Gohvis grabbed the dog by the scruff and pulled him off of Morgunov. Koh thrashed wildly in the Monster’s grasp, jaws snapping at the dragon man’s face until Gohvis flung the animal into the dark, distant reaches of the cave.
Morgunov was not grateful, however. “I don’t need your help.”
“Yes, you do.”
There was a game afoot. Morgunov knew it. Gohvis didn’t care about him. The Monster of the East had no reason to be here, right now. And Morgunov very much wanted to call him out on it. Tell him to stop pretending. To reveal what his true intentions were.
But there was no time for throwing accusations around. And while it was true that he didn’t need Gohvis’ help, what he really didn’t need was Gohvis deciding to join sides with the attackers.
Unfortunately, Morgunov had a feeling that was going to happen sooner or later, regardless.
He kept running. The workshop. Had to get to the workshop. There was something there that would help. He knew that much. He just couldn’t quite recall what it was. He must’ve remembered earlier, when deciding to head there. He just had to trust in his earlier self’s judgment.
That was fine.
The Vanguardians were closing on his position again. The Roberts told him so.
Time to intercept, then. A couple of Mk. IIIs would be sufficient, he decided. Didn’t want to use too many for this. That would reduce their collective observational prowess, which he very much needed.
The Mk. III Robert was ideal for this task for a couple of different reasons. The first was that it had the best ratio of durability and mobility. Not so weak that it could be easily knocked out by one of those Vannie generals, but also not so slow that it could be easily dodged, either. And the second reason was that it carried a particular invention in its arsenal that the Mk. Is and IIs didn’t have access to.
An invention he’d dubbed the Bull Fighter.
Well, okay, Jercash had dubbed it that, but Morgunov had liked the name enough to keep using it.
The Bull Fighter, in short, was a distraction-based tool, utilizing both audio and visual projection technology in order to befuddle opponents and then immobilize them from behind with soul-strengthened net launchers.
For more threatening targets, however, the nets would not serve well as long-term containment. Which, unfortunately, meant that the Mk. IIIs had to use that window of vulnerability to go in for the kill, instead.
A dark serial novel. Set in a modern fantasy world called Eleg. Mature language. Updates every night at midnight PST by ~400 words.
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Sunday, March 31, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
Page 3550
Careful. Had to be careful. A single Mk. V could certainly help out in a big way, right now, but that would be risky, and there were too few Roberts left to be gambling with them.
For the moment, at least.
Needed to wait for his opening. The information the Roberts were relaying back to him was arguably even more valuable than their combat assistance. There were too many threatening opponents to worry about now. Being able to track all of their movements like this was exactly what he needed.
For now, he could just keep sprinting through the labyrinth. Might be a problem, though, if he forgot that path to Karugetti’s workshop.
Yeah. Better play it safe, then. Partition that information off. Give it some extra mental security from the mind flayer.
He felt another bolt arrive. A surge of electric pain through the skull.
A distraction. Nothing more. Easy enough to ignore. Pain wasn’t a problem. The tricks were. The subtle attacks. Those were what he had to pay attention to. The pain was meant to help those sleights of hand elude his notice.
Yes. There you were, Germal. Silent as a shadow, rifling through memories that didn’t belong to you.
OUT!
The cavern trembled with the force of Morgunov’s psychic purge. Rock and dust drizzled from the ceiling, threatening a cave-in, but he just kept going. It was the first time he’d caught even a glimpse of the Liar in there. He couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste.
The trembling grew into a full earthquake, and then the cave-in was no longer just a threat. Truck-sized boulders crashed down all around him--even on top of him.
And still, he ignored them. It didn’t matter if he ended up buried. He could dig his way out later.
Germal was all that mattered now. Morgunov had grip of a thread. A psychic line leading back to the slippery bugger. Just a few seconds more.
Ah, but now was precisely when the protector would--
Yes. The wolf’s jaws came through the boulders with drilling force, and Morgunov had to stop and catch them with both hands, invoking the Grip’s strength again. Thankfully, he had a glove for each hand.
Yet even still, it was barely enough power to keep that black maw from closing down on him. Morgunov was struggling. And he knew that he didn’t have time for a stalemate here. A stalemate was as good as a loss when so many others were gunning for him.
For the moment, at least.
Needed to wait for his opening. The information the Roberts were relaying back to him was arguably even more valuable than their combat assistance. There were too many threatening opponents to worry about now. Being able to track all of their movements like this was exactly what he needed.
For now, he could just keep sprinting through the labyrinth. Might be a problem, though, if he forgot that path to Karugetti’s workshop.
Yeah. Better play it safe, then. Partition that information off. Give it some extra mental security from the mind flayer.
He felt another bolt arrive. A surge of electric pain through the skull.
A distraction. Nothing more. Easy enough to ignore. Pain wasn’t a problem. The tricks were. The subtle attacks. Those were what he had to pay attention to. The pain was meant to help those sleights of hand elude his notice.
Yes. There you were, Germal. Silent as a shadow, rifling through memories that didn’t belong to you.
OUT!
The cavern trembled with the force of Morgunov’s psychic purge. Rock and dust drizzled from the ceiling, threatening a cave-in, but he just kept going. It was the first time he’d caught even a glimpse of the Liar in there. He couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste.
The trembling grew into a full earthquake, and then the cave-in was no longer just a threat. Truck-sized boulders crashed down all around him--even on top of him.
And still, he ignored them. It didn’t matter if he ended up buried. He could dig his way out later.
Germal was all that mattered now. Morgunov had grip of a thread. A psychic line leading back to the slippery bugger. Just a few seconds more.
Ah, but now was precisely when the protector would--
Yes. The wolf’s jaws came through the boulders with drilling force, and Morgunov had to stop and catch them with both hands, invoking the Grip’s strength again. Thankfully, he had a glove for each hand.
Yet even still, it was barely enough power to keep that black maw from closing down on him. Morgunov was struggling. And he knew that he didn’t have time for a stalemate here. A stalemate was as good as a loss when so many others were gunning for him.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Page 3549
He wanted greatly to stay and show the beast what for, but he knew better. The battle that had taken place back at his workshop had illustrated that point for him.
It had not gone in his favor, to say the least. In fact, it had only gotten worse and worse as things drew out.
First, there was Rasalased’s supposed sister hassling him via the new tattoos. Then there was the blasted dog, hunting him down incessantly. Then there was Germal, to boot--that mind flaying bastard.
And to top it off?
Damian Lofar had showed up, too. That one, Morgunov had actually been quite pleased about.
At first.
He’d been hoping that Damian might’ve somehow been alive all these years, but clearly, the lad had not been harboring similar feelings for his beloved mentor. The first thing the old boy had done was free Parson Miles. Along with the other captive Vanguardians.
And that was really when things began to go south. Iceheart and all those angry little generals joining the fight, even in their debilitated states, was not something that Morgunov had a good time dealing with.
Or had he?
No, that was wrong. He’d been having fun, hadn’t he? A thrilling encounter with his life truly at risk for the first time in countless years.
Nibas had loved it.
Rgh. Morgunov shook his head as he ran. Tricks and confusion. Right now, he needed to focus. Maintain the link to the Roberts. Their numbers had been severely culled by now, but they were still one of the best remaining cards up his sleeve. How many could he sense? Twenty-three? Twenty-four.
Rough. Hopefully, more survived elsewhere, out of range.
He knew he’d have to be sneaky with them. The Vanguardians had grown wise enough to avoid them rather than fight, which was annoying, but it was the dog that was the biggest threat to his poor Roberts. That son of a bitch could just shrug off their attacks and bite through their tempered metal hulls as if they were made of meat.
In that respect, it was actually a good thing that the wolf was so obsessed with hunting him down. It meant that Morgunov didn’t have to go out of his way in order to keep the animal’s attention. He could more easily focus on having the Roberts harass the softer targets with guerrilla tactics.
It had not gone in his favor, to say the least. In fact, it had only gotten worse and worse as things drew out.
First, there was Rasalased’s supposed sister hassling him via the new tattoos. Then there was the blasted dog, hunting him down incessantly. Then there was Germal, to boot--that mind flaying bastard.
And to top it off?
Damian Lofar had showed up, too. That one, Morgunov had actually been quite pleased about.
At first.
He’d been hoping that Damian might’ve somehow been alive all these years, but clearly, the lad had not been harboring similar feelings for his beloved mentor. The first thing the old boy had done was free Parson Miles. Along with the other captive Vanguardians.
And that was really when things began to go south. Iceheart and all those angry little generals joining the fight, even in their debilitated states, was not something that Morgunov had a good time dealing with.
Or had he?
No, that was wrong. He’d been having fun, hadn’t he? A thrilling encounter with his life truly at risk for the first time in countless years.
Nibas had loved it.
Rgh. Morgunov shook his head as he ran. Tricks and confusion. Right now, he needed to focus. Maintain the link to the Roberts. Their numbers had been severely culled by now, but they were still one of the best remaining cards up his sleeve. How many could he sense? Twenty-three? Twenty-four.
Rough. Hopefully, more survived elsewhere, out of range.
He knew he’d have to be sneaky with them. The Vanguardians had grown wise enough to avoid them rather than fight, which was annoying, but it was the dog that was the biggest threat to his poor Roberts. That son of a bitch could just shrug off their attacks and bite through their tempered metal hulls as if they were made of meat.
In that respect, it was actually a good thing that the wolf was so obsessed with hunting him down. It meant that Morgunov didn’t have to go out of his way in order to keep the animal’s attention. He could more easily focus on having the Roberts harass the softer targets with guerrilla tactics.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Page 3548
Aha. He remembered.
Oh boy, did he remember!
There was an ancient workshop at the heart of this cave system. A workshop that had once belonged to one of the greatest integrators to ever live.
Karugetti the Wise.
In fact, as far as historically revered geniuses were concerned, it was just him and Skapa at the top.
Nibas dreamt of being in that same category, one day. Standing tall, shoulder to shoulder with those giants.
And to think that he’d stumbled upon one of their workshops. Granted, it hadn’t exactly been in the best condition, but still. There’d been a massive crater in it where he suspected that a Fusion Forge once resided. He wanted to put a new one there, both to honor Karugetti and to see if, perhaps, he might be able to discover something interesting about that particular location. A man of Karugetti’s stature probably hadn’t chosen the site of his Fusion Forge randomly. Maybe there was something special about it.
Hmm.
So why hadn’t he ever gotten around to doing that, then? Nibas paused to think. The weird dragon man was saying something again, but Nibas wasn’t listening.
There’d definitely been a reason. He wouldn’t have abandoned such an incredible place without cause, surely.
On second thought, maybe he would have. He was kind of an airheaded guy sometimes, wasn’t he? Easily distracted with new and exciting projects. Too true, sadly. Too true.
No, but there had to have been a reason--
The shaking ground brought him back to reality, and he sensed the attack coming from above.
Tch! Interrupting his important thinking time!
The wolf’s mouth barreled through the cave ceiling, coated in black and as massive as a whale’s. Ready to devour him whole.
Morgunov jumped up and clobbered the beast with a right hook.
The wolf’s teeth nicked his shoulder before it was sent flying into the far wall.
Morgunov landed with a heavy thud on both feet, cracking the ground below him as he flexed his gloved right hand, feeling the power and pain surging through it. That glove was the third generation of the Demon’s Grip, and it had the ability to not just increase the muscle strength of his arm, but also the weight of his entire body, starting from the hand.
At its full strength, which was what he’d just used, that punch should’ve had enough force behind it to obliterate the wolf’s entire body like a popped balloon, but he could already sense the damn dog getting back up again.
Morgunov scowled.
Oh boy, did he remember!
There was an ancient workshop at the heart of this cave system. A workshop that had once belonged to one of the greatest integrators to ever live.
Karugetti the Wise.
In fact, as far as historically revered geniuses were concerned, it was just him and Skapa at the top.
