy shook his head, “Your realm, your choice.” He stood up, “I must return to Dirge to continue reconstruction. Oh, I wanted to mention that Trading Post of yours has been handy in obtaining materials for the rebuilding. My thanks for installing it.” He walked to the portals and vanished.

“How about we take an hour, then we head up to Ethdellin. Sound good?”

Felix and Tinuriel spent most of the time in an amorous repast before gearing up. Felix’s armor had somehow repaired itself, and Tinuriel explained that “Magic items are very hard to destroy for good.”

Lucifer rejoined Felix, and Melanie walked over. “Am I going with you now, or do you want to retrieve me once you get into the Eternal City?”

“What awaits us up the lift?” Tinuriel asked.

“You’ll be on the Eternal Plains. It’s where most of the food is grown. A lot of people who live on Mercantus work there. Then you get to the Eternal City itself. It’s got huge white walls topped with gold, and a single main gate with two side gates. The main one is never opened, most people go in and out through the side gates. Then you have the Pinnacle of the Soul Spire. The whole Eternal City is built atop the Soul Spire itself, but the pinnacle rises to the Heavenly Realms.”

Felix felt a sort of giddy anticipation in his chest. Once he got into the city, that should mean that the last Crisis would be solved. Which meant that he’d get his Observer’s extra reward incentive. That means Tinuriel won’t be as easy to hurt. “How hard will it be to get in through the gates?”

“For you? Not hard. Just flash your wings and tell them who you are. They’ll let you in.” She paused and took a hesitant half-breath before continuing, “I…I’m not going to lie – I’m scared. Terrified.”

Tinuriel shook her head, “We’ll protect you.”

“I have no doubt,” Melanie muttered. “I’m ready to go, if you are ready.”

Felix opened the portal back to where they had departed, and the trio went through. Melanie pulled up a cloak with a deep hood, and the other two at her insistence did the same. They walked through and entered the copse of trees, making their way back to the road and following the path.

Red robed mages were moving past them – carrying the various camping supplies back towards their College. They were talking about the Versewalker who exploded after clearing the Dungeon. They think I’m dead? Interesting.

This could be harmful. We have to make sure we get to Ethdellin before news of your apparent demise does.

Felix encouraged his allies to pick up the pace, and Tinuriel picked up Melanie as they moved quickly – at a brisk pace that the weaker princess could not have kept up with. They made good time, arriving at the lifts just as the sun crested overhead. Felix used Fallen Flight to manifest his wings, and the armored and armed guards at the lift let him and his companions ascend to Ethdellin.

For the first time since arriving on Heficyre, he did not see the imposing height of the cliffs leading to another Tier. This was the top, and the Azure Expanse extended into the eternal sky. Enormous lakes were interspersed with gorgeous, green grasslands and farmland – all perfectly flat. White stone roads made with immaculate precision led the way to an enormous, walled city – white marble topped with solid gold. But more impressive was the white spire, also coated in gold – that ascended above the whole of the Eternal City.

“That’s the palace. It used to be four different towers for the four noble families. But when they intermarried, they combined them,” Melanie explained.

The building continued up for several hundred feet until it stopped. But a single spire of grey and black continued up and into a golden circle flying far above. The Heavenly Realms, Felix recalled. There are literal gods up there.

Lucifer’s emotions swelled within Felix. It always feels…right…being this close to Heaven.

But it’s not your Heaven.

The realms of gods in any ‘Verse feel like home to any servant of a deity. Sure, they may not be my God or live in my heaven…but it feels like a homecoming, regardless.

The trio walked down the large road, passing many young people dressed primarily in rich clothing who were going down the Tiers to Mercantus to spend some obscene number of money. They also passed poorer folks who were moving off on side roads to the various fields. As they got closer to the wall, Felix saw the shanty towns built outside of the Eternal City.

“People who hope to get inside,” Melanie commented. “Some try to sneak their way in. Most try to beg and hope someone from within the Eternal City pities them.”

