《Soloknight》


 Chapter 1

    Kichi sat on top of her leather pack with a codex in hand, legs crossed, and Bin, the squirrel cat, curled in her lap. She turned a yellowed page and glanced up but saw no signs of what was promised to come. She couldn¡¯t remember the last time a premonition was wrong, and though her memory seemed a bit flaky of late, she anticipated a man who would bring a triad of unexpected things.


    He would bring peace to Midbluffs, make her a knight, and tell a story that wasn¡¯t a story but an accusation. Strangely, for the first, the area already seemed at peace, despite rumblings of discontent.


    She thumbed to the next page and saw the list of ten rules of chivalry. She¡¯d read the whole codex a few times over, and it only improved with age. A knight must:


    I Cleanse unclean spirits


    II Defend the Realm


    III Defend the weak


    IV Act with valor


    V Never tell a lie


    VI Be generous


    VII Bring justice to the unjust


    VIII Show humility


    IX Gain strength using a pure sword


    X Respect authority if it''s not in conflict with the other codes


    The sound of gravel alerted her, and she spotted a lanky framed man taking slow steps. The man was a sight for sore eyes. His boots flopped open with each step as if they were trying to speak. A fly buzzed around him. She didn¡¯t need to get close to know how bad he smelled.


    He halted at a farmhouse just across the road behind a row of flowering bushes. The enormously long sword at his back told Kichi this was the man she¡¯d waited for, the one she had caught a glimpse of in the vision.


    The elderly man who lived there leaned on his pitchfork. His eyelids were drooped down, and he gave a gap-toothed smile. ¡°Whitebeard they call you know, huh? It can¡¯t be you after all this time. You¡¯re much like I remember you, but you have a few lines of worry. Could it be you¡¯re getting old after all these years?¡±


    Whitebeard¡¯s shadow cut along the ground, over a stone wall, and onto the old man¡¯s home of flaking paint. It was a shadow all the longer for the tall, wide-brimmed hat teetering on his head. ¡°Very funny. Good to see you again. It has been so long, too long.¡±


    ¡°I heard about your return. Word spreads fast, doesn¡¯t it? Folk say you¡¯ve been given the gift of prescience. Said it before you left, too.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no gift.¡±


    ¡°A curse?¡±


    ¡°Not that either.¡±


    ¡°Well then,¡± Digory said, and he put a gnarled hand on the tall stranger''s arm and gave Whitebeard a long once-over. ¡°Come, let me fix you some food. You could use a pair of boots as well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Kichi decided to introduce herself before they disappeared into the home, but before she got a word out, Bin lept high from her shoulder and spread its arms and legs to glide with its winglets. It beelined toward the stranger.


    Whitebeard caught Bin in his palm and stroked the small head between floppy ears. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a squirrel cat can grant you a wish, but it splits back into its pair. Have you tried?¡±


    Bin slipped from his grasp and bounded into the bush, scrambling up through the twigs.


    Kichi stuck her arm into the bush to try and grab her pet but she fell in and had to retreat. ¡°Of course not.¡± After a pause, she said, ¡°You carry a sword as long as you are tall. Are you a knight?¡±


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    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pure sword? It¡¯s got the green color of the wood spirits.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re observant, and it¡¯s good to meet you, but I¡¯m exhausted. I must be off early in the morning so good day to you.¡± He yawned and stepped away.


    Kichi put her hands on her hips and glared at him. He was drawing this out. She should have her first lesson directly. ¡°You will teach me the blade.¡±


    His eyes were hard to read as the wide brim barred the sunset light and put his face in shadow, but his lips curled at the corner. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear Digory? I¡¯m the one with prescience. Shouldn¡¯t I know if that were true?¡±


    She wasn¡¯t sure she liked this man, and she felt he was holding something back, which was mean and dishonest, but she knew as well as he did¡ªif he truly had the gift¡ªthat he would turn her into a knight. He must know.


    Before any more could be made of the exchange, he walked into the old man¡¯s house.


    Bin looked at her and sighed.


    ¡°Yeah, Bin, he¡¯s kind of weird. And what an unimaginative name, Whitebeard. He¡¯s too young to have a white beard.¡± She dropped her voice an octave to mimic him. ¡°I wonder what my name should be.¡±


    She slept under the oak near the house on a thin blanket. The air blew warm and humid until deep into the night, and in the morning, the wooly cows woke her as they mopped their way back and forth in the pastures before the sunlight doused the hills. The buzz of cicadas began in the trees and filled the air. The smell of the bakeries made Kichi¡¯s stomach grumble, but she never ate breakfast, so her stomach was wasting its effort complaining.


    A wooly cow chewed cud next to her seat on the wall. She perked up, but it was just Digory hitching a horse to a heavy plow.


    Shoes thudded to the grass, and she walked over to Digory. ¡°How do you know Whitebeard?¡±


    ¡°Why, he¡¯s my brother. We grew up in this house with our folks long ago when this town was only a few farms.¡±


    She nodded as he talked about the field and soil and walked away dazed. How old was the stranger? Digory looked two hundred. She waited for a long while. Whitebeard had said early. Was midmorning his idea of early?


    An hour later, she sat again on the wall and listened to the windmills creak, and the birds worble before a figure stumbled from the farmhouse. Whitebeard looked like a man who slept in his clothes. He had on the same dusty black jacket with silver embroidery.


    She didn¡¯t know how a person could carry a sword with a blade of such great length, but it just stuck to his back like a magnet. No, it didn¡¯t touch his jacket but floated an inch from it.


    He stood slouched, opened and closed his mouth as if something tasted bad, and scratched. ¡°You¡¯re still here.¡±


    She¡¯d never met someone with such a terrible memory. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve been waiting for you to wake up. Are you ready to train me?¡±


    ¡°I would remember if I made a promise like that. What makes you want to learn anything about knights?¡±


    ¡°Before my mom passed away, she spoke of my father¡¯s order. She said he was the most chivalrous man she¡¯d ever met and a brave knight.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any proof?¡±


    Proof? He was lucky she was in a good mood. ¡°If you must know, I have his sword.¡± She reached into her cloak and brought out a sword of red tint.


    ¡°Is that a sword or a dagger?¡±


    She slid it back into the scabbard and raised her nose at him. ¡°It¡¯s a sword.¡±


    He faced the woolly cows and bent back until his spine popped. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be the first to get their sword passed down to them unexpectedly. I can help you find a proper knight to train with. But do you even know what you¡¯re getting into? Do you know how a knight gains power?¡±


    ¡°From the sword.¡±


    ¡°Sort of. Do you know how?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    He pulled his blade in a whip motion and made the air sing. ¡°An ancestral knight acted so chivalrously that a purity spirit sacrificed its immortal life to lay on a forge and be hammered into a sword. At least, most of the time.¡±


    She looked at her red hilt. ¡°That¡¯s terrible.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. When an unclean spirit dies by a pure sword, it¡¯s cleansed of its earthly corruption. It¡¯s freed as a being of energy, at which point your sword absorbs and transfers a fraction to you. There are forty-seven known levels of knighthood.¡±


    ¡°What level are you?¡±


    ¡°Never disclose your level if you learn it. You may choose to reveal your focus, but know it may be used against you.¡± He froze and pointed. ¡°Since when did Midbluffs have highwaymen?¡±


    She followed his gaze and found them. A line of rough-looking men with horses and weapons marched toward the town center. ¡°We should get inside,¡± she said.


    ¡°This is your moment to show valor.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 0


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: unknown


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 2

    Kichi watched the line of highwaymen file uphill, through a thicket, and into the town. They¡¯d done this before, even in the few days she''d been waiting here for her mentor. They always went to the mayor¡¯s house, took money and goods, and promised to be on their way as soon as possible. The head man had the worst face, as if his forehead wanted to meet his chin, and he had eyes screwed deep into his face.


    Whitebeard strode toward town. His legs were like those people from the menagerie who wore stilts. It would help if he¡¯d slow down so her short legs could match his pace without running.


    She rushed up by his side. ¡°Are you going to stop them?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    They passed the farms and entered the huddled thatch-roofed building at the market square. People hammered at nails and set up tables. Others stretched a banner across the road that announced the Day of the Good King. A totem pole of square faces and a red moon rose three fathoms from beside the fountain in the middle of the square. It was painted in red, yellow, and green.


    She wanted to be here for the celebration, but the blade and knighthood took precedence.


    A wagon banged as it rolled beside them. Its driver was a man of middle years who chewed on a piece of wheat. ¡°Good day, lord knight. I hope you enjoy the festival. We have a fortuneteller this year.¡±


    Whitebeard looked up to see past his brim. ¡°Really? Interesting.¡±


    The driver doffed his hat and rolled by with his load of watermelons.


    Kichi had never had her fortune told, but the prospect excited her. ¡°My training comes first, but is there any way to hear our future before we go?¡±


    Whitebeard nodded. ¡°I can¡¯t pass up the opportunity. You understand, someone with prescience rarely, if ever, can be read. But once in a great while, a true foretelling occurs, and often it¡¯s important to more than you might think.¡±


    The mayor¡¯s house came into view, and they soon approached it, but not before the highwaymen rounded the corner and poured into the square. The scrunch-faced leader looked directly at them, and she felt a shiver.


    Whitebeard rapped on the mayor¡¯s door, and then, as he waited, he leaned on the frame and closed his eyes. It was as if he were going to take a nap standing up.


    She tugged on his jacket. ¡°Whitebeard, they¡¯re behind you, the highwaymen.¡±


    He peeked open an eye. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here.¡±


    She kicked his shin. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m still here. And so are they!¡± She pointed.


    He grimaced and rubbed a foot on his shin. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to shield us. Remember this if you remember nothing else: If my shield ever fails, run like a dragon¡¯s on your heels.¡±


    ¡°Noted. Now please, turn around.¡±


    With that, he lifted the green sword with one hand as high as possible and let go. It floated unassisted. A shield dome spread from its guard and reached the ground. It was more of a half dome, as the building blocked part of it. Or did it enter the building? She didn¡¯t know the details but would learn.


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    The lead highwayman neared and stopped a few paces before his peers. ¡°Oh, a knight.¡± He dared another step. ¡°We take what we need. Do you know that the Han is filled with people kicked off their lands? The list goes on: Blacksmiths, tanners, butchers who are now subsisting in Yonwood and part of my company.¡± He made a gesture that encompassed the town. ¡°You all hold the King in such high regard, yet he¡¯s too old and feeble to maintain justice. I spit on the Good King.¡±


    Whitebeard raked his facial hair as if he considered the other''s words. ¡°These people have nothing to do with your plight. I don''t care if you''re plundering Duke Akitomo¡¯s men. The Duke¡¯s taken your livelihoods, but I won''t stand for the harm of the innocent. It''s against every principle I uphold.¡±


    Kichi tugged on his sleeve and whispered, ¡°I think there¡¯s too many for you to take.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. You''re going to help. This is how you earn a reputation for valor.¡±


    The mayor peeked through the door, his long mustaches swaying as he took in the scene. ¡°We must give them what they ask for. We don¡¯t have the means to fight. Last time, they injured our strongest farmers and set fire to two houses.¡±


    Whitebeard raised a hand. ¡°Let me talk sense to them. Carry on with your festival, mayor.¡±


    From behind the highwaymen, a goopy leg brought a glank into view. It was all living refuse. Human waste, garbage, sticks, and leaves slid along its membrane. It was huge, and Kichi feared unstoppable. ¡°Whitebeard, they have a glank.¡±


    The mayor squeaked and slammed the door closed.


    Whitebeard snatched the pure sword free from his back. He then dropped the shield, leaving them unprotected. ¡°So, you show your true color. Why is it that when the realm falls into hard times, the worst are the first to try to fix it? You can¡¯t fight corruption with corruption.¡±


    Kichi had wanted to see if the shield went through the house, but she¡¯d need to wait until another time to find out.


    The leader began to wind his crossbow. ¡°You don¡¯t know how we¡¯ve suffered. Who are you to judge us? Who are you to stop us?¡±


    Whitebeard removed his hat and sat it aside. Long white hair haloed around his head. He looked like a young version of an old sorcerer. He removed his jacket, folded it, and laid it beside the hat. ¡°You have a glank, and it¡¯s powerful. Of its rank, it must be near the top. Do you think it cares who it hurts? Stop feeding it, and it will turn against you.¡±


    The leader laughed and released a bolt. Those behind him brandished makeshift weapons.


    Thin green energies surged around Whitebeard. It shone around his shoulders and snaked down his limbs.


    The highwaymen skittered back, and the loosed bolt snapped against him and fell uselessly onto the cobbles. Words of astonishment flittered through their numbers. ¡°He¡¯s a knight in Shining Armor.¡±


    Kichi couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. She¡¯d found an archknight?


    The highwaymen dispersed from the square and ran aimlessly back into the hills. That left the glank, which seemed unaffected.


    It slugged forward. Two appendages protruded from its sides from the mountain of filth. It entered the square and roared.


    She felt the chivalric call and ran with her sword overhead. The archknight darted past her, leaving her in his dust. How does one become so fast?


    The creature grew until it towered over her. Above, it battled Whitebeard, leaving its legs undefended. She thrust with her sword, but it caught in the goo. She pulled so hard to release it that when she did, she fell back and landed hard. She looked straight up at the sky and the green energy trails as the archknight sliced, jumping along the creature''s mass. His blade moved so fast it didn¡¯t get stuck. Then, the filthy jelly came down on her. Its vileness entombed her whole body.


    Kichi


    Level: 1


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: unknown


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 3

    Inside the jelly-like creature, partially digested skeletons of man and beast were suspended in its body. A silhouette of a skull with a long tongue sat eclipsing the blurred sun. Kichi struggled against the vile entombment and panicked as she realized that she couldn¡¯t breathe. She would dissolve after she suffocated, but she stuck her shirt over her mouth and got a fraction of breath.


    She still had the sword in her hand. The weight against her was crushing, but she moved the blade up, cutting into the mass of the glank. She made a slit that allowed a pocket of air, and she sat and gasped. Well, that bought her a little time.


    But the stench made her want to empty her stomach, and she had to fight back bile.


    A hole appeared in the glank, torn by the tiny claws of Bin. Bin! You beautiful squirrel cat!


    The hole was enough to push wider and wiggle through. She spilled out like a birthed calf, and she sucked in fresh air¡ªwell, fresher than within that stinking mass.


    She rolled over, almost too tired to do so, just in time to see the glank reel back from a green crescent of air. Whitebeard struck it again and again with the long green sword, and it had reared up to meet him higher in the air, and so when it fell, it toppled like a tree. She scrambled to her feet and threw herself before it crushed her.


    The town square shook as the glank crashed as a mountainous splat.


    Whitebeard landed softly, turned to her, and offered a hand. ¡°It is defeated. Now, thrust your sword into it so that the spirits can cleanse and release it.¡°


    She walked beside the glank, pinched her nose, and poked her sword into it. She would rather get away from the thing. And she needed to sit down. Her legs felt noodly, barely holding her up.


    He also thrust his sword into it so that both pure swords were in the unclean spirit. A high hum filled the air. ¡°Kichi, the brigand was right about the kingdom. It¡¯s fallen into a state of decay. These spirits would never have grown so corrupted when the King was in good health. I fear the rot has crept into many of his subjects.¡±


    Kichi felt a tingle. ¡°Why don¡¯t you know what¡¯s been happening? I thought everyone knew that things were getting worse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been gone a long time. I was in a land beyond the sea, and before I sailed forth, the people were happy with the new kingdom. The king was strong, and the orders of knights stood in solidarity. The land was merry with spirits and animals. Now a shadow has laid itself on the realm.¡±


    She felt the tingle turn into pain as energy surged through her sword and into her. Jolts racked her arm and punched her breath away. Soon, she let out a groan as the pain exceeded her ability to hide it.


    Under white, bushy eyebrows, Whitebeard looked at her squinted eyes and barred teeth. ¡°Let go.¡±


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    She knew she should, but this is why she trained, and it was thrilling. The power filled her like a mug overbrimming.


    He repeated more forcefully. ¡°Let go, now.¡±


    Forking bolts flashed through her mind, and she screamed. It was as if her whole body had been set aflame. A moment later, she realized she was alive when she opened an eyelid, and the sky was beside her¡ªno, above her. She was on her back on the cobbles.


    Whitebeard stood over her. ¡°Silly girl. Release if you feel pain. If you¡¯d been alone, you¡¯d be dead.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°You drew too much. Your power level expands around you in rings. Think of the power in packets that you have to store. The ring closest to you can¡¯t hold as much because it¡¯s smaller in circumference. When your pure sword drank from the glank, it quickly exceeded the smallest rings about yourself.¡±


    ¡°How many rings do I have now?¡±


    ¡°Only a sorcerer can tell you.¡±


    The mayor peeked from his door, flinched at the mess, and let his mouth stay open at the sight of the knight over the fallen girl. ¡°Are you okay? Are they gone?¡±


    Whitebeard nodded. ¡°I¡¯m going to come inside and have a bath. Well, both of us.¡±


    Bin landed on the mayor¡¯s shoulder. Bits of waste dripped onto his clean blue shirt. His nose wrinkled, and he tried shooing the animal away. ¡°Of course, yes, come in.¡±


    She¡¯d never been inside a fancy home. It had an upper floor with a balustrade and servants who drew her a bath in a cast iron tub and gave her clean clothes. They held her soiled ones at arm''s length to wash. Afterward, they gave her an ivory comb, and she sat looking at herself in a mirror. She¡¯d never brushed herself such a perfect reflection of her whole body. She¡¯d always used a small polished metal thing. She came out of the manor feeling like a mountain of gold.


    Whitebeard cut a dashing figure, though maybe a little too tall and lanky. He looked like a true knight, save for the long white hair, which they usually cropped short. His clothes weren¡¯t rumpled, and the silver embroidery against the black cloth stood in high contrast. And he didn¡¯t smell.


    The festival had begun, and throngs of people packed the town square. They played games and held contests. People raced around the square with their legs in sacks. The farmers showed off melons they¡¯d grown to a ridiculous size.


    Kichi and Whitebeard ate fried bread with honey and went straight to the fortune teller afterward.


    The tent was a purple canvas with moon and star patterns. The woman inside looked like a crinkled piece of parchment. She read their palms and then laid out cards, but she kept coming up with no answers. She thrummed her fingers on the table, reshuffled, and sighed.


    Whitebeard gave Kichi a knowing look.


    The fortune teller brought out a crystal ball and looked into it until smoke filled the interior. It looked like a fireworks show in the clouded orb, and the strange light played on her face. ¡°I have something. I was getting worried I¡¯d lost my touch. Anyway, I see you in a castle, and you will find something of a horrible nature. Some evil power will try to destroy you, and I see it strike you down, Lord Knight.¡±


    Kichi felt Bin tremble in her arms. She stroked the poor squirrel cat, looked up, and found Whitebeard grinning. The woman had said he¡¯d be struck down, and he found it amusing.


    Kichi


    Level: 4


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 4

    Kichi and Whitebeard left Midbluffs and traveled west into the windy valleys until they reached flat, forested mountains and a city called Wythmere. Tucked in the evergreens, it looked like two towns that grew together along a babbling creek, for the east bank had thatched roofs, and the other had red tile. There were two huddles of inns and taverns and shops on the west bank. They stopped at the Dragon Scale Inn for a night''s sleep before they would continue into the flats toward Dunaguard.


    She protested that she had no silver and would be fine under the stars, but he insisted it wasn¡¯t a matter of concern.


    Two servings of stew landed before them in wooden bowls with long spoons. She sipped at watered-down beer, which tasted sweet on her dry tongue. She¡¯d walked so far that she¡¯d passed hunger, and this measure of beer filled her up and made her burp. She picked at a meat chunk but gave up. It smelled good, but her stomach began to feel uneasy. She fingered the little imperfections of the polished tabletop, and her attention wandered to the strange faces in the dim atmosphere. Strangers tossed glances their way, and she got the unpleasant notion that they whispered about them.


    Then Kichi¡¯s eyes hazed over, and she stared into nothing in the common room.


    She always foresaw things in threes. Never two, never four, always three. They hit her now. She wished she could pick the time, but it came at random, and she didn¡¯t care if she was tired.


    The first vision was of something liquid and hot pouring from her hands. She didn''t often give visions of herself. In fact, it was very rare, but she was pretty sure it was her hand in the image.


    The second vision was of a man saying someone was going to die. The words were: I put enough poison in that stew to kill a horse, no, an entire stable of horses.


    Finally, the third vision showed shadow and fire emerging from a depth, from a pit like a moat of cliffs around a castle high in the mountains. Kichi felt it more than she saw it. It was a great evil, enough to make the glank seem like an ant in comparison, and it wanted something. No, it had to posses something, and it would ravage everything in its path.


    When she returned to herself and looked down at the stew, she panicked. Once again, the vision of the man saying that the stew was poisoned rolled through her mind. She didn''t know if this was this stew, but it could be.


    She pushed her bowl away. And she turned to Whitebeard to tell him to do the same, but he was already slurping down the last drop. He turned to look at her. Then, his head fell to the table. His mug tipped, and his white hair splayed in the liquid. His eyes were wide open. She checked for a pulse, but there was no beat that she could feel with her fingertips.


    A man in tattered clothes pushed at Whitebeard¡¯s back. ¡°I poisoned a knight. I put enough poison in that stew to kill a horse, no, an entire stable of horses.¡±


    A handful of people closed around her table. Some looked rough, and she wasn''t sure if she could fight them off. All had a shadow over their face. Something was wrong here. She reached for the hilt of her sword, but the man lifted his hand, and then it was as if irons were clamped down on her wrists.


    His eyes were black, leaving no whites, and reflected the candlelight. ¡°I think we¡¯ll keep this one alive. She might come in handy for the ritual. Lock her up in one of the rooms. We''re going to give her some well water.¡±


    A man whose jaw never closed and hung askew full of rotten teeth took her sword girdle. ¡°But they''re bringing more for the well, Hach. Makes the water sweet,¡± he said, but the words were barely pronounced.


    Kichi only had one card to play. ¡°Now,¡± she said, and Bin scrambled from her inner pouch and darted across the common area, using tables to land and leap.


    Hach yelled, ¡°Catch that damn thing.¡± But Bin slipped through the door and escaped just before it slammed closed.


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    The man placed her sword girdle on the counter at the kitchen entrance. ¡°Why don''t we just cut her throat? I think she¡¯s a squire.¡±


    Hach fixed his inky eyes on her and sized her up. ¡°She¡¯ll be no trouble, will you?¡±


    She wanted to tell him off, but his face could unsettle a stone, and looked away. Two strong hands roughly bent her arms behind her back.


    Hach directed them. ¡°Lock her in a room.¡±


    They pushed her up the stairs, but she caught a few words from frustrated voices in the common room. ¡°His sword won¡¯t budge. It¡¯s like trying to lift a chest of gold.¡±


    ¡°I wish it was a chest of gold.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re following Hach. We don¡¯t need wealth.¡±


    They prodded her down a narrow hallway and shoved her into a room. It had a single window, a small bed, a chest, and an oak door.


    ¡°What if,¡± one said, ¡°She drops out the window?¡±


    The other pushed the shutters wide and peered down. ¡°Yeah, we better put someone down there to keep an eye out.¡± He turned to her and pushed her, and she saved herself from tumbling backward with an outstretched arm. ¡°Goodnight, sweetheart.¡±


    They closed the heavy door and left her alone.


    She sat on the bed and cupped her face. If only Whitebeard had made her into a proper squire before being murdered, she might have had a chance. How can I do this if I¡¯m not even a squire? And what if the whole city¡¯s gone mad?


    And then it hit her; he was dead. It sank in and felt cold to the marrow. It wasn''t just that he was the man to train her, but in the short time on the road, she¡¯d come to consider him a friend and mentor. They even sparred for the last three mornings before they set off from camp. She knew he held chivalry above all else, and the realm was weaker without him. Now, her premonitions had finally turned inaccurate. Sure, she¡¯d foreseen the poisoning¡ªtoo late¡ªbut all the other visions of him turned to ash in her mind.


    To save yourself, she needed to act. And she would bury him properly, as was due any knight. An archknight should get a procession, and that meant that if she truly cared and respected him, she should carry his body to the closest knight¡¯s order.


    She opened the chest and looked in. Inside, there was a candle and a whetstone, but she only took the first, for a pure sword rarely needed sharpening and it never rusted. She picked up the codex and thumbed through it. She wondered who left it. They probably killed the person who occupied this room.


    To escape, she¡¯d need to figure out what magic the pure sword had given her. Honestly, she had no idea how it worked, but she needed to try. All pure swords were made of purity spirits that didn¡¯t color the metal, but some had other spirits mixed into the steel. Her father¡¯s blade contained some kind of fire spirit, but she had no idea what kind. All she had to go on was her premonition, and that had something to do with melting.


    She held the candle out and thought about fire and heat. She concentrated harder but felt nothing. She pictured a flame that got hotter and brighter and made it feel real but to no avail. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t a flame spirit after all. ¡°I should have asked him about magic.¡±


    Why hadn¡¯t she tried the iron doorknob? That made her feel dumb. She didn¡¯t need to battle anyone if she could just slip away. The iron felt cold in her hand, but it wouldn¡¯t budge, and the whole door was as solid as a rock. She tried imagining it burning, but no matter how hard she tried, it felt cool to the touch. There was something there, a connection to the rings Whitebeard told her about, but no matter how hard she tried, nothing happened.


    After this and the long day hiking in the sun, she felt drained and wanted to lie down and give up. She felt drunk on her feet from exhaustion. No, keep going. They can¡¯t get away with this.