Nibas dreamt of being in that same category, one day. Standing tall, shoulder to shoulder with those giants.
And to think that he’d stumbled upon one of their workshops. Granted, it hadn’t exactly been in the best condition, but still. There’d been a massive crater in it where he suspected that a Fusion Forge once resided. He wanted to put a new one there, both to honor Karugetti and to see if, perhaps, he might be able to discover something interesting about that particular location. A man of Karugetti’s stature probably hadn’t chosen the site of his Fusion Forge randomly. Maybe there was something special about it.
Hmm.
So why hadn’t he ever gotten around to doing that, then? Nibas paused to think. The weird dragon man was saying something again, but Nibas wasn’t listening.
There’d definitely been a reason. He wouldn’t have abandoned such an incredible place without cause, surely.
On second thought, maybe he would have. He was kind of an airheaded guy sometimes, wasn’t he? Easily distracted with new and exciting projects. Too true, sadly. Too true.
No, but there had to have been a reason--
The shaking ground brought him back to reality, and he sensed the attack coming from above.
Tch! Interrupting his important thinking time!
The wolf’s mouth barreled through the cave ceiling, coated in black and as massive as a whale’s. Ready to devour him whole.
Morgunov jumped up and clobbered the beast with a right hook.
The wolf’s teeth nicked his shoulder before it was sent flying into the far wall.
Morgunov landed with a heavy thud on both feet, cracking the ground below him as he flexed his gloved right hand, feeling the power and pain surging through it. That glove was the third generation of the Demon’s Grip, and it had the ability to not just increase the muscle strength of his arm, but also the weight of his entire body, starting from the hand.
At its full strength, which was what he’d just used, that punch should’ve had enough force behind it to obliterate the wolf’s entire body like a popped balloon, but he could already sense the damn dog getting back up again.
Morgunov scowled.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Page 3547 -- CCXCV.
‘Oh?’ said Garovel. ‘Saw something else?’
Before Hector could respond, however, his phone went off. He dematerialized some of his leg armor in order to fish it out of his pants and saw that it was Ms. Rogers calling. He answered it.
<“Lord, there is pressing news from Vantalay. The Rainlords would like to talk to you. Would you mind returning to--?”>
A rustling noise arrived, and then someone else was speaking.
<“We’ve received a very strange offer, Lord Goffe.”> That was Joana Cortes from the sound of it. <“And we would like your opinion.”>
Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Five: ‘An archdemon’s pursuit...’
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)
Nibas clutched his head again, squinting hard as the unwelcome thoughts returned, setting his vision aflame and burning the inside of his skull. Confusion was trying to grip him again. He could feel it. Powerful and tempting. Ancient and inviting.
But he had anger on his side. He would not bend. He still remembered. He still had his walls. Still had himself.
“Morgunov,” came that familiar double-voice on his left. “Don’t forget. Use me as your anchor. The sound of my voice. Hold onto it. Don’t forget.”
Nibas was getting annoyed with him, too. “Stop reminding me. I remember just fine.”
“No, you don’t. You have to trust me, right now.”
“Why should I? You’re not even real! You’re just an illusion, like all the others!”
“Yes, but I’m not your illusion. I’m my own. And I’ve come to help you. Remember? You were in a bad spot until I bailed you out.”
“I was having fun!”
“You were being killed.”
“Which was fun!”
The voice sighed.
Nibas was still having trouble placing it. So familiar. Agh. “What’s your name?”
“Gohvis. Remember.”
“Ah! Gohvis! You came to help me?! No wonder I think you’re an illusion! The real Gohvis would never do that!”
“You of all people should know that there is no such thing as ‘never.’”
“Oho! True enough, I suppose!”
“Circumstances are too complicated, at the moment. Just keep listening to my voice. Trust that I am your ally here. You can still make it through this.”
Nibas shook his head. Yes. Strangely enough, he knew the voice spoke true. They’d had this conversation before, hadn’t they?
How troubling.
Where was he again? A large cave, quite clearly. He strained to recall further details.
Ah, yes. Not just any cave. It was one of his caves. A labyrinthine network that he’d carved out decades ago. No. Centuries? Yes, centuries.
Ehehe. Finally getting to use it, eh? Nice, nice.
Now where had he been going?
Before Hector could respond, however, his phone went off. He dematerialized some of his leg armor in order to fish it out of his pants and saw that it was Ms. Rogers calling. He answered it.
<“Lord, there is pressing news from Vantalay. The Rainlords would like to talk to you. Would you mind returning to--?”>
A rustling noise arrived, and then someone else was speaking.
<“We’ve received a very strange offer, Lord Goffe.”> That was Joana Cortes from the sound of it. <“And we would like your opinion.”>
Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Five: ‘An archdemon’s pursuit...’
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)
Nibas clutched his head again, squinting hard as the unwelcome thoughts returned, setting his vision aflame and burning the inside of his skull. Confusion was trying to grip him again. He could feel it. Powerful and tempting. Ancient and inviting.
But he had anger on his side. He would not bend. He still remembered. He still had his walls. Still had himself.
“Morgunov,” came that familiar double-voice on his left. “Don’t forget. Use me as your anchor. The sound of my voice. Hold onto it. Don’t forget.”
Nibas was getting annoyed with him, too. “Stop reminding me. I remember just fine.”
“No, you don’t. You have to trust me, right now.”
“Why should I? You’re not even real! You’re just an illusion, like all the others!”
“Yes, but I’m not your illusion. I’m my own. And I’ve come to help you. Remember? You were in a bad spot until I bailed you out.”
“I was having fun!”
“You were being killed.”
“Which was fun!”
The voice sighed.
Nibas was still having trouble placing it. So familiar. Agh. “What’s your name?”
“Gohvis. Remember.”
“Ah! Gohvis! You came to help me?! No wonder I think you’re an illusion! The real Gohvis would never do that!”
“You of all people should know that there is no such thing as ‘never.’”
“Oho! True enough, I suppose!”
“Circumstances are too complicated, at the moment. Just keep listening to my voice. Trust that I am your ally here. You can still make it through this.”
Nibas shook his head. Yes. Strangely enough, he knew the voice spoke true. They’d had this conversation before, hadn’t they?
How troubling.
Where was he again? A large cave, quite clearly. He strained to recall further details.
Ah, yes. Not just any cave. It was one of his caves. A labyrinthine network that he’d carved out decades ago. No. Centuries? Yes, centuries.
Ehehe. Finally getting to use it, eh? Nice, nice.
Now where had he been going?
Monday, March 25, 2024
Page 3546
‘Technically, there’s been some variation there, thanks to all the different languages that have arisen over the years, but by and large, yes, the two big names have remained the same. And that’s because of us reapers, I think. We’re not ones to let well-known names go to waste, especially when we see an opportunity to gain power and followers from them.’
“Still. You’d think some would try to branch off and establish their own groups, without all the baggage that comes with the old names, right?”
‘Oh, of course. That’s happened many times, too. And sometimes, those groups grow to be even larger than the Vanguard or Abolish for a while. We’re just in a period of history right now where that is not currently the case. At the moment, the old names are the strongest again.’
“I see...”
‘In any case, we’ve been here for a while now. We should probably head back to Warrenhold before the world explodes again.’
“You didn’t hear my phone going off while I was out, did you?”
‘No. Everything should still be fine.’
Hector took a small breath. “That’s good, at least. Are you sure there isn’t anything else you want to do while we’re here? What about the that mirror?”
‘Well, if you’ve changed your mind about breaking it, then I say we should take a chunk of it back with us. Otherwise, I don’t see what else there is to accomplish here, right now. Unless, perhaps, you discovered some way to activate the Gate’s teleportation capabilities while you were out and have neglected to mention it thus far.’
At that, Hector opened his mouth and hesitated. “Uh... a-actually...”
‘No. Hector, there’s no shot you learned something that important and forgot to tell me.’
“Hey, man, I was confused. And it’s not like I figured everything out. I just saw Rathmore using a Kag to activate the Gate. That’s all.”
‘Ooh. A Kag, eh? Interesting. Those are quite difficult to come by, in this day and age. And if there’s only one Kag in the entire world that fits the Gate, then finding it sounds... rather impossible.’
“Hmm. Yeah.”
‘But perhaps we could ask Abbas to make a new one for us.’
“Oh! You really think he could do that?”
‘Dunno. Worth asking, though. My understanding of Kags is admittedly a bit limited, but to my knowledge, they have quite a bit of variance to them, just like modern keys do.’
“Maybe even more so,” said Hector, thinking back on what he’d seen Rathmore do with it.
“Still. You’d think some would try to branch off and establish their own groups, without all the baggage that comes with the old names, right?”
‘Oh, of course. That’s happened many times, too. And sometimes, those groups grow to be even larger than the Vanguard or Abolish for a while. We’re just in a period of history right now where that is not currently the case. At the moment, the old names are the strongest again.’
“I see...”
‘In any case, we’ve been here for a while now. We should probably head back to Warrenhold before the world explodes again.’
“You didn’t hear my phone going off while I was out, did you?”
‘No. Everything should still be fine.’
Hector took a small breath. “That’s good, at least. Are you sure there isn’t anything else you want to do while we’re here? What about the that mirror?”
‘Well, if you’ve changed your mind about breaking it, then I say we should take a chunk of it back with us. Otherwise, I don’t see what else there is to accomplish here, right now. Unless, perhaps, you discovered some way to activate the Gate’s teleportation capabilities while you were out and have neglected to mention it thus far.’
At that, Hector opened his mouth and hesitated. “Uh... a-actually...”
‘No. Hector, there’s no shot you learned something that important and forgot to tell me.’
“Hey, man, I was confused. And it’s not like I figured everything out. I just saw Rathmore using a Kag to activate the Gate. That’s all.”
‘Ooh. A Kag, eh? Interesting. Those are quite difficult to come by, in this day and age. And if there’s only one Kag in the entire world that fits the Gate, then finding it sounds... rather impossible.’
“Hmm. Yeah.”
‘But perhaps we could ask Abbas to make a new one for us.’
“Oh! You really think he could do that?”
‘Dunno. Worth asking, though. My understanding of Kags is admittedly a bit limited, but to my knowledge, they have quite a bit of variance to them, just like modern keys do.’
“Maybe even more so,” said Hector, thinking back on what he’d seen Rathmore do with it.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Page 3545
‘He joined Abolish,’ said Garovel.
Hector’s brow rose.
‘Went on to do many horrific things after that, though the world seems to have forgotten much of it, just because he did some great things when he was younger. Really bothers me, that.’
Hector was almost afraid to ask, but he had to. “What, exactly... did he do that was so bad?”
Garovel looked up at the sky. ‘He poisoned three countries. Contaminated their water. Created an awful disease and the worst acid rain I’ve ever witnessed. Killed millions in the span of a year or two.’
“Holy fuck...”
‘Yeah.’ The reaper paused. ‘But I suppose, in fairness, I should mention that there is some contention over whether or not he was the one responsible for it. Part of the reason his crimes have been largely forgotten, I suspect, is because there was a lack of proof of culpability.’
“But you believe he did it?”
‘I'd love to be proven wrong, but yes. I think I do.’
“How come?”
‘Because I talked to him, near the end. And while he didn’t explicitly confirm it, he was just... so pleased about the situation. And so insane. He talked about people who’d been dead for half a century as if they were right there next to him. Anicca, in particular. Her death... broke him, I think.’
Hector didn’t know what to say. The pain in the reaper’s voice was not something he’d heard many times before.
Garovel wasn’t saying anything, either, and a heavy silence drew out.
After a while, Hector exhaled slowly and decided to change the subject, if only slightly. “...It’s still crazy to me that Abolish has been around for that long,” he said. “I mean, you’re talking about, like, two thousand years ago, right?”
‘Thereabouts.’
“And they’ve really been at war with the Vanguard the entire time?”
