Chapter 23 - Webweaver (Patreon)

Tiberius had finally exited the enormous battlefield and begun his ascent into the mountains. Along the way, he ducked aside and chose to hide himself in the scant shadows under scattered trees, instead of fighting the various patrols.

There’s no point in wasting the material.

He knew that the more he left alive, the more he would have to shape into monsters once he arrived.

Looking up, far off into the distance, he saw the spires of his destination.

The Great Clan stronghold.

Soju.

Fumi’s Clan. Fitting that the Clan she built from the ground up is to be torn down once more. By her own hands this time.

If anything was going to draw the two back to him, it would be this.

But it would take time. Weeks of work, if not Seasons.

He had a whole city to conquer, after all.

And doing so from secret was a monumental task.

Finally, a decent challenge.

The cluster of spiders descended upon the two.

“Bulwark,” Echo muttered as he leaped up high, making room for Fumi.

“Spatial Sever!” She yelled out as she slashed horizontally, the projectile of ripped reality cascading into the night.

Some spiders were impacted, but many either ducked or hopped over the line.

As Echo landed back on the ground he slammed his blade point-down into the dirt, channeling his Quintessence. “Transmute Substance - Worldbreaker!” The razor-sharp shards of the earth spiked upwards and impaled a third of the oncoming spiders.

A flurry of webs flew towards the two adventurers. Thanks to their incredible stats, they were able to dodge with ease. But the battlefield was layered in sticky webs that would slow the two.

The spiders did not appear to suffer the same problem. And they had some intelligence to them, as half the remaining ones split off to engage with Echo and Fumi in melee, whilst the others circled the perimeter, trying to land shots of webbing to incapacitate the two.

Echo came under assault first. He interposed his shield and blocked several sets of razor-sharp pincers and venomous barbs that stabbed towards him. His armor absorbed the hits that came from behind as he was surrounded by the creatures, and he swung with reckless abandon – knowing no matter where he swung, he would carve into one of the creatures.

Fumi was likewise pressed. Surrounded, she continually slashed in all directions – a web of her own made of Tempeststeel, the lightest metal in existence. Her blade was a hurricane, an impenetrable and inexorable onslaught that carved a bloody canyon. But even her immense talent could not overcome the webbing that slowly caught on her and slowed her down.

And then she started to suffer impacts. She did not feel the pain, and kept fighting, reckless and near-maniacal, lost in some battle frenzy.

But Echo felt every impact against her. Every piercing barb, every slicing fang, and even the blunt impacts of the webbing. If not for their innate Poison / Toxin Immunity, he would surely have been incapacitated by the sheer amount of venom coursing through his blood.

He was slowed, as well, and continued to slow as the webbing slowly caked over him.

This isn’t working.

He felt his Quintessence dip lower and lower as he continued to heal from his Regeneration.

Time for another spell.

He followed the steps as he concentrated on his desired effect, flashing back to when Tiberius used the same spell in the cave years ago.

“Firestorm.”

The world exploded into silver, crackling flames that sparkled with crimson motes. The webbing immediately burnt to a crisp, and Echo willed the flames to flow like water – over all the spiders who either were incinerated or turned to flee. Over Fumi – transferring burns to him in the process – to rid her of the webbing. The wave chased the spiders all the way to the forest line, charring all the foliage until he cut off the flow of Quintessence.

Echo knelt, winded, and felt his legs shaking under him as the spiders fled into the forest.

Fumi sheathed her blade and walked over, putting a hand on his back. “Turn off Bulwark when there’s an area Ability or spell.”

Echo nodded and sat on the ground, dropping his weapon and shield next to him as he panted for breath. “Yeah, good call.”

Fumi looked out to the forest line. “Why did they attack?”

“Because we looked tasty?”

Fumi frowned, “No. Animals don’t attack like that. Something's out there."

He sniffed at the air and picked up a scent other than that of nature surrounding them, different, distinct scents of sweat. It stuck out to him, as he had become used to Fumi’s smell by this point.

At least twelve people.

He looked at Fumi and shrugged, "Let's try diplomacy first?"

Fumi nodded and activated Alacrity, vanishing from alongside Echo. "I'll wait to strike."

Echo stood up, grabbing his gear, and hoisting it once more in a ready position. “Come out! Whoever you are!”

A group of twelve slowly emerged from the forest edge in a semi-circle. They were dressed in a variety of leather and clothes woven from the surrounding environment. One even had a series of vines only covering her more intimate parts. They all held either slings, bows, clubs, or staves.