    She took the whetstone and concentrated, and finally, she felt a warm grow. Is this magic?


    The warmth was as if she¡¯d dug this stone from the ash of a campfire doused the night before. It startled her with a pop when it fell apart in her hands. Perhaps it was a lava spirit, or perhaps this was her ability. She jammed fragments in and around the door lock, and she concentrated. The rocks turned red and oozed over the iron, yet the metal wouldn¡¯t melt. The wood, however, smoldered around the handle. The molted stone burnt it out, and she swung the door open. Smoke filled the hallway.


    Kichi


    Level: 4


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 5

    It smelled pleasant as the door cooked under the heat of the lava, and the bluish haze of it filled the hallway. A board painted with a woman reclining with a dog at her feet hung askew on the wall before her. All the other doors stood closed as Kichi prowled to the stairway. She pictured herself without a weapon, descending into a common room filled with corrupted city folk with black stares. That seemed like a bad idea, so she turned back and tried a doorknob, and it let her into a room with no one in it.


    The wooden second story overhung the first stone one, and she stuck her body out of the window into the night air. There was no great way to climb down. The daub and wattle exterior had a hole where some woodpecker had knocked out a chunk. It provided a good foothold and let her down a few feet, but not very far. She had no choice but to let go.


    The ground shot towards her faster than expected. Her knees crashed into her torso, and it knocked her breath out. She pitched forward and faceplanted into the ground, gasping and holding herself. Then, as soon as lungs allowed, she stood and spat, tasting dirt in her mouth.


    ¡°You there,¡± said a man rounding the side of the inn. Before she turned to run, Bin was an orange spot that shot from the trees and landed on the side of his neck.


    She picked up a stone and realized that she had the power to melt it. Not that this was the case for it. This called for regular violence. She darted forward and launched it into the man¡¯s head.


    Busy with Bin, the stone thudded into the side of his face. He toppled and didn¡¯t get back up as she scoured for another stone.


    She ran for the trees. ¡°Come, Bin.¡±


    He grunted, covered a bleeding scalp, and cursed. He sat up and swung his head in search of her, but he couldn¡¯t see her in the shadows.


    The spaces between trees were wide and clear of brush, and the only obstacles were the occasional gnarled bough that seemed to reach for her. Kichi ran on a carpet of pine needles, which softened her steps. The city lights shone between the boughs.


    Bin jumped from her shoulder and waved with a tiny paw.


    She crept to the edge of the trees and looked. In a yellow street lamp, an iron cage hung by a well. Was this the well Hach spoke of back at the inn?


    Movement in the cage caught her eye, and it took a second to recognize the form of a man. Maybe he was a criminal. Or, she feared, perhaps it was a victim of Hach.


    She made a clandestine zigzag into shadows along shuttered shops. Then, she peered into the cage. The man didn¡¯t notice her, and that made her feel confident in her sneaking ability. She noticed cropped blond hair, nice blue fabric, and a plate on his shoulder.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he said without looking back.


    ¡°My name¡¯s Kichi. Who are you, and what are you doing in there?¡±


    The man turned as best he could and grabbed the bars. ¡°I¡¯m a Knight Masahide of Mount Tempar. And a possessed man named Hach put me in here. Unclean spirits often delight in humiliating those like me.¡±


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    She walked around so he didn¡¯t have to twist his neck to look at her. However, she didn¡¯t want to stay long in the pool of light and risk discovery. ¡°I need to get you out then.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re awfully quick to trust. Though I¡¯m not complaining.¡±


    ¡°No, I trust my gut. So, how do I open this thing?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll need a key unless you can cut through thick iron.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a key, and I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Well, the server girl from the tavern called the Lion Cave told me Hach went to his house after he locked me up. And then he slept all day. If he doesn¡¯t have the key, he might have left it there.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get you out. And then you have to help me get the body of Whitebeard. He was a great knight and must be treated with respect.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the house?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a white bridge over the creek just upstream. Follow the trail to the first hill, and it¡¯s the home with a broken cart in the front.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll return,¡± she said and darted back into the shadows. Three of the men at the tavern walked past. She didn¡¯t directly recognize them, but they had black veins around their eyes.


    It was impossible to cross the creek without running out into the open and being spotted. The directions made sense from her vantage. Beyond the bridge, the road vanished, but a trail angled into the wooded hills. She sprinted to the bridge and went underneath. She took off her boots and stepped into freezing water. She gasped and ran across and sat to put boots back on plaid feet.


    A group walked along the road with lanterns. It seemed to be women with a few guys demonstrating some harrowing tale. They may have been a little drunk, but none appeared affected by the well. That was a good sign, but she didn¡¯t risk discovery and instead ran to a hedge behind a low wall and finally into the trees.


    They stopped on the bridge and leaned on the wall.


    She hurried along the path uphill and found the house with a broken cart in its front walkway. There were no lights between the shutters. She circled but found no way in.


    The cart was heavy, but it would get her above the foundation and to the windows. She pushed it against the wall and pried a shutter open.


    The house inside was in disarray. Food rotted on a pine table, and the stench almost made her gag. Luckily, after the glank, she felt far more resilient to bad smells.


    The house was big enough for a family, but no one was there. The bedding lay strewn on the floor. Then, she found a folded piece of parchment. She read the poor spelling and sloppy scrawl. It was Hach telling how sad he was after losing his wife and child during childbirth. It said he was going to the graveyard to join them.


    As she was ready to give up, having searched the stove and rooms, she found a key next to a stinking chamber pot. She held her breath and picked it up. Perhaps this was it.


    She returned to the front yard, but instead of turning back to the city, she turned the other way. On the subsequent rise, there was a shrine and, farther, a graveyard. Somehow, she felt this was important to learn what happened to Hatch. How did he end up taking over the inn and perhaps the city?


    The shrine had offerings, and a flying bandit crawled on it and grabbed an offering. It stared at her and sniffed the air before it took flight. Beyond that, gravestones and tombs stood in the gloom. After poking around in the dark, she found a length of rope wound around a tree. The rope had frayed, and a piece lay apart from the rest.


    She froze as a ghoul stiffly walked past her.


    A voice like gnawing bones spoke from behind. ¡°Have you come to join the restless?¡±


    I don¡¯t have my pure sword.


    Kichi


    Level: 4


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 6

    The ghoul stopped mid-stride. A head of wispy hair and a missing ear tilted the other way, but then its half-decomposed face snapped to look at Kichi, and a tongue moved in a worm-filled mouth. It took a step toward her on a fleshless leg.


    Another creature behind laughed. It was a fresh ghoul that looked too alive, a broad man with no nose. ¡°Come to me, pumpkin.¡±


    Kichi stepped away and kept an eye on both creatures. ¡°I¡¯m too fast, you won¡¯t catch me.¡±


    ¡°No, we aren¡¯t fast, but we will catch you.¡±


    Kichi had heard of a ghoul or two wandering a graveyard, but she saw movement among the headstones as a dozen more meandered closer. She whipped around and saw that they formed a perimeter around her. ¡°What happened when Hach came here? What did he do?¡±


    It laughed again and then, to her surprise, answered. ¡°He came here yelling that he was cursed like his grandfather, and his sadness disturbed the Wight.¡±


    Kichi glanced at the rope around the bough. Why would Hach do such a thing here? Surely, he knew the danger.


    She raced along a row of headstones and stumbled on loose earth. A corpse had risen here, she knew. Pushing herself up, she noticed a fresh rose lying on the adjacent grave.


    The ghouls closed around her. Every direction was tattered clothes and festering skin or bone. She had no idea what to do. It was a fate worse than death. Her soul would be confined here after they tortured her and feasted on her flesh.


    The first to reach her had a skeletal hand whose tendons puppet-stringed the grasping fingers. It caught hold of her collar and yanked.


    Bin leaped from a tomb and sailed in to fight for her, but a ghoul batted the squirrel cat away.


    Thanks for trying.


    Kichi couldn¡¯t let fear paralyze her. She searched for a gap in their numbers, but she saw none. She backed into the headstone. Of course, she¡¯d forgotten about her lava spirit. Her hands found the cold slate, and she concentrated on heating it. How much of the energy rings had she used?


    As far as she knew, ghouls usually feared fire because it purified them and released their souls. A memory of her mother telling her never to be too attached to the material world or one couldn¡¯t let go after death surfaced, but like many of her memories, it seemed like it happened to someone else.


    These poor souls couldn¡¯t let go, and they needed help.


    The slate melted in her hand, and she flung handfuls at them. It hissed as it plastered faces and torsos, and they stepped back.


    A few even turned away and retreated. One¡¯s eyes went wide, and it covered its face. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die.¡±


    Kichi felt like she was throwing snowballs, but they were glowing red. ¡°You don¡¯t want to die, even if you hunger for living flesh?¡± She tossed a molten heap into the back of one¡¯s head and it dropped as stiff as a statue.


    Bin crouched on the curve of a tomb and watched her. The ghouls wandered away into the night.


    She looked down at the ruined headstone. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I messed up your grave.¡±


    A moment of panic hit her, and she pattered herself down until she lifted the key and let out a breath. Now, she could free the knight. She whipped the moist dirt from her clothes and left the graveyard.


    A chill breeze hushed in the trees and froze her wet, muddy legs. Kichi hugged herself and kept to the side of the road. She still had no idea how corrupted the city was by the Wight, but she was beginning to assume the difference in appearance of the eyes was real, so instead of freezing herself in the water again, she sprinted over the bridge.


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    Masahide still sat in the iron cage in the pool of lamplight. Hach¡¯s followers carried buckets of water from the well and balanced them on poles over their shoulders.


    She waited, and after they carried bucket after bucket, they left, but before she could run over and unlock the cage, a girl ran and knelt by the cage.


    The way they talked gave Kichi hope that she was an ally. She wore a dress and lengths of red hair fell to the middle of her back.


    Kichi got closer and heard a snippet of words.


    Masahide held the girl''s hand. ¡°Even if I were free, Ema, my duty prevents me from settling down. I serve Mount Templar, which means I roam all the lands of the realm and serve as a protector of the mountain spirits.¡±


    The girl, Ema, looked into his eyes. ¡°Still, I have to get you out. I¡¯ve been pretending to drink the water for too long. They¡¯ll notice me soon.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you risking yourself. Flee and forget about me.¡±


    Kichi stepped forward. ¡°Masahide, I have a key to try.¡± She fitted the key into the lock, and it clinked open.


    He crawled out of the door and hobbled into the shadow. He wasn¡¯t able to straighten himself until they reached the trees. He sat and stretched his legs. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Ema hugged her, and they made a round of introductions and a summary of the prior events. Ema was the serving girl from the Lion Cave. As far as Masahide knew, Hach was still at the Dragon Scale Inn.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Masahide said, ¡°the two of us can defeat them if we work together.¡±


    Ema tried patting down his unruly blond hair, but the cowlick wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°The three of us. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    Kichi thought maybe Ema could be of use. ¡°We need to draw them from the inn¡¯s common room. Ema, you could set a fire at the well. Gather whatever you can to burn. Masahide can loose the stabled horses near the inn. I¡¯ll climb to the second story of the inn and get our pure swords.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°A fire at the well can be easily put out and won¡¯t unduly threaten the city. It¡¯s a good plan.¡±


    Ema fretted with her hands. ¡°Okay, I can do that. I¡¯ll gather things in a cart and set it alight.¡±


    Kichi caught Bin and stood. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. I¡¯ll see you two at the inn.¡±


    They scattered to complete their various tasks.


    Kichi ran inside the forest until she reached the inn, walked out under the moonlight to the west face, and looked up at the window she¡¯d leaped from earlier that night. It was too high up to climb. The overhang of the second floor just made it impossible.


    The tree beside the inn almost reached the building, but there was a terrifying gap between it and the inn. But what other choice did Kichi have? The evergreen¡¯s boughs started low to the ground. She ascended like climbing a ladder, but the branches above the tile roof bowed under her weight. It felt worse than it looked from below.


    She leapt.


    The branch dipped further than she¡¯d expected. The ground appeared to be a league below, even if it were less than ten fathoms. It wasn¡¯t enough. Her feet caught nothing but air. Her fingers hooked onto the roof. Perhaps it was good she¡¯d gone without food, for her weight and momentum slammed her into the wall, and she struggled to hold herself.


    She climbed to the roof''s ridge and waited for the chaos to begin. Nothing was happening. It was taking too long. Had the plan fallen apart? She pictured Ema and Masahide in cages after having failed their tasks. She began to feel like morning would dawn, though she had no way to know the time.


    Then, an orange light painted the whitewashed walls beyond the well. Soon, flames licked into view. Then whinnies pierced the night.


    Her heart raced. This was it.


    She scooted down the tile and dropped to the window. The shutter ripped off its hinge and pitched askew, and she almost plummeted, but her fingers held tight, and her foot found the sill. Inside, the room was empty. She darted out the door and to the stairway. She heard voices below and shouts of fire repeated.


    It sounded like they were filing out of the door, leaving the inn. She descended and saw the backs of the last out of the doorway.


    Where would they keep the pure swords?


    There was Whitebeard. He still sat face down on the table, eyes staring. The sword was still hovering an inch above his back.


    She felt tears welling but couldn¡¯t deal with that now. The archway to the kitchen caught her eye, and she jogged over to look. The two sword girdles lay in a heap on a chopping block. The swords were in their scabbards.


    She began belting hers on.


    A menacing voice said, ¡°I thought you¡¯d return for it.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 4


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 7

    He stepped from the gloom at the far end of the kitchen.


    She pulled her sword free, and the steel rang like flicking a crystal glass. She felt its emotion, a satisfaction at being in her hand, and the sound was a call to the fight. She had no idea that would happen but had no time to mull it over. She turned her attention to the man with all-black eyes. ¡°What happened to you, Hach?¡±


    He took slow steps forward. ¡°Have you heard of the necromancer in the north tower? She cursed my family four generations back. Our first wife and child would die during childbirth. I didn¡¯t think it was real. My two brothers refused to marry, but not me. I didn¡¯t listen to our father. I destroyed everything when I married Rin. Now she¡¯s dead, and so is my first son.¡±


    Masahide flew into the room and skidded to a halt by Kichi¡¯s side. ¡°My sword.¡±


    She tossed it to him. The air peeled with the ring of their union.


    Masahide stepped between her and Hach.¡°Kichi, are you a true friend of Whitebeard?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that have to do with anything?¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s still very much alive. He used a sword binding, and it remains strong, stronger than I¡¯ve ever seen. Only a true friend or loved one can unbind the sword. You must then place it in his hand. Go!¡±


    Hach yelled and came forward, and the pure sword met the flesh of his hand. But the edge didn¡¯t cut. It¡¯s as if his skin were metal.


    Masahide grunted under the strain as Hach pushed against the blade. ¡°He¡¯s too strong. Hurry.¡± He held a hand high, and a beam of light erupted from the ceiling, and something blasted into Hach.


    Kichi backed into the common room, turned, and ran to Whitebeard. The enormous sword fluctuated with green light.


    His long white hair was still spread over the wet surface. The blade was tilted so it didn¡¯t hit the floor when he sat. His knees nearly reached the underside of the table.


    The green energies swirled as she got closer. It was a green flame that excited in her presence. She was afraid to grab it.


    The sound of the fighting in the kitchen snapped her out of it, and she grabbed the hilt. It was like catching an electric eel.


    ***


    Kichi looked around but it was hard to see because the sun blazed down. The walls of the inn, the ceiling, everything was gone and replaced by nature. She was on a field of tall grass and yellow flowers. She heard the buzz of insects, and a blue butterfly landed on her arm. She stepped forward and parted the grass. She saw a large valley among rolling hills full of broad-leaf trees. But in the middle of the grassland was an enormous oak tree. Its canopy was impossibly big, like a thunderhead. Its trunk must have been wider than six houses in a row, and its shadow stretched to the horizon.


    A giant with ruddy skin stood in mid-swing with a massive axe. He would stand eye-to-eye with someone on a watchtower, but in comparison to the tree, he was like a normal man next to a normal tree.


    There was a dot that turned into the slender figure of a man on a bulge of root above the tangle at the tree¡¯s base.


    She ran closer.


    The giant rumbled, ¡°Who are you to tell me what to do?¡±


    The tiny man replied, ¡°Crann is a great spirit, one of the last protectors of all life. I won¡¯t let you harm the sacred wood.¡±


    Kichi got close enough to see a clean-shaven Whitebeard. He was young and chisel-faced.


    ¡°I am Sada of Gilgash and Squire to Knight Kazunori. Put down your axe, or I will slay you.¡±


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    The giant laughed, and the sound could be felt in Kichi¡¯s feet. ¡°Are you a squire or a jester? Well, try not to get in the way of my swing. Or do; I don¡¯t care if there¡¯s one less vermin in the world.¡±


    A branch snapped from high in the canopy. The giant reared back to avoid the impact. The wood splintered between them, and the ground quaked, and when the dust settled, a sword in a green flame stood upright between the two.


    Sada jumped down from the root and freed the sword. The ring shook the canopy above, and large winged animals and birds swarmed overhead. The peel hurt of the sword hurt even at this range, and she and the giant covered their ears. ¡°You will not cut down Crann.¡±


    ***


    Kichi blinked, and she held the sword and green flame in her hand. It must have been at least a foot longer than most men were tall. It felt heavy to her small arms. She pushed the handle into Whitebeard¡¯s hand. ¡°Come back, please.¡±


    Nothing happened. The vaporous flame petered out.


    ¡°Whitebeard. We need you.¡±


    In the silence, she heard the fighting again. Masahide flew through the air from the kitchen arch and landed in the common room. He was bruised and cut. He lifted his head but didn¡¯t move his sword arm.


    Kichi¡¯s sword did feel like a dagger after holding the other. She raised it and neared the enemy.


    Hach¡¯s eyes were leaking black fluid. The stuff spiderwebbed around his face. ¡°Even if you wake the knight, he¡¯s been out of his body for many hours. He¡¯ll be at a tiny fraction of his strength. You might as well fight me and die.¡±


    She raced forward, and he grabbed her sword and wrenched it out of her grip. That¡¯s all she could do? I feel much stronger than I used to, but I¡¯m nothing to this possessed man.


    Ema barged into the common room and paused when she saw Hach. Then she knelt by Masahide and tried to pull him back to the tables.


    Hach looked to see his men return. ¡°It¡¯s time to drink the well water.¡±


    A hand landed on Kichi¡¯s shoulder. It startled her with its firm grip. She looked back to see Whitebeard towering over her.


    ¡°Hach,¡± Whitebeard said, ¡°It¡¯s over. The corruption within you has had its fun, but it¡¯s time to let go of this world.¡±


    Hach furrowed his brow. ¡°You? In this condition? Do you think I didn¡¯t fashion a demon sword when the wight took me?¡± From his back, he drew a black sword.


    Whitebeard''s sword flew on its own and fenced with Hach. It pushed the man toward the kitchen. The swords were a blur, but the green streaks never relented.


    The black sword skittered across the floorboards and hit the wall. Vines grew threw the floorboards and captured the blade. Kichi wondered what kind of magic that had been.


    Whitebeard grabbed Hach by the arm. It sizzled. ¡°I¡¯m going to the well to fix this mess. Kichi, Masahide, clear these people out of my way.¡±


    However, the shadow-faced followers made no move to stop them. They cowered from the archknight. Near the well was the smoking cart and empty cage.


    Whitebeard threw down Hach at the stones of the well. He raised his sword, and the well burped and then spewed a water geyser. ¡°Crann! Lend me your power to heal this infection.¡±


    The water lifted in the wind, and a green waterspout engulfed the well. A beast hit the ground and crawled away. It was transparent, warping the cobbles beneath it.


    Whitebeard said, ¡°You two, use your pure swords to destroy the wight. And let go this time, Kichi.¡±


    She thrust into the thing, and so did Masahide. She felt the surge, the elation of the power filling her. When she felt pain, it was hard to release. But she did. A moment later, so did Masahide, who flourished his blade and sheathed it.


    The waterspout rained water around them.


    Kichi could only stare at the well. She saw Hach slump, but then a man lifted from the body. She saw him stand with a woman and child in the wavering water. He was smiling at her.


    All went quiet when the water stopped its twirling dance.


    Whitebeard stood in the lamplight and the first thin tint of dawn. His white hair hung soaked. His shoulders slumped as if that took a lot out of him.


    People gathered around the well, but she didn¡¯t see a single shadowed face, not even among those she recognized from the inn. It was all over.


    Masahide drew his blade again, and she feared that another enemy emerged, but he knelt with his sword tip to the cobbles before Whitebeard. ¡°That was beyond anything I¡¯ve witnessed from a knight. Some would mistake powerful magical attacks as comparable feats, but I know better. I swear loyalty to you, Whitebeard. Mount Templar has been without a Grand Master for years. And now I have found him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a soloknight, I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯ve lost my order and belong to no other. That would disgrace Mount Templar to have me.¡±


    Masahide remained kneeling but looked up in shock. ¡°Then I know what order you¡¯re from. I don¡¯t recall chivalry stating that one must never outlive their order.¡±


    Kichi had never pictured a soloknight being so noble. They did have a bad reputation. But she agreed with Masahide.


    Whitebeard looked behind him at some raucous. ¡°I think mobs are forming. We better be on to the duke¡¯s castle before they poke us with scythes.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 5


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 8

    Duke Akitomo always kept a formality between himself and even his family unless he lost his temper. His long-receded hair left a peek at his forehead, and his dark hair hung straight and cropped. Today, he donned traditional scale armor about his wide shoulders. He found a shrine up in the mountain peaks and had his men tear it down and burn it, obliterating the history of those who occupied the mountain hollow before his family.


    Henry followed him to a high precipice and looked east, where the land tumbled down to the deserts. ¡°When the empire arrived from some distant shore, they became great rulers and ended the Dark Ages. They¡¯re gone, their blood integrated into the realm, but the nobility preserves their names. It¡¯s time you chose your Old Empire name.¡±


    It was time for Henry to choose a name and, worse, to take land and responsibility from his father. The gifted land lay somewhere out in the far hills, and someday soon he would have to leave and squeeze supplies from the inhabitants, and he would have to prepare to raise an army when his father called upon him.


    Later, Henry stood in the grand hall with his hands behind his back, facing the high chair surrounded by black marble walls. ¡°Yes, father. I have chosen.¡±


    ¡°And what will it be?¡±


    ¡°Akisane.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± The Duke turned sharply and addressed those in the chamber. ¡°Leave us. I want to speak to my son alone.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s gravelly voice held the tone of someone speaking to a lesser lord rather than a son. ¡°Akisane, your brother plans to cut my life prematurely. You¡¯ve known this, and yet you haven¡¯t taken action. It''s so sweet of you to care so deeply about family, but now it¡¯s time for you to become a man and do your duty.¡±


    Henry smoothed his features. He didn¡¯t want to reveal any emotion. ¡°I¡¯m only looking for an opportune moment, Your Grace. At first, I thought I could talk sense into him, but the upstates, the Knights of the Monolith, have led him astray.¡±


    ¡°Preposterous. The thirteenth won¡¯t be a bunch of criminals and unworthy lords. Have you found where they meet?¡±


    ¡°They seem to gather in different locations every time.¡±


    The Duke stood from the high chair and approached. ¡°There will always be rats in the dukedom. Until your departure, I want you to join my Shadowed Hand, a small group of talented individuals who can influence events in the realm in my favor. But first, I have a test for you.¡±


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    ¡°What must I do?¡±


    His father squeezed his arm until it hurt. ¡°Tonight, you do the deed, or I will disown you. My patience grows thin, and I want this problem gone.¡±


    A guard swung the heavy door open. ¡°Your Grace, I apologize, but Lord William insists on seeing you.¡±


    A scowl passed over the Duke¡¯s face at the intrusion. He let go of Henry¡¯s shoulder and glanced with disdain at the eldest son.


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± William said, barging past the guard. ¡°Too many whispers around the castle, father. You¡¯d think everyone was conspiring behind locked doors.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s mouth curled in the facsimile of a smile. ¡°My first son. I was just talking to Henry about women. I guess I¡¯ve had that talk with you, yet still, you¡¯re unmarried.¡±


    ¡°Oh, women. It¡¯s been a long time since we sat around and bantered. What do you think of the girls from the Shimmer? I hear they¡¯ll stab you in the back if you fall out of their favor.¡±


    Henry knew he flinched, but his brother seemed to read his intent. William looked just like their father, minus thirty years and without the stature. ¡°I apologize, but I can¡¯t stay and catch up. I have duties.¡±


    The Duke waved him away and approached William, standing a head taller. ¡°I want my sons to be strong. Our house will be dominant, I can assure you. There will be sacrifices, but we must act not in our own interests but in the interest of our family. Anything can be excused if you fulfill your duty. Now, I don¡¯t care about today¡¯s obligations. I want both of you to man the gate until you rediscover your family bonds.¡±


    William stared hard at Henry. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°You are dismissed.¡±


    The brothers walked silently through the winding stairways and narrow halls to the west wall, along it to the inner gate, and then along a catwalk in the cliffs to the main gate. Beyond the entry to the castle, the bridge, and the foothills lay a vast grassland. Around Dunaguard and small towns was a patchwork of farmland that stretched into the blued distance. It looked browner than usual; perhaps the rains hadn¡¯t come yet.


    William leaned against the parapet and folded his arms. ¡°Do we have to maintain this charade? If you want to kill me, then let¡¯s not waste time.¡±


    Akisane drew the black blade at his side and remembered finding it at William¡¯s side. They¡¯d traveled far, hundreds of leagues to the south in tangled swamps, and found it from a haunted lake. Some inherit or forge a demon blade, but some rarely find a weapon hidden in the world. ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill you. You know why I must do this.¡±


    Henry


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 9

    Kichi, Whitebeard, Ema, and Masahide fled Wythmere in the night and hurried until they emerged from the forest. There, a road wound its way through hills and toward the misty pink, which grew in the east, toward the great mountains at the center of the continent.