‘More or less. There have been periods of peace between the two, here and there. And there have also been periods when one side seemed to achieve true victory over the other, only for the loser to reemerge years later and continue the fight.’
“Man...”
‘The problem, I think, is that the two sides are more ideologically driven than anything. And ideas are very hard to kill. If not impossible. Even if you manage to wipe out everyone who thinks a certain way, someone brand new could be born who eventually arrives at those same ideas all on their own.’
“Hmm. But both sides kept the name the whole time? Like, every iteration of the Vanguard has always referred to itself as such? And Abolish, too? That seems a little weird.”
Hector’s brow rose.
‘Went on to do many horrific things after that, though the world seems to have forgotten much of it, just because he did some great things when he was younger. Really bothers me, that.’
Hector was almost afraid to ask, but he had to. “What, exactly... did he do that was so bad?”
Garovel looked up at the sky. ‘He poisoned three countries. Contaminated their water. Created an awful disease and the worst acid rain I’ve ever witnessed. Killed millions in the span of a year or two.’
“Holy fuck...”
‘Yeah.’ The reaper paused. ‘But I suppose, in fairness, I should mention that there is some contention over whether or not he was the one responsible for it. Part of the reason his crimes have been largely forgotten, I suspect, is because there was a lack of proof of culpability.’
“But you believe he did it?”
‘I'd love to be proven wrong, but yes. I think I do.’
“How come?”
‘Because I talked to him, near the end. And while he didn’t explicitly confirm it, he was just... so pleased about the situation. And so insane. He talked about people who’d been dead for half a century as if they were right there next to him. Anicca, in particular. Her death... broke him, I think.’
Hector didn’t know what to say. The pain in the reaper’s voice was not something he’d heard many times before.
Garovel wasn’t saying anything, either, and a heavy silence drew out.
After a while, Hector exhaled slowly and decided to change the subject, if only slightly. “...It’s still crazy to me that Abolish has been around for that long,” he said. “I mean, you’re talking about, like, two thousand years ago, right?”
‘Thereabouts.’
“And they’ve really been at war with the Vanguard the entire time?”
‘More or less. There have been periods of peace between the two, here and there. And there have also been periods when one side seemed to achieve true victory over the other, only for the loser to reemerge years later and continue the fight.’
“Man...”
‘The problem, I think, is that the two sides are more ideologically driven than anything. And ideas are very hard to kill. If not impossible. Even if you manage to wipe out everyone who thinks a certain way, someone brand new could be born who eventually arrives at those same ideas all on their own.’
“Hmm. But both sides kept the name the whole time? Like, every iteration of the Vanguard has always referred to itself as such? And Abolish, too? That seems a little weird.”
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Page 3544
“That tracks with what I saw of him,” said Hector. “The way he talked to Rathmore was like...” And he paused, suddenly realizing what words were about to come out of his mouth and thinking twice about it.
‘Hmm? Like what?’
Hector remained quiet for a few moments longer as he thought back.
As he relived something that he didn’t want to.
“...The way Nykeir was acting reminded me of Geoffrey Rofal,” he finally said.
Garovel said nothing, perhaps expecting Hector to elaborate.
Hector decided to do so, realizing something else as well. “I guess... you weren’t actually there for that part, were you?”
‘What part?’
“At the end. My final encounter with him. He was different than before.”
‘You told me about it. I remember.’
Hmm? Oh, Garovel was talking about his father. How Geoffrey had stolen the man’s body. Taunted him while wearing his father’s face. Hector had of course told Garovel about that.
But that wasn’t what he was talking about here. “No, it wasn’t just... that. There was something else different.”
‘What do you mean?’
“Geoffrey's behavior. It was like... he wasn’t just crazy, anymore. He was obsessed. With me. And the way Nykeir was talking to Rathmore... felt very similar.”
‘Ah. I see.’ The reaper paused, hovering nearer the Gate. ‘I know exactly what you’re talking about. I may not have been present for either of the situations you’re describing, but I’ve seen it many times before. That type of... truly malevolent, psychopathic obsession. And as a matter of fact, that’s what happened to Rathmore in the end, too.’
Hector blinked. “He...? He turned out like Nykeir?”
‘Well, without having actually witnessed what you did, I can’t say for sure that they were the same, but from the sound of it, ah... yes.’
“But Rathmore seemed pretty reasonable in the memories. I mean... mostly.”
‘Oh yeah. For a while there, he was a great man. Noble of mind and heart. Level-headed and intelligent. Someone to look up to.’
“So what changed?”
‘Lots of things. It was a slow process over many years, as it often is. But... it was terrible to watch unfold. And terrible to remember, still.’ The reaper shook his skull solemnly. ‘Not being as experienced in these things back then, I was in denial about it for much longer than I should have been. And his reaper--she was even worse than I was. Absolutely refused to see the truth of things, long after it should have been obvious.’
“...What finally convinced you that he was too far gone?”
‘Hmm? Like what?’
Hector remained quiet for a few moments longer as he thought back.
As he relived something that he didn’t want to.
“...The way Nykeir was acting reminded me of Geoffrey Rofal,” he finally said.
Garovel said nothing, perhaps expecting Hector to elaborate.
Hector decided to do so, realizing something else as well. “I guess... you weren’t actually there for that part, were you?”
‘What part?’
“At the end. My final encounter with him. He was different than before.”
‘You told me about it. I remember.’
Hmm? Oh, Garovel was talking about his father. How Geoffrey had stolen the man’s body. Taunted him while wearing his father’s face. Hector had of course told Garovel about that.
But that wasn’t what he was talking about here. “No, it wasn’t just... that. There was something else different.”
‘What do you mean?’
“Geoffrey's behavior. It was like... he wasn’t just crazy, anymore. He was obsessed. With me. And the way Nykeir was talking to Rathmore... felt very similar.”
‘Ah. I see.’ The reaper paused, hovering nearer the Gate. ‘I know exactly what you’re talking about. I may not have been present for either of the situations you’re describing, but I’ve seen it many times before. That type of... truly malevolent, psychopathic obsession. And as a matter of fact, that’s what happened to Rathmore in the end, too.’
Hector blinked. “He...? He turned out like Nykeir?”
‘Well, without having actually witnessed what you did, I can’t say for sure that they were the same, but from the sound of it, ah... yes.’
“But Rathmore seemed pretty reasonable in the memories. I mean... mostly.”
‘Oh yeah. For a while there, he was a great man. Noble of mind and heart. Level-headed and intelligent. Someone to look up to.’
“So what changed?”
‘Lots of things. It was a slow process over many years, as it often is. But... it was terrible to watch unfold. And terrible to remember, still.’ The reaper shook his skull solemnly. ‘Not being as experienced in these things back then, I was in denial about it for much longer than I should have been. And his reaper--she was even worse than I was. Absolutely refused to see the truth of things, long after it should have been obvious.’
“...What finally convinced you that he was too far gone?”
Monday, March 18, 2024
Page 3543
“Huh,” said Hector, feeling abruptly like he might need to elaborate. “But, uh... Nykeir seemed kinda amused by the giant tentacle. Like more amused than worried. He just... sort of stood there and took it. Then it gooped him up and yoinked him away.”
‘“Gooped him up and yoinked him away.” Once again, your word choice continues to impress.’
“Look, I don’t how else to describe it. It was really fucking weird-looking, man.”
‘No, no, I wasn’t saying I didn’t understand. If anything, I’d say you’ve painted quite the picture for me. I’m imagining it very clearly.’
“Oh. Well, good. But anyway, my point was that maybe the Yigorosk wasn’t actually that powerful. Y’know? Considering how unbothered he seemed when it happened? Maybe he survived. In... another dimension or something.”
‘Given everything else we’ve seen lately, I suppose that’s possible. But it’s also been well over two millennia since his disappearance. If he really did live through that, then he probably got killed some other way, else he would’ve almost certainly returned by now.’
“You sound confident about that. Did you... know him personally?”
Garovel allowed that question to breathe. ‘As a matter of fact, yes, I did.’
“Why’d you never mention that you knew an ancient emperor?”
‘Why should I have? He’s far from the only one I’ve ever encountered.’
“Really? How many past emperors have you met?”
‘Oh, I don’t know. A lot. You have to understand: things weren’t always like the stalemate that we have with our current four emperors. There’ve been many times throughout history when the term “emperor” barely even applied, because they were popping up like weeds and dropping like flies. And many, despite how fleeting their time was, still managed to leave quite an impact on the world. In fact, I suspect that was all some of them cared about. Going out with a bang.’
Hector thought a moment. “You’ve really known lots of emperors-class servants?”
‘Okay, first off, you’re making it sound a bit more grandiose than it really was. And secondly, it’s not like I was intimately familiar with them all during the height of their power. Most of them, I met when they were younger. Once they got all high-and-mighty, they were usually out of my reach.’
“Usually? But not always.”
‘...No, not always.’
“So you have known some at their strongest.”
‘Yes. And Nykeir, I’d say... hmm. I knew him when he was quite powerful but not at his strongest, probably.’
“And he didn’t leave a favorable impression, from the sound of it.”
‘He did not.’
‘“Gooped him up and yoinked him away.” Once again, your word choice continues to impress.’
“Look, I don’t how else to describe it. It was really fucking weird-looking, man.”
‘No, no, I wasn’t saying I didn’t understand. If anything, I’d say you’ve painted quite the picture for me. I’m imagining it very clearly.’
“Oh. Well, good. But anyway, my point was that maybe the Yigorosk wasn’t actually that powerful. Y’know? Considering how unbothered he seemed when it happened? Maybe he survived. In... another dimension or something.”
‘Given everything else we’ve seen lately, I suppose that’s possible. But it’s also been well over two millennia since his disappearance. If he really did live through that, then he probably got killed some other way, else he would’ve almost certainly returned by now.’
“You sound confident about that. Did you... know him personally?”
Garovel allowed that question to breathe. ‘As a matter of fact, yes, I did.’
“Why’d you never mention that you knew an ancient emperor?”
‘Why should I have? He’s far from the only one I’ve ever encountered.’
“Really? How many past emperors have you met?”
‘Oh, I don’t know. A lot. You have to understand: things weren’t always like the stalemate that we have with our current four emperors. There’ve been many times throughout history when the term “emperor” barely even applied, because they were popping up like weeds and dropping like flies. And many, despite how fleeting their time was, still managed to leave quite an impact on the world. In fact, I suspect that was all some of them cared about. Going out with a bang.’
Hector thought a moment. “You’ve really known lots of emperors-class servants?”
‘Okay, first off, you’re making it sound a bit more grandiose than it really was. And secondly, it’s not like I was intimately familiar with them all during the height of their power. Most of them, I met when they were younger. Once they got all high-and-mighty, they were usually out of my reach.’
“Usually? But not always.”
‘...No, not always.’
“So you have known some at their strongest.”
‘Yes. And Nykeir, I’d say... hmm. I knew him when he was quite powerful but not at his strongest, probably.’
“And he didn’t leave a favorable impression, from the sound of it.”
‘He did not.’
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Page 3542
‘You did, huh?’ said Garovel. ‘Well, uh, that’s neat ‘n all, but still not technically anything new. I’ve already seen Rathmore.’
Hector cocked an eyebrow. “I mean, yeah, but that wasn’t really what I was--”
‘I’m just sayin’. I asked for a new thing, and you gave me an old thing. A been-there-done-that thing. Kinda disappointed in your weird new memory powers, honestly.’
“Garovel, there was more to it than just that.”
‘That’s good. Because I don’t see how just seeing Rathmore’s face would prove helpful at all.’
“...I actually didn’t see his face.”
‘Say what?’
“The memory was, er... I mean, for some reason, people in the memories were all blurry. Faces included.”
‘Wow, so after all that, you still don’t even know what he looks like?’
“Ah--yeah...”
‘Hah! Your new memory power sucks!’
“What the--?”
‘Garovel’s still on top, baby!’
Hector’s face went flat.
‘Go on, ask me something! See how well I can remember stuff!’