"Halt! Don't make any sudden movements!" A Gold Scale Axan stepped forward slowly, raising a staff. "Where is your ally?”

“What ally?” Echo asked.

“The one that was here a moment ago.”

“Oh…she’s near.” Echo planted his sword in the ground. “Are you responsible for the spiders attacking us?”

The Gold Axan nodded, “Who are you that treads through our sacred forest?”

“Echo Asheron, monster of the Adventurer Guild.”

The individuals surrounding him raised various wooden weapons and shortbows toward him.

"You have committed a grave offense against our circle," The Axan said once more.

Echo frowned, "Defending our campsite is a crime?" He drew his sword from the ground and began to walk forward as the archers let fly.

He raised his shield and easily blocked the flurry – even the dirty shot to his groin. Their shocked expressions made him smile.

"I don't have to be nice; you know. Keep shooting at me and I will lose my temper."

The gold-scaled Axan held up his hands and Echo paused his walk towards them. "What is your business at the northern edge of our circle's territory?"

Echo shook his head, "I'm just passing through."

One of the nearby druids; a Crulon with black and brown coloring, raised her hands and began to incant a spell. The gnarled branch in her left hand began to glow light brown, "Forest, respond to my cry-"

Let's see what sound magic can do.

Echo smiled and rapidly invented another spell, snapping his fingers as his magic manifested. "Sonic Bolt." He intentionally did not put much Quintessence into the spell, trying to keep it from killing the person.

There was a vibration in the air, a small line of sonic energy slammed into the Crulon druid. She vomited and collapsed to the ground.

He shook his head and addressed the Axan once more, "I'm trying to be civil, it’s hard to do that when you lot are so hostile." His bravado was covering for the fact that he was running low on Quintessence. The fire spell had taken a lot out of him due to its large area.

The other druids looked shaken as the Axan ran over to his downed companion, checking her pulse and breathing a sigh of relief. He stood up and turned back to Echo, "You could have killed her...I thank you for your restraint."

Echo nodded and his eyes caught movement behind them. Fumi dashed behind before taking up a ready position. "Why don't you all put down your weapons and I'll make us a meal," Echo proposed.

One of the druids let out a battle cry - a Human with swarthy, tanned skin - and began to pull back his bowstring again. Fumi flashed forward like lightning; smacking him with her sheath as he crumpled. Just as quickly she retreated to the trees. The fallen druid's companions looked around and began to panic.

"I would consider my offer. Otherwise, I'll switch to more lethal means." Echo grinned and winked at Fumi.

The Axan gulped and waved at his allies, "Stand down! Enough. This isn't worth dying over." He looked over to the pile of spiders, "The loss of life is severe…but I understand. And further loss of life wouldn't serve any purpose. I accept your offer."

He dropped the club he was holding, and the rest of the individuals dropped their weapons as well. Fumi - still under the effects of Alacrity - dashed from the trees and gathered all their weapons and staves, leaving them at Echo's feet before taking her place next to him.

To the eyes of the druids, their weapons disappeared and then appeared in front of the imposing figure as someone else materialized next to him.

Echo reached into the pocket dimension, pulling out his supplies to make some food.

The druids hesitantly walked forward, save for the Axan who strolled up with a confident gait, "I am Grove Keeper Gherard. Head of the Forest Shepherds druidic circle."

"I'm Echo. This is Fumi."

Gherard nodded and sat on the ground near the small camp stove Echo was cooking at. "May I ask for a vegetarian option?" Echo nodded and reached into his pocket dimension, cooking up a simple but hearty meal for the whole group.

After the Axan had sat down, the other circle members approached; one of them dragged the unconscious Crulon as well. "What are you?" Gherard asked.

"I'm a monster," Echo said very matter-of-factly. He put an arm around Fumi, "And so is she."

Gherard swallowed and the rest of his compatriots looked nervous as if they were going to take off running. "I…erm. Right. Would I be right in assuming that you were the two creatures jumping through our territory yesterday?"

Fumi nodded, "...Yes. That was training."

Gherard glanced back at his allies and gave them a nervous chuckle, "There's no point in running then. Don't insult our hosts." He turned back to Echo and bowed his head, "Thank you for sparing our lives."

Echo waved his hand, "Don't mention it. But you didn’t have to send those spiders to attack. Why not talk first?”

"But they aren't dangerous!" One of the circle members - a Crulon with pale green skin shouted in anger. "They're cute and cuddly! We were sending them to knock you out so we could see why you were here.”