    Kichi wouldn¡¯t miss Ema¡¯s possessed city, at least not for some time. Maybe she¡¯d return someday and take care of their graveyard problem.


    They napped in the cool shade deep in an elbow of two steep hills, where the earth was sandy and crawled with ants. Kichi rubbed her eyes when a hand shook her awake, but she popped up when Whitebeard bade her to train. They crossed swords, and she tried her best to hit him, but that wasn¡¯t a reasonable goal yet.


    She felt better when Masahide drew his sword, and she came close to touching him when his heel turned a pebble, though she would have died a thousand times if it had been real combat.


    After the hills, the land fell to dry farmland, and they spent many days with less food than they¡¯d like, for more than a few farmhouses sat abandoned. They rested in an empty house with a hole in the roof and crumbling walls.


    After a short nap, Whitebeard removed his wide-brimmed hat and smeared dirt on his face when he rubbed a hand over it. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here.¡±


    ¡°To the end,¡± Masahide said. He¡¯d given up on the comb, and his head was an overgrown lawn of wheat-colored hair.


    Ema clung to Masahide¡¯s arm, and he returned the affection, but he wanted to pace the perimeter. Her only real flaw was her large ears, which allowed her to keep her hair out of her face by tucking her red strains behind them. ¡°I¡¯ve never been off the mountain. I¡¯ve always wondered how the flatlanders live. Now I know they¡¯re all farmers.¡±


    Kichi closed her codex, and Bin darted into her inner pocket. ¡°Around here will be a town or city, just like in the mountains. It¡¯s just that they¡¯re spread out, so not so many inns and taverns until we find a city.¡±


    Masahide stood on the tall foundation and examined what looked like blood on the wattle in the burst wall. His concern showed on his face and in his constant lookout at the land around him. ¡°Whatever happened here, I think, is long gone, but it was brutal.¡±


    Whitebeard rose, stretched his back, and yawned. ¡°It will only get worse for the foreseeable future. Now, we¡¯re almost to Dunaguard. Let us be off.¡±


    Before evening, the city of Dunaguard appeared. It sprawled from the farmland and climbed into the foothills.


    Whitebeard pointed above the city, where, nestled in the jagged mountains, rose a monstrous castle. Its walls began high up in the crags, and the towers sprouted from the lower peaks. ¡°The Stronghold of the Land, they used to call it. The castle sits in these mountains that divide the continent in two. On this side is a lush world of green, and on the other, deserts and wasteland. When one of the four dragons turned its fury on the realm, it held agaisnt it. The knights gathered and smote the dragon at Dunaguard.¡±


    Masahide shaded his brow to get a better look. ¡°That was when the grand masters from the thirteen orders sat at the Round.¡±


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    ¡°There¡¯s a sickness that¡¯s spread through the realm and the orders. Since my departure, it¡¯s grown tenfold. The cure begins here and now with Duke Akitomo.¡±


    Kichi could never get any details, but she tried again. ¡°What do you plan to do?¡±


    Whitebeard¡¯s teeth showed in a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve come to tell the duke a story.¡±


    Masahide furrowed his brow. ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumor of this man, and I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll listen. He¡¯s a schemer, and his form of justice concerns Mount Templar.¡±


    ***


    The city gate stood open, and they walked under it and into a dreary city. The streets were stained with muck, the people looked downcast, and shops were mostly boarded up or had sparse customers. From the crowd, a woman with hollow cheeks bumped into Masahide. ¡°Please, I have a child, don¡¯t hurt me.¡± She flinched and sank with a hand raised in defense.


    Masahide pulled her to her feet. ¡°I would never do you harm. Please, do not shy away from me.¡±


    The woman tore from him, sprinted, and cut into an alley.


    Kichi didn¡¯t like this place. Was every city in the realm falling prey?


    ¡°Strangers,¡± a short, grayed man said. He looked like he was meditating, but his eyes were slivers. ¡°Forgive our hospitality. I know your kind, and it¡¯s best you turn around and go.¡±


    ¡°Why,¡± Masahide said, ¡°Did she run?¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know better. She doesn¡¯t know a demon sword from a pure one. The Duke¡¯s knights carry the former, and splitting a commoner in two is a weekly occurrence. They say it proves the blade sharp and wielder skilled. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of the tournament, but it¡¯s not an affair of honor. If you participate, you¡¯re lending credence to the Duke¡¯s wrongdoings.¡±


    Kichi tried to hide her shock at the situation. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The man bowed his head. ¡°Just a blacksmith.¡±


    Whitebeard returned the bow. ¡°Thank you. The situation¡¯s worse than I thought. But every night ends with the dawn. Don¡¯t lose hope.¡±


    The man opened one eye to look at them better. ¡°We could use help, even if it¡¯s lending an ear. Do you need a place to stay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we do.¡±


    The man was named Gibb, and his house was behind his smithy, where others pounded metal and looked at them with sooted faces. One of them had a huge arm, and struck the hot metal as if it were the cause of their troubles, throwing a shower of sparks each time.


    Gibb let them into the small house with one large room and one small. ¡°Make yourselves comfortable. You can rest here as long as you¡¯d like.¡±


    Whitebeard had to duck under the door. ¡°We¡¯ll go to the castle in the morning. I¡¯m going to have a word with Gibb.¡± With that, he left.


    But sleep didn¡¯t come easy to Kichi. She was hungry but only had a few dried meat strips and a hunk of hard bread. Her legs and feet ached, so she sat reading until it was too dark to see the ink scrawl.


    Bin stalked the room and found a mouse to chase, but upon catching it, just held it and stared at it.


    There was something else keeping her awake. She feared what came next. The Duke and his castle sounded terrible. They treated these people horribly. What would happen to them when they strode to the caste door and asked to be let in? Whitebeard was powerful, but a duke would have knights and a sorcerer. It was like crawling into a den of snakes.


    Kichi


    Level: 5


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 10

    A decade ago, Akisane tried to do a flip from a stump and knocked the breath from his lungs. He was scared because he didn¡¯t understand why he couldn¡¯t breathe. He thought he¡¯d die like a fish doomed to gulp air to no avail. William held him and told him it¡¯d be okay until he could breathe again.


    Five years ago, Akisane¡¯s first test brought him into the mystical forests in the north. He¡¯d faced many challenges, but one exceeded his capabilities when he faced a froglike beast with hide so tough his blade wouldn¡¯t penetrate it. When the tongue wrapped around him, and he saw the end come as the tongue pulled him into the gaping mouth, William cut through the rope of pink muscle and freed him.


    The gulf between father and son widened when William began to speak of chivalry and restoring balance between the knights and nobility. Some part of Akisane wanted to join his brother and end the Duke¡¯s tyranny. They would be called the brothers who took up the Spear of the Stronghold and let Dunaguard thrive. The Spear used to have a far reach and influence into the realm, but now it was more a myth.


    But Duke Akitomo would never be taken down by his sons. He was smarter, immensely stronger, and willing to do things they were not. Akisane never doubted this fact and wasn¡¯t stupid enough to throw away his life as his brother had done.


    William kept a merlon behind his back, a strategic move, as he knew the threat of Akisane¡¯s telekinesis. If he stayed in front of the gaps between the crenelations, he would fly from the wall to fall hundreds of feet down the mountain cliffs. ¡°You don¡¯t think we can defeat him. But we could leave, join an order, and return stronger.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t want to fight his brother, but he had to and wanted him to know why. ¡°You know what he¡¯s capable of. He¡¯ll see his grand design through to the end. Whether I stop you now or not, he¡¯ll win.¡±


    ¡°I believe it¡¯s worth my life to try.¡±


    ¡°What honor would our family retain if this all came crashing down?¡±


    ¡°Honor cannot be based on lies. You dishonor yourself and everyone in Dunaguard by carrying out his orders.¡±


    ¡°Who would defeat the Duke? Did you see him on the battlefield, alone against the djinn? I rubbed the desert dust from my eyes and saw him split the dunes with magic you can¡¯t even dream of. There are warriors, and there are forces of nature.¡±


    ¡°There are the grandmasters of the knightly orders. They are strong enough to stop him, and I intend for them to listen to me when I heal the Council of the Round.¡±


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    ¡°And where are these grandmasters? I¡¯ve hardly seen an archknight until this tournament. And none will come to your aid.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t help until I earn their trust. Don¡¯t question my plans when the best you have is to be his lackey. Has he brought you into the Shadowed Hand yet?¡±


    ¡°Enough of this. Let¡¯s fight.¡±


    William stepped forward with a flourish. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s see if you listened to me about your footwork.¡±


    The wind rolled down the mountain slopes and pulled at their clothing. They thrust the points of their swords and gauged the other, an action that seemed familiar yet terrible.


    The fight exploded, and steel rang along the parapet, hitting at an increasing tempo. The guards in the flanking towers pretended not to watch. This wasn¡¯t the first time they¡¯d turned their back on the Duke¡¯s dirty work.


    Williams steel caught the sun, mirrored it, and left afterimages, but a blue glint gave away its nature. He should have been the better fighter, but raw ability wasn¡¯t enough this time.


    Akisane had used the whetstone of exotic swordmasters from faraway lands to hone his swordsmanship. He practiced forms in the morning, sparred at lunch, and did it all again in the evening, and it was the one thing his father approved of him doing. The black blade in his hand whistled a tune of murder. ¡°You have a pure sword.¡±


    Ducking and backing up, William flowed along with the barrage like driftwood in rapids. He was amazing for one who hardly picked up the weapon. Instead of practice, he spent his time as a poet, a painter, and a drinker. ¡°A spirit gave its life so I could attain my purpose.¡±


    The clang of steel came to an end when William raised a stump. His arm didn¡¯t go much past the elbow. He just looked at it with a stricken face that turned pale.


    Akisane eyes filled with tears at the sight of the maiming. ¡°You''re always so good at everything. Why didn''t you specialize? Why weren¡¯t you good enough to kill me instead.¡±


    There was no answer, just a look of shock.


    Akisane used his mind to send William through the stone gap, and it happened too easily. He raced forward just in time to watch William topple end over end. He¡¯d reach out a hand uselessly, fingers grasping at air.


    His brother accelerated into the void as if the great evil that lay beneath the castle had reached out and pulled him down. But the body didn¡¯t go into the deep split in the mountain but hit the bridge with a thunk.


    ¡°You were weak.¡± No matter how many times Akisane said it, an emptiness grew inside him.


    Henry


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 11

    Bin perched on Kichi¡¯s shoulder and nudged against her hair.


    Kichi saw kids who should have been playing and running sit downtrodden in the shade along the dusty road. ¡°Bin, look at these people. They¡¯re so unhappy.¡±


    The squirrel cat bounced onto the top of her head and snarled.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to take it up with the Duke. There¡¯s no one here to blame.¡±


    Whitebeard, Ema, and Masahide walked ahead down the main thoroughfare of Dunaguard, a stretch bedecked by familiar monuments to the realm and old empire but also triumphal arches and statues from a forgotten era. The inhabitants¡¯ heads were drooped and shoulders hunched as they went about daily work in the shadow of these colossi. At first, it seemed no one would meet their eye, but a few clutched knives or other weapons from behind windows or in alleys. So, not everyone had lost hope.


    Most of the homes of wealthy freemen sat dilapidated at the top of the foothills. Only a manor with soldiers training in its yard teamed with activity. The mountains rose into the sky like a wall before them, with the only way up a series of switchbacks. The whole morning was spent walking a steep zigzag until the city fell away, and the people looked like specs.


    The castle entrance loomed between peaks, and the rock fell away below it like a moat. The castle walls were old, and any whitewash had long flaked away, leaving a grim gray that blended with the bare patches of granite.


    A bridge connected the cliff at the end of the road with the gate across the gulf. Very few entered or exited the castle. Kichi didn¡¯t see how such a large place wouldn¡¯t be crowded. ¡°Where is everyone?¡±


    Whitebeard pointed to a bridge far below that had a train of wagons on it. ¡°The supplies came from many routes. It¡¯s why it¡¯s known as an impenetrable fortress.¡±


    They walked partway along the span, and Whitebeard yanked Kichi back by one arm. She rubbed the strained limb and gave him an angry stare. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    A body hit with a wet slap and a mist of blood.


    It would have landed on Kichi without his intervention. She turned away, not wanting to see it. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    Whitebeard looked up at the walls and towers. ¡°I got the feeling just now. This was no accident. Something with a super-will dwells here, and it¡¯s not pleased with our appearance.¡±


    Masahide picked up a bent sword and noticed a vapor of spirit escaping from it. ¡°What¡¯s a super-will?¡±


    Whitebeard stepped around the mess and indicated to continue. ¡°Most creatures have free will and can change their future by making choices. A super-will expands that ability beyond oneself. Imagine if your desire for justice influenced everyone around you, and every time you wanted to seek it, a mob formed around you to help.¡±


    ¡°I see. Looking at this place, I¡¯m not surprised some great corruption resides here.¡±


    The main gate led into a deep, quarried path so the defenses would surround anyone approaching. Kichi looked at the cliffsides and saw archers. A handful of guards ran past them but gave them no acknowledgment.


    Whitebeard tried to enter the inner gate, but guards stopped him, and they waited. Those who ran passed returned with the fall victim wrapped in linen, which reddened where blood seeped through.


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    Finally, an armored young man with black hair looked them over. His forehead had a sheen of sweat. And he looked sick or nervous. ¡°I¡¯m Akisane, son of the Duke. Are you here for the tournament?¡±


    Whitebeard bowed. ¡°My friends Kichi and Masahide are here to enter the tournament for Mount Templar.¡±


    Kichi wanted to protest because she didn¡¯t follow Masahide, but she stopped herself.


    Akisane nodded. ¡°And you and the girl?¡±


    ¡°The girl is Masahide¡¯s sister.¡± How had he lied? He must have used the order of precedence to somehow circumvent the oath.


    Ema blanched and looked ready to protest, but Kichi elbowed her.


    ¡°And I, Whitebeard, am a soloknight. I wasn¡¯t there to fight for my order. All I ask is to do my duty. I ask for your resident sorcerer to perform the draining ritual.¡±


    Akisane paused. ¡°That custom has gone out of fashion.¡±


    ¡°I am out of fashion, and it¡¯s my wish as a disgraced knight.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard it usually kills. And even if it doesn¡¯t, most are nothing but babbling fools afterward.¡±


    ¡°I know better than anyone.¡±


    Akisane wiped his forehead. His hand looked to tremble. ¡°I must take your pure sword if you¡¯re a soloknight.¡±


    Whitebeard reached back and offered over the enormous sword, and the Duke¡¯s son¡¯s eye widened at the weapon and turned it over. ¡°The castle has plenty of room. It used to house tens of thousands in the past.  Come.¡±


    The son of the Duke led them down winding hallways, some of which opened to grand vistas of a mountain hollow filled with buildings covering its bottom. Akisane said most had arrived from the orders that would participate. They¡¯d come from all corners of the realm. However, the stairways and halls were nearly empty because the place was like a city unto itself.


    Akisane stopped. ¡°Every room down this hall is vacant. You¡¯re welcome to use them as you wish. Make yourself at home. I will inform the Duke of your presence, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll invite you to dinner.¡±


    When the four of them were alone, Kichi turned to Whitebeard. ¡°The draining ritual? Are you mad? And you let them take your sword?¡±


    Whitebeard laughed. ¡°Perhaps I am mad. And a knight, even a soloknight, isn¡¯t made by the weapon they carry. I¡¯m only sad at its loss because it was a gift.¡±


    ¡°Back in Wythmere, I saw the tree give you your pure sword.¡±


    ¡°Crann is with me even without the steel. Now, let¡¯s not dwell on what can¡¯t be changed. Events will unfold here that will shape the future of the realm.¡±


    ¡°Look,¡± Masahide said, ¡°at the size of this room.¡± He walked into a chamber with a large bed. He slapped the blanket and caused a cloud of dust.


    Ema wafted the air. ¡°We should dust.¡±


    They spent the next half hour cleaning. They flapped blankets and sheets, dusted tables, and chose their rooms.


    Soon, a man with owl eyes peeked and looked at them like they were doing something odd. He knocked on an open door and cleared his throat. ¡°You¡¯ve been invited to Duke Akitomo''s dinner in an hour.¡±


    Kichi wanted to ask how to get to it, but Whitebeard dismissed him by the time she¡¯d thought of it. She wouldn''t mind if they couldn¡¯t find it and missed it. She didn¡¯t want to meet the Duke, anyway.


    Whitebeard took off his hat and sat in a chair. ¡°Let¡¯s get a little rest.¡±


    Ema pulled Masahide into a room. ¡°We can take this one.¡± He reached out of the doorway, but she jerked him inside and kicked the door closed.


    Kichi wasn¡¯t tired. She walked down the hall where the wall opened to the mountains. There were many towers, catwalks, and windows filling the view. She saw a man atop a tower roof standing on one leg. He spun a sword staff and leaped around, tempting the fall. She wanted to scream out for him to get down. The person who fell at the bridge repeated in her mind.


    Why had Whitebeard entered her in the tournament? Her skills needed development. How would she combat someone like this? The lesson could be humility, but did he think she lacked it? It didn¡¯t matter, though. He was the teacher. All she could do was to do her best.


    Level: 5


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 12

    Kichi tied the rope around her legs and copied Whitebeard¡¯s knot. It was a strange custom, but he said it was expected that gatherings of kights would do so in the presence of high lords. It restricted movement to a shuffle, but most of those in the hall remained seated at the rows of tables, and only servants drifted here and there.


    The Duke sat at a table just below the high seat, but he might as well have been sitting in it, for he dominated the hall. He emanated strength in his frame and demeanor, an intense-eyed, balding man with shoulder-length hair as dark as his son¡¯s.


    The owl-eyed advisor she recognized from the invitation stood beside the high seat of the Duke and addressed the audience. ¡°May I present His Grace with the knightly orders? Of the twelve, four join us. They have traveled from the Mystic Realm, the Desert Realm, and the West Realm. They are comprised of the most gallant warriors. They uphold the principles of the realm. They are the Marstonic Order, Order of the Arc, Order of Lords, and the Celestial Order.¡±


    The Duke stood and cast his gaze around the room, snagging on faces that he must have recognized. ¡°Some have called these tournaments bloody and reckless. But these voices come from objectors who must not read history. The realm will keep a sharp edge, and it¡¯s my duty to provide the whetstone for you to hone yourself to a deadly edge. Some of you will die, but your sacrifice will secure our place in the world. Welcome to my home. Welcome to this contest. May the strongest knight prevail.¡±


    There was a raucous round of applause, thumping of tables, and raising of drinks.


    Kichi looked at her utensils and asked Whitebeard, ¡°When do they feed us?¡±


    ¡°After they strut and show off like peacocks, they¡¯ll bring what they¡¯d taken from the city.¡±


    A man in a white tabard with a red triangle stood. ¡°The Celestials appreciate the chance to fight in your tournament.¡±


    A woman in a blue dress held up her wine. ¡°The Lords as well.¡±


    A short girl with a purple cape raised her voice to be heard. ¡°Our knight captain is absent. So, the Order of the Arc will be represented by its grandmaster. I will be here only as a witness.¡±


    Kichi whispered, ¡°Who is she?¡±


    Masahide, seated on the other side of Whitebeard, leaned closer. ¡°She¡¯s their grandmaster.¡±


    ¡°She looks as young as me or younger.¡±


    ¡°Appearances deceive. I don¡¯t know how old Hisa is, but she shot up the ranks and took over in only a few years.¡±


    A blonde knight wiped the foam from her mouth and turned to Kichi. ¡°Hisa may be the strongest grandmaster of them all. She rejects everyone who wants to spar, but we¡¯ve seen her take down monsters, and it¡¯s amazing.¡±


    Masahide nodded to her words and waved away a servant offering him wine. Then he glanced at Whitebeard.  ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s the strongest. I¡¯ve witnessed overwhelming strength.¡±


    ¡°The Marstonic Order!¡± The yell came from a man in black who held out his goblet. ¡°Will win again, as we¡¯ve done the last seven tourneys. But here¡¯s to any of you proving me wrong.¡±


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    A few claps sounded in the hall, but evidently, the Marstonics weren¡¯t popular.


    Duke Akitomo drank. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to have Marstonic as my guest. This spirit is how the realm remains strong. Many would stop the tournament to grieve after today¡¯s tragedy, but a man can always make more sons. I will be offering double the typical prize, so good luck to all of you.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s advisor bent to his ear and said something as he refilled the high lord''s wine.


    ¡°We have unexpected guests,¡± The Duke said. ¡°I¡¯d very much like to hear from them.¡±


    Whitebeard spoke so softly to Masahide that Kichi almost couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°You know what to say.¡±


    Masahide scooted his chair back and stood. ¡°I am Knight Masahide, and though I haven¡¯t yet earned the title archknight, I¡¯m allowed a squire. Lord Akisane also knows her as my sister, which is an uncommon association but not unheard of. This is Squire Kichi, and we will do our best to represent Mount Templar.¡±


    The Duke held his goblet for a refill. ¡°A brother and sister knight and squire, how interesting.¡±


    Masahide gave Whitebeard a sideways glance and whispered. ¡°Did you purposely make that hard on me?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. People are more inclined to believe odd tales.¡±


    The Duke held an unpleasant gaze on the table, but Kichi noticed it wasn¡¯t aimed at her. He took a drink and accepted a plate of food. Finally, he said, ¡°And you?¡±


    Whitebeard rose, standing impressive with his looming height. ¡°I am Sada of Gilgash.¡± There were gasps around the room. ¡°I am the last of the Dragon Order.¡±


    The room exploded with shouts and raps on tabletops. The noise rose to a crescendo.


    ¡°Silence!¡± The Duke bellowed, standing to stare at each table. When it settled to a murmur, he said, ¡°I remember the Dragon Order when I was a boy. It disappeared so long ago, but you claim to belong to the thirteenth order of knights who left the realm in quest of the Grail.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s pretend I accept your claim; why do you come back now?¡±


    ¡°I never meant to return. I sailed for scores of years to places uncharted, unimaginable, but I eventually ended on the opposite side of the realm from whence I departed.¡±


    ¡°And you come to my castle for the draining ritual.¡± The Duke¡¯s words caused a disturbance to ripple through his guests.


    ¡°It¡¯s a tradition that we upheld in my time. I am here, and my order is not.¡±


    The Duke seemed to bore into the soloknight. His jaw worked as he regarded the man. ¡°When do you want my sorcerer¡¯s service?¡±


    ¡°I would like to watch the tournament. I¡¯ve heard that I¡¯ll lose my life, go mad, or lose my wits, and I¡¯d like to have one last look at my King¡¯s sport. And, if your guests would suffer it, I¡¯d like to tell my tale after each game so my adventures will not have all been in vain.¡±


    ¡°Masahide,¡± The Duke said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you. Do you vouch for this man? Normally, I¡¯d demand more proof on such an extraordinary claim, but he condemned himself already, so I don¡¯t think he¡¯s lying. I know you¡¯ve taken the oath.¡±


    Masahide put a hand on Whitebeard¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I do on my honor as a knight and by the binding of the oath.¡±


    After what felt like a century, platters of food landed on the tables. Steam escaped the lids, and the smell hit Kichi in the face when they were lifted. She shoveled in cubes of pork, hot bread, and cheese. She tried to hold herself back but gave in and ate like a dragon ate peasants. Finally, she burped and slouched back. She caught a few glances of those eating delicately around and blushed.


    Bin squirmed in her pocket. She slipped in a handful of food and petted the pocket.


    Kichi


    Level: 5


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure

 Chapter 13

    Kichi joined Whitebeard on a balcony overlooking the castle. The sun dipped between peaks where a weak red filtered between towers, pouring into the castle hollow four hundred feet below. There sat an arena. It had an enormous, raised platform in the middle. At the end of the platform were thirteen seats of the same weathered stone.


    Whitebeard propped himself on elbows and peered down. He had all the appearance of an old wise man except the shock of youth that was his face. ¡°Tonight, I plan to make you a knight.¡±


    Kichi waited for a joke, but none was forthcoming. ¡°That''s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Not so. The realm is in decline. Too much is at stake to have you hobbled by lack of title. The realm will need you in the days, months, and years to come.¡±


    The air felt great as it fell down the slopes and whirled around the balcony. It made her arms bumpy, but she didn¡¯t care. Still, no joke came from Whitebeard. She was starting to think the man was serious. ¡°Why would the realm need me? No one becomes a knight in a day, and I''m still too weak and untrained to do anything so important.¡±


    He fished something from his jacket. It hung sparking silver. He let it drop into her hand. ¡°This amulet will focus your prescience into the near future like a bent mirror focusing the sun''s rays into a single point.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be cheating?¡±


    ¡°Do you think this is a meritocracy? Crann¡¯s root, girl, all these knights were gifted unfair advantages. Most were trained since they could hold a weapon. They have mystical items handed down to them. Resources at their disposal to forge great weapons. But equal the playing field, and it comes down to what''s in here.¡± He tapped his head.


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Why anyone? You¡¯re still here of your own volition, which tells me you¡¯re hard-nosed. I need people like you, and so does the King, or what¡¯s left of him when chaos reins.¡±


    As they spoke, something lowered from above and lighted on the balustrade. It was the Kichi who represented the Order of the Arc. Her cape settled on her shoulders, and she smiled. Her eyes were striking, two large and violet orbs set in a tapering face.