In spite of himself, Hector couldn’t help snickering. “You done?”
‘Not really. Feel like I could gloat for another ten minutes, if I needed to.’
“Can we skip that part? I did actually learn some useful things, I think.”
‘Oh, alright. Out with it, then. Astonish me.’
“Agh--don’t build it up like that. I don’t know if it’s that good!”
‘Okay, okay. My expectations are lowering with each passing second. As usual.’
“As usu--?! Fuck is that supposed to mean?!”
Eventually, they managed to actually discuss the subject in question.
‘Hmm,’ mused Garovel for a long moment. ‘So you saw Anicca and even Nykeir here, too. Interesting.’
“And the giant tentacle monster. Don’t forget that. Turns out that thing really existed, after all.”
‘Yeah, I know. I told you that when I first brought it up. What, you didn’t believe me?’
“I mean... not really, no.”
‘Wow. I’m hurt, Hector. Blindly believing everything I say is part of your sacred duty as a servant, you know.’
“Uh-huh...”
‘Gotta say, though. I wasn’t expecting to learn the truth about Nykeir’s sudden disappearance this way. So in the end, he got devoured by a Yigorosk... And a pretty gnarly one, from the sound of it.’
“Gnarly? Were they not all that powerful?”
‘Of course not. Nykeir was probably the strongest servant alive at that time. A normal Yigorosk shouldn’t have been able to touch him. Frankly, while I do find that son of bitch’s death hilarious and well-deserved, I also find this information rather terrifying. A Yigorosk that strong is, uh... not a pleasant thought, given everything else I know about them.’
Hector cocked an eyebrow. “I mean, yeah, but that wasn’t really what I was--”
‘I’m just sayin’. I asked for a new thing, and you gave me an old thing. A been-there-done-that thing. Kinda disappointed in your weird new memory powers, honestly.’
“Garovel, there was more to it than just that.”
‘That’s good. Because I don’t see how just seeing Rathmore’s face would prove helpful at all.’
“...I actually didn’t see his face.”
‘Say what?’
“The memory was, er... I mean, for some reason, people in the memories were all blurry. Faces included.”
‘Wow, so after all that, you still don’t even know what he looks like?’
“Ah--yeah...”
‘Hah! Your new memory power sucks!’
“What the--?”
‘Garovel’s still on top, baby!’
Hector’s face went flat.
‘Go on, ask me something! See how well I can remember stuff!’
In spite of himself, Hector couldn’t help snickering. “You done?”
‘Not really. Feel like I could gloat for another ten minutes, if I needed to.’
“Can we skip that part? I did actually learn some useful things, I think.”
‘Oh, alright. Out with it, then. Astonish me.’
“Agh--don’t build it up like that. I don’t know if it’s that good!”
‘Okay, okay. My expectations are lowering with each passing second. As usual.’
“As usu--?! Fuck is that supposed to mean?!”
Eventually, they managed to actually discuss the subject in question.
‘Hmm,’ mused Garovel for a long moment. ‘So you saw Anicca and even Nykeir here, too. Interesting.’
“And the giant tentacle monster. Don’t forget that. Turns out that thing really existed, after all.”
‘Yeah, I know. I told you that when I first brought it up. What, you didn’t believe me?’
“I mean... not really, no.”
‘Wow. I’m hurt, Hector. Blindly believing everything I say is part of your sacred duty as a servant, you know.’
“Uh-huh...”
‘Gotta say, though. I wasn’t expecting to learn the truth about Nykeir’s sudden disappearance this way. So in the end, he got devoured by a Yigorosk... And a pretty gnarly one, from the sound of it.’
“Gnarly? Were they not all that powerful?”
‘Of course not. Nykeir was probably the strongest servant alive at that time. A normal Yigorosk shouldn’t have been able to touch him. Frankly, while I do find that son of bitch’s death hilarious and well-deserved, I also find this information rather terrifying. A Yigorosk that strong is, uh... not a pleasant thought, given everything else I know about them.’
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Page 3541
In fact, given the relatively close proximity to Warrenhold, Hector began to further wonder if his castle might have some tangential relation to these monuments. Voreese might know more, given that she was Stasya Orlov’s reaper, but from the way that Voreese had talked about her before, Hector had a feeling that the reaper wouldn’t be able to provide many new details. It seemed like, even now, Stasya was still something of a mystery to Voreese.
And as he recalled, Stasya was herself a descendant of the Nykeirian people.
Which was a crazy thing to think about. This fucking prick that had been making Rathmore’s life hell had been such an important historical figure? It felt hard to acknowledge that as even possible, let alone true.
According to Voreese, though, Stasya had not actually been born until after the collapse of the Nykeirian Empire. She’d been “a product of the Mohssian culture,” as the reaper had put it.
Whew. He was feeling a little woozy, all of a sudden. Perhaps he needed a break from this weird-ass memory-diving. And so much the better, since it seemed like he’d reached the end of this memory, anyway.
He opened his eyes again, felt breath in his lungs again, felt his whole body again.
And felt even more woozy, actually, enough to make him stumble backward and fall on his ass.
‘Hector!’ came Garovel’s voice.
Hector had to shake his head a few times before the ground beneath him finally stopped spinning. “Hey, Garovel...”
The reaper gave a silent sigh. ‘Geez. You were gone for quite a while there, buddy. Startin’ to make me worry you’d slipped into another soul coma. I was getting ready to just sit here like an asshole for two weeks, watching you.’
“Ah. Uh. Yeah, sorry about that...” He took his time climbing back to his feet, still feeling a bit drained, like he’d just gotten done with a full body workout. “How long was I out?”
‘A few hours, I think.’
He straightened. “Hours?!”
‘Yeah. Didn’t feel like that for you, I take it?’
“No!”
‘Hmm. Did it feel shorter or longer?’
“I mean, uh--” He had to think about that for a second. “Shit. I only looked at, like, two memories...”
‘So shorter, then.’
“Ugh. I guess I should be more careful about doing that again in the future. I didn’t intend to spend so much time on this.”
‘Well, did you at least learn something new?’
Hector looked at the reaper. “I saw Rathmore.”
And as he recalled, Stasya was herself a descendant of the Nykeirian people.
Which was a crazy thing to think about. This fucking prick that had been making Rathmore’s life hell had been such an important historical figure? It felt hard to acknowledge that as even possible, let alone true.
According to Voreese, though, Stasya had not actually been born until after the collapse of the Nykeirian Empire. She’d been “a product of the Mohssian culture,” as the reaper had put it.
Whew. He was feeling a little woozy, all of a sudden. Perhaps he needed a break from this weird-ass memory-diving. And so much the better, since it seemed like he’d reached the end of this memory, anyway.
He opened his eyes again, felt breath in his lungs again, felt his whole body again.
And felt even more woozy, actually, enough to make him stumble backward and fall on his ass.
‘Hector!’ came Garovel’s voice.
Hector had to shake his head a few times before the ground beneath him finally stopped spinning. “Hey, Garovel...”
The reaper gave a silent sigh. ‘Geez. You were gone for quite a while there, buddy. Startin’ to make me worry you’d slipped into another soul coma. I was getting ready to just sit here like an asshole for two weeks, watching you.’
“Ah. Uh. Yeah, sorry about that...” He took his time climbing back to his feet, still feeling a bit drained, like he’d just gotten done with a full body workout. “How long was I out?”
‘A few hours, I think.’
He straightened. “Hours?!”
‘Yeah. Didn’t feel like that for you, I take it?’
“No!”
‘Hmm. Did it feel shorter or longer?’
“I mean, uh--” He had to think about that for a second. “Shit. I only looked at, like, two memories...”
‘So shorter, then.’
“Ugh. I guess I should be more careful about doing that again in the future. I didn’t intend to spend so much time on this.”
‘Well, did you at least learn something new?’
Hector looked at the reaper. “I saw Rathmore.”
Friday, March 15, 2024
Page 3540
The scene went dead quiet after that, to the point that Hector wondered if that was the end. Everything in sight was silent and still, including Rathmore, who merely stood there, staring at the Gate through which Nykeir had just vanished.
Wait a minute. Had this guy just yelled “Yigorosk?” Hector hadn’t forgotten that name. He still, unfortunately, remembered researching it. A yigorosk was supposed to be mythical creature, infamous for its ooze and tentacles, among other things.
But then... this memory would mean...
Ugh. Hector did not appreciate this kind of confirmation.
At length, Rathmore moved again. He tossed something up into the air and caught it again, then let out a small laugh.
Hector froze the memory there, wanting to get a better look at the object in his hand. Had he had it on him the whole time? Or had he pulled it out of the rubble earlier? Nykeir had seemed quite confident nothing could have survived the forge’s destruction, so what could possibly have--
Ah. Hector recognized the object instantly. A small black pyramid with protrusions on some of its sides.
A Kag. A type of ancient key. He’d seen one just like it back in Himmekel.
Come to think of it, that Kag had been what brought them to the treasure they’d been seeking--and to Malast.
Huh.
Wow. Suddenly, this seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. Like he should have been looking for a Kag all along.
But hold on here. It wasn’t that simple, was it? The Kag in Himmekel had actually been used like a proper key. Diego Redwater had slotted it into a monument--one not unlike the Gate here. But Rathmore, from what Hector had just seen, had not slotted this Kag into anything. Instead, the guy seemed to have just magically activated it in his hand.
That was quite a difference. Hmm.
He rewound the memory in order to check more closely on what Rathmore had been up to when he’d been digging. The man’s blurry hands didn’t make it easy, but eventually, Hector spotted it. A moment where Rathmore did indeed appear to pull something out of the debris.
Yes.
While the forge and everything else in the area had been annihilated, the Gate was not actually the lone survivor. The Kag had endured, too.
Damn. Did that mean these things were made out of the same stuff as the rest of Rathmore’s Materials? Hell, they kinda looked like nightrock, now that Hector was thinking about it, which made him wonder if that was a coincidence.
Wait a minute. Had this guy just yelled “Yigorosk?” Hector hadn’t forgotten that name. He still, unfortunately, remembered researching it. A yigorosk was supposed to be mythical creature, infamous for its ooze and tentacles, among other things.
But then... this memory would mean...
Ugh. Hector did not appreciate this kind of confirmation.
At length, Rathmore moved again. He tossed something up into the air and caught it again, then let out a small laugh.
Hector froze the memory there, wanting to get a better look at the object in his hand. Had he had it on him the whole time? Or had he pulled it out of the rubble earlier? Nykeir had seemed quite confident nothing could have survived the forge’s destruction, so what could possibly have--
Ah. Hector recognized the object instantly. A small black pyramid with protrusions on some of its sides.
A Kag. A type of ancient key. He’d seen one just like it back in Himmekel.
Come to think of it, that Kag had been what brought them to the treasure they’d been seeking--and to Malast.
Huh.
Wow. Suddenly, this seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. Like he should have been looking for a Kag all along.
But hold on here. It wasn’t that simple, was it? The Kag in Himmekel had actually been used like a proper key. Diego Redwater had slotted it into a monument--one not unlike the Gate here. But Rathmore, from what Hector had just seen, had not slotted this Kag into anything. Instead, the guy seemed to have just magically activated it in his hand.
That was quite a difference. Hmm.
He rewound the memory in order to check more closely on what Rathmore had been up to when he’d been digging. The man’s blurry hands didn’t make it easy, but eventually, Hector spotted it. A moment where Rathmore did indeed appear to pull something out of the debris.
Yes.
While the forge and everything else in the area had been annihilated, the Gate was not actually the lone survivor. The Kag had endured, too.
Damn. Did that mean these things were made out of the same stuff as the rest of Rathmore’s Materials? Hell, they kinda looked like nightrock, now that Hector was thinking about it, which made him wonder if that was a coincidence.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Page 3539
Rathmore breathed deeply and took a step closer. “Lucky am I that you have become such an arrogant, careless fool. Never could I have accomplished this when you were younger.”