Echo looked at her, glancing at Fumi seeing her disgusted gaze towards the scorched cluster of arachnids. "Well, Fumi here doesn't like spiders."

"Did you two also deal with an ape-like…thing?" Gherard asked.

Fumi nodded, "Dead and eaten."

Gherard's eyes went wide, and he looked at the two aghast, "You ate it?"

"Just a little," Fumi muttered.

He looked completely disgusted as did the remainder of the circle. Around this time the Crulon that was knocked unconscious from Echo's spell woke up and was filled in quickly by her companions.

"Answer some questions for me, then, while we eat," Echo stated. "How does druid magic work?"

Gherard swallowed, "I can't share that, it's a sacred-" He stopped speaking as Echo shot him a glare that chilled him to the bones; the black eyes seemingly boring into his mind, delving for the answers. "-Erm. I suppose it can't hurt.”

The power of druids was that they did not just have access to their own Quintessence. They could draw it from other parts of the world. One of the four terrestrial prime elements – water, fire, earth, and air. If one was attuned to one of those elements, then they could replenish their Quintessence from that source.

Echo grinned, bowing his head. "Thank you for teaching me." He looked up. "We are going over this mountain to The Dead Scar. We need to find a plant. Maybe you can help us figure out more." He described the flora that Pomentar had told them to find and their quest.

One of the druids raised her hand - the one who was knocked out. "That's Deathvine! I don't know why they'd use it for a cure. Black Scale Axan use it, and if they use it, I doubt it heals anyone."

Gherard nodded, "It is strange that The Queen suffers an affliction only cured with a plant cursed with undeath. But it cannot be helped. We won't harass you any further. However, with your power, we ask that you not harm any more creatures of the Heartwoods."

Echo glanced at Fumi who shrugged. He looked to the circle and nodded, "You have my word." He began packing up the campsite as the circle members gathered their weapons once more and set about some type of ritual to deal with the spider corpses.

"One more thing, Echo." Gherard lowered his voice, "There is a necropolis that is ruled by a Lich; one of the greater undead who retained its mind. Right in the middle of The Dead Scar."

Echo smiled, "Thank you for your warning."

Gherard nodded and looked north towards the mountaintop. "Nothing grows on that cursed land. You know the history, yes?"

Echo nodded, "I read up on it.” He relayed what little he knew – The Void invaded, living things were corrupted into aberrations, but some were half-killed, becoming the first undead. Those undead that survived the Artificial God’s purging fled to The Dead Scar.

Gherard shook his head, "That's some of the story. No one knows the full thing."

He looked at Echo with a hard stare, "You shouldn't put stock in divinity. When I was at the academy in Crux Omega, I found several tomes that were redacted. We weren't given the full story...Keep your wits about you. There are dark things in the deep places of the world. And the Gods have many secrets." He smiled slightly, "Next time you're coming through, just yell at the tree line with your name. We'll hear and guide you through.”

Echo nodded and held out a hand, "I am sorry for the spiders. If I could fix it, I would." Gherard took the outstretched hand and the two shook before the Axan walked away to join his fellows.

Fumi walked up and wrapped her arms around Echo, "Ready to sleep?"

Echo smiled and the two went to the tent, finally having some rest.

Morning came rapidly, and the two bid farewell to the druids as they continued to bury the spiders. Echo cast a few transmutation spells to help make some graves – the least he could do.

But then he turned to Fumi, and at her insistence, he placed his hands on the ground. "Hang on tight. Transmute Substance - Pillar." The ground rose under him and the two launched up into the sky.

The druid circle saw the two ascending and paused their ritual, staring with awe as what should have been a simple, meter-wide pillar was instead a titanic chunk of the earth below that rocketed skyward.

"Who in their right mind let that monster loose?" Gherard muttered.

Rickard was tiring.

The power of his Goddess still swirled within him, but it was running low.

Even her paladins needed rest now and then.

He touched his holy symbol, and vanished from Heimfold, returning to The Sun, Lux’s afterlife.

Several lesser angels waited on his hand and foot, attending to his every need. Taking off his armor, washing him with holy water and sweet herbs.

This is what I deserve for bringing her glory.

Rickard felt immense satisfaction as he was rewarded for his actions in the name of his Goddess. Every desire he could have was attended to. But even that was tinged by a cloud of hatred for the foes of his Goddess.

Especially his most hated foe. The monster in human skin and the bitch that accompanied him.

Echo.

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