    Whitebeard¡¯s face warmed. ¡°You¡¯re late.¡±


    The girl''s mouth tightened. ¡°I¡¯m never late. Everyone else is early.¡±


    ¡°Kichi, meet my old friend Hisa.¡±


    Kichi bowed.¡±I thought you looked my age, but you look even younger close-up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I''ve stayed out of the sun,¡± she said as if that explained it.


    Whitebeard showed his teeth in a wide smile. ¡°She''s eighty-nine. She belongs to the Dragon Order, just as I do, but don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±


    Kichi looked at each. ¡°So order was never lost?¡±


    He shrugged and looked to the sky as if waiting for something. ¡°I suppose it was lost. But what¡¯s lost can be found again.¡±


    Hisa was at least a foot shorter than Kichi. She seemed like a child. ¡°I returned years ago. I thought I was alone until Sada showed up. I spent my time rising through the ranks to head the Arcs.¡±


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    ¡°What about the draining ritual? Do you plan to go through with it, Whitebeard?¡±


    ¡°I do. Oh, look.¡± He pointed to flakes of brown in the sky. No, they were birds.


    Hisa turned to her. ¡°Have you flown?¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t answer because she was awestruck by the size of the eagles that came closer. Their tremendous wings beat the air with a low throb. She shied back as one fastened to the building and leaned into the balcony. Its beak could open and eat her as easily as a robin would a worm.


    Whitebeard jumped on its back and held his hand out. ¡°They called us Dragons long ago because we fought them on eagles backs. From the ground, they really didn¡¯t know the difference. Now come, let¡¯s be off¡±


    Be off? Where? She wanted to ask questions. She wanted to turn around and run. But then she was on the back, and the world pitched and fell away. The wind yanked at her clothes.


    It took her a moment to notice Kichi¡¯s small hands around her waist. The three thundered through the sky, then pitched up along ever-snowy heights. Kichi gripped Whitebeard until her hands hurt.


    Then it was over.


    Hisa and Whitebeard stood before a panorama of cascading land. On one side, she saw the green countryside in twilight, and on the other, the deserts in the gloom. She was standing on the Great Divide.


    Whitebeard put his hand on her back. ¡°If you feel dizzy, we''ll return.¡±


    ¡°I''m not scared of heights. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°There,¡± Whitebeard said. He pointed to an outcropping where a snow devil played. ¡°Mountain whisps are almost impossible to hit. They cause mischief at the passes and push travelers and cloud goats to their doom. Now that you have the amulet see if you can manage a hit. And don¡¯t let it get you near the edge.¡±


    Kichi stalked up with her blade outstretched. How do you fight the wind?


    The snow devil seemed to notice her because it advanced and picked up more snow in its funnel.


    Then, the blinding whiteness surrounded her. The fast-moving air hurt her skin. Her sword passed harmlessly through it. She tucked her face against her shoulder as it felt like she would get frostbite.


    The edge came into view and was much closer than she¡¯d thought. Was this thing really going to toss her over the edge? She gritted he teeth and thought. Whitebeard wouldn¡¯t tell her to attack it if she couldn¡¯t do anything to it. There must be a secret. And how does one use the amulet anyway?


    Then, between heartbeats, the world seemed to slow, like it was caught in honey. She saw a razor-thin creature of blue pushing her back. It was like a stickman that children draw. It was in the funnel with her.


    Beat.


    She glanced around for the stick man when the world lurched forward in time. She swung in a wide arc, hoping to cover as much space behind her as possible. But she hit nothing.


    It pushed her, and she stumbled toward the edge. Below was a hundred-foot drop and then an angle to slide thousands. She skidded to a stop and spun her arms to gain balance. It just needed to nudge her, and she would go over.


    Beat.


    The vision was clear. The stick man was behind her. It knew she was barely able to stop herself and was vulnerable. It ran straight at her with both arms to knock her into the void.


    Beat.


    She whipped around with the sword. It was dangerous, and she felt momentum tugging her towards the edge, but she had no choice. The blade bit into something. Yes, the blade hit the mountain wisp.


    It slit in two and hit the snow.


    She panted, unable to stand. She crawled to the blue stick man and plunged the pure sword into its body. The energy surged through her. Just as it overwhelmed her, it died out, and the warp of air showed where the cleansed spirit danced around her.


    Whitebeard gave her a hand. ¡°Are you ready to take the oath?¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 14

    Kichi knelt in a circle of crystals. They were blue and green fragments that dazzled in the grandmaster¡¯s room. Magic seeped along the circumference and danced all around her.


    It flowed from Hisa¡¯s outstretched hand and whirled in phantom flames.


    When it rose above her head, Hisa pushed her sword through it, where it started to glow as bright as if it¡¯d been placed in a blast furnace. ¡°Do you swear never to harm another without just cause?¡±


    The sword touched Kichi¡¯s shoulder, and she flinched, but it didn¡¯t burn. ¡°On the pain of my death.¡±


    ¡°Do you swear never to undermine a noble¡¯s sovereignty unless it involves treason?¡±


    ¡°On the pain of my death.¡±


    Hisa moved the sword to the other shoulder. It was a yellow bar of metal. ¡°Do you swear to avoid violence unless forced upon you or in tournament?¡±


    A heat rushed through Kichi, but not from the blade, but an internal flame. ¡°On the pain of my death.¡±


    ¡°Do you swear to defend those unable to protect themselves?¡±


    Kichi gave her answer again but tried to keep her face neutral as the flame smoldered inside.


    ¡°Do you swear to reject the pursuit of worldly goods?¡±


    ¡°On the pain of my death.¡±


    Hisa moved the sword back to the first shoulder. ¡°Do you swear to be merciful?¡±


    Kichi affirmed, but now her whole body ignited.


    ¡°Will you put the realm before yourself?¡±


    Kichi tried not to, but she shook as she answered.


    ¡°Will you never tell a lie?¡±


    When Kichi said, ¡°On the pain of my death,¡± the pain vanished, as did the magic. Though it was gone, it lingered in her mind. The room seemed impossibly dark.


    ¡°You are now bound by the Knight¡¯s Oath and a member of the Order of Arc. Rise.¡±


    Kichi wondered how strong the spell entangled her. She tried to say a fib, that Bin was a horse, but though her lips moved, she couldn¡¯t make a sound. She looked down at her mouth.


    Hisa laughed. ¡°Already, you¡¯re trying to test the oath. Well, you¡¯ll have to look long and hard to find a sorcerer who can do that.¡±


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    ¡°I wanted to see if it worked. It definitely did.¡±


    ¡°It always does. Now, run along and get some sleep. Tomorrow¡¯s a big day.¡±


    Kichi found Masahide praying at a mountain spirit shrine. Mountain spirits were seldom corrupted because they were gargantuan and possessed unfathomable strength. When they were, it could cause a lot of damage. She wondered what Mount Templar looked like if they based a whole order around it.


    She tried to slip into her room without disturbing him, but he turned around. ¡°Congratulations, Kichi. You¡¯re a fellow knight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It was rushed. But hopefully, I won¡¯t let Whitebeard down.¡±


    ¡°Of course you won¡¯t. As far as I¡¯m concerned, you proved yourself back at Wythmere. You saved Whitebeard and I, and probably Ema, too.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t know what to say, and she felt a flush. That was too much of a compliment. Wythmere had been nothing but dumb luck.


    A scream pierced the hallway. Kichi and Masahide froze. It came from a room. It was the sound of pure terror.


    Masahide leapt to his feet. ¡°Ema!¡± He stormed through Ema¡¯s door. The room was empty, but a breeze stirred the air. A leg vanished through the window as the curtain flapped.


    They rushed to the window and looked out. With only the moonlight, they saw a black shape carry Ema away. It had a hold on her nightgown, and her face of horror stared down at them. Black wings appeared to fly back into the castle further up the wall and yank the Ema inside.


    Masahide yelled her name and started to climb out over the sheer drop. He tried to grab above the window, but his foot slipped, and he started to careen to his death.


    Kichi caught his arm and they both tumbled back into the room. ¡°There¡¯s no way to chase them. Let¡¯s tell Whitebeard.¡±


    They raced down the hallway and to Whitebeard¡¯s room. They barged in. He was in his sleep attire. His arms were lean ropes of muscle. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    They said at once, ¡°It took Ema.¡±


    Whitebeard calmed them down. He spoke gently and said to relax and take deep breaths, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll get her back. If you saw them reenter the castle, I believe she¡¯s being held prisoner here, and she¡¯s alive. The Duke¡¯s up to something, and he¡¯s probably making a move against you. She¡¯s his ace against you.¡±


    Masahide held his head in both hands. ¡°How can you be sure? Who knows what¡¯s happening to her.¡±


    ¡°They have nothing personal against Ema and no reason to harm her. Our foes are schemers who will try to gain an advantage. You¡¯re here without your order, so they think you¡¯re weak or up to something. Luckily, they don¡¯t know that we¡¯re far more capable than they could imagine.¡± He stood and pulled on clothes.


    Masahide¡¯s panic showed in his eyes as he looked at Whitebeard. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°We have allies. You two relax, and I¡¯ll handle this.¡± He strode out of the door, and it slammed behind him.


    Kichi and Masahide paced silently, sat, looked out the window, and finally turned to each other. She said, ¡°We¡¯re not waiting.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 15

    Akisane leaned over to peer down at the bridge where his brother had landed. With his telekinesis, he¡¯d sent him over the edge.


    His hands shook.


    The remnants of the stain were still down there. That''s where his brother''s head split and his brain burst from his skull.


    How dare the Duke put this guilt on him. Anyone could have assassinated his brother. It didn''t have to be him.


    There was so much he wished he could¡¯ve told William. There was so much that could never be said.


    He recalled every word they shared here. At least every word he told his brother was true. The Duke was too strong to resist. Worse, the evil below the mountain pulled his father''s strings just as sure as his father pulled his. If one listened closely, one could hear the beast''s pounding on the world''s foundation.


    A flap of wings snagged his attention. Behind him, the leathery wings of a vester brought the batlike thing gently down. And in its clutches was a girl in a nightgown. She struggled against the creature, but it kept a clawed wing on her when it set her down.


    Akisane didn¡¯t like the vesters. He shooed it away. That may not be the smartest thing he ever did, but one must show power with these opportunists. ¡°Release her and begone. You¡¯ve done your job.¡±


    She stumbled and pulled her nightgown back onto her shoulder. ¡°You can''t do this to me. Who do you think you are?¡±


    I¡¯m a murderer. A puppet of Duke Akitomo. ¡°I''m the Duke''s son, under the Duke''s orders, in the Duke''s castle. That''s who I am, and I have every right.¡±


    ¡°Your father told you to kidnap me?¡±


    ¡°So what if he did?¡±


    ¡°Would you jump off that wall if he asked you to?¡±


    It was like being struck. Her words went far deeper than he could have anticipated. She looks suddenly very afraid as if he''d made a threat. But then it hit him¡ªhe was trembling. Perhaps she''d mistaken the movement for rage.


    Perhaps that was a good thing. If she kept her mouth shut, it might protect her from the Duke. ¡°Do you see that tower built into the mountainside?¡±


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    She looked up at it.


    ¡°It''s nearly unreachable after the rest that connected it was destroyed. There are no stairs or ladders, no bridge, and no other way to reach its height other than to fly.¡± He approached her and took her arm. ¡°Except, there is another way. There''s a certain skill that my family has perfected over the years.¡±


    He took her along the ramparts to where the fortifications blocked the moonbeams.


    Just before he began the shadow walk, he saw the man with a conical hat on a distant roof. Damn him. He didn''t know what side the man was on, if any. But he would have to be dealt with. One shouldn¡¯t be on rooftops. It''s dangerous. One might slip. Bear witness of crime.


    Shadow walking did not involve straight lines. They snapped at jarring angles that showed different views of the castle as they skimmed in liquid night.


    She gasped at some of the unnatural movements and sounds.


    ¡°You''re seeing spirits that aren''t normally seen. There are layers to the world that we¡¯ll never understand.¡±


    When they arrived at the high tower entrance, with the rest of the castle far below, he already knew his father was present. It was profoundly dark within. It was a preternatural thing only the Duke conjured. ¡°Have I been blessed with the presence of His Grace?


    The Duke stepped into view. ¡°Whether you''re blessed or not is irrelevant.¡±


    ¡°How may I help you, Lord Father?¡±


    ¡°What do you make of this, Whitebeard? If he is indeed this Sada of the Dragon Order, surely he''s powerful.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t care. After all, the visitor was going to go through the draining ritual. ¡°I don''t know. I couldn''t read them.¡±


    ¡°Well then, wench, tell me about him.¡±


    The girl raised her chin a little. ¡°I don''t know him. We ran into him in Dunaguard and arrived here as only acquaintances.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I love liars. That means they¡¯ve never taken an oath. See to it this girl¡ªEma, I believe¡ªfinds her stay comfortable. And see to it that the information is extracted from her.¡±


    The Duke became immaterial, Shadow walking away.


    Akisane turned to the Ema. ¡°I¡¯m leaving now. I would think about what you¡¯re going to tell me. If you think you can appeal to my humanity, know that the Duke holds your fate in his hands.¡±


    He returned through the shadows to the castle, but he didn¡¯t sleep the night. How could he? After an hour in bed, he got up and walked the halls like a ghost.


    Henry


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 16

    Kichi and Masahide explored the dark passageways above their apartments with the thin light of an oil lamp. It didn¡¯t look like anyone had set foot in this section for ages. They came across a collapsed span and jumped to the other side, and it only got worse from there.


    More than just the castle had collapsed above. Chunks of the mountain had slid down and crashed below. They stood in a room that gaped to the outdoor air. But above, the castle continued where it clung to the mountain, and there was a high tower above all other things man-made and stood in relief against the stars.


    Kichi pointed up. ¡°It could have flown her up there.¡±


    Masahide studied it. ¡°I''m certain it went the other way.¡±


    ¡°I didn''t get as good of a look as you did.¡±


    ¡°It could have flown anywhere after I stopped looking. Let¡¯s save it to look last if we can¡¯t find her elsewhere.¡±


    They backtracked and took the long hallway to the south structure from their apartments. The castle could logically be divided into four main areas to each compass direction. There were a few braziers throwing light from doors, and they saw the movement of guards. It still felt like they were sneaking, but there was no law against midnight strolls, so they tried to look nonchalant.


    They peeked into a chamber and saw people raising something from the floor. A tarp covered most of it, but a gold arm shone from its concealment. It was heavy. The bearers grunted and sweat.


    Kichi moved to the side of the door. ¡°What is that?¡±


    Masahide waved her down another path. It seemed to wrap around the chamber. ¡°Whatever it is, they don¡¯t want anyone to know about it.¡±


    ¡°Now I want to know what it is.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s find out. Perhaps they¡¯ll lead us to Ema.¡±


    Those inside the room labored to move the object down the hall. There were curses when it thumped against doorways, and eventually, they sat it down and rubbed their hands.


    Duke Akitomo strode into the room and yanked the tarp. A gold man with a twisted face stared back at him. It was gilded, and he unfasted the clasps down its chest. It swung open to each side and revealed spikes.


    Kichi pulled back from the view of the room. ¡°It¡¯s some kind of iron maiden.¡±


    Masahide put a finger to his lips and studied the Duke.


    Someone with a bag on his head. A man and woman had the victim by each arm. They dragged and threw down the victim.


    The woman snatched the bag from a man with no hair.


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    The Duke grabbed him and picked him up with one arm. He forced him to stand in the iron maiden. ¡°I told you to watch Hisa and tell me everything she did. And to my surprise, I heard she flew off on an eagle with Sada sometime earlier. Strange that it wasn¡¯t you who I heard it from, right? But I¡¯m sure you were busy and on your way to tell me at any minute.¡±


    The man just glared at the Duke.


    ¡°Your little sisters live with your parents in Zulvale, don¡¯t they? I¡¯ll send a few handpicked men to tell them goodbye.¡±


    At this, the man began to protest. Then, the iron maiden began to shut.


    Kichi tried to move forward to stop this madness. She couldn¡¯t sit back and let it happen even if she hadn¡¯t taken the oath.


    Masahide caught her arm. He whispered into her ear. ¡°They are killing a knight of the Celestial Order. As knights, we are bound by the oath to help, but not if the odds are impossible. Do you recognize the man who dragged him in? That¡¯s Yasukatsu, a grandmaster of the Marstonic Order. And I¡¯ve heard the Duke, though not a knight, is in the upper echelon. All we can do is live another day to seek justice for this misdeed.¡±


    The screaming began. It didn¡¯t just echo in the hallway but in the mind. They had to bear witness, an act that continued into heartbreaking silence.


    Then the Duke uncorked a bottle and pulled a knob at the base of the iron maiden. A twinkling liquid poured from a nozzle into the bottle. ¡°A hyper elixir. Make good use of it, Yasukatsu, and win another tournament.¡±


    Yakukatsu¡¯s held up the bottle. ¡°The trick is to wait and see who the real competition is, and then we break them.¡±


    The conversation faded as Kichi and Masahide slipped away. They snuck to the next turn and then composed themselves.


    Something slithered along the cracks, bumps in the wall, corners, and anywhere the shadows cast. At the same time, the Duke''s son emerged from nowhere. ¡°Strange that I find the two people my father distrust most wandering the walls at night. Why are you sneaking around?¡±


    Kichi tried to open her mouth but found it locked closed.


    Masahide folded his arms. ¡°We¡¯re here only out of concern for others. You know a knight can¡¯t lie, and you know we¡¯re vowed to help those in need. I find it hard to believe we would ever be mistrusted. At least not by anyone honorable. There must be a mistake.¡±


    ¡°The mistakes I¡¯d watch out for are your own. And you have a tournament tomorrow. You might want some rest.¡± Akisane walked away.


    When they¡¯d left earshot, Kichi asked, ¡°I can¡¯t move my mouth when I try to dodge the truth. I swear I wasn¡¯t going to lie.¡±


    Masahide laughed. ¡°You must think of what you''ll say and focus on its truths. Otherwise, you¡¯re binding yourself up.¡±


    ¡°What if I really need to lie.¡±


    ¡°If you force the words out, you¡¯ll die. Don¡¯t do that. Now, you better get some rest and tell Whitebeard everything we¡¯ve learned.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still searching.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 17

    Kichi awake with sandpaper in her eyes. Her head ached, and her neck had been put in a vise.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± Whitebeard said. He looked sad. His half-lidded eyes scrolled the view over the balcony. When he noticed her looking at him, he smiled as if there wasn¡¯t an ounce of melancholy in him. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a morning, anyway.¡±


    She hadn''t slept a wink. She was in a chair in Whitebeard¡¯s room, fully clothed with her boots on. Bringing back memories from the previous night was like playing fetch with a snail.


    She remembered the murder, the elixir, and the search for Ema. This brought her out of the chair. ¡°Any news?¡±


    ¡°I''m afraid not.¡±


    Kichi looked down from the balcony, and her eyes widened. A mass funneled into the castle interior. It seemed half the city of Dunaguard had entered the gate and filled the seats around the arena. Even in the relative calm, a constant sound like that of a cicada filled the whole space. She¡¯d never seen so many people gathered in one place.


    Whitebeard plopped his hat atop his head. ¡°It¡¯s how to keep the people from revolution. It''s an old practice. It goes back to empires of old.¡±


    ¡°Just to watch knights fight?¡±


    ¡°Hardly only that. Other forms of spectacle some would deem reprehensible have been brought back. I wouldn''t be surprised if we see a hybrid play out. Grab your stuff, let¡¯s go before we¡¯re late.¡±


    Kichi followed him, and when they neared the chamber with the iron maiden, she wanted to stop and see if it were still there, but Whitebeard''s long legs set a grueling pace. Near the platform, there was a place for nobility and knights.


    Masahide looked like he''d fallen down the stairs and hit every step with his face. That may have been an exaggeration, but he looked tired. His blond hair hung to one side, unkempt. ¡°Thanks for helping me look for Ema.¡±


    Kichi touched his arm. ¡°We¡¯ll find her.¡±


    The three found a place to sit and started shuffling between benches. She sat and knew the stone would become uncomfortable as the day wore on. A woman came and gave them their numbers¡ªKichi got fifty, and Masahide got one-hundred-and-thirteen.


    The Duke''s son was coming to the front when he noticed them. He looked at Masahide. ¡°You''re up first. I hope you¡¯re ready. The lot of you look pathetic. Why don''t you leave and save yourselves the misery?¡±


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    Whitebeard chuckled. ¡°I could ask the same of you.¡±


    Akisane twitched around the eye. He looked on edge. He stalked away to join his family.


    It seemed the Duke had an extended family, all looking like they¡¯d eaten something sour.


    Kichi didn¡¯t understand what order the son belonged to. ¡°He¡¯s taken a knight¡¯s name, but where¡¯s his order?¡±


    Masahide rubbed his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Something¡¯s not right. The whole family¡¯s a bunch of known schemers.¡±


    Whitebeard turned and waved.


    Hisa skipped down the stairs, twirling a walking stick. ¡°I brought this in case we have to start doing some measuring around here.¡°


    The two laughed. Kichi could tell they¡¯d been friends a long time.


    ¡°Akisane,¡± Kichi said, ¡°told us Masahide will be up first. He¡¯s too tired to fight today.¡±


    Hisa waved the stick. ¡°They give everyone a number. It''s supposed to be all random. So there''s no way he could know unless he has prescience.¡±


    Whitebeard dismissed the possibility. ¡°I would¡¯ve known by now. One of your own said they¡¯d read his palm. That¡¯s enough to rule that out.¡±


    ¡°Then he doesn¡¯t know. Maybe he¡¯s just trying to frighten Masahide.¡±


    The crowd fell silent.


    Duke Akitomo walked onto the square. ¡±This tournament is like none you have ever attended or participated in. Over the next week, a single winner will emerge victorious. However, the arena sport Dunaguard knows well and respects as tradition will augment the competition. We have five of the eleven orders participating. I am deeply honored that this shall be held with us at the center of the realm. None of you came here to hear me speak, so let''s begin!¡±


    The crowd erupted.


    A high voice called numbers. It was hard to hear, but the crowd chanted it back. The numbers were ¡°one-hundred-and-thirteen¡± and ¡°ninety-seven.¡±


    Whitebeard nodded. ¡°So it''s rigged.¡±


    Kichi looked between her companions. ¡°Call it off. You¡¯re too tired. This isn¡¯t a good idea.¡±


    Masahide stood and wobbled. ¡°Oh, a little dizzy. "


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 18

    Masahide felt awe as he knelt and prayed, surrounded by the majesty of the Great Divide. The spirit at Mount Templar had chosen him as one of its champions. He knew it as soon as he¡¯d arrived. The peaks surrounding the arena were a part of the same mountain range that cut a sinuous line down the continent from north to south, separating the lush lands from the deserts. Here, he could hear the spirits sing.


    Before Harumoto had left Mount Templar leaderless, while they¡¯d sat on an outcropping of granite, he¡¯d told Masahide that everything human-made paled to the grandeur of the mountains. ¡°Once you listen to the Song, you will become one of their champions. Once you give up your worldly fears, you will become the Himaraja. You will be unmovable. This is foreseen.¡±


    The spirits sang low from the bowels of the world and high to where they met the sky. Masahide had finally listened. He wanted to shout that he could hear the Song, but the crowd had not come for revelation but for sport.


    He didn¡¯t recognize ninety-seven. He appreciated the Arcs for their simple dress. They could fit in as commoners wearing simple wool and had a quiet nature. The knight moved with a dangerous confidence. The Duke had likely picked someone strong to take him out early. But why? Was it just because he was without his order and, therefore, an easy target?


    Harumoto had trained Masahide in the altitude. ¡°Fetch me water from Lake Larimar.¡±


    Masahide ran from the house in the woods three leagues heavenward, gasping for air to scoop a bucket from the pool above the treeline. It was so high that snow often clung to the north side of the slopes while it was hot below. His lungs grew strong, seemingly limitless.


    It may serve as an advantage against those who train in the lowlands.


    Their swords clanked as they thrust and parried. Their swordplay carried them from one corner to the other. The crowd cheered at every near hit.


    When ninety-seven saw Masahide standing calm while he panted, he jumped back and summoned Shining Armor. A blue energy snaked around his body.


    They¡¯d put him against an archnight? It was ridiculous. In every tournament, the knights whittled themselves down to the best among them. Only then would that knight fight an archnight.


    He heard surprise in the crowd. Someone bellowed, ¡°Knight in shining armor!¡±


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    The problem with this is his sword was useless. Perhaps Harumoto was right, and all he had to do was give up his worldly fears, but that wasn¡¯t going to happen in the time it took this man to kill him. And it wouldn¡¯t happen while Ema was held captive.


    He caused a quake to buy time and batted the sword away to kick the man in the chest. Shining Armor was only good against steel and magic, but his earth-shaking ability didn¡¯t affect anyone directly, and his boot was leather. It sent the man to the ground.


    How long would the armor last? Reportedly, some could hold it for minutes while others could for hours.


    Masahide sent quake after quake to keep the man off his feet. If minutes mattered, then this was the right course of action.


    A few in the crowd booed. They wanted blood.


    Masahide had a harder time shaking the platform. ¡°How long can you hold that shield?¡±


    ¡°Long enough. I disagree with this matchup, but we can do nothing about it.¡± Ninety-seven regained his feet.


    They clashed swords, but this time, only one of them could be cut or stabbed. The quake was little more than a tavern trick and wouldn¡¯t help any further. Harumoto had left Masahide handicapped, as his primary ability was to conjure the weapons of past champions, and all he¡¯d ever accomplished was a few arrows.