Nykeir straightened. “Accomplished what?”
“Curious, are you?” said Rathmore, raising one hand slowly, palm upwards. “Or merely frightened?”
The other man gave an audible sniff. “Go on, Seer. Stupefy me, then. Show me what your Heavenly Sight has seen.”
“I can grant you but a glimpse. ‘Twill be up to you to see anything beyond.”
“Hmph.”
Rathmore’s hand tensed suddenly. “Now, Behold!”
Light gathered into his hand, then burst forth, shooting toward Nykeir and enveloping him.
It clashed against a wall of yellow flame, with Nykeir remaining comfortably in the center, apparently unbothered about being entirely consumed by fire.
“Tell me this is not all,” said Nykeir, his voice distorting from behind the inferno, sounding lower and almost monstrous, as if the flames themselves might be speaking for him.
But indeed, that was not all. Because the light still enveloped the flames, and then bounded backward to the Gate, first touching the smaller rock, then connecting to the larger one. The beam stayed there, bright and strong, linking Rathmore to Nykeir, and Nykeir to the stones.
“Yigorosk!” said Rathmore.
And Hector blinked, in complete disbelief of what he was seeing.
A gargantuan tentacle shot out of the Gate, appearing from the shimmering line of light between two rocks and arcing over Rathmore’s head to slam down on top of Nykeir.
The ground exploded from the impact, filling the area with a cloud of dirt and debris, and Hector had to wait for it to clear. When it did, he saw Nykeir still there, standing within the fire and light, a massive hole burned into the tentacle where it fell upon him.
From his body language, he seemed a bit confused but not terribly concerned. Then he started laughing. “What in the world is this?!” he said happily.
Rather than answering, the light from Rathmore’s hand shone even more intensely, and the burned tentacle shivered and melted into a bluish ooze, which splashed over Nykeir, coating him entirely. The yellow flame and even the light surrounding it were both smothered.
And the tentacle reformed, yanking itself back through the Gate, whereupon it winked out of existence, taking all remaining traces of the light beam with it.
Nykeir straightened. “Accomplished what?”
“Curious, are you?” said Rathmore, raising one hand slowly, palm upwards. “Or merely frightened?”
The other man gave an audible sniff. “Go on, Seer. Stupefy me, then. Show me what your Heavenly Sight has seen.”
“I can grant you but a glimpse. ‘Twill be up to you to see anything beyond.”
“Hmph.”
Rathmore’s hand tensed suddenly. “Now, Behold!”
Light gathered into his hand, then burst forth, shooting toward Nykeir and enveloping him.
It clashed against a wall of yellow flame, with Nykeir remaining comfortably in the center, apparently unbothered about being entirely consumed by fire.
“Tell me this is not all,” said Nykeir, his voice distorting from behind the inferno, sounding lower and almost monstrous, as if the flames themselves might be speaking for him.
But indeed, that was not all. Because the light still enveloped the flames, and then bounded backward to the Gate, first touching the smaller rock, then connecting to the larger one. The beam stayed there, bright and strong, linking Rathmore to Nykeir, and Nykeir to the stones.
“Yigorosk!” said Rathmore.
And Hector blinked, in complete disbelief of what he was seeing.
A gargantuan tentacle shot out of the Gate, appearing from the shimmering line of light between two rocks and arcing over Rathmore’s head to slam down on top of Nykeir.
The ground exploded from the impact, filling the area with a cloud of dirt and debris, and Hector had to wait for it to clear. When it did, he saw Nykeir still there, standing within the fire and light, a massive hole burned into the tentacle where it fell upon him.
From his body language, he seemed a bit confused but not terribly concerned. Then he started laughing. “What in the world is this?!” he said happily.
Rather than answering, the light from Rathmore’s hand shone even more intensely, and the burned tentacle shivered and melted into a bluish ooze, which splashed over Nykeir, coating him entirely. The yellow flame and even the light surrounding it were both smothered.
And the tentacle reformed, yanking itself back through the Gate, whereupon it winked out of existence, taking all remaining traces of the light beam with it.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Page 3538
“Have I?” said Rathmore, sounding mildly curious, though more haggard than anything. “So after all is said and done, you do value my opinion.”
“Hah. Of course. I should think that obvious by now.”
“The only obvious thing is that you take great joy in belittling me and my work.”
“Oh? Perhaps so. But what should that matter, if you are the genius that everyone says you are? A truly great man would not be bothered by any of my playful jabs, surely.”
Rathmore stepped toward the Gate. “When the most powerful man in the world makes it his life’s mission to ruin my own, what is there to be done? Tell me, O, Nykeir the Great. In what ways have I erred in my dealings with you? What other paths might I have taken and when? Please, be quite specific.”
“You are sounding rather bitter, my friend.”
“And you are sounding rather predictable.”
“Am I? What shall I say next, then?”
“Something either self-congratulatory or derisive of me, I’m sure.”
Nykeir chortled. “I shall have to mix things up, then. I do so hate being predictable.”
Rathmore placed his hand against the Gate, saying nothing.
“Here, allow me to administer a well-earned compliment. Of the two reasons I brought you to this place, one of them was to have you tell me what you know of these monoliths.”
“In what capacity does that qualify as a compliment?”
“You do not see? Because I am wondering if you may know something that I do not! The most flattering of notions, no?”
“You sicken me, madman.”
Nykeir scoffed. “Biting words--and wholly undeserved. Please, my friend. You must have learned something of these things during your time with them. Else you would not have been able to alter them as you have.”
Rathmore turned to look at him again. “Yes,” he said, suddenly confident. “I did learn of them. Many things, in truth. And that is knowledge you shall never possess.”
“Oh, do not be so quick to say so. If you tell me, I shall let you live.”
“You will let me live, regardless.”
“Hmm-hmm, you believe so?”
“Yes. Because of the other reason you brought me here. I have realized what it is.”
“Heh. Speak it, then.”
“You want to watch me suffer. You brought me so that I would see my work undone. My time and energy, wasted. And at your hands, naturally.”
Nykeir was silent for a few moments. Then somehow, Hector felt like he could see a smile appear on that blurry face of his. “I shan’t deny it.”
“Hah. Of course. I should think that obvious by now.”
“The only obvious thing is that you take great joy in belittling me and my work.”
“Oh? Perhaps so. But what should that matter, if you are the genius that everyone says you are? A truly great man would not be bothered by any of my playful jabs, surely.”
Rathmore stepped toward the Gate. “When the most powerful man in the world makes it his life’s mission to ruin my own, what is there to be done? Tell me, O, Nykeir the Great. In what ways have I erred in my dealings with you? What other paths might I have taken and when? Please, be quite specific.”
“You are sounding rather bitter, my friend.”
“And you are sounding rather predictable.”
“Am I? What shall I say next, then?”
“Something either self-congratulatory or derisive of me, I’m sure.”
Nykeir chortled. “I shall have to mix things up, then. I do so hate being predictable.”
Rathmore placed his hand against the Gate, saying nothing.
“Here, allow me to administer a well-earned compliment. Of the two reasons I brought you to this place, one of them was to have you tell me what you know of these monoliths.”
“In what capacity does that qualify as a compliment?”
“You do not see? Because I am wondering if you may know something that I do not! The most flattering of notions, no?”
“You sicken me, madman.”
Nykeir scoffed. “Biting words--and wholly undeserved. Please, my friend. You must have learned something of these things during your time with them. Else you would not have been able to alter them as you have.”
Rathmore turned to look at him again. “Yes,” he said, suddenly confident. “I did learn of them. Many things, in truth. And that is knowledge you shall never possess.”
“Oh, do not be so quick to say so. If you tell me, I shall let you live.”
“You will let me live, regardless.”
“Hmm-hmm, you believe so?”
“Yes. Because of the other reason you brought me here. I have realized what it is.”
“Heh. Speak it, then.”
“You want to watch me suffer. You brought me so that I would see my work undone. My time and energy, wasted. And at your hands, naturally.”
Nykeir was silent for a few moments. Then somehow, Hector felt like he could see a smile appear on that blurry face of his. “I shan’t deny it.”
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Page 3537
When the fire finally died all the way back down, it was as expected. Aside from the Gate itself, only mounds of ash remained, which were already beginning to blow away in the wind.
Disappointed, Hector thought this might already be the end of the memory. No new information to be gleaned.
Then two figures stepped into view, one of whom was stumbling forward, as if having been pushed.
They were both blurry, just as before, but he did not have long to wait in order to begin learning their identities.
“Rathmore, Rathmore, Rathmore,” said the more composed one, sounding almost pitying. “See what has become of all your tireless work.”
Rathmore had fallen to his hands and knees and was struggling to stand.
“The worst is to know that this could have been avoided,” said the composed man, stepping closer. “If you had but listened. Accepted my terms. But no. You were in love, I suppose. And for that, I am possessed of a morsel of sympathy.” He broke for a laugh. “Never have I known a fortress more impenetrable to the sieges of reason.”
Finally on his feet again, Rathmore still wasn’t answering. Instead, he’d begun sifting through the smoldering heap of dust, leaving fleeting clouds in his wake.
“Looking for something? I left nothing to find. Apart from that lone monolith. Quite the irritants, these Materials of yours. Or was it Tools? Which name was it again?”
Rathmore ignored him and just kept digging.
“You are wasting your time, my friend. I promise you that I was quite thorough. Ah, but perhaps you wonder how I am so certain. It is because I have already visited several of these other sites. This may be the first time you are present for it, but it is not my first time doing this. Hah. For a man heralded as a genius, these constructs of yours were all surprisingly similar in how primitive they were. Hardly even worth calling forges, in my view. I made sure to burn the heart and roots out of each and every one.”
Rathmore’s hands stopped moving, and he slumped down onto his knees again. “Why bring me here?”
“Aha. Glad am I that you have asked. Two reasons, truth be told. But they are... conflicting, now that I am thinking on it. Hmm.” The man scratched his head. “Alas, perhaps you have made me somewhat unreasonable, myself.”
Disappointed, Hector thought this might already be the end of the memory. No new information to be gleaned.
Then two figures stepped into view, one of whom was stumbling forward, as if having been pushed.
They were both blurry, just as before, but he did not have long to wait in order to begin learning their identities.
“Rathmore, Rathmore, Rathmore,” said the more composed one, sounding almost pitying. “See what has become of all your tireless work.”
Rathmore had fallen to his hands and knees and was struggling to stand.
“The worst is to know that this could have been avoided,” said the composed man, stepping closer. “If you had but listened. Accepted my terms. But no. You were in love, I suppose. And for that, I am possessed of a morsel of sympathy.” He broke for a laugh. “Never have I known a fortress more impenetrable to the sieges of reason.”
Finally on his feet again, Rathmore still wasn’t answering. Instead, he’d begun sifting through the smoldering heap of dust, leaving fleeting clouds in his wake.
“Looking for something? I left nothing to find. Apart from that lone monolith. Quite the irritants, these Materials of yours. Or was it Tools? Which name was it again?”
Rathmore ignored him and just kept digging.
“You are wasting your time, my friend. I promise you that I was quite thorough. Ah, but perhaps you wonder how I am so certain. It is because I have already visited several of these other sites. This may be the first time you are present for it, but it is not my first time doing this. Hah. For a man heralded as a genius, these constructs of yours were all surprisingly similar in how primitive they were. Hardly even worth calling forges, in my view. I made sure to burn the heart and roots out of each and every one.”
Rathmore’s hands stopped moving, and he slumped down onto his knees again. “Why bring me here?”
“Aha. Glad am I that you have asked. Two reasons, truth be told. But they are... conflicting, now that I am thinking on it. Hmm.” The man scratched his head. “Alas, perhaps you have made me somewhat unreasonable, myself.”
Monday, March 11, 2024
Page 3536
“You would ask me to forget what Nykeir has done to my family? That man deserves a slow, sunless death without mercy or hope.”