Tinuriel frowned, “All of that, just to live forever?”

Melanie nodded, “Yes. Maybe it doesn’t mean as much to someone long-lived like you, but we have such short lives in comparison.” She laughed slightly, “It’s one reason why you only see younger folks traveling. Aging only pauses while in the Eternal City. I was raised in a nice manor house over there,” she pointed to one of the large lakes off in the distance. “Then, when I was sixteen, I was moved into the city proper.”

They arrived at the main, massive gate. Surprisingly, it was unadorned. No filigree, no type of decoration save for the golden plating. They went towards one of the side doors – the one that was allowing in those who were richly dressed at Melanie’s insistence. A checkpoint of sorts was set up, and people were being asked questions and screened. Horse-mounted cataphracts were glimmering in full plate that was ornate and gilded. Their mounts were equally armored. Several more troops were on foot, processing the various visitors. And all of them were armed to the teeth.

Their turn in the queue arrived and Felix stepped up, stopping as a guard held up his hand. “Identification?”

Fallen Flight. 

Felix’s wings manifested at the expense of ten Vigor, and he pulled back his hood and mask, “I’m the Versewalker. Saved Invictus from the collapse – you probably heard of me.”

The man frowned, “The one that died on Sirinê? Please. Get lost.”

Felix was stunned for a moment. Why are the wings not convincing enough?

They live next to the Heavenly Realms. Angels probably are a common sight to them.

Fair point. Felix smiled, “What can I do to prove I am who I am?”

The man shook his head, “Don’t matter to me. Bugger off.”

“Now hold on a minut-” Felix started to protest, stopping as the man pulled a large mace from his belt. Almost at once, several more guards pulled weapons and trained them on Felix. He felt the same as he did when he was held at gunpoint in Penny’s hospital room. But he wasn’t helpless this time. He had power. Undetectable Step. Ghostwalk.

He vanished, turning fully invisible – there was no way he could be seen.

The guards looked around, confused. Felix went behind the man with the mace and pulled off his helmet – the object vanishing once he got full control over it. The man wheeled around, but Felix was already ten feet away in a spot with a bit of shadow cast by a guard’s horse, and he deactivated his Skills. “Did you lose something?” He goaded.

The guards wheeled on him. Shadestep.

He teleported from the shadow of the guard’s horse to the top of the wall, using the small bit of shadow in a crenellation as the teleport target. “Up here!” The guards on the wall wheeled to look at him, as did the ones down below. He jumped off and flew down, landing next to his allies and the astonished guards. “Is that proof enough?”

The guard nodded emphatically, “I guess the rumors of your death were wrong.” He waved his hand, and the guards went back to their posts. He put away his mace and went to a small desk in the checkpoint area, coming back with a slip of paper. “Keep this with you. Gods bless, Versewalker.”

Felix smiled and dismissed Fallen Flight, walking into the city with his two companions. Tinuriel got up next to him, “Was it wise to demonstrate your power like that?”

“It was,” Melanie replied softly. “Just watch – we go to a well-known hotel, and I guarantee you that nobles will be inviting Felix to their estates. I know just the place.” She led them down the streets, and with their hoods up they passed unnoticed amongst the masses – despite the attempts of a handful of guards to follow them. Melanie knew every possible back alley route, and she guided them to a four-story building with a gilded front.

We’re on the Soul Spire. That should mean that the Crisis is solved. I don’t know what’s going on.

It said the top of the Soul Spire, right? Felix looked up at the ever-present portal to the Heavenly Realms. The thin, pinnacle of the Spire went up into the portal. I bet we have to get up there to find it. But every other Crisis required us to do something; not just travel somewhere. Does the System have any more information?

There was a small amount of panic in Lucifer’s voice as he replied, No. And that’s what worries me. For all I know, we’ll have to fight some deity that sits atop the Spire itself. He chuckled nervously. The last time I tried to fight God, it didn’t go well.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Next Chapter >