    Yet it¡¯s all he had left. It was only a matter of when, not if, the sword struck him, and he would be defeated.


    Masahide jumped back and concentrated. The mental link snapped together with the spirit housed at Mount Tempar. A light started as a pinprick and blossomed behind him.


    Harumoto had promised it was a formidable power, but it didn¡¯t feel that way yet.


    Grandmaster, I don¡¯t know what to do.


    A flurry of arrows launched from the light and struck the archknight. The Shining Armor wavered at the hailstorm. Then, he looked up in surprise as the armor vanished.


    Masahide came forward and brought steel against steel.


    Masahide


    Level: 30


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit)


    Secondary focus: Quake


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 19

    Kichi, Hisa, and Whitebeard watched as Ujisue conjured Shining Armor and dominated the fight.


    Hisa shook her head and tapped the stick against the bench. ¡°It¡¯s an unbalance of power. Ujisue is my strongest knight. I almost made him knight captain. He might hurt Masahide.¡±


    Kichi worried about her companion. It sounded like he was outclassed, even if he were in prime condition. However, as far as she knew, he hadn¡¯t slept. And no doubt his mind was preoccupied with Ema. ¡°Can¡¯t he hold back?¡±


    The attacks by Ujisue pushed Masahide back to the middle of the square. Their swords clattered and sparked.


    Hisa looked at Kichi. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. To hold back would dishonor the Arcs Order. And, no one ever does, or should, go easy. Underestimating your opponent is a huge mistake. Take nothing for granted.¡±


    ¡°Ujisue seems like he wants to hurt him.¡±


    ¡°Ujisue doesn¡¯t just fight for himself, but for his nephew. The People of Peace took his family after he became a knight. He found the lone survivor when he returned to rescue them. His nephew Gon had watched the slaughter, and Ujisue has vowed to raise him well and make the world a better place to grow up.¡±


    A stem beside Whitebeard snaked upward and turned into a flower. He plucked it and tossed peddles. It was an absentminded display of magic and an impressive one. ¡°The Duke gets to test Masahide and your best knight. He eliminates one and so has one less enemy to contend with. Everything he does is with purpose.¡±


    Kichi bit her fingernails while she watched.


    A sudden flash of light above Masahide rotated, and another land displayed from a small portal. Arrows rained through and hit Ujisue, and his Shining Armor dissipated.


    Kichi watched intently. ¡°Masahide is doing well against an archknight.¡±


    Whitebeard raked his beard. ¡°He has great potential. But I¡¯ve seen a branch in his future. One way leads to greatness, and the other to death. I hope he makes the correct decisions.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯d the arrows come from?¡±


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    ¡°All magic comes from spirits. There¡¯s usually a covenant of sorts where the power shared is mutually beneficial. There are lesser-understood abilities, such as prescience, but ideally, that¡¯s how it works. Masahide acts as an extension of the mountain spirits, bringing an aspect of themselves into the world of mankind.¡±


    They called a round, and the knights parted. Masahide mopped his face with his hands.


    Kichi took the respite to quarry her teacher. ¡°I can melt rock. What do they want with me?¡±


    ¡°From my experience, change. Take the mountains; They resist it and are little affected by the passing of the ages. Conversely, the air spirits are fickle, stirring things up but hardly causing lasting effects. But lava is quick, and no one knows its shape until it cools. It can create land or remake it. Only it can shatter mountains.¡±


    It helped to talk so Kichi didn¡¯t worry about Masahide. ¡°What is your covenant?¡±


    ¡°Crann doesn¡¯t care about mankind directly, but all life. I''m doing Crann''s will as long as I work to keep corruption from all the things that crawl, fly, walk, or grow green.¡±


    Round two began, and Ujisue didn¡¯t reinstate his armor. He appeared winded and walked a circle to stay out of striking distance.


    The crowd wasn¡¯t happy, but Kichi was. Perhaps they could wait out the timer. Maybe both of them would remain unhurt. ¡°Is it almost over?¡±


    Whitebeard shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s always three rounds.¡±


    Hisa tapped her stick loudly. ¡°I can¡¯t wait for it to be all over.¡±


    Blood.


    Ujisue''s sword sliced along Masahide¡¯s thigh. Red speckled the stone. Masahide¡¯s leg buckled before he regained control.


    Whitebeard leaned forward. ¡°This isn¡¯t right. The damn corruption below this castle makes everything unclear. I can¡¯t see as I should.¡±


    Kichi felt panic rise. If Dragon Sada was worried, she was doubly so. ¡°Will he be okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll slow him down, make him an easy target. I fear for his life unless he can pull off the arrows again.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t he give up?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he ever will. I might be wrong, but everything I know about him tells me he¡¯ll never yield.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 20

    Akisane looked to his father for help, but the Duke only sat there scowling at the match between Ujisue and Masahide.


    His mother wiped her nose. Her eyes were red. ¡°William was such a good person. I remember his violin practice filling the halls. He was so talented at everything he did.¡±


    Akisane sat on his hands. They shook whenever he was around other people. After the incident, it¡¯d gotten worse. The affliction was hard to hide.


    ¡°He was better than this family deserved. He was a gentle soul, but he¡¯d never jump. We have to find out who did it. Someone pushed him from the gatehouse.¡±


    Finally, Duke Akitomo removed him from the situation. ¡°Walk with me.¡±


    There was a flash of light, and Masahide regained his ground in the fight. The combatants clashed again. The crowd reacted with each near hit.


    ¡°Damn that wailing woman. William this. William that. Your brother was weakness made flesh. I was ashamed to be his father.¡±


    If only William had been born to another family. There just wasn¡¯t room for someone with a voracious curiosity. Akisane needed to stop thinking about it, so he probed his father¡¯s intentions. ¡°Why are you so interested in this match?¡±


    They took a short ramp to a raised platform. It brought them well over the crowd.


    The Duke turned from the match. ¡°Because if Ujisue wins, which he should, I can control him. His nephew is here at the castle.¡± He pointed at a boy in the first twenty rows behind them. ¡°If Masahide wins, it tells me Whitebeard has picked powerful allies and is an existential threat.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like fencing to you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Of course it is. Everyone you deal with is trying to beat you in some way. When you act, you force your enemy to react, and if you¡¯re smart and careful, you¡¯ll know their options. Prescience is rare, but expect it always because when you don¡¯t, it will finish you. Counter it with this strategy, always knowing your enemy''s choices, always preparing for each of them.¡±


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    Akisane turned in surprise to see Ujisue without a shield. Now, that was unexpected. He¡¯d thought his father¡¯s cautiousness bordered on the weakness he despised. However, the two combatants entered the third round.


    He looked at Whitebeard as if for the first time.


    The man didn¡¯t have the face of an old man, only the long white hair and beard of one. His only other defining feature was that he was a head taller than almost anyone else. But, there was a calmness there. How could he have missed it? It was an unnatural relaxation in contrast to the tension of those around him like a man on a pleasure swim in surging rapids.


    Akisane hands began to tremble again, and he held them behind his back so his father wouldn¡¯t see.


    Duke Akitomo laughed. ¡°See, what did I tell you? This Masahide isn¡¯t as he seems. If he wins, I want you to kidnap the other girl. What¡¯s her name, Kichi? It will force Masahide and Whitebeard to make a move. They will have to make a public accusation or confront me privately. I will be ready for either.¡±


    ¡°What if the girl isn¡¯t as she seems either?¡±


    ¡°I was gifted the Eyes. I can see the rings around people. She only has six rings. Even if her magic is unique, there¡¯s only so much one can do with such a low power level. Above twenty, I¡¯d be worried.¡±


    ¡°What about Whitebeard?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see his rings. He must have a way of hiding them or a natural counter.¡±


    Ujisue regained a measure of dominance. His swordwork beat Masahide back. Then he stuck with shards of ice.


    Masahide deflected the magic with the pure sword and retreated two steps. Knights in the first rows threw up shields, and the ice shattered. He dove to the side, ice streaking passed him.


    Akisane didn¡¯t think Masahide would last long. He¡¯d likely end the match when a length of ice impaled him. ¡°What do I do if Ujisue wins?¡±


    ¡°I told you, kidnap the boy. Do it as soon as you get a chance.¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 21

    Masahide''s leg burned and felt wet. Worse, it slowed him down, and that didn¡¯t help when the arena square turned slick with ice. He¡¯d proved he was better with the sword, if only by a fraction, but now his opponent kept him at a distance. Magically, he was outmatched and could only move and dodge.


    Ninety-seven was relentless. That was what happened when a match had to be won this way.


    Ice spread underfoot, and Masahide slid. If he were injured any worse, it would make finding Ema harder or impossible. If he was killed¡ªwell, her life was up to fate. ¡°Fight me as knights were meant to fight.¡±


    The archknight brought down rows of icicles. ¡°You¡¯re better with the sword. But you¡¯ll never win this contest. I won¡¯t let the Marstonic Order dominate again and spread their influence.¡±


    Masahide slid with both feet on the ice, putting him on a predictable path. The other knew right where to strike. Two slabs of ice materialized and closed in on either side. He vaulted over the impact. That would have meant death. He worried that questioning a knightly order was a slippery slope, but perhaps if Mount Templar was strong again, it would help save the twelve.


    Masahide closed the distance and swung. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The other turned the attack away and countered. ¡°Ujisue. The question is, why are you here? That¡¯s the question the Duke asks. He put you against an archknight to find out.¡±


    ¡°Masahide. Of what consequence am I to him?¡±


    Their swords locked in a moment of grappling. ¡°The Duke doesn¡¯t like ambiguity. He¡¯s risked the duchy letting the Marstonics install the People of Peace. The King has left it alone and lets them get away with more and more. And now strangers drop in on the Duke¡¯s carefully planned tournament.¡±


    Masahide forced an exchange of ringing steel, putting his opponent in retreat. ¡°Mount Templar stands against the Duke and will not participate in his games. Not after the famine and many other reports. That was until I found our next grandmaster. He¡¯s asked that I fight, and so I will.¡±


    Ujisue danced back. His eyes were puzzled. ¡°A new grandmaster? I thought they set the bar too high, that many tried but failed. No one in the realm could complete the trial.¡±


    Masahide scored a cut on Ujisue¡¯s shoulder. ¡°When I met Whitebeard, he made me feel like a squire again. He¡¯s a true grandmaster, and I mean to bring him to the trials.¡±


    The blood on Ujisue¡¯s shoulder spread. ¡°If one of us doesn¡¯t win, or we make a poor show, the Duke will take any excuse to kick us out. In other words, I won¡¯t go easy on you. Prepare yourself.¡± Ujisue rose on a pillar of ice and shot down a blizzard. Droplets of water froze as they hit, and the wind accelerated and whipped the shards into a tornado.


    Masahide got blood in his eye. He couldn¡¯t feel his face, so he had no idea how cut up it was. He darted unpredictably, trying to stay out of the cloud. He needed to shatter the pillar and bring his opponent down to the ground level.


    The ice pillar was three feet thick. Masahide chopped at it but only took out a few slivers before having to move from the storm. How could he get through before the ice flakes in the air took off all his skin?


    He looked up and saw a burst of blue light.


    Standing thirty feet above, Ujisue¡¯s Shining Armor burst to life. He was now invincible.


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    Masahide thought maybe it was a blessing. He wouldn¡¯t get picked apart by magic. He could trade blows against an invulnerable shield until he was cut down. But he didn¡¯t know if any healers would be there for him. Sure, each order had at least one, but would they spare the energy it would take to heal him? Kichi would have to continue the search for Ema without him. No, that wasn¡¯t good enough!


    I don¡¯t want to be alone. It had felt right to have Ema by my side.


    The next moment, ice popped in the air, and shrapnel flew everywhere. Masahide dove and landed on his stomach.


    Ujisue landed next to him. The pillar tilted and crashed down. It hit the shields held by those in the first row.


    Scrambling back with feet and hands, Masahide escaped a sword swing that would have killed him. He looked up in shock, but then it made sense.


    Ujisue stood unsteady, exhausted. He would have no finesse with his sword or magic, which was dangerous. His chest expanded with each breath, trying to get enough oxygen.


    Masahide¡¯s only chance was to tire him further. He came forward with a flurry of useless thrusts.


    However, Ujisue just let his Shining Armor handle the attack. Then, he erected an ice wall.


    Masahide glanced over his shoulder. He had nowhere to go. The wall was a half-circle and not very big. He couldn¡¯t escape without putting himself at risk. His opponent made a smart move.


    Ujisue had spent almost all his energy. Each step was as if caught in honey. His eyes drooped, and his sword was in one hand, held low.


    Masahide¡¯s back hit the wall. A trickle of water ran down his neck as it melted. A jab with the elbow didn¡¯t get him anywhere. His last option was to try to summon arrows.


    The mountains seemed to refuse to give Masahide Shining Armor. He was a knight of honor and strength but had remained unknown to the realm. No one talked about a lesser knight. They wanted to tell stories about the greats.


    Spirit at Mount Templar, grant me a conduit to the weapons of past champions.


    The arrows may not even be enough. All Ujisue needed was to push through the barrage.


    Why won¡¯t the portal grant me weapons? Is it because my devotion is split between the order and Ema?


    Masahide¡¯s hair and clothes rose, weightless. That was the sign of the power bestowed, but in amounts he¡¯d never experienced. He opened the portal wide and open to the treasure of past warriors, reached out with his mind, and threw.


    At the last second, he recognized his mistake. He could choose what to take, but he¡¯d just been grabbing blindly.


    A lance rushed through the portal. It sliced the air and buried itself into Ujisue, who looked down in surprise.


    A jet of blood spewed from Ujisue¡¯s mouth. His hands grasped uselessly at the lance, and he fell to his knees.


    Masahide grabbed his opponent to keep him from falling. The lance flowed back into the hole in the sky as it closed. He eased Ujisue down.


    Ujisue said a word that sounded like ¡°Gon.¡±


    ¡°On my honor.¡±


    Whitebeard leaped onto the square and raised a hand. A sunbeam landed where Ujisue lay and brightened until their figures were washed out. ¡°Crann, grant me life energy.¡± Every step he took, stems and vines snaked onto the stone, and flowers bloomed. By the time he¡¯d reached Ujisue, a path of greenery was embossed on the square.


    Ujisue twitched, arm flying out, foot tapping. But when the light died, he still lay motionless.


    Hisa ran from the stands, fell beside Ujisue, picked his head up, and looked into his eyes. ¡°No, don¡¯t die.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 30


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit)


    Secondary focus: Quake


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 22

    Kichi noticed Masahide sneaking away from the arena. She looked him to Whitebeard, who was intent on the match between the two lower-level knights. The round lacked the spectacular magic show of Masahide versus Ujisue, so the crowd complained or talked amongst themselves. ¡°I¡¯m going to see if he¡¯s alright.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but be back before the midday break ends. They¡¯ll announce the new numbers.¡±


    Kichi nodded, stood, and bumped into the fur of a bear. It wasn¡¯t the kind of a bear to maul you, just a gentle giant with long claws. It carried a tray of fried bread. ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    It made a noise of understanding and shuffled to the next row, where two people lifted skewers of golden balls.


    Kichi tried not to run, so she did a bounding walk that she hoped didn¡¯t draw attention. She found Masahide right where she thought she would¡ªat the mountain shrine. He was deep in prayer.


    She knelt at his level. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Masahide opened an eye and glanced at her. ¡°I¡¯ve never killed anyone. And I don¡¯t think Ujisue deserved it.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have a choice. You had to fight back.¡±


    He closed his eyes and went back to concentrating. ¡°I know. But I saw him look at me when the lance hit him. He didn¡¯t want to die.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t want to disturb him, but there wasn¡¯t time for this. She didn¡¯t think there was anything he could¡¯ve done anyway. Ujisue had thrown an incredible assault at him. She hadn¡¯t seen anything like it. There¡¯s been so much magic.


    She laid a hand on his shoulder. ¡°We have two hours we can look for Ema.¡±


    After a moment, he answered. ¡°Can you take this one? I just want to sit here for a while.¡±


    ¡°Masahide, she needs you. All she has is for us to find her. Remember the code.¡±


    He looked sidelong at her again. ¡°We must defend the weak.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    As if he weighed twice as much, he stood slowly. ¡°You¡¯re right, Kichi. We don¡¯t live for ourselves, but for those we care about.¡±


    ¡°Come on then.¡±


    They searched all the rooms on the floor directly below them. Each room was empty, dusty, and cobwebbed but held no one. They were beginning to believe that Ema must be in one of the towers or somewhere below the central part of the cattle.


    A bell donged, and they glanced out of a window to see many leaving their seats. It must be the noonday lunch.


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    When Kichi turned around, her heart skipped a beat. There was Hisa flipping her walking stick.


    Hisa bounced the stick on the floor end first so that it reversed and landed in her hand. ¡°What are you guys doing in my room?¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t know what to say, so she figured she¡¯d start at the beginning. ¡°I was trying to distract Masahide from being sad and look for¡­¡±


    Hisa made a gesture like a wave. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You can always come to my room if you need me. Are you okay, Masahide? Ujisue was my friend and one of my best men. But it won¡¯t be the last loss of life in this tournament.¡±


    Masahide nodded, then snapped attention to Kichi, ¡°Kichi, withdraw. I don¡¯t want to see you mismatched like I was. It¡¯s a lose-lose if you win or not.¡±


    Hisa closed the door behind herself. ¡°If Whitebeard asked you to participate, he has good reason. I would discourage you from disregarding his plans.¡±


    Kichi plopped down in a dusty but plush cushioned seat. ¡°What was he like when the Dragon Order still existed?¡±


    ¡°Not much different than he is now. He always stayed aloof.¡±


    ¡°He has no friends?¡±


    Hisa twirled the stick. ¡°He has many friends but never the time to keep in touch¡ªalways off to the next adventure. Some say he was bound to serve the realm long before he took the oath. And that he¡¯d done evil, and now his soul belongs to the primordial spirits who force him to do good things. I don¡¯t think any of that¡¯s true. I think he sees too much of the future and has never considered living for himself.¡±


    Masahide nodded as if that just affirmed what he knew about Whitebeard. ¡°That¡¯s how a knight should live. It¡¯s honorable.¡±


    Hisa made an indifferent noise. ¡°That may be, but it¡¯s also exceedingly rare.¡±


    Kichi shot up. ¡°We need to go. We¡¯re looking for a friend, and there¡¯s not much time before it starts again.¡±


    Hisa nodded. ¡°Yes, Ema. I have no idea where she is, but strange things are afoot in the lower levels. I¡¯ve always had great hearing, and the noise of digging keeps me up at night.¡±


    Kichi bowed, ¡°Thank you.¡± She took Masahide¡¯s hand and pulled him. ¡°Remember where the iron maiden came up? We should start there.¡±


    Hisa stopped them before they¡¯d left the room when she called out, ¡°Masahide, I will speak to you this evening.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Grandmaster Hisa.¡±


    They sped to the chamber where the floor had opened up. There was a bronze handle and hinges on a blue-painted trapdoor. Each took hold and pulled. It creaked open and created a dark rectangle with a stairway disappearing below.


    Kich saw torchlight below. She took a few steps and glanced back. ¡°We should close it in case someone sees it.¡±


    Masahide followed her, and they reached a hallway. He snatched the torch from the sconce and held it overhead. All they could see was a few fathoms ahead.


    The sound of breathing turned their attention behind them. It was the sound of a beast¡¯s nostrils sucking air. Two red eyes stared at them from the gloom.


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 23

    The torch sputtered and cast its orange glow, but not far enough, not to what lurked just out of sight. In the blackness, red eyes narrowed. The air quivered with the beast snorting and growling.


    Kichi elbowed Masahide. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    Masahide put his arm around her shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t turn your back to it. Move slowly.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°They smell memories and emotions. So keep your mind blank and free of fear¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t have trouble not thinking. The danger had her living in the moment. Her heart thumped in her chest. How does one control fear? ¡°How do I do that?¡±


    They retreated from the red eyes.


    Masahide kept the torch overhead so as not to blind them, but he hit the ceiling with it and showered them with embers. ¡°For a knight to die in battle against the corruption is an honor. ¡±


    She thought about that for a second. Maybe it did help to look at it from a new perspective. But perhaps it took practice because she still felt petrified. She focused on how she thought the ideal knight would behave. Really, it wasn¡¯t much different than Masahide.


    The darkness transmogrified into a snout that wrinkled to bare teeth. The underworld hound leaped into the light. A series of knife-like claws tapped on the stone floor, and it pawed at it. It took another step forward, and its eyes locked on Kichi. Three sets of eyelids blinked at varying angles.


    Masahide stepped closer and between them but still backed away. ¡°Steel yourself. Put a hand on your sword, but don¡¯t draw unless you have to.¡±


    Kichi felt the cold pummel in her palm and closed her fingers around the handle.


    They made quick glances over their shoulder. There were holes in the floor, and one had a ladder.


    Masahide looked down. ¡°Not this one. It could fallow us.¡±


    Further in the light, the total mass of the creature was visible. To its back was arched and a man-and-a-half tall.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    They dropped into the hole. The creature¡¯s jaws snapped shut where their bodies had been in a spay of saliva. Masahide grabbed a ledge with a hand and caught her with the other, and they dropped to another tunnel.


    Kichi clutched her knee. She¡¯d scrapped it on rough rock.


    The hound uttered a sound that made Kichi¡¯s hair rise. It tried to squeeze through a few times before it gave up and darted away, paws scraping.


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    Masahide scooped up the torch, and his eyes followed the sound.


    Kichi looked around and saw two ways to go, and they were both the same. ¡°I have a feeling it knows how to get down here.¡±


    ¡°You''re probably right. You did a good job back there. It''s not easy to hide your fear.¡±


    ¡°I just thought about my one goal.¡±


    ¡°And what is that?¡±


    Kichi started walking away from the direction the hound had gone. ¡°Before my mother passed, she said my father was the most chivalrous knight to ever live. And that''s what I want to be.¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that all?¡±


    They laughed. Even she had to admit it was a pipe dream, but it was her dream.


    Continuing, it felt like they were snakes or gophers, burrowing animals deep in their habitat. Though the hounds had disappeared, its presence was still felt, still feared.


    As expected, the hound had found a way to their level. At least they were pretty sure by the echo of scraping.


    Masahide turned. ¡°It¡¯s not far.¡±


    So, they continued at a faster pace. But not so fast as to roll an ankle in the murky torchlight.


    They came to a downward slope with a trickle of water. It was a smooth as polished marble. Kichi waved for him to follow and used it as a slide. She shot downward, the darkness rushing around her. She hit a rock and spun to a stop.


    Masahide crashed behind her without the torch. She only knew it was him by the sound of his cursing. They were deep in the mines beneath the castle with no idea where to go or how to get out. All they could do was bumble in the overwhelming darkness. But, there was a sound of chanting, distant but recognizable, so they followed it. Soon, the tunnel filled with a red glow. The world opened up into a vast cavern.


    A moat of lava surrounded an island of rock. A land bridge connected it to a tunnel on the far wall. Hooded figures stirred below and continued their chanting.


    Kichi pointed. ¡°I bet if we could make it to that tunnel, we''d find our way out.¡±


    Masahide got on hands and knees and scooted to the edge. They were a good six fathoms above the strange assembly. ¡°The King¡¯s wizard always said that the necromancer was the most dangerous sorceress alive and perhaps the strongest magic user save for himself. But some say she¡¯s stronger. I guess they must be on a similar footing if one has never eliminated the other. But it¡¯s a bad sign to see her here now.¡±


    Kichi found the robed figure with a staff of red crystal. ¡°This is who turned the dead Wythmere?¡±


    Masahide looked at Kichi. ¡°And I have a bad feeling this is who will do the draining with ritual on Whitebeard.¡±


    Below, a flow of lava rose with black, cracked skin. It moved to pile up into the form of a man at the island''s edge. The necromancer slammed the staff down, and the chamber rang. The man steamed, and the cracks in his skin glowed red. ¡°The mountain bends to me.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 24

    The molten man bowed to the necromancer. Orange-red drips leaked like hot candy through the cracks in its floating exoskeleton.


    The necromancer circled him, and she threw back her cowl to reveal a uniformly copper face and hair. Whether she was young or old was impossible to tell. ¡°This might be my masterpiece, a corrupted lava spirit.¡± She looked back at her gathering. ¡°Observe.¡±


    Kichi looked along the wall for handholds or anything that could get her and Masahide to the tunnel. If they fell, it would be into the moat of bubbling rock. Worse, the rock had solidified next to the walls in ripples, so if they plummeted, it might be a long, painful death.


    The necromancer looked at the man¡¯s featureless face. ¡°Turn into a chair.¡±


    The man melted and cooled as she asked into a stone chair.


    A copper finger touched the chair. ¡°A bit warm, but satisfactory. Now, kill Hisa and bring me her smug head.¡±


    Kichi almost gasped but backed away from the edge to share a look with Masahide. ¡°We have to warn her.¡±


    ¡°As soon as we can get out of here.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t going to happen anytime soon. Kichi and Masahide watched the lava man walk into the tunnel they needed to reach. That left a chamber full of hooded figures on the island and land bridge. Eventually, they filed out with the necromancer at their head. But the whole thing took at least an hour. It was hard to keep track of time, but it had to have been at least four hours since lunch.


    It was time to test the amulate. Kichi put the chain around her neck and felt the world double. She felt dizzy. Things seemed to happen before they happened but by only a second.


    Masahide mouthed something, and then his words caught up. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Concentrating was hard, but Kichi knew what she had to do. She put a foot over the edge and down to a foothold. She took another step down and waved Masahide to follow. She began a step and saw her foot slip and her body tumble below, so she stopped herself from taking that deadly route and chose another foothold. She did this all the way around the quarter circle and the land bridge.