“Aye, that he does. But you do not deserve to waste your life in the miserable pursuit of him.”
At that, she turned away and made no response.
“At this point, ‘tis a matter of mere pragmatism. You must realize this, my dear. On some level, you must. You have acquired much of the influence that you might have once inherited, but Nykeir’s kingdom is no longer the fledgling power that it was when he conquered your home. He is among the most powerful men on the continent. Perhaps the world, even. There is no victory for you against him. And even if there was, there is no kingdom to reclaim. Better to focus on defending what you now have, rather than risking it all to take back what once was.”
After that, the memory fragmented--but it didn’t quite break down entirely. Hector could see that the conversation between the two was continuing. He just couldn’t make out what they were saying. It felt like there was more here. He thought he could sense it, somehow. But then everything seemed to speed up and fade away, disappearing into a fog.
Damn. He supposed that was still pretty informative, but he’d really felt like--
Wait a minute. No. There was something more here. Another memory. Linked to that one. How? By time? By the people?
He found it.
The scene that appeared before him one of utter devastation. Pillars of flame shot up into the air, roaring with such intensity that he could almost feel them. Red and orange filled his view, blanketing the Gate in its entirety.
So it was as he’d thought, then. He was convinced. That giant thing had indeed been a Fusion Forge, and this memory here was its destruction.
How had it happened, though? Why was the memory starting off like this? Shouldn’t it have begun earlier? With a bit of context or something? He tried rewinding, but it didn’t work. Whether that was because the memory itself was incomplete or because he simply wasn’t doing it right, Hector couldn’t quite tell.
Until he tried fast forwarding, instead. That worked like a charm. The flames raged higher and higher, seeming to reach all the way into the sky, before eventually beginning to dissipate. Hector had no concept of how long it might’ve taken. These couldn’t have been normal flames, surely, if they’d been able to destroy a forge.
“Aye, that he does. But you do not deserve to waste your life in the miserable pursuit of him.”
At that, she turned away and made no response.
“At this point, ‘tis a matter of mere pragmatism. You must realize this, my dear. On some level, you must. You have acquired much of the influence that you might have once inherited, but Nykeir’s kingdom is no longer the fledgling power that it was when he conquered your home. He is among the most powerful men on the continent. Perhaps the world, even. There is no victory for you against him. And even if there was, there is no kingdom to reclaim. Better to focus on defending what you now have, rather than risking it all to take back what once was.”
After that, the memory fragmented--but it didn’t quite break down entirely. Hector could see that the conversation between the two was continuing. He just couldn’t make out what they were saying. It felt like there was more here. He thought he could sense it, somehow. But then everything seemed to speed up and fade away, disappearing into a fog.
Damn. He supposed that was still pretty informative, but he’d really felt like--
Wait a minute. No. There was something more here. Another memory. Linked to that one. How? By time? By the people?
He found it.
The scene that appeared before him one of utter devastation. Pillars of flame shot up into the air, roaring with such intensity that he could almost feel them. Red and orange filled his view, blanketing the Gate in its entirety.
So it was as he’d thought, then. He was convinced. That giant thing had indeed been a Fusion Forge, and this memory here was its destruction.
How had it happened, though? Why was the memory starting off like this? Shouldn’t it have begun earlier? With a bit of context or something? He tried rewinding, but it didn’t work. Whether that was because the memory itself was incomplete or because he simply wasn’t doing it right, Hector couldn’t quite tell.
Until he tried fast forwarding, instead. That worked like a charm. The flames raged higher and higher, seeming to reach all the way into the sky, before eventually beginning to dissipate. Hector had no concept of how long it might’ve taken. These couldn’t have been normal flames, surely, if they’d been able to destroy a forge.
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Page 3535
Rathmore continued on, mumbling low enough that Hector couldn’t hear what he was saying.
After a short time, Anicca stepped closer to the Gate. “You are getting lost in your own musings again,” she said firmly. “Rein that wandering mind of yours in, please.”
Rathmore stopped and looked at her. Hector wished he could see the expression on the man’s blurry face. Given how wildly Rathmore’s mood had shifted, Hector wondered if he would get upset with her again or become even more timid.
Anicca left him an opening to respond, but when he didn’t, she spoke up again. “How will any of this help me to reclaim my birthright?” she said. “I’ve granted you the resources you asked for. I’ve bestowed titles and land to you. I’ve given you influence of your own within my court. And yet the years continue to draw on with no destination in sight. No path to my crown.”
“You have a crown.”
“Not the crown of my mother. Not the one that was stolen from me.”
Rathmore scoffed. “Even now, you cling to this idea of vengeance? After all we have built together?”
“What have we built? A palatable place to hide and die in? A little corner of the world to call mine, only because none else know to claim it? You speak of nothing. Empty lands and hollow words.”
“And you speak of greed and ingratitude. What you have is more than most in the world, and yet it is not enough for you. Nor will it be, ‘till you have brought ruin to it all and perhaps finally realized your own foolishness.”
“Again, you speak out of turn.”
“Because again, you push me when you should not. You do not make it easy to love you, dearheart.”
Anicca said nothing.
“You say I speak of empty lands and hollow words? That is your old crown. Nykeir has made it so. There is nothing to reclaim. It has been too long. Your people will not rejoice upon your return. They did not fight for you. They did not weep at news of your death. They do not care. And why should they? You were little more than a babe, hardly out of your swaddling clothes.”
She turned and walked over to Rathmore, right up to his face, and slapped him.
Rathmore just took it.
“Yours are craven words,” she said, sounding not just bitter but almost tearful, too. “Repeating such lies. Why? Cruelty ill suits you.”
“If you think that was cruelty, dearheart, then you truly have learned nothing of the world, even after all this time.”
After a short time, Anicca stepped closer to the Gate. “You are getting lost in your own musings again,” she said firmly. “Rein that wandering mind of yours in, please.”
Rathmore stopped and looked at her. Hector wished he could see the expression on the man’s blurry face. Given how wildly Rathmore’s mood had shifted, Hector wondered if he would get upset with her again or become even more timid.
Anicca left him an opening to respond, but when he didn’t, she spoke up again. “How will any of this help me to reclaim my birthright?” she said. “I’ve granted you the resources you asked for. I’ve bestowed titles and land to you. I’ve given you influence of your own within my court. And yet the years continue to draw on with no destination in sight. No path to my crown.”
“You have a crown.”
“Not the crown of my mother. Not the one that was stolen from me.”
Rathmore scoffed. “Even now, you cling to this idea of vengeance? After all we have built together?”
“What have we built? A palatable place to hide and die in? A little corner of the world to call mine, only because none else know to claim it? You speak of nothing. Empty lands and hollow words.”
“And you speak of greed and ingratitude. What you have is more than most in the world, and yet it is not enough for you. Nor will it be, ‘till you have brought ruin to it all and perhaps finally realized your own foolishness.”
“Again, you speak out of turn.”
“Because again, you push me when you should not. You do not make it easy to love you, dearheart.”
Anicca said nothing.
“You say I speak of empty lands and hollow words? That is your old crown. Nykeir has made it so. There is nothing to reclaim. It has been too long. Your people will not rejoice upon your return. They did not fight for you. They did not weep at news of your death. They do not care. And why should they? You were little more than a babe, hardly out of your swaddling clothes.”
She turned and walked over to Rathmore, right up to his face, and slapped him.
Rathmore just took it.
“Yours are craven words,” she said, sounding not just bitter but almost tearful, too. “Repeating such lies. Why? Cruelty ill suits you.”
“If you think that was cruelty, dearheart, then you truly have learned nothing of the world, even after all this time.”
Friday, March 8, 2024
Next page on the 10th
Thanks for reading, guys and gals. Hope you're doing well. Me, I'm doin' pretty good. Thanks for asking. Damn, you're really thoughtful, y'know that? Wow.
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Page 3534
At length, Hector decided that he wanted the memory to resume, but since he still wasn’t sure how he’d managed to pause it in the first place, he didn’t know how to make it continue. He floundered for a bit, searching up and down and all around him, as if he might perhaps find a hidden button somewhere that he could press.
Thankfully, though, it soon started back up on its own. Or had that been his doing, too? Yeah, it probably was, huh? He didn’t see how anyone else could’ve been responsible for something that was occurring his very own mind. Other than maybe Rasalased. But he didn’t sense the Dry God anywhere, right now.
The apparent queen was now quiet, perhaps thinking twice about saying something to further antagonize Rathmore. And Hector couldn’t help feeling rather anxious for her. Rathmore didn’t exactly seem like the nicest guy so far. He wasn’t about to kill this woman, was he?
For a time, the blurry Rathmore seemed to just be staring at her, but eventually, he took a deep breath, rubbed his face with one hand, then exhaled a heavy sigh. “...Apologies, dearheart. I seem to have... overreacted.”
“‘Tis unlike you to speak to me so.”
“Yes, I... let emotion get the rule of me. I suppose I was more frustrated with my results than I realized. Please forgive me, Anicca.”
“Hmm. I shall have to think on it.”
“Anicca, please...”
“Tell me again why this monument confounds you so. I recall you mentioning before that you believe it to be some manner of gateway, yes?”
“Ah...” Rathmore turned away from her to look at the Gate again. “Belief has no bearing on it. It is a gateway. And so much more than that, as well. In truth, calling it a mere gateway may be doing it a disservice.”
“You know this how?”
“I can see it. The full breadth of its divine form and heavenly function. No doubt, when you think of a gateway, you think of a simple threshold which marks the passage of one area into another, but this monument... it can bend those areas as it pleases. It can make them overlap. Or distort. Twist them up and down. Turn them bright and beautiful. Or dark and ugly. Or perhaps something else entirely. Perhaps a ‘bridge’ might be a more apt term for it, in some sense. Ah, no, but even that will not do, naturally... what then... hrm...?”
Thankfully, though, it soon started back up on its own. Or had that been his doing, too? Yeah, it probably was, huh? He didn’t see how anyone else could’ve been responsible for something that was occurring his very own mind. Other than maybe Rasalased. But he didn’t sense the Dry God anywhere, right now.
The apparent queen was now quiet, perhaps thinking twice about saying something to further antagonize Rathmore. And Hector couldn’t help feeling rather anxious for her. Rathmore didn’t exactly seem like the nicest guy so far. He wasn’t about to kill this woman, was he?
For a time, the blurry Rathmore seemed to just be staring at her, but eventually, he took a deep breath, rubbed his face with one hand, then exhaled a heavy sigh. “...Apologies, dearheart. I seem to have... overreacted.”
“‘Tis unlike you to speak to me so.”
“Yes, I... let emotion get the rule of me. I suppose I was more frustrated with my results than I realized. Please forgive me, Anicca.”
“Hmm. I shall have to think on it.”
“Anicca, please...”
“Tell me again why this monument confounds you so. I recall you mentioning before that you believe it to be some manner of gateway, yes?”
“Ah...” Rathmore turned away from her to look at the Gate again. “Belief has no bearing on it. It is a gateway. And so much more than that, as well. In truth, calling it a mere gateway may be doing it a disservice.”
“You know this how?”
“I can see it. The full breadth of its divine form and heavenly function. No doubt, when you think of a gateway, you think of a simple threshold which marks the passage of one area into another, but this monument... it can bend those areas as it pleases. It can make them overlap. Or distort. Twist them up and down. Turn them bright and beautiful. Or dark and ugly. Or perhaps something else entirely. Perhaps a ‘bridge’ might be a more apt term for it, in some sense. Ah, no, but even that will not do, naturally... what then... hrm...?”
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Page 3533 -- CCXCIV.
Chapter Two Hundred Ninety-Four: ‘O, Wonder! O, Threshold...!’
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)
The memory froze when Hector heard that. Had he frozen it himself? Yeah. He felt so. He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d done that, but it seemed true.
If this blurry figure in front of him was really Rathmore, then he wanted to take a minute and reexamine the scene.