    She stumbled and clawed at the neckless fastener. She had to get the thing off. She was dizzy and confused. ¡°Help.¡±


    Masahide unclasped it and pushed it into her hand. ¡°Can you walk?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said but almost went down on her first step. Her stomach growled, and she clutched it. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry. I don¡¯t know why.¡±


    ¡°Here, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Bin poked out from her pocket, and the three walked into the tunnel with no light to guide them. The ground angled upward, and light bloomed ahead. The outside air filled their nostrils, and the sound of wind and the crowd at the arena. The tunnel ended at a landing on the north side. Beside a warrior statue on a rearing horse, the stairs led down from either side.


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    They hurried down the stairs. Well, Masahide did. He put her on his back and descended two steps at a time. She hoped no one would notice them. A low wall encased the steps but didn¡¯t completely shield them from view.


    The scene at the arena caught Kichi¡¯s attention. There was an eastern minotaur wielding a curved sword. She knew it was eastern because, like a camel, it had a hump on its back. The human face was wild with curly hair and a look of rage as the bull-man chased a knight around the square.


    Masahide stopped to gawk and let her down. ¡°What is this? This isn¡¯t a tournament.¡±


    Kichi agreed but pulled on his arm. ¡°I need food.¡±


    Masahide looked around and found one of the docile bears that carried food trays. He took the whole thing, and the pear-shaped creature stared after him.


    Kichi buried her face into the tray of fried bread. She even licked up the crumbs. She was still ravenous, but the hunger-pain dissipated.


    Whitebeard looked at them fondly. ¡°Oh, good. I was beginning to worry you¡¯d be late.¡±


    Kichi pushed in close. ¡°They¡¯re planning on assassinating Hisa.¡±


    Whitebeard¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. ¡°They¡¯ll find that harder than they think.¡±


    She told him about the lava man, and his mouth tightened.


    ¡°I see, well, we¡¯ll warn her. She can take care of herself, so don¡¯t worry. Now, what do you think of this absurdity?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°No, neither do I.¡±


    The curved sword found the running knight. It cleaved an arm free and bite into the body. The knight died within seconds.


    The numbers were announced once again, and Kichi heard, ¡°Fifty.¡± That was her number. She wasn¡¯t in any condition. She was still hungry.


    Masahide snatched another tray and brought it to her. ¡°Quickly, keep eating.¡±


    Whitebeard furrowed his brow. ¡°You used the amulate? Yes plainly. Okay, you must use it in this fight. They will put you against a much stronger opponent. Close your eyes when you can. It¡¯ll keep it from draining your energy.¡±


    Wolfing down another tray, Kichi wiped her face with her sleeve. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll manage that, but I¡¯ll keep it in mind.¡±


    A squeeze on the arm brought her attention to Masahide, who said, ¡°Just leave. You¡¯re not in any condition to fight.¡±


    Whitebeard studied her reaction.


    Kichi handed Bin to Masahide. ¡°No, I have to. Wish me luck.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 25

    Kichi balled her fists and noticed her hands felt clammy. What was she doing here? The lifelong objective of becoming a knight had pushed her to travel far and risk her life, but this was different. This was just a stupid tournament. What did it have to do with gallantry? This was just a stupid game¡ªa game with consequences.


    She took the steps onto the platform, holding the amulet. She wanted to wait till the last second to put it around her neck. In the short time she used it beneath the castle, it had eaten through her energy stores within ten minutes, leaving her ravenous. The trays of fried bread hadn¡¯t come close to satiating her need for food. So, how many minutes could she use it now? She figured half the time would be lucky.


    Whitebeard joined her at the edge of the square. ¡°Close your eyes, and I¡¯ll fasten it around your neck. Try to rely on your other senses until you know an attack is coming.¡±


    Before Kichi closed her eyes, she saw the crowd of colorful knights and nobility near the front and the populace of Dunaguard in tattered rags beyond. The sun cast long shadows over the arena. The sound of the crowd was magnified in the deep mountain hollow that cradled the castle. She closed her eyes, and the light turned red through her eyelids.


    ¡°They¡¯ve matched you against Yoshiie. He¡¯s one of Marstonics. He¡¯s below an archknight, so you shouldn¡¯t have to worry about Shining Armor.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his magic?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen him at the mountain shrines. That¡¯s all I know.¡±


    Working from the memory before she closed her eyes, she walked towards the center of the square. She guessed she should stop after forty paces, bringing her to the distance where they bow and begin.


    Her stomach growled. She was hungry, and even the thought of beef roasted in a thick gravy made her mouth water. Why was she thinking about that when she could be hurt or killed?


    She stole a glance before shutting her eyes again. Yoshiie was a willowy man with long hair and a smug grin. She faced askew and turned to face him, hoping no one noticed.


    Yoshiie¡¯s boot scuffed the stone. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of anyone so scared they close their eyes. Shall I nick you and call it a day?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see you try.¡± Her words startled her. There was no way he¡¯d actually believe her bravado.


    The Duke''s voice rose above the din. ¡°Fight with honor.¡±


    Kichi bowed and drew her pure sword. She took a couple of blind steps. She heard a flutter of laughter from the audience. How dare they mock her technique. If it¡¯s good enough for Whitebeard, it¡¯s good enough for anyone. No, she needed to tune them out and focus.


    Yoshiie¡¯s sword rasped as he drew it. His footsteps, if any, were drowned out by the crowd.


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    She backed away and took a peek.


    His guard was down, and his face scrunched into a grin. A second lounge came forward and put the point of his blade into her leg.


    She didn¡¯t want to force the fight yet. Yoshiie seemed confident but not foolhardy. He¡¯d test her before a full engagement. She¡¯d found in sparing that the good ones liked to gauge the opponent''s skill level as a cook might taste another¡¯s meal to see if it pleases their palate. She closed her eyes, deflected the strike she knew would come, and backed away.


    ¡°So,¡± he said, ¡°this isn¡¯t a joke. Go ahead, then. Let¡¯s see what you can do.¡±


    She began to swing before she even opened her eyes. Yoshiie will deflect my clumsy strike and slice my stomach open.


    Her blade moved around his like a stream around a bend and meant to open a gash on his arm. But he was so fast that he adjusted and slipped away. She closed her eyes.


    ¡°Impressive. Now, would you like to dance?¡±


    A voice said, ¡°Now.¡±


    Kichi thought it sounded like Whitebeard. She opened her eyes and, this time, kept them open. She was so hungry that her stomach raked at her inside like a wild animal.


    Yoshiie flourished his sword and spun an attack like a spider¡¯s web. Perhaps he was the greatest swordsman in the realm. She didn¡¯t know, but she imagined it looked like this. If she didn¡¯t have a glimpse into the future, she wouldn¡¯t last a second.


    Lucky for her, she knew exactly where to put her sword and respond. The dance had begun.


    The features of his thin face tightened when every thrust sliced air. He increased the tempo, meaning to overwhelm Kichi. The rapidity gave less time to see what was to come. Her shoulder and hand burned. She felt like the energy was lost. I can¡¯t keep going.


    Even with foreknowledge, sheer skill outmatched her. The double vision of foresight began to spin. She¡¯d hit a wall.


    The sun had dipped low between the towers, and a yellow glow set his sword alight. Her sword kept responding, but it barely felt like her arm was making the movements. He would stab her leg. She moved back. A sword through her neck. She ducked. Swords hit together with a clang, crossed together in a moment of stillness.


    Sweat dripped down Yoshiie¡¯s face. ¡°If you can cut me, I¡¯ll yield. You are the best sword I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    ¡°I will, too,¡± she said, but she felt like a sham. Would she ever be this good on her own? She decided she¡¯d devote every spare moment to fencing to find out.


    His sword slammed into hers, and her arm noodled. The blade whipped back toward her neck.


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 26

    Kichi didn''t care about anything besides getting food down her gullet. The match had completely drained her, leaving a bottomless pit at her core.


    As promised at dinner for each day of the tournament, Whitebeard began his story. His words weren¡¯t loud but filled the entire chamber, swirled around the vaulted ceiling and down the long tables of knights.


    The Duke fingered pieces of pheasant into his mouth and watched Whitebeard speak.


    ***


    Seventy years ago, the capital city was often besieged. King Nagamoto asked the Dragon Order to patrol the skies of the West. So, my order built a castle in the territory of Midbluffs.


    I traveled the region on foot and learned the land in an intimate way that many of my higher-ranking brethren could not. Swooping over the land in an eagle wasn¡¯t the same as stepping into the forests and caves, crossing the flats and hills, and meeting the creatures that dwell in the lands. I wasn¡¯t jealous, even though my family bemoaned the fact that I should start at the bottom of the pecking order.


    I became an ally of the land and knew many of the most powerful entities in the wilds. This propelled me from a lowly squire to a knight, and I earned the reputation as a man who cared as deeply about the realm itself as the people who lived there. I didn¡¯t mind since I spent long stretches away from civilization.


    No knight should ever trust the witch, but every young man makes a mistake. This I learned after befriending a witch who did care for her wood and the creatures therein. On my third visit, she gave me a gift in the form of a potion. And when I closed my hands around the concoction, it changed my life. Yes, it was a mistake, but would I change it if I could do it all again? I haven¡¯t answered that question yet.


    I showed my best friends, who were also squires in our teenage years. ¡°This is a potion of intelligence.¡±


    Sanekuni, a bookworm and possibly my favorite of the lot, looked at me. ¡°What will you do with it?¡±


    ¡°Drink it.¡± And I down the contents right there and then. I''d like to say that it tasted good, but it didn¡¯t. It tasted like medicine that a wooly cow had eaten and vomited back up.


    You might think that a portion of intelligence would just make you know everything. That suddenly, I would know all of mathematics, or invent my own. I did have a peculiar urge to have people start counting from zero rather than one, but that was neither here nor there. At first, I thought it¡¯d warn off. But then, gradually, I became more aware. I became aware of a multitude of minds as vast as the constellations in the sky.


    This was how it felt: I was like a sky whale, a massive thing. But not a solid thing like that, but a cloud of minds. They weren¡¯t weren''t me, but a part of me. They were all the minds of the realm, as far as I can tell. I was a huge lumbering gargantuan.


    Lumbering was probably not the right term. Imagine if you had to shout down the hall to get someone to move your leg. That you were some vast contraption that could only move from distant shouts or beacons. Well, that''s kind of how it was. It took a while to focus, to turn my mind to the thing that every knight pondered back then: where was the Grail?


    I turned my great mind toward the cup filled with creation¡¯s first water. It was a black liquid, for the primordial spirits created it before there was a sunrise, and so it didn¡¯t know how to interact with light. I searched for it for what seemed like ages, but I still didn''t know where it was. However, I had a direction. And that direction was across the sea.


    I brought my findings to the Dragon Order. I wanted to take an eagle and go find the grill, but this was during a dragon incursion, and many eagles died. There were few to go around.


    The archknights, and those of high rank, left me and the remaining order behind and flew toward the sunset for land I had envisioned to exist. People came out to the streets to see the eagles stream over the capital.


    I, on the other hand, took a galleon called the Palfrey. The ship set sail along the coast and around fingers of land before turning its bow towards an empty horizon. The crew was excited and scared, for no one had returned from such a voyage before.


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    I felt dumb. Not only because the intelligence potion wore off, but because they left me behind and what chance did I have to find it before they did? If I had stayed on land it would¡¯ve made no difference.


    Once I found my sea legs, I enjoyed my time aboard the Palfrey. It''s great square sales billowed and dragged the vessel across the wide ocean. There were many adventures of little consequence, and I haven¡¯t the time to tell them all, not even the mutiny. But I will tell you of an island of some importance.


    We dropped anchor and paddled a boat to shore. Facing the sea were ancient stones that may have once been faces that have been melted by eons. We hiked for a full day into the mountains


    There, I found a lion being raised by a family of griffins. The lion followed me, for he wasn''t happy. When his siblings grew older and their wings strong enough, they spent most of their day flying, and some even turned against him. They pecked at him with their beaks.


    I didn''t encourage the lion to follow me, but I found him stalking me while I was looking for coconuts. Kept a wary eye out and went for a drink of water deep in the island jungle. I noticed his eyes locked on me from the shadows of the undergrowth. Well, I thought he would charge me, but he just walked out and lay nearby in the sun.


    As you can imagine, I was a little nervous. I had no idea what I had done to cause this lion to pick me. But he¡¯d now spent considerable time nearby and never seemed like a threat.


    That''s when it happens. You see, before I had left, I''d been given the gift of prescience. It was given to me by none other than the father of the Good King when he brought me to the last wizard of the Old Empire. And so, I saw the lion dead in a pool of blood.


    I thought it was worth a try to ask for help from my patron spirit. ¡°Crann,¡± I said, ¡°I know that I am far away, and I don''t suspect your roots grow beneath the entire world, but if you can, let me understand this creature.¡±


    The power was granted. I began to share an understanding with the lion. And I felt its loneliness. It was a terrible thing. You see, Griffins don''t stay on a single Island; they fly over vast areas, so the lion could never really be family.


    The understanding that passed between us was not in words but in feelings, images, and some kind of knowing. It''s like a type of intuition, you know when you just understand something without even thinking about it.


    It turned out the lion¡¯s name was Stretch. It was an odd name for sure, but the image that went along with it was of him stretching in the sun, yawning.


    The reason Stretch was raised by a group of griffins was that his mother passed away. And his father had grown very old and very senile. Supposedly, the old lion didn''t even know who Stretch was anymore.


    After determining that the island was uninhabited, we wandered in various directions. The next morning, I heard that the captain had gone missing. No one knew what to do, and many looked to him.


    The company of men and I pushed to the very center of the island. We discovered the tracks of wolves. Now, it seemed very strange to find wolves and lions on a small island out in the ocean. But I¡¯d encountered stranger things in the world.


    Stretch slunk along next to us almost the entire time we hiked through dense jungle, over gargling streams, and up the mountain at the center.


    We learned that what we mistook for a pack of wolves was only a single wolf doomed to roam the island indefinitely like ants caught in a spiral of death. However, the wolf seemed to have figured out a way to survive.


    In the night, under a gibbous moon, I saw the wolf as it tried to kill Stretch, who was sound asleep. It wasn''t my job to interfere, this island was not my domain, yet still I yelled out.


    The lion opened its eyes and rolled just in time to keep the wolf''s Jaws from clenching on his neck. They fought each other, jaws snapping. The lion, as you¡¯d expect, outclassed the wolf. He bit the front left paw from the wolf, and the canine limped away into the night.


    After that, the lion trusted me. A ruffled the lion''s mane and searched the island with him. The lion was able to find the captain. Well, the body of the captain.


    The poor fellow had died from a coconut landing on his head. At least it appeared that way under the tall tree. It was possible it was murder, but no one could ever prove it.


    The new captain was John, and he and I got along well. He was neither knight nor nobility but was a learned man who played the lute. In the evenings, his music drifted from his cabin.


    Stretch and I gazed out at the sea, which was like polished metal under the light of a gray sky. The lion wouldn¡¯t bother the crew, but they kept their distance and even issued complaints to John. But they eventually accepted his presence.


    This was the beginning of the adventure for Stretch, John, and I. We experienced times in the doldrums, but the lands beyond were strange and dangerous.


    But those will be told at the next dinner.

 Chapter 27

    Kichi slouched back and let out a burp. She¡¯d eaten more than she¡¯d ever had in her life, and she regretted none of it. The plate before her still held a quartet of grapes, but one more would be her downfall.


    On the other side of Whitebeard, Masahide scooted his chair back and gave her a look. It was time to search for Ema once again. They should split up, but dangers about the castle had ruled that possibility out.


    As she got up to follow, Yoshiie appeared and bowed. His eyes lost all their mock nature, and his smug face transformed into something earnest. On his cheek, a bandage covered the cut she had given him. ¡°Knight Kichi, I wish you luck in the tournament.¡±


    Kichi forced her lips into a smile, but she needed to be off before Masahide left her. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I never expected to win. Not with the powerful magic users at the top, but I expected to be the finest blade master among the knights. You¡¯ve demonstrated that I must train twice as hard as before, that eight hours a day is not enough.¡±


    ¡°I only got lucky. You¡¯re an amazing swordsman.¡±


    ¡°No, I need to learn your techniques. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. It was like fighting a magician.¡±


    She nodded awkwardly and stepped past him at the same time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have to go.¡±


    ¡°I will watch you closely until I learn this new style.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t know why she kept the mystical item secret. Many had enhancing rings, potions, necklaces, and who knew what else. But the amulet that Whitebeard had given her felt special. Perhaps it would draw unwanted attention from those who want to take it from her.


    She hurried away through the double doors and caught sight of Masahide ascending a spiral stairway. She took two steps at a time and spotted his blond hair and bootheel disappear into a doorway. She wished he¡¯d slow down so she could catch up.


    Masahide stopped at a T in the hallway. ¡°We must find her tonight.¡±


    ¡°We should check the towers.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking. We''ll go from top to bottom. Start with the highest tower.¡±


    ¡°But the castle beneath it has collapsed. It looks impossible to reach.¡±


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    Masahide rubbed at a stubbled chin. ¡°If we can¡¯t, we''ll have Whitebeard take us by eagle.¡±


    The corridors turned murky as night descended. Sconces along the walls lit only a few ways. The sounds of drunk knights and their singing escaped through the cracks around doors, but the wind replaced the sound as Kichi and Masahide returned to the dark chambers on higher levels. The wind howled around the broken rubble of walls.


    Kichi looked up to see stars rather than the ceiling. She saw a half-collapsed stairway. ¡°I think it''s this way.¡±


    Masahide looked up at the tower far above.


    The pair climbed higher along what clung to the mountainside using ledges created by remnants of floors and supports.


    Kichi¡¯s stomach told her to slow her climb. She was too full. ¡°Masahide, my premonitions almost always come true. I''ve had a few about Whitebeard. One is that his story would be an accusation. Who do you think he''s accusing, the captain that led his ship? Or maybe someone who''s not in the story yet? It''s confusing.¡±


    He slowed to her pace. ¡°If you think his story is an accusation, it could mean almost anything. Perhaps we must wait until he gets further in to fully understand.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    ¡°There''s the Duke, the necromancer, and other evil forces here. He''s given up his sword, and I have no idea if he means to go through with the draining or to fight. No matter what his plan is, it doesn''t matter in the end. We have to be ready for whatever comes.¡±


    They reached a point where walking wasn¡¯t possible but had to grab stones and pull themselves to the next platform. A vast gap lay between where they were standing and the tower. It looked no more than ten fathoms above, but it was at a diagonal angle, and below was a thousand feet to the gardens and building around the arena.


    Masahide studied the climb. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous without aid. Can you use the amulet?¡±


    ¡°I suppose I can. It just makes you hungry until you can¡¯t use it anymore. Well, I¡¯ve had plenty to eat.¡±


    She put it on and reached for a handhold. A shriek knocked her back, and her heel caught and sent her toppling. A streak of movement frightened her, and she grasped for her sword.


    A creature resembling a full head of auburn hair that reached the ground stood there. However, the strands were thick like worms and twitched. The hair parted to reveal a midnight face with two eyes like thin lamps.


    Above, they saw Ema on the balcony of the tower.


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 28

    Kichi reared back from the creature of thick wormlike hair as it increased in volume and spun.


    Masahide shouted, ¡°Ema, we must get aid. I promise we¡¯re coming back.¡± Then he turned to Kichi. ¡°This thing is called a balatma. The worms can detach, crawl under your skin, and eat your organs, or worse. They can attack a hundred times at once. We¡¯re no match without Shining Armor.¡±


    Glancing up at Ema, Kichi felt terrible. They finally found her, and now they must leave. ¡°Whitebeard will know what to do.¡±


    They both backed away. The balatma never advanced; it just stayed guarding the gulf between it and the tower.


    While the two backtracked to the apartments, Kichi thought about ways to defeat the creature. She wasn¡¯t so sure her amulet couldn¡¯t help, though a hundred attacks did seem unsurmountable. ¡°We have to use the eagles.¡±


    Masahide knocked on Whitebeard¡¯s door. ¡°That might work if we swoop down and grab her.¡± When no one answered, he pushed open the unlocked door.


    A pair of bare feet stood on the balustrade. Kichi crossed the room and found Whitebeard standing there with nothing between him and hundreds of feet to the bottom of the balcony. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Whitebeard opened an eye. ¡°Oh, sorry, I was meditating.¡±


    With a held-out hand, Masahide said, ¡°We need your help. We found Ema.¡±


    ¡°How can I be of assistance?¡± Whitebeard didn¡¯t take the hand but leapt down easily.


    ¡°She¡¯s being guarded by a balatma.¡±


    ¡°And you haven¡¯t learned Shining Armor.¡±


    Kichi sat in the dusty chair. ¡°Can we fly an eagle?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not. They¡¯ll be gone for a week.¡±


    Masahide cupped his chin. ¡°What options do we have?¡±


    ¡°You could use a potion of rapidity.¡±


    Kichi propped her leg up. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she kept sinking back as if sleep were wrestling her down. But she had to stay awake. ¡°Do you have a potion?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I do not. But I do have the feather of a falcon.¡± Whitebeard produced a striped feather.


    She cocked her head. ¡°What do we do with that?¡±


    ¡°Climb the peak, and have a wind spirit bless it. The rest is trivial.¡±


    Taking the feather from Whitebeard, Masahide pinched it between his thumb and forefinger and examined it. ¡°We can''t complete the tournament. We have to go now, and it could take all night. But we have to get Ema down at all costs.¡±


    Whitebeard shook his head.¡±If I could guarantee that no harm would come to her this night, would you wait until after you¡¯ve fought?¡±


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    ¡°I suppose so,¡± Masahide said. ¡°Yes.


    ¡°Good. Now, khichi. Let me see your squirrel cat.¡±


    Bin crawled out from Kiki''s pocket at the mention of the name.


    Kichi held the squirrel cat. ¡°You won''t hurt Bin, will you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. I will make a link and send Bin up to watch Ema. The balatma won''t be bothered by a tiny animal. It''s only meant to ward against knights and such.


    Bin lept into Whitebeard''s hands, and they touched foreheads. Then, the squirrel cat scampered up through the window and disappeared.


    ¡°Now, Kichi and Masahide, get a good night¡¯s sleep. You¡¯ll need to be well rested for everything you must do tomorrow.¡±


    The night was only a second long. The sun and sound of the crowd filtered into Kichi¡¯s room. She dressed and hurried down to the arena and grabbed two trays of food from two startled bears.


    Hisa sat beside her. ¡°I''ve never seen a girl with your kind of appetite. And you don''t gain an ounce.¡±


    They made polite conversation until the gongs tolled and hushed the crowd. Then the arena went so quiet one could hear a wind spirit fly. The necromancer walked down an aisle and took a seat near the Duke. She was in a red dress from a time or place that Kichi had never seen. The fingernails of the necromancer were like sticks that she tapped on her armrest.


    The necromancer scanned the crowd, stopping and regarding one person or another. Then she looked straight at Kichi. ¡°You girl. There is something strange about you. Come here and let me have a look at you.¡±


    Kichi didn''t want to approach, but she didn''t know what else to do. She crossed the square and stood before the woman and the Duke¡¯s family. The Duke looked at her like she were a bug.


    ¡°Indeed, there is something strange about you. You are not of this world but a summoned creature. Why did you bring her here?¡± Her gaze landed on Whitebeard.


    Whitebeard''s tone said that the question wasn¡¯t important. ¡°The girl would have died. I simply saved her.¡±


    ¡°And they call me a necromancer. Proceed with the tournament, Duke Akitomo.¡±


    Kicki returned to her seat. Her head spun, and she didn¡¯t even know where to start asking questions. None of that made any sense. Am I the girl who would have died?


    Whitebeard bent low to whisper to her. ¡°Come, walk with me.¡± He led her to a garden area beside the arena. There, he sat on a bench beside a fountain. He patted the seat next to him and waited for her to sit. ¡°Crann is the preserver of life, and I am Crann¡¯s servant above anything else. When I returned from my voyage, there was a house fire. I barged in as the flames engulfed the whole structure. Inside, a woman and a girl were burning. I summoned a time spirit and fused the girl and the spirit into one. It was the only way to turn back the clock a few moments before the irreversible state of death.¡±


    Kichi stood from the bench and backed away. ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Do your memories feel distant to you? The loss of your father, the loss of your mother? It¡¯s because you are a time spirit and not just a girl. It¡¯s why you¡¯re so strong in prescience.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s against nature¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Crann sees something in you. Your first thought was to become the most chivalrous knight. Become that. Win this tournament, and go on to help save the realm.¡±


    Kichi heard Whitebeard calling after her, but she ran from the garden and was soon lost in the maze of old buildings and overgrown yards on the arena level. She no longer knew who she was.


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 29

    Akisane found that alcohol went down well in the morning when one¡¯s stomach was empty. He tipped the flask and took a swill before tucking it in his green jacket. The comforting burn worked its way down into his stomach.


    Between fighting, a lute player walked the perimeter of the square and plucked notes. Fingers danced along single and double-strung courses. The music wandered far with the arena''s acoustics, and the counterpoint melody created a haunting aura.


    Akisane sat back and felt his shoulders loosen. The stone bench was cold, but the sun was warm. It had the effect of lulling him to close his eyes. He was in need of a full night¡¯s sleep.


    ¡°We have word the girl is separated from her friends.¡±


    Akisane felt a tremor run down his body. He peeled an eye open to see Shank beside his ear. ¡°What of it?¡±


    Shank thumped the sheathed knife stump to his chin. ¡°The Duke wants her dead and her body brought to the Necromancer¡¯s cave. What better opportunity? We don¡¯t have to deal with Masahide or Whitebeard.¡±


    Could a man not get a moment''s relaxation around here? Kidnap this person, kill that person, and it went on and on. Akisane sighed and gave a curt nod. ¡°Call Bahram. I¡¯m not taking any chances. You saw her fight Yoshiie.¡±


    ¡°You, afraid of knights? They''re weak, bound by the oath. But if you want the sorcerer, I''ll pull him away from his codices.¡± Shank slipped on a ring and concentrated until a flash flared from it and then slipped it away. ¡°He¡¯s coming.¡±


    ¡°The knights are weak, aren¡¯t they.¡± Akisane pulled out his flask. ¡°Even Shining Armor can¡¯t stop an unseen dagger in the dark.¡±


    Shank had a wolfish grin. ¡°I like working for you. Let¡¯s have a drink before we cut this one up. May I?¡± He took the flask and let an ahhh after a healthy swig. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind me saying so, but you¡¯ll learn to love it. Forget about morals and all that. It¡¯s interesting, challenging work.¡±


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    Perhaps so, Akisane mused as he pushed his tongue against numb teeth. If one¡¯s lot in life is already chosen, why fight it? Why do my hands shake?


    A shadow appeared.


    Amat must have had a giant in his ancestry, for he was a monolith of a man. He was swarthy and thin-nosed, from the eastern half of the continent over the mountains. And if his mind were a sword it would be so dull it couldn¡¯t cut through jelly. ¡°Crush girl.¡±


    Akisane had Shank point out where Kichi was last seen. She was down in the maze that surrounded the arena. Hundreds of years ago, when there were many kings and not just one, a rich monarch controlled the route from East to West and built this never-ending castle. One could wander the whole day in the dilapidated gardens, baths, and temples. It was said to have been all whitewashed and gilded once, but now it was just a vine-covered gray stone.


    The trio left the arena and descended into the maze. The sound of the crowd died away.


    Shadows mottled the paths cut into the granite. Good, Akisane could shadow walk. Shank slipped the sheath from his stump to reveal the blade that replaced his hand, and it gleamed. Amat pulled at the vines on the walls for no good reason.


    Bahram rode in on a carpet of camel hair with geometric designs and a patch. He looked like a miniature version of Amat. The man jangled with beads, necklaces, and bracelets, which made too much noise.


    Akisane drew his demon sword, and it darkened the space around him in its black-purple dimness. ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s alone?¡±


    Bahram nodded. ¡°I saw her moments ago in that building, and she was alone.¡±


    ¡°Spread out and surround her.¡±


    Amat balled a fist. ¡°Can I have fun?¡±


    Akisane looked into the man¡¯s too-close beady eyes. ¡°Go ahead.¡± With that, he fleeted into the shadows. Here, he could move almost at the speed of thought. He emerged in the dark corner of an old hall. The floor was under a coating of dust and rubble.


    There sat Kichi by the window, hugging her legs. No one was there to protect her.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 30

    Kichi sat with her arms around her knees, wondering what it all meant. She wasn¡¯t entirely sure where she placed Whitebeard¡¯s actions. Protecting the weak was noble, but meddling with nature like that¡­ it was like necromancy. Was she really an amalgamation of a girl and a time spirit?


    Her memories were like shattered pottery; though some pieces fit together, they were fragmented. She pictured her father, short for a knight now that she thought of him, standing beside her rosy-cheeked mother. They loved her, but she remembered so little of them. She couldn¡¯t summon a single image of a friend. She felt very alone and suspicious.


    Why had Whitebeard saved her in such an unnatural way? Had he intended to create an ally? Or a blind follower? Her life started not long ago, rummaging through the husk of her home, taking her father¡¯s sword, and being hit by the premonitions. Afterward, she¡¯d set out to find Whitebeard in a fog.


    She reached into her pocket, but the squirrel cat wasn¡¯t there. Oh yes, Whitebeard had sent Bin to watch Ema.


    The room was dim and quiet, and she was alone. That part of her that wasn¡¯t human sensed something. It was outside of her perception, but she needed to act. Not knowing what to do, she threw herself to the side.


    A shadow passed through where she¡¯d been.


    From nowhere, Akisane stood looking down at her. ¡°How did you see me coming?¡±


    She had no time to put on the amulet. Instead, she drew her pure sword.


    A colossal man blocked the door and another the window. They¡¯ve trapped her in here.


    Akisane brandished the demon sword. ¡°I always wondered how good Yoshiie was. Knights live in their own little world and train amongst themselves. I¡¯ve been learning the blade with the best from all across the realm.¡±


    Kichi took a deep breath and steeled herself. ¡°I¡¯ve never really trained.¡±


    Akisane¡¯s eyes widened, and then he looked at the man in the window. ¡°Don¡¯t interfere.¡±


    With the wall to Kichi¡¯s back, she had no choice but to strike first. Without the near-field, she was no Yoshiie. However, she wasn¡¯t bad. Perhaps it was her spirit half, but she possessed a graceful proficiency.


    Blades clashed, as did their purity and corruption, heating the metal until it trailed in the dim room.


    Another thing on Kichi¡¯s side was that Akisane ghosted through the shadows, and she could feel where he¡¯d strike next. It seemed like after using the amulet, there was a residue of its power as if she¡¯d soaked some of it up. Unfortunately, it only kept her alive.


    The sword in Akisane¡¯s hand was a blur, and he moved in perfect harmony with its cutting edge. It flashed forward like a snake.


    Pain exploded as the corrupted edge sliced into Kichi¡¯s shoulder, and she whimpered. At least the wound didn¡¯t bleed since the metal had become hot enough to seal the flesh.


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    The swords now looked hot enough for a blacksmith to hammer. Akisane smiled, for he must realize she was spent.


    She was winded, and her arms burned. It took all her effort to raise the blade. Then she dropped her arm for good. It wasn¡¯t just exhaustion, but the corruption working its evil.


    Akisane sheathed his sword. ¡°Okay, kill her. The necromancer wants the body whole.¡±


    The large man entered the room and spoke with the mentality of a child. ¡°It¡¯s time to play.¡± He slammed two fists full of thick fingers into each other.


    ¡°You disgust me. But do your thing.¡±


    ¡°I like it when they struggle so hard when a bone snaps.¡±


    Kichi cried out as a meaty hand closed around the back of her neck and constricted. An arm the size of a leg gripped around her waist. Then she was being crushed.


    The large man spoke next to her ear. ¡°I remember the first time. I snapped a woman¡¯s neck. It was a terrible mistake because she screamed and screamed but couldn¡¯t move anything but her face.¡±


    A carpet floated down into view beside the door. A man in a headdress said, ¡°We have company,¡± then flew out of sight.


    Whitebeard stepped into view.


    Kichi tried to call him, but her breath was gone.


    The big man laughed. ¡°He hasn¡¯t got a sword.¡±


    Akisane put a hand on his pummel and strutted between them. ¡°You¡¯re unarmed, and I have a sword, a brute, and a sorcerer. If you don¡¯t believe me, you¡¯ll see him flying over there.¡±


    A stem sprouted from the ground and curled up Whitebeard¡¯s leg. He stepped forward and left a trail of red and violet blooms in his wake. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to fight you. I am taking my friend and leaving.¡±


    The demon sword came halfway out of the scabbard, but suddenly, Akisane struggled. He grabbed his chest and went to one knee.


    Kichi found herself free.


    The colossal man charged Whitebeard but pitched forward and landed on his nose. He looked up in gasping surprised and watched as Whitebeard strode past him.


    Whitebeard extended a hand to Kichi. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Kichi searched for the man on the carpet. When she found him, he had retreated to a distance and watched. She let herself be guided toward the arena.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Kichi nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you. Will you continue with the tournament?¡±


    Before the attack, she would¡¯ve said no, but now she wasn¡¯t sure. Whitebeard must surely be a force for good. His strength against these awful men must speak to his character. Perhaps he saved her life for more than one reason, but they must be all good reasons. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you expect me to win. I couldn¡¯t even handle the Duke¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t always know how we¡¯ll do things until we do them.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 31

    Hisa sighed after the numbers were called, and two men entered the square. ¡°Katashige of the Lords versus Tsunekatsu of Marstonic. Both are maxed out at forty-seven rings.¡±


    Kichi had never seen the rings about herself or anyone else. How did they know they even existed? She figured it was better to ask than to stay ignorant. ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°Those with the eyes can see, and they¡¯ve told me. I know you have six rings. But don¡¯t fret. Rings only store magical energies. They don¡¯t account for skill or mystic items.¡±


    ¡°I see. So, who are you rooting for?¡±


    ¡°Katashige, of course. The Marstonic Order is like a demon. There¡¯s good and purity within, but corruption has twisted its purpose.¡±


    Katashige and Tsunekatsu faced each other at the center.


    Katashige bowed.


    Tsunekatsu crossed tattoed arms, looked down his nose at his opponent, and chucked. He had a long braid and a high hairline.


    Most matches started with circling and prodding, one knight trying to gauge the other, but this happened suddenly. Both knights summoned Shining Armor, and Tsunekatsu barreled forward and unleashed rapid strikes.


    Katashige met the onslaught, but his only possible response must¡¯ve been to bend like a willow tree in a storm, for he slipped, dodged, and moved back. He flipped backward, making enough space to recompose himself.


    Kichi wondered how long the two men could keep it up. It had only been moments, but it was all-out intensity.


    Masahide sat next to her with a cloak folded in his arm. They would climb the mountain after they had competed. Hopefully, they¡¯d reach the top, and a wind spirit would bless the falcon feather for the potion.


    Water sprayed Kichi, and she squeaked. That brought her attention back to the fight.


    Gaisers bust from Katashige¡¯s hands. He shot streams of water nonstop at his opponent, but none landed.


    Tsunekatsu conjured little wind devils, and the water misted. His form distorted behind sheets of water as he sprinted and dodged. ¡°I¡¯m too fast and too strong for you, Katashige.¡±


    A column of water lifted Katashige from the square. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for conversation.¡±


    The braggart frowned at that. ¡°Why is everyone so boring at these tournaments? Have a little fun once in your life.¡±


    The crowd buzzed with excitement, which rose to a deafening roar when Tsunekatsu rose on a funnel of air, and both men stood in the sky to exchange blows.


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    A constant drizzle and mist drenched the whole area. Kichi looked down at her tendrils of dark hair and clinging shirt. ¡°How are we going to climb a mountain like this?¡±


    Rivelets ran down Masahide¡¯s face and dripped from his chin. ¡°Put on your cloak. We¡¯ll never get warm if we stay soaked.¡± He donned his and pulled up the hood. Water beaded on the oiled cloth.


    Kichi and Masahide craned their necks to look at the mountain that surrounded the castle. The trees thinned along the slopes and disappeared at the treeline. Then, the granite turned white from the snow that lingered into summer. It was so far up.


    Pop. Pop.


    Something detonated and echoed in the mountain hollow like fireworks. The combatants sent water or air from their hands, colliding with a boom.


    The crowd fell quiet¡ªperhaps they felt the danger as Kichi did. Water snaked above the arena, and tornados meandered the square. The sword fight at the center was blurred.


    The Duke stood and clapped. ¡°A grand display of skill from two master craftsmen. Now, let¡¯s add a bit of Dunaguardian fun. Loose the rhinohex.¡±


    A six-legged rhino thundered up from a trapdoor onto the square. It charged into the magic around it but couldn¡¯t reach the men in the air. When it got too close to the edge, the knights shielded its escape.


    Kichi realized no one in the square had used a shield. ¡°Masahide, why doesn¡¯t anyone use a shield?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s risky. One must take energy from the rings and put them into the shield. If the shield holds, the energy isn¡¯t lost and can be stored again. However, it only takes a quarter of the power to break it, and all the energy from the shield is lost. That¡¯s why Shining Armor is so important. It uses much less than it protects.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you use Shining Armor.¡±


    ¡°The skill eludes me. Most who reached my power level have long mastered it. But alas, I haven¡¯t.¡±


    Tsunekatsu landed on the rhinohex, threw his head back, and laughed. ¡°Okay, Katashige, let¡¯s not hold back.¡± He charged forward as a blur and hit his opponent in a combination of slashes and stabs. Most penetrated the defense of the blue sword.


    There was a flash as Katashige¡¯s Shining Armor burst apart in shards that dissipated. He fell from the column of water and crashed to the stone floor. He coughed blood.


    Tsunekatsu landed and walked toward the injured man with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re done, Katashige. Do the Lords even have another knight worth competing against?¡±


    The rhinohex rushed behind Tsunekatsu and tried to gore him. But he stepped aside, and the creature continued.


    The heavy foot smashed Katashige''s head. Pinched out of its skin, his skull slid across the square like a bean squeezed from the pod. It stopped, and the meat and bone faced Kichi with a terrifying visage.


    Tsunekatsu caught the rhinohex in a funnel and stood at the square''s edge. He kicked the head away. ¡°Hisa, don¡¯t be a coward. Join the tournament and fight me.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 32

    During the noon break, Akisane dreaded the meeting with his father and necromancer. He and Shank walked down the hallway and glanced at each other. They knew failure should always accompany an opportunity. However, all they had to bring to Duke Akitomo was their failure.


    Akisane felt a tremor in his hand. The castle disturbed him. All the memories were here. He and his brother played hide and seek in this hallway. There he had climbed up to the stone arch ridges above the door. His brother couldn''t find him for hours.


    Shank noticed his hand. ¡°We¡¯ll survive this. Afterward, we''ll get drinks and play dice. We''ll gather the usual bastards and take their money.¡±


    ¡°I don''t care about money.¡±


    ¡°I know that. It¡¯s about seeing the defeat in your opponent''s eyes.¡±


    Akisane wondered if anyone knew him as well as Shank. ¡®I do like to see the face of that wizard when he loses.¡±


    The double doors parted to reveal the black marble hall and the Duke sitting at the dais. Two guards exited and closed the door behind them.


    Akisane and Shank approached, and their footfalls echoed.


    The Duke¡¯s smile never reached his eyes. ¡°Where is Kichi¡¯s body?¡±


    Thankfully, Shank offered an explanation straight away. ¡±Your Grace, we had her in our clutches. But just as we were about to complete our work, this Whitebeard fellow attacked us.¡±


    ¡°And why didn''t you kill him?¡±


    Shank hesitated. ¡°Please do not take this as an insult. I saw you at the eastern campaign when you stood alone against the djinn. You are a truly great warrior. But truth be told, I cannot say who is more powerful.¡±


    ¡°If this so, Akisane?¡±


    ¡°It is, Father.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s smile vanished. ¡°And what do the pair of you know about power?¡±


    Shank was quick to step in. ¡°Nothing, you''re Grace.¡±


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    Akisane would never forget the day he learned two important things¡ªrespect and fear for his father. He witnessed the battle from the camp watchtower, where he stood elbow-to-elbow with his brother. It was so hot that you couldn''t touch anything made of metal, and anything in the distance wavered. Enemy soldiers erupted from the sand within the Duke¡¯s formations and broke them apart before the lines met. It was a long, drawn-out fight, and it became increasingly difficult to tell who was who. And the djinn appeared at the last. The dark forms hovered into the fray. Their purple arms thrashed men and turned the battle into a meat grinder. The Duke unleashed everything he must have had, and it tore the dunes asunder and scattered the djinn.


    The necromancer had blended in with the black marble so well that Shank and Akisane jumped when she moved. ¡°Are you ready to announce the Black Order?¡±


    Akisane should¡¯ve kept his mouth shut, but he blurted out, ¡°You need the Council of the Round to approve that.¡±


    But the Duke wasn¡¯t angry. ¡°Yes, and we have it. It''s funny that only the Marstonics could make it. Unfortunately, brigands hindered the other, and they couldn¡¯t make the midsummer meeting. It took but a single vote to pass.¡±


    ¡°And the King hasn¡¯t struck it down?¡±


    ¡°The king has been reduced to an imbecile. What little power he has is dwindling. All of his sons have met an untimely end. The closest relative to the throne is me, so I must be ready for the opportunity.¡±


    The strange thing about the necromancer was that she looked at least fifty years old and had an aura of ugliness, like a hag. It wasn¡¯t a thing your eyes picked out, just a glimpse on the periphery. But as she got closer, the years melted away. She looked twenty-something and gorgeous. Even her figure seemed to engorge as he drew near. ¡°We still have Ema. Use her as bait.¡±


    Akisane tried not to look, but it was tough. ¡°I set a trap. A balatma guards the climb to the tower. They will find a way past it, and when they do, I¡¯ll have Kichi and Masahide.¡±


    The necromancer came close, and her lips parted as if she meant to kiss him. ¡°Very good.¡±


    The Duke stood. ¡°In the meantime, go to the caves and take possession of the Darksun Blade. This is no reward. If you fail again, it is because of your incompetence, and that alone. Now begone.¡±


    Akisane and Shank left the chamber and headed toward the stairs into the caves.


    ¡°I guess beer and dice have to wait,¡± Shank said.


    ¡°There¡¯s a wine barrel on the way. I¡¯m having a drink.¡±


    ¡°You know, you''re out of your mind. I think that''s why we get along despite our different upbringings.¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 5% corrupt

 Chapter 33

    By the time Bahram and Amat joined them at the oak table in the storage room, Akisane and Shank had properly infused themselves with wine. A single candle''s weak light lit their faces.


    Unsteady, Akisane stood and smiled. ¡°So good to see you. Have a drink.¡± Why was everyone so drab whenever he was in a good mood?


    Bahram loops jangled in the dimness. ¡°I do not drink.¡±


    Amat shook his head. ¡°Bahram says it makes me dull.¡±


    Akisane slapped the giant man on the shoulder. ¡°Nonsense. A sword can become dull, but not a club. So don¡¯t worry and have some.¡±


    Amat glanced at Bahram uncertainly, took the wine, and drained it. ¡°Mmm, so good.¡±


    Akisane lowered his voice, though they were alone deep in the castle¡¯s bowels. ¡°Duke Akitomo has sent me to take the Darksun Sword. I think this is the test. If I fail, he¡¯ll be rid of me. But if I succeed, he¡¯ll know I¡¯m worthy.¡±


    Bahram tapped his long fingers together. ¡°I don¡¯t like it. That weapon has sat undisturbed for centuries for a reason.¡±


    Shank fiddled with the makeshift sheath that covered the blade on his stump. He seemed to enjoy watching Bahram come to terms with the task. ¡°The Duke uses us like a stick to see if anything¡¯s in the snake hole. Imagine the traps that could surround that thing.¡±


    A silence settled in the room as their fears took form. Akisane imagined magic fire burning him to ashes as he gripped the sword.


    Amat spoke first. ¡°We¡¯ll be a really good stick.¡±


    The quartet descended into the caverns beneath the castle. The size of the Red Temple dwarfed them. Massive stalagmites flanked the path they walked to reach its door.


    Akisane tripped at the doorway and hit his shin. He stopped and leaned against the stonework and rubbed it. He looked inside at the statue of a man holding a mountain. ¡°This place is old. It¡¯s older than the orders of knights, back when there were elemental druids.¡±


    Shank¡¯s blade gleamed in the light of the torch he held aloft. ¡°Perhaps the magic¡¯s too old to do any harm.¡±


    Bahram rolled his flying carpet and strapped it to his back. ¡°I can bet you gold otherwise, but if I win, there might not be much left to collect from.¡±


    At the back of the temple stood a door that teamed with purple energy when touched. Akisane drew his demon sword to swing and hopefully dispel the ward.


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    ¡°Allow me,¡± Bahram said, ¡°And unsealed the door with a flash of light.


    A breath exhaled from the passageway beyond the doorway. It carried a smell of dust and sulfur.


    About a hundred paces down the angled and cramped passage, Bahram cocked his head, ¡°Ahh, we¡¯ve sprung a trap already. My ears never fail.¡±


    Shank looked around. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Things have come alive. Do not take a step without first picking it. Do not lay a hand on anything you¡¯re not forced to. For you, Amat, that goes double.¡±


    Amat put a hand to his chest as if he were hurt. ¡°You know me. I¡¯m careful.¡± He took another step forward, and a block clicked underfoot.


    Akisane cringed, expecting the ceiling to fall on top of them. But nothing happened, at least not yet. ¡°Don¡¯t lift your foot. I¡¯m going to shadow-walk us out of here. Hold on.¡± He gripped Shank¡¯s shoulder and tried to dart into the shadow world, but the ability slipped away. He tried to concentrate, but it remained elusive. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    A spectral whip snaked from Bahram¡¯s fist. ¡°A spirit comes from behind us. Run.¡± He snapped the whip, and it erupted into flame. The tongue of the whip detonated the stone, which blocked their way back to the temple.


    They went deeper into the passageway. Akisane ran like a one-handed thief. The temperature rose, which meant they were near the lava flows and the Heart of the Mountain.


    Just as they entered a cavern of expansive darkness, something crashed into Bahram, and his whip blinked out of existence. It flung him to the side, where his limp body rolled from the rock.


    A blue spirit rampaged among them. It resembled a boar, though it was a gaseous spirit. It caught Shank¡¯s trousers and took the man for a ride. Shank cursed until it tossed him aside.


    Amat tried to swing a cudgel at it, but it was immaterial. And he spun to run, but blood streamed from a hole in his thigh. He screamed and scrambled away in panic.


    It rounded on Akisane, who slowed it with a blast of telekinetic energy. He raised the demon sword to skewer the spirit, but it was too fast and strong. The ground slammed into his back, and he bent at the waist to see what was happening. It rushed him, and there was no time to bring up his sword to save himself.


    The fire whip coiled around it. Bahram pulled.


    Akisane lifted himself from the ground and stabbed. The demon sword didn¡¯t pass through but buried deep into the creature. It screamed with each thrust. It was a horrible sound that pierced the air. It had a human quality. It made him feel like a murderer. But I am a murderer.


    It twitched until it died, and then the power flowed. Akisane kept the blade inside the spirit''s corpse beyond the point of danger. The power would kill him. What little light that was in the cavern dimmed more and more.


    Shank slammed into Akisane, and the two landed hard. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Akisane raised his sword. It was short, broken in twain.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: demon sword - 10% corrupt

 Chapter 34

    The moment came that Kichi dreaded: number fifty¡ªher number¡ªcalled aloud to echo in the arena. She tried to remember that courage was what it meant to be a knight, that the only way to be a knight was to take action and never waver¡ªto do what must be done; however, she didn¡¯t want to give or receive the brutality she¡¯d witnessed in the last few matches.


    Hisa pulled a girl with transparent hair behind her down the rows to stop beside Kichi. ¡°Meet Tosa. She¡¯s the one with the eyes.¡±


    Kichi couldn¡¯t believe Tosa was a knight. She looked painfully shy and half hid behind Hisa. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    Tosa gave a nod.


    ¡°She can tell us how powerful your adversary will be. Whitebeard asked me to ease your anxiety. Tosa, tell her what you see.¡±


    How did Whitebeard know Kichi was anxious? She unclenched her fist and noticed fingernail indentations.


    Hisa pushed Tosa into a seat beside Kichi. They waited for the next number. ¡°Tell her what you see.¡±


    Tosa swung her head to look around. ¡°Most people with the eyes can only see the horizontal energy rings. I can see the others. There are small rings that go all which ways. The weird thing is, some of yours are going backward.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s interesting,¡± Kichi said, but her focus was on her opponent, who rose from the crowd.


    Akira wore a violet skintight suit. She was Ujisue¡¯s sister and looked as cold as their ice magic. How angry was she? Masahide¡¯s lance had skewered Ujisue, and it wouldn¡¯t have escaped her notice that Kichi was Masahide¡¯s friend.


    Tosa examined Akira. ¡°She¡¯s as powerful as her brother. She has forty rings. I¡¯d be extremely careful if I were you. Despite your many smaller rings, you only have six. That¡¯s like a five-year-old fighting an adult.¡±


    Kichi found herself standing at the center of the square, bowing to Akira. The necromancer and the Duke weren¡¯t in the crowd, which was good because she didn¡¯t want them watching her.


    Before the fight began, Akira said, ¡°I hope you''re at least as strong as Masahide.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. Akira, I¡¯m sorry about what happened.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. A violent death is the logical conclusion to a knight¡¯s life.¡±


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    Was that true? Should a knight die horribly? Kichi clasped the amulet''s chain around her neck. She¡¯d practiced in her spare time to become deft at it. She closed her eyes against the double images.


    She heard the rasp of steel exit a scabbard and drew her pure sword. Then she heard crackling. With a peek, she saw ice extend her opponent''s sword. It turned into a ten-foot white-blue razor.


    Akira gripped her blade with a gauntletted hand. Because the ice blade added so much weight, holding it in that manner gave extra leverage. The future images rushed forward. Blurs of the ice blade chopped through the air in a flurry.


    Kichi leaped back and deflected the ice. She expected it to shatter, but it only chipped with each contact.


    Akira ceased the barrage. ¡°You are unmatched with the sword. But what I haven¡¯t seen you use is magic.¡± Water pooled at her feet and then expanded.


    Kichi stepped back as the cold liquid found a small hole in her boot and soaked her foot.


    Once the square had a thick layer of water falling from the edge, it crackled and formed ice. Akira began to slide around with grace and in circles along the surface.


    Kichi found herself stuck. She pulled, but one of her boots came off, and her bare foot touched the slick ice. Her skin had no traction, and she went down on her knee.


    The amulate showed her what was about to happen. A mass of ice blotted out the sky. It was a hail storm of large shards.


    There was so much movement in all directions, and the double sight made it worse. It was hard to do the right thing because as soon as Kichi ducked through a gap, more came at her right behind it. She felt like a needle trying to weave a tapestry.