Recontextualize it, actually.
This giant metal-and-rock formation all around the Gate...
Could it have been a Fusion Forge?
Hector knew that they could look like just about anything, so perhaps there was no telling for sure. But if it was, then that might explain, in part, why it no longer existed in the modern day. Forges were too highly sought after to be left alone. Someone would’ve either taken it or destroyed it.
Furthermore, it might also explain how Rathmore had been able to affect the supposedly un-affectable stone. If anything in the world could modify the unmodifiable, it would probably be a Fusion Forge, wouldn’t it?
Hmm.
The more he looked at the enormous formation, the more he wondered about how it might have functioned. All those spiked points focusing on the Gate. Were they for channeling ardor, perhaps? Or extracting it, maybe? Dammit. Maybe if the scene hadn’t gone white earlier, he would’ve gotten a clearer picture of things.
He found himself hovering higher, floating above the stony contraption in order to get a better idea of just how huge it really was. It extended out farther than he’d realized, seemingly embedded deep into the ground, making it difficult to tell where the natural rock ended and Forge-rock began.
Perhaps that was the point. The Candle had a similar design philosophy, didn’t it? Built right into a tree. Made inseparable from it. In which case, it might’ve been better to think of the “natural” rock as still part of the forge. Like a root system.
And that lever. That was distinct. Hector looked for any other mechanical parts, but he couldn’t find any. How could that be the only thing? Was there a vast network of cogwheels underground? Probably not. That sort of technology seemed a bit advanced for how long ago this must have taken place.
But then again...
Ancient integrators were no joke. Stasya Orlov, the creator of Warrenhold, had apparently invented locked door mechanisms long before the technology became commonplace. So maybe Rathmore had done something similar here.
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)
The memory froze when Hector heard that. Had he frozen it himself? Yeah. He felt so. He wasn’t entirely sure how he’d done that, but it seemed true.
If this blurry figure in front of him was really Rathmore, then he wanted to take a minute and reexamine the scene.
Recontextualize it, actually.
This giant metal-and-rock formation all around the Gate...
Could it have been a Fusion Forge?
Hector knew that they could look like just about anything, so perhaps there was no telling for sure. But if it was, then that might explain, in part, why it no longer existed in the modern day. Forges were too highly sought after to be left alone. Someone would’ve either taken it or destroyed it.
Furthermore, it might also explain how Rathmore had been able to affect the supposedly un-affectable stone. If anything in the world could modify the unmodifiable, it would probably be a Fusion Forge, wouldn’t it?
Hmm.
The more he looked at the enormous formation, the more he wondered about how it might have functioned. All those spiked points focusing on the Gate. Were they for channeling ardor, perhaps? Or extracting it, maybe? Dammit. Maybe if the scene hadn’t gone white earlier, he would’ve gotten a clearer picture of things.
He found himself hovering higher, floating above the stony contraption in order to get a better idea of just how huge it really was. It extended out farther than he’d realized, seemingly embedded deep into the ground, making it difficult to tell where the natural rock ended and Forge-rock began.
Perhaps that was the point. The Candle had a similar design philosophy, didn’t it? Built right into a tree. Made inseparable from it. In which case, it might’ve been better to think of the “natural” rock as still part of the forge. Like a root system.
And that lever. That was distinct. Hector looked for any other mechanical parts, but he couldn’t find any. How could that be the only thing? Was there a vast network of cogwheels underground? Probably not. That sort of technology seemed a bit advanced for how long ago this must have taken place.
But then again...
Ancient integrators were no joke. Stasya Orlov, the creator of Warrenhold, had apparently invented locked door mechanisms long before the technology became commonplace. So maybe Rathmore had done something similar here.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Page 3532
But the scene surrounding it was quite strange indeed. Instead of a simple forest, there was a tremendous formation of... something. Rock? Metal?
Both.
Almost like a massive, tangled web. It rose high into the air above, with dozens of metal spikes pointing downward at the Gate, looking almost like scorpion tails preparing to strike. But they were not moving. Nor did it seem like they ever would, Hector thought.
What was this? This giant structure didn’t exist in the modern day. What had happened to it?
He observed the scene for a while, unsure if anything was even going to happen at all. No one was around. The structure seemed perfectly still.
Then, at length, a person stepped into view. Hector couldn’t make out any details about them, as their face and body were a blur. They hovered around the base of the structure, perhaps examining things, until they eventually approached an apparent lever on the far western edge of the structure and pulled it with both hands.
The scene exploded with bright light, and it remained that way for so long that Hector began to think the memory had ended. When the light finally faded, however, Hector looked for some kind of change to the scene.
But he couldn’t see a difference.
“Does this qualify as success?” came a voice from his right, and Hector turned to see a second blurry person approaching.
“No,” said the first person, still by the lever, “but perhaps it will have to.”
“Truly? You are finally putting an end to this nonsense?”
“For this monument, yes. But only because there are still so many others left.”
“Bah. You gave me hope for a moment there. I ask again: what is the point in all this if no real results are achievable? Even if your theories are true, why bother with--”
“Cease your incessant whinging, woman. If you still do not understand, then I expect you never will.”
There was silence, until the second spoke again. “I did not expect to find you in such foul temper. You are normally so calm, even in failure.”
“Hmph. Perhaps that is why your insufferable attitude has gotten so out of hand. Because I have been too calm. Because I have allowed you to forget who I am.”
“You are my consort, and I am your Queen. You would do well to--”
“No, you ignorant wench. I am the Seer of the Distant Dawn. I am He Who Has Touched the Heavens. I am Rathmore of Andeyal.”
Both.
Almost like a massive, tangled web. It rose high into the air above, with dozens of metal spikes pointing downward at the Gate, looking almost like scorpion tails preparing to strike. But they were not moving. Nor did it seem like they ever would, Hector thought.
What was this? This giant structure didn’t exist in the modern day. What had happened to it?
He observed the scene for a while, unsure if anything was even going to happen at all. No one was around. The structure seemed perfectly still.
Then, at length, a person stepped into view. Hector couldn’t make out any details about them, as their face and body were a blur. They hovered around the base of the structure, perhaps examining things, until they eventually approached an apparent lever on the far western edge of the structure and pulled it with both hands.
The scene exploded with bright light, and it remained that way for so long that Hector began to think the memory had ended. When the light finally faded, however, Hector looked for some kind of change to the scene.
But he couldn’t see a difference.
“Does this qualify as success?” came a voice from his right, and Hector turned to see a second blurry person approaching.
“No,” said the first person, still by the lever, “but perhaps it will have to.”
“Truly? You are finally putting an end to this nonsense?”
“For this monument, yes. But only because there are still so many others left.”
“Bah. You gave me hope for a moment there. I ask again: what is the point in all this if no real results are achievable? Even if your theories are true, why bother with--”
“Cease your incessant whinging, woman. If you still do not understand, then I expect you never will.”
There was silence, until the second spoke again. “I did not expect to find you in such foul temper. You are normally so calm, even in failure.”
“Hmph. Perhaps that is why your insufferable attitude has gotten so out of hand. Because I have been too calm. Because I have allowed you to forget who I am.”
“You are my consort, and I am your Queen. You would do well to--”
“No, you ignorant wench. I am the Seer of the Distant Dawn. I am He Who Has Touched the Heavens. I am Rathmore of Andeyal.”
Monday, March 4, 2024
Page 3531
Hector almost resented that. But the reaper probably had a point. “I think... the way it works is... I need to see something in order to search for it in my memories. Specifically, I mean. I’ve tried to search based on just ideas before, but the results I got back were always kinda... shitty and vague. Almost like the Candle itself was trying to figure out what I want. And not quite succeeding.”
‘So you’re saying the Candle is stupid.’
“I did not say that. Not at all.”
‘That’s what I heard.’
“I’m saying that words like ‘Rathmore’s Materials’ or whatever are not helpful. Maybe if I knew what they looked like, then I could find something relevant, but...”
‘Well, the Gate’s right here. Put those photoreceptors to use and get a good look. That’s basically why we came all this way, isn’t it?’
“I have been looking,” said Hector, extending out his iron platform so that he could eye the Gate up and down again. “I’m just trying to...”
‘No rush,’ said Garovel. ‘Take your time and think. You’ve got a lot in there, right? Soak in the view and think back. Hell, meditate if you have to.’
Hmm. Hector did as the reaper said, circling around the Gate to get a series of good looks in from all different angles, including from above and below. Maybe he couldn’t search for someone mentioning the Gate, but perhaps it would show up in the background of a memory. If he could just learn to recognize its shape...
‘Okay, but don’t actually take that long. I’m getting bored over here.’
“You were being so helpful for a minute there...”
He concentrated. And yet also didn’t. He wanted to find just the right headspace to occupy for this. He wanted to be loose and free. Moving through memories quickly and easily. Not lingering. Not getting bogged down in details. But he also wanted to have enough awareness so that he could actually detect the Gate if it appeared.
It was a balancing act, of sorts. A long and strange trek, speeding by countless memories like a passenger looking out the window of a train.
There was a temptation to simply... keep going. Because, also like a train, there was a certain rhythm to this. A certain... comfort. Passively observing the world. Observing history. Hmm.
Stop.
There.
He had to rewind a bit. Had to journey backwards. Not sure that he’d seen what he thought. Had to take his time, too. Look over each scene a bit more thoroughly.
But he found it.
Rathmore’s Gate.
‘So you’re saying the Candle is stupid.’
“I did not say that. Not at all.”
‘That’s what I heard.’
“I’m saying that words like ‘Rathmore’s Materials’ or whatever are not helpful. Maybe if I knew what they looked like, then I could find something relevant, but...”
‘Well, the Gate’s right here. Put those photoreceptors to use and get a good look. That’s basically why we came all this way, isn’t it?’
“I have been looking,” said Hector, extending out his iron platform so that he could eye the Gate up and down again. “I’m just trying to...”
‘No rush,’ said Garovel. ‘Take your time and think. You’ve got a lot in there, right? Soak in the view and think back. Hell, meditate if you have to.’
Hmm. Hector did as the reaper said, circling around the Gate to get a series of good looks in from all different angles, including from above and below. Maybe he couldn’t search for someone mentioning the Gate, but perhaps it would show up in the background of a memory. If he could just learn to recognize its shape...
‘Okay, but don’t actually take that long. I’m getting bored over here.’
“You were being so helpful for a minute there...”
He concentrated. And yet also didn’t. He wanted to find just the right headspace to occupy for this. He wanted to be loose and free. Moving through memories quickly and easily. Not lingering. Not getting bogged down in details. But he also wanted to have enough awareness so that he could actually detect the Gate if it appeared.
It was a balancing act, of sorts. A long and strange trek, speeding by countless memories like a passenger looking out the window of a train.
There was a temptation to simply... keep going. Because, also like a train, there was a certain rhythm to this. A certain... comfort. Passively observing the world. Observing history. Hmm.
Stop.
There.
He had to rewind a bit. Had to journey backwards. Not sure that he’d seen what he thought. Had to take his time, too. Look over each scene a bit more thoroughly.
But he found it.
Rathmore’s Gate.
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Page 3530
“Yes, I’m sure,” said Hector. “Shut up with that, already.”
‘But what if breaking it unlocks its hidden power?’
“Why in the world would that do it?”
‘Why wouldn’t it? It’d be like breaking open a locked door.’
“Yeah, okay. Or it’d be like smashing a priceless vase.”
‘Y’know what? I bet you’re not even strong enough to break it. I bet it’s probably too powerful for you.’
Hector snorted. “You must be getting desperate, if you think that’s gonna convince me.”
‘Ugh, damn you and your lack of pride. You’re a lord now, you know. Your ego is supposed to be inflating every day.’
Hector ignored him, knowing they were going to get sidetracked again if he didn’t.
In a background thought process, he’d been trying to sift through the memories of the Candle for anything about Rathmore’s Gate or Rathmore’s Materials--or even Rathmore himself. In truth, he’d been searching for a while, on and off for the past few days.
With all the things that the Candle had left him, it felt like there had to be something in there. Somewhere. Right? If these Materials were as old as Garovel said, then surely the Candle would’ve learned something about them as some point.
If only it was that simple.
Perhaps Hector was taking too long with his thoughts, because Garovel seemed to realize what he was up to.
‘Find something relevant in that head of yours?’ the reaper asked.
“I’m trying, but... I don’t think so.”
‘Hmm. Nothing at all about Rathmore? He was pretty damn famous, so it would make sense if the Candle knew about him.’
“Unfortunately,” said Hector, “that’s not really how it works. The memories are... just, like, scenes in my head. And emotions, too. Those are able to come through. But names? And words? I can’t really use those like keywords for a search.”
‘No? That sucks.’
“Tell me about it,” said Hector. “I can sometimes remember... conversations. Sort of. But that’s about it. And they’re usually kinda... weird and muddy. Probably because they were taking place in a language that I don’t actually know.”
‘So you just need to search for someone mentioning Rathmore’s name.’
“You make it sound so simple...”
‘Maybe it is. Maybe you’re getting into your own head and overcomplicating things. Not that you would ever do such a thing, I’m sure.’
‘But what if breaking it unlocks its hidden power?’
“Why in the world would that do it?”
‘Why wouldn’t it? It’d be like breaking open a locked door.’
“Yeah, okay. Or it’d be like smashing a priceless vase.”
‘Y’know what? I bet you’re not even strong enough to break it. I bet it’s probably too powerful for you.’
Hector snorted. “You must be getting desperate, if you think that’s gonna convince me.”
‘Ugh, damn you and your lack of pride. You’re a lord now, you know. Your ego is supposed to be inflating every day.’
Hector ignored him, knowing they were going to get sidetracked again if he didn’t.
In a background thought process, he’d been trying to sift through the memories of the Candle for anything about Rathmore’s Gate or Rathmore’s Materials--or even Rathmore himself. In truth, he’d been searching for a while, on and off for the past few days.
With all the things that the Candle had left him, it felt like there had to be something in there. Somewhere. Right? If these Materials were as old as Garovel said, then surely the Candle would’ve learned something about them as some point.
If only it was that simple.
Perhaps Hector was taking too long with his thoughts, because Garovel seemed to realize what he was up to.
‘Find something relevant in that head of yours?’ the reaper asked.
“I’m trying, but... I don’t think so.”
‘Hmm. Nothing at all about Rathmore? He was pretty damn famous, so it would make sense if the Candle knew about him.’
“Unfortunately,” said Hector, “that’s not really how it works. The memories are... just, like, scenes in my head. And emotions, too. Those are able to come through. But names? And words? I can’t really use those like keywords for a search.”
‘No? That sucks.’
“Tell me about it,” said Hector. “I can sometimes remember... conversations. Sort of. But that’s about it. And they’re usually kinda... weird and muddy. Probably because they were taking place in a language that I don’t actually know.”
‘So you just need to search for someone mentioning Rathmore’s name.’
“You make it sound so simple...”
‘Maybe it is. Maybe you’re getting into your own head and overcomplicating things. Not that you would ever do such a thing, I’m sure.’
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Page 3529
‘What, so you’re saying you really DID lose track of it beforehand?’
“Um... maybe? Do you remember when I last had it?”
‘It was on the ground. Not technically in your possession, I suppose. You were carrying it in orbit around you until Malast, uh... gave you his “blessing.” Then you dropped it, along with everything else. When you came to, Malast gave you everything back... except the mirror. Hmm.’
“Oh. Huh. You think he left it out on purpose?”
‘Tough to say. He might not have even known it was a special artifact. You had it encased in your iron the whole time, so perhaps he merely mistook it for debris or something.’
“Yeah, but he was a ‘god.’ And he, like, knew stuff.”
‘You have a real way with words, sometimes, Hector.’
“What I mean is, he would’ve known that it was special, wouldn’t he? Because he could just tell. With his weird god-powers or whatever.”
‘I’m inclined to agree with you. But remember, he was also a big idiot.’
“That’s, uh... hmm.”
‘And a bigger douche.’
“Wow, Garovel. Tell me how you really feel.”
‘I’m just saying we can’t assume much about what his intentions might’ve been. If we’re feeling less insulting in our choice of labels, then we would probably call a guy like that a “wildcard.”’
“Okay, well, even if he didn’t hold the mirror back intentionally, we’re still at least certain that I didn’t have it on me when we returned to Atreya, right? Which was the important point.”
‘I suppose so, yes. Which would mean... we REALLY have no idea how it ended up in the Gate.’
“Oh, maybe Malast sent it afterwards. Like, maybe he saw it on the floor and realized he’d forgotten something, sent it through on its own, and then it got stuck here.”
The reaper was quiet.
“What?” said Hector.
‘We didn’t have much time to get to know Malast, and yet... somehow, the scene you just described sounds incredibly likely to me. I can just imagine him fucking up like that.’
“Geez. Y’know, you’re ragging on him so much that it’s starting make me feel bad for him.”
‘Really? You’re the one who shit-talked him to his face, though.’
“I--well, that wasn’t--I mean... er...”
‘Yeah. There’s the Hector I know.’
Hector wasn’t sure what to say now. And rather than continuing to struggle with that, he returned his attention to the mirror.
‘You sure you don’t want to break it?’ said Garovel.
“Um... maybe? Do you remember when I last had it?”
‘It was on the ground. Not technically in your possession, I suppose. You were carrying it in orbit around you until Malast, uh... gave you his “blessing.” Then you dropped it, along with everything else. When you came to, Malast gave you everything back... except the mirror. Hmm.’
“Oh. Huh. You think he left it out on purpose?”
‘Tough to say. He might not have even known it was a special artifact. You had it encased in your iron the whole time, so perhaps he merely mistook it for debris or something.’
“Yeah, but he was a ‘god.’ And he, like, knew stuff.”
‘You have a real way with words, sometimes, Hector.’
“What I mean is, he would’ve known that it was special, wouldn’t he? Because he could just tell. With his weird god-powers or whatever.”
‘I’m inclined to agree with you. But remember, he was also a big idiot.’
“That’s, uh... hmm.”
‘And a bigger douche.’
“Wow, Garovel. Tell me how you really feel.”
‘I’m just saying we can’t assume much about what his intentions might’ve been. If we’re feeling less insulting in our choice of labels, then we would probably call a guy like that a “wildcard.”’
“Okay, well, even if he didn’t hold the mirror back intentionally, we’re still at least certain that I didn’t have it on me when we returned to Atreya, right? Which was the important point.”
‘I suppose so, yes. Which would mean... we REALLY have no idea how it ended up in the Gate.’
“Oh, maybe Malast sent it afterwards. Like, maybe he saw it on the floor and realized he’d forgotten something, sent it through on its own, and then it got stuck here.”
The reaper was quiet.
“What?” said Hector.
‘We didn’t have much time to get to know Malast, and yet... somehow, the scene you just described sounds incredibly likely to me. I can just imagine him fucking up like that.’
“Geez. Y’know, you’re ragging on him so much that it’s starting make me feel bad for him.”
‘Really? You’re the one who shit-talked him to his face, though.’
“I--well, that wasn’t--I mean... er...”
‘Yeah. There’s the Hector I know.’
Hector wasn’t sure what to say now. And rather than continuing to struggle with that, he returned his attention to the mirror.
‘You sure you don’t want to break it?’ said Garovel.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Page 3528
‘Ooh, wait a minute,’ said Garovel. ‘What if this thing is a teleporter now like the Gate? Try sticking your hand through it. Watch it pass through the mirror like an open window.’
“You really think that’ll happen?”
‘Well, of course. It was my idea, and I’m never wrong, so yes, I’m sure it will.’
Hector bobbed his head and decided not to retort. “Alright, then. Here goes.”
He pressed his gauntleted hand flatly against the reflection. And waited.
Nothing happened, still.
‘You’re obviously doing it wrong,’ said Garovel.
“Oh, am I? How so?”
‘Uh. Well. Your armor. You gotta use your bare hand, of course.’
“Okay, then.” He dematerialized one gauntlet and repeated the same action.
It made no difference.
‘Alright, it’s useless. You can break it now.’
“I’m not gonna break it!”
‘Oh, c’mon. It deserves it. Just look how smug it is. With its. Reflectiveness.’
“Even if it is useless, what would be the point in breaking it?”
‘To make me feel better?’
“Garovel.”
‘I’m kidding again. Relax.’
“Are you, though? You sure this isn’t one of those sarcastic confession-type things?”
‘Maybe a little. Maybe I think that mirror is being a real prick, right now.’
“Okay, Garovel.”
‘I don’t appreciate your tone, Hector.’
He decided to move on before the reaper dragged him down another conversational rabbit hole. “I wonder if whatever power the mirror had... got sucked out by the Gate ‘r something.”
‘That sounds possible. Hmm. Maybe even plausible.’
“But why would it only affect the mirror and not anything else? The Shifting Spear of Logante had power in it, too, right? And it came through the Gate just fine. Not to mention the Scarf.”
‘Perhaps the nature of the mirror’s power was similar to that of the Gate. So they interacted with one another.’
“So... maybe it’s actually the opposite of what you were saying. Maybe it was a teleporter, but now it’s not?’
‘Maybe. And if so, then... man, that bites. Bad luck on our part.’
“I mean, at least we didn’t end up fused into the rock.”
‘I guess that’s true. Way to look on the bright side, Hector.’
“Hmm...”
‘Now what’re you thinking?’
“I’m trying to remember the last time that I actually saw this thing,’ said Hector. “Because I feel like... I didn’t even have it with me when we went through the portal. Not that I knew we were going through a portal, at the time.”
“You really think that’ll happen?”
‘Well, of course. It was my idea, and I’m never wrong, so yes, I’m sure it will.’
Hector bobbed his head and decided not to retort. “Alright, then. Here goes.”
He pressed his gauntleted hand flatly against the reflection. And waited.
Nothing happened, still.
‘You’re obviously doing it wrong,’ said Garovel.
“Oh, am I? How so?”
‘Uh. Well. Your armor. You gotta use your bare hand, of course.’
“Okay, then.” He dematerialized one gauntlet and repeated the same action.
It made no difference.
‘Alright, it’s useless. You can break it now.’
“I’m not gonna break it!”
‘Oh, c’mon. It deserves it. Just look how smug it is. With its. Reflectiveness.’
“Even if it is useless, what would be the point in breaking it?”
‘To make me feel better?’
“Garovel.”
‘I’m kidding again. Relax.’
“Are you, though? You sure this isn’t one of those sarcastic confession-type things?”
‘Maybe a little. Maybe I think that mirror is being a real prick, right now.’
“Okay, Garovel.”
‘I don’t appreciate your tone, Hector.’
He decided to move on before the reaper dragged him down another conversational rabbit hole. “I wonder if whatever power the mirror had... got sucked out by the Gate ‘r something.”
‘That sounds possible. Hmm. Maybe even plausible.’
“But why would it only affect the mirror and not anything else? The Shifting Spear of Logante had power in it, too, right? And it came through the Gate just fine. Not to mention the Scarf.”
‘Perhaps the nature of the mirror’s power was similar to that of the Gate. So they interacted with one another.’
“So... maybe it’s actually the opposite of what you were saying. Maybe it was a teleporter, but now it’s not?’
‘Maybe. And if so, then... man, that bites. Bad luck on our part.’
“I mean, at least we didn’t end up fused into the rock.”
‘I guess that’s true. Way to look on the bright side, Hector.’
“Hmm...”
‘Now what’re you thinking?’
“I’m trying to remember the last time that I actually saw this thing,’ said Hector. “Because I feel like... I didn’t even have it with me when we went through the portal. Not that I knew we were going through a portal, at the time.”