    Then it came to a halt. Kichi stood on a field of jagged ice, and the wind stirred the little crystals into a mist.


    Akira¡¯s eyes widened when she saw her. ¡°How did you survive?¡± Then she set her jaw. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s see if you can handle everything I have.¡±


    A mass of white doom swallowed the world.


    Kichi noticed something. When she concentrated on which way she was going, when she was torn between two directions, she saw herself in the future vision. It took a second to realize it was true. She saw herself decapitated by a sheet of ice. Her head tumbled from her shoulders and rolled away.


    All of existence was chaos. Shards landed everywhere, but they also stirred and grated together. Kichi ran on top of moving sheets, jumping, watching her alternative selves ripped to shreds or crushed.


    Kichi¡¯s stomach groaned as the amulate ate through her energy reserves. She slowed, unable to leap, dodge, and roll away, and everything closed on her. None of her alternative selves lived longer than a brief moment. And she felt this was her moment to die a violent death, as a knight should.


    Kichi


    Level: 6


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+1


    Weapons: pure sword - 3% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 35

    When Kichi emerged from the ice rubble, Masahide was astonished to see her alive. She was as agile as a mountain goat. He tilted back in his seat and released a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he held. Why did he even watch his friend fight?


    Whitebeard appeared relaxed, sitting with his elbows on his knees and a rounded back. The wide-brimmed hat shadowed his face, which maintained a smile.


    Masahide shook his head. ¡°Does anything shake you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen such wonderful and terrible things in my travels. Kichi just survived imminent death. Fantastic.¡±


    Akira raised many fragments of ice and hurled them at Kichi, who evaded them sometimes by the width of a hair.


    Masahide looked up to the highest tower. He thought he could see Ema, as small as an ant, looking down from the balcony. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this. We need to bring the falcon feather to the summit.¡±


    ¡°End your match quickly, then. Don¡¯t draw it out like you did the last one.¡±


    Masahide noticed his mouth was open and closed it. He hadn¡¯t drawn anything out. The powers of Mount Templar needed understanding. The weapons of the mountain champions were at his disposal, but he didn¡¯t know how to use them consistently, nor did he know why he¡¯d been gifted so much access to the spirit realm. He wouldn''t have used the lance if he could do it all over again. Am I drawing fights out because I¡¯m afraid of using lethal force?


    As if reading his mind, Whitebeard said, ¡°You must not hold back in the future. Twenty-five knights will be left fighting after today, and you must be among them.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s it so important for Kichi and I to compete?¡±


    ¡°The Duke thinks the King is weak. Soon, he will set things in motion, starting with this tournament.¡±


    Masahide noticed Akira could barely hold herself up. Her legs wobbled as she stepped. He would never doubt Kichi again. ¡°Then I won¡¯t let you down,¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not me you¡¯re fighting for. It¡¯s the realm.¡±


    Kichi pointed her sword at Akira, who fell face-first to the stone.


    Over the next hour, Kichi wolfed down every bite she could. The bear servants brought the last tray, and she ate half, let out a belch, and covered her mouth. ¡°Pardon me.¡±


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    After three fights, Masahide heard his number.


    The girl Tosa, who sat between Kichi and Hisa, looked at him. Her hair had the color of oil on water, and he could see through it. ¡°Harutane Hijikata,¡± she said, ¡°has maxed out his rings. He has forty-seven, and you only have thirty. And he¡¯s from a direct lineage of the old emperors.¡±


    Whitebeard grabbed his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back, or it might be the last thing you ever do.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± Masahide made his way to the center square and set his mind on ending this quickly. He¡¯d never fought other than defensively, but part of that was being a mountain warrior. He clutched the Heart of the Earth.


    Harutane was a burly man of muscle and fat. Two mustaches dangled from his face, and his eyebrows pointed in at the bridge of his nose. ¡°It is an honor, Masahide. You can summon a lance. That¡¯s a lost art the realm hasn¡¯t seen in a century.¡±


    The bow Masahide gave was deep. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to face someone of the pure blood. I¡¯ve heard great wisdom and powerful secrets passed down in your family.¡±


    The two stood a moment after the gong tolled. Swords whipped into their hands. The crowd shouted, mostly in favor of Harutane.


    Masahide felt frozen in place. He knew he should go all out, summon a lance, and win the fight, but that wasn¡¯t him. Power didn¡¯t come until a threat presented itself. But he could press with the blade.


    Steel rang against steel. Both pressed and retreated in the whirl of honed edges.


    Masahide lost himself in the rhythm of the lethal dance. This was how a tournament should be fought. This was a show of skill. It symbolized real combat, not the horrific act itself. But I¡¯m supposed to end it. Ema is counting on me. Whitebeard, too.


    Harutane pressed forward. ¡°I was expecting your lance. Show me your strength.¡±


    Dancing back, Masahide struggled to respond. ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel right. This is honorable.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been generations since these contests were true to their original purpose. Let loose, or I will bring a firestorm that even the knights in the front row cannot shield against.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I just can¡¯t.¡±


    Harutane made a disgusted noise. Then he flew back and raised his arms. Everything above him began to waver. It was as if he were opening a blast furnace door.


    This was a true test. An eruption of fire was the one thing that could bring down a mountain. The only thing left of Masahide would be a crater. But why couldn¡¯t he bring forth his power until it was too late? It surged through him now, but he¡¯d be cooked alive by the time he opened a conduit to the Hall of Champions.


    The knights threw up shields all around the arena. A waterfall of fire surged from Harutane, who was only a shimmering figure in the heatwaves, and it engulfed the world.


    Masahide


    Level: 30


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit)


    Secondary focus: Quake


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 36

    Liquid fire sloshed within the arena and against the shield walls. Harutane lifted from the square on wings of flame. Shields trembled, and two broke. A handful of knights and scores of Dunaguardians evaporated.


    Masahide gripped the Heart of the Earth. Of the twelve facets, Harumoto had shown him a single use of the stone. It turned him into a statue, like a troll in the dawn light. If only it had transformed his heart into stone. Watching all the people killed so senselessly made him feel sick.


    The whole world turned orange and yellow, but all physical sensations fled. Only Masahide¡¯s solidified eyes witnessed the annihilation wax and wane. The square had strips of rock heated to the point of melting. He released the mystical item and returned to flesh and blood.


    Harutane gasped. ¡°How?¡±


    The burned corpses collapsed to pieces of bone and dust. Despite part of the crowd having been cremated, they buzzed with excitement.


    When the conduit opened behind Masahide, he felt the lash of a connection to a champion of old. The other brushed his mind, and four-hundred-year-old memories flooded him. He rushed down a slope to meet the invaders from across the sea. His name was Ulf, and his weapon was an axe. All he knew was the war that ravaged the North and left a trail of death along the Divide. No, it didn¡¯t make sense. The loremasters said the kingdoms of that era willingly joined the Asahian Empire. Ulf showed him battlefield after battlefield strewn with corpses. The sun sank on the march to the West, and a silhouette of arrow-peppered villagers made him swear never to stop fighting until the enemy was driven from the continent.


    Masahide reached up and caught a double-bladed axe out of the portal. His grip on the handle was a vise. His hands were Ulf¡¯s.


    Harutane¡¯s wings beat the air. ¡°Something¡¯s changed in you. It¡¯s like I¡¯m looking at a different person.¡±


    Ulf¡¯s axe twirled in Masahide¡¯s hand. He had no use for talk. The other¡¯s anger pulsed through his muscles. He jumped with a two-handed grip with the intent to split the enemy from head to crotch.


    However, Harutane came from a family renowned for blade masters who trained in ancient forms lost to the knights. He was at least as good as Yoshiie and most likely better. He parried the axe. ¡°I watched you fight. It¡¯s like you¡¯ve mastered opposing techniques. I¡¯m impressed, but I won¡¯t be outclassed.¡±


    Masahide loosed arrows from the portal. They ricochetted from the stone at the heels of Harutane. He felt frustration with the swordsman running from his axe. ¡°Come here and face me.¡±


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    Arcs of fire answered. Harutane used the display to hide himself. When he reappeared, he was striking.


    Masahide battered the sword away and swung lustily as if he meant to cut down a forest with the two crescents of steel.


    The speed at which Harutane moved belied his size. How could all that mass move so gracefully? His great sword stuck like a snake when he went back on the attack. The blade¡¯s reach far exceeded the axe.


    The axe''s width blocked everything the blade master threw at it. But the sword snuck around when the steel clashed near the guard. The edge tore into Masahides'' shoulder. The wound reminded him that a lot depended on him. Ema was still trapped in the tower, and that duty mixed with Ulf¡¯s anger. He began a frenzied attack, trying to get close enough to end the fight.


    Harutane danced back and used his reach advantage to direct Masahide¡¯s charge. He didn¡¯t even try to get another cut.


    Masahide slowed. Kichi had tired out a much stronger opponent by staying alive and letting the other use up all their energy. In fact, Akira had lost the ability to stand. He may be in the same danger. He¡¯s kept the conduit open the whole time he¡¯s pushed the attack. How long before it drained him?


    If his initial attack didn''t work, Harutane''s brilliant tactic was to draw the fight out as long as possible. Opponents who survived guessed his size would wear him out first, even if the fire attack didn¡¯t, but that didn¡¯t seem to be the case. His breathing was still slow, and he was still on the balls of his feet.


    But Masahide was a mountain champion. No one could match his stamina at this altitude. He pressed the fight. When he got nowhere, he doubled his effort. The axe never stopped. It darted side to side and made huge arcs from overhead. His intention wasn¡¯t to land a hit but to test the man¡¯s endurance. He was calling the bluff.


    Harutane¡¯s sword arm finally sagged. His chest heaved as he sucked breath, and his face reddened. ¡°You¡¯re an archknight whether you can summon Shining Armor or not, Masahide. But I have more tricks than a jester.¡± He pulled a crown from his coat and placed it on his head. ¡°The Emporer¡¯s Crown.¡±


    Masahide reached out with his mind through the portal and to Mount Templar. He needed a weapon to end this. Some subconscious warning screeched at the sight of the man with a crown.


    ¡°Lay down your axe.¡±


    Masahide did as instructed.


    Masahide


    Level: 30


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit)


    Secondary focus: Quake


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 37

    Masahide lay his axe at his feet and lowered his eyes to the crowned man.


    A flame shot from Harutane¡¯s fingertips and set the axe on fire. ¡°You fought well. Exceedingly well. Few have ever defeated me, and you came close. Now, I command you to leave. You are done here.¡±


    The portal still stood open, spilling a white light on Masahide as he turned and walked away. His feet moved of their own accord. I¡¯ve let down Whitebeard.


    The faces of Kichi, Hisa, and Tosa had their mouths open in surprise. Whitebeard was leaned forward with an eyebrow cocked.


    In the light of the portal stood Ulf. He looked like a wild man with furs about his shoulders and a painted face. Deep lines formed under his mouth. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Harutane has a crown of magic. It¡¯s controlling me. I don¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    Ulf¡¯s eyes bore into Masahide. ¡°You know nothing of what it means to be a Templar Champion. We live to be free. We free others. Cast aside your shackles.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop my legs. I can¡¯t even turn my head back.¡± Masahide neared the edge of the fighting platform.


    ¡°Every now and then, a conqueror comes and tries to take the realm by force. And we, going back thousands of years, rise against that threat. Now, it all rests on your shoulders.¡±


    Masahide took another step toward the edge. ¡°Why was I picked? What conqueror am I supposed to stop?¡±


    Ulf crossed his arms. "You are the most confused Champion among us, yet you face the most threats. Turn back and face your enemy, boy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how.¡± His foot wavered at the edge. Then saw them, a row of his fellows in the glare. He¡¯d never seen them before, but recognition came instantly. Beside Ulf, Batu sat on a horse with a bow in his hands. Felix stood with a wry smile and carried a lyre slung over one shoulder. Behind Felix stood Si in a conical hat. Finally, there was Sagara, who looked carved of mahogany and wore a red sash.


    ¡°We impart our knowledge and will, but you won¡¯t take it. Take it!¡±


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    Masahide began stepping down from the fight but struggled against the magic. He pulled the foot back.


    There was a snap like the crack of a whip. Harutane clutched both sides of his head and ripped the crown from his sweaty hair. ¡°Ahh, the ringing.¡±


    Masahide returned to where his axe smoldered, and his opponent straightened and drew a pure sword. He didn¡¯t call on any weapon but instead used a new tactic. His connection with the Campions grew into a physical bond. His arms were Ulf¡¯s, his legs, Si¡¯s. He felt the courage of Batu, the luck of Felix, and the control of Sagara.


    The pure blade dazzled in Harutane¡¯s skilled hands. He launched forward in a series of attacks.


    Masahide flowed around the blade and drove his knuckles into the enemy.


    ¡°I told myself, ¡° Harutane said, holding his side, ¡°That I wouldn¡¯t use Shining Armor to defeat you. Partly because you¡¯ve rediscovered the lance, which will break it. But I have no options, and you¡¯ve got to be tired. Call down a lance if you can.¡± With that, red flame swirled around him to form armor.


    Masahide didn¡¯t alter his course of action. Shining Armor was best at blocking weapons. It was nearly impenetrable. However, it offered only marginal protection in hand-to-hand combat. He formed a rigid open hand and stabbed between the gaps into the man¡¯s neck.


    The pure sword clattered to the ground, and Harutane tried to grapple. His large arms could likely put a boa constrictor to shame, but he wasn¡¯t fast enough.


    Masahide hooked the top of his boot behind the knight, pulled him off balance, and then used a palm strike to knock him down.


    The Shining Armor dissipated, leaving Harutane unarmed. He flailed and swung wildly but couldn¡¯t connect.


    A few well-placed blows put Masahide¡¯s opponent down just before the gong tolled the end of the round.


    The portal vanished, and so did his sense of the Templar Champions. It had been good to see them, and he felt an inexplicable sense of camaraderie.


    There was no time to waste, so Masahide bounded up the stairs to the row where Kichi sat and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go while we still have the sun.¡±


    Whitebeard rose to tower over him. ¡°Yes, you two should be off at once. I will come for you if you aren¡¯t back when the dinner ends. Do not anger any spirits should they not help you. I wouldn¡¯t want you caught in an avalanche on your way back.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 30


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit)


    Secondary focus: Quake


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 38

    Kichi and Masahide began the trek up the slope as their shadows shrank underfoot. The castle fell away into the hollow, and the horizon expanded. Dunaguard sprawled below around the rivers, and the patchwork of farms held it on the wrinkled tablecloth of land.


    She spent a moment sitting on an outcropping of granite, watching the miniatures of people, horses, and oxen do their work. Then she tightened her bootlaces and continued farther until the ground became snow and ice. As the air grew thin, she filled her lungs with deep breaths to keep up the conversation, which turned to the soloknight. ¡°The Duke is obviously evil. Why won¡¯t he fight him?¡±


    Masahide¡¯s ears and cheeks were ruddy from the cold. ¡°I wish I knew. But I trust that he has a plan.¡±


    ¡°And if he has his powers drained?¡±


    ¡°It could be that he wants us to intervene. Perhaps he¡¯s distracting the Duke and expecting us to work behind the scenes.


    ¡°Why not just tell us?¡±


    Masahide did not answer but doubled his effort to ascend the mountain. ¡°Come on, we don¡¯t want to waste the warm part of the day.¡±


    However, the relentless climb caused her muscles to burn, and she struggled to keep up with him. All she could do was focus on one step at a time. When she slipped on an ice flow, she looked back to see the dizzying drop to the world she¡¯d left. She was in a sky realm now. All was quiet and serene above the alpine environment.


    Ahead, three snow devils spun up a flurry of white. Behind them, they left trails that zigzagged in the snow. Their whirl became audible as they neared.


    Masahide drew his pure blade. ¡°I hate snow devils. Be careful; they¡¯re challenging to hit.¡±


    Kichi put on the amulate. ¡°I fought one when they dropped me off with the eagles.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± He gave her an appraising look. ¡°They¡¯re worse in numbers.¡±


    The stick-figure creatures in the whirlwinds surrounded them and began to harass their progress, intending to send them sliding down the mountain face. Small hands nudged halfway into a step or pulled when on slick rock.


    The knights¡¯ swords only parted the air.


    As soon as Kichi predicted one of the snow devils¡¯ whereabouts, another interfered with the swing and nearly sent her backward. She looked down a grade where should have been dashed against some boulders. ¡°I can¡¯t hit them.¡±


    Masahide chopped at nothing and roared in frustration. He stopped and was bathed in light from the portal blooming behind him. Arrows fired through it and landed about the devils. Then a lance shot out and skewered one.


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    One of the creatures stopped long enough for its wind to dissipate, and its skinny body stood bare. It must¡¯ve been surprised to see the lance take out one of its companions.


    Kichi didn¡¯t need the amulet for the strike that cut it in half. She winced at a sound like cleaving wet grass.


    The last one darted away uphill. It looked weightless as its funnel lifted and touched down repeatedly in retreat.


    But a pair of jaws closed on the snow devil. A wolf as white as the snow surrounding it and as large as a house fixed yellow eyes on Kichi and Masahide. It lept to a nearby ridge and stood majestically.


    Kichi didn''t know what to say. ¡°Hello,¡± she said, ¡°Great spirit.¡±


    It growled a sound that could have started an avalanche.


    Masahide bowed. ¡°We''re here to help a friend. We''re climbing to the summit to meet the wind spirits.¡±


    She didn''t know why she expected the wolf to say something. Perhaps it was because of its intelligence and yellow eyes or the way it stared at them expectantly.


    The portal behind Masahide snapped shut. ¡°We¡¯re no threat to this place,¡± he said.


    The wolf bounded to a higher precipice.


    Masahide stepped up to one of the blue stick figures lying broken. ¡°The first time I killed one of these things, it almost killed me first. It was me and another knight, and we''d managed to kill one, but it was so full of corruption that we almost couldn''t do it, even together. Pulling all that corruption almost killed us then and on the return journey when we crawled on hands and knees down to the camp.¡±


    Kichi stood above the other corpse. ¡°What happens if you don¡¯t fully cleanse one?¡±


    ¡°It will come back.¡±


    They ran their pure swords into the snow devil''s corpses and began to cleanse.


    She began to understand the sensation. She felt the energy brimming and spilling over her current capacity. She stopped to rest to make sure she still could stop and crunched the blade down again. The spirit energies ran into a new ring and filled, but she knew when she had enough and ceased.


    Masahide finished cleansing hers. ¡°That showed good constraint.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m trying.¡±


    It was the first time she had a good look at the spirits freed from corruption. The other times, she had been too consumed by the power raging into her. The two that they cleansed wafted and disappeared in the sky, and ghostly smoke escaped from the wolf''s rows of teeth.


    Kichi watched the wolf leap fifty fathoms to a tooth of rock. ¡°You think it¡¯ll attack us?¡±


    ¡°No, and let¡¯s hope not. We wouldn¡¯t have a chance.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 7


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+2


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 39

    The quartet was pretty beat up. Amat stemmed the flow of blood from his leg. Bahram''s face was scrapped and bruised. Shank sparked flint to start a torch, and the sound echoed through the vast subterranean void.


    Akisane tried to enter the shadow world again but found the ability absent. Something blocked it. This place was mysterious, and its roots began in prehistory, evidenced by the paintings of dragon hordes. Though he guessed the cursed magic was residue from elemental druids millennia later.


    The ground trembled and fractured rock. A low rumble shook their insides, and a red glow pulsed in the distant gloom.


    Shank stopped trying to light the torch and took cover. ¡°We¡¯re going to fucking die.¡±


    Amat¡¯s face alternated from disappearing in the dark to being lit by crimson. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Akisane waved him to cover. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Bahram, can you fly your carpet for a closer look?¡±


    "In patience lies safety; in haste lies regret.¡±


    Shank hazarded a peek and stepped out. ¡°Screw it, let¡¯s find out.¡±


    Whatever awaited them made Akisane¡¯s blood run cold. The shadow world''s absence meant that reality itself was distorted. Perhaps they¡¯d departed from the realm when they took the passageway. His companions had no idea how deep in the shit they¡¯d found themselves. ¡°Try to step lightly.¡±


    The four walked closer, only able to see during the red light¡¯s phase. A walkway led along a deep crevice, and the four followed the smooth cobbles until the crevice turned and blocked their progress. Bahram took them to the other side by carpet.


    A row of giant statues gazed down at them at the archway. An unearthly green light illuminated the area. The shadows on the statues¡¯ faces twisted them into horrific expressions. Akisane saw a shadow of moving snakes on a woman''s side profile. ¡°Avert your eyes,¡± he said. ¡°There are medusas here.¡±


    Bahram elbowed Amat¡¯s stomach. ¡°Cover your eyes with your hands. I¡¯ll guide you.¡±


    A whisper slithered into Akisane¡¯s ear. ¡°You come for the sword, but there¡¯s so much more here.¡±


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    The shadow of a medusa stretched into their path.


    The four passed under the arch and climbed a flight of stairs. It led up a rise and opened up to a hellscape¡ªlakes of fire burned in pits that dotted the cavern floor to some imaginary horizon. A skeleton ten fathoms tall and made of embers and flame struggled against shackles as it waded half-submerged in a lake. It splashed scorching liquid as it pulled a cuffed wrist above the surface.


    Akisane walked the last few strides to the top of the bluff, where a sword protruded from a stone cube. The cube had eight sections divided by strips of blue energy. ¡°Amat, try to pull it out.¡±


    Bahram and Shank looked at each other, and they took a step back and flinched when Amat grabbed the sword and pulled. But no matter how the massive man struggled, the blade wouldn¡¯t budge.


    There should¡¯ve been a trap. Perhaps it was just a ward to secure the sword, but that surprised Akisane. But he should rule it out. ¡°All of you, pull.¡±


    Shank put his hands up. ¡°I¡¯m paid well, but not that well.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Akisane said. He pulled the sword, but a voice crashed in his head when he touched it.


    I¡¯ve been waiting for you.


    What was that? What kind of demon sword was this? Akinsane let go and rubbed his hand. There was a pinpricking sensation in his fingertips.


    The others looked expectantly.


    Akinsane shrugged and gripped the sword again.


    Draw Darksun!


    The cube opened into parts held together by a matrix of blue lights. The sword rasped against the air and began to ring. The blade was so black that it left holes in Akinsane¡¯s vision when he looked away, but his vision returned to normal.


    Shank studied his face. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    A chuckle escaped from Akisane. Am I alright? I feel fantastic.


    The collosole skeleton raged against its captivity. Its mouth unhinged, and it spat lava in a display that lit the cavern.


    Heat pushed past the four on the bluff, and Akisane stared at the black blade and raised it high.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 40

    The burning eyes in the skeleton''s face were the size of a trebuchet¡¯s ammunition. They rolled in their sockets and locked onto Akisane, and when he moved, they moved, too. The giant demon no longer thrashed in the fire lake but calmed and focused only on him with a gaze that oozed hatred.


    Shank kneeled and put a hand in front of his face to block the demon from his sight. ¡°Put the sword back.¡±


    Bahram and Amat retreated the way they had come.


    Akisane listened to Darksun and said, ¡°If you go that way, the medusas will kill you.¡± His companions seemed to shrink as if crushed between the two choices of death, but he didn¡¯t fear any of it. Why?


    Any fears you¡¯ve had before possessing me have been squelched.


    Somehow, Akisane knew it was true. He looked down contemptuously at the cowering trio, but he had to remember that they didn¡¯t have his advantage. He had been freed. Perhaps the freedom angered the demon, who watched him walk down the steep bluff and pass the area connecting its lake and another. The creature was shackled, knew nothing but imprisonment, and must have felt jealousy.


    When Akisane continued, his companion rushed to catch up. The demon loomed large over them, and they trekked over the black vulcanic rock to the far side, leaving it behind.


    A river of fire blocked the way out of the low land of burning lakes. On the opposite bank sat the remnants of a gatehouse and bridge. It all seemed to be part of a sprawling, derelict fortress.


    Unfurling the carpet, Bahram stood on it and raised his hand. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of heat and air currents. Let me try to fly to the other side and let down the bridge.¡±


    It¡¯s good that they all hadn¡¯t piled on, as it wobbled even after lifting a few feet. Then, as the air cushion beneath it began to lift it higher, a tendril of flame mixed in set the carpet fringe alight. Bahram sat it back to earth and stomped the fire out. He rolled it up, and the carpet smoked on his back. ¡°Any attempt will end in disaster.¡±


    Shank looked around wild-eyed. ¡°The medusas are sounding better all the time.¡±


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    Akisane stared into the river of licking flame. Sweat poured down his forehead, and he wiped it away with a sooty hand. Shadow walking isn¡¯t so much different than fire walking. He wondered if that was his thought or the sword¡¯s. It didn¡¯t matter, he would try. He took off his boots and handed them over.


    Taking the boots and furrowing his brow, Shank tried to hand them back. ¡°Are you insane?¡±


    There was no need to reply. Akinsane felt the heat on the soles of his feet. The flame and liquid would make short work of his feet and the rest of him when he fell unless he managed the feat. He felt fear at that moment, and it made sense. This was a new fear. Only the old fears were wiped out of existence, and that was probably good since it was probably reckless to feel none at all.


    Amat put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re going to burn your feet.¡±


    ¡°His logic,¡± Bahram said, ¡°is sound.¡±


    Akisane wiped the sweat away again, and it stung his eyes. ¡°Shadow walking has been taught in my family for generations. That can¡¯t be the only path we¡¯re meant to walk.¡± He put his foot on the scorching liquid. He expected his skin to bubble with blisters, but his weight was suspended on the liquid instead. He took another step, and it was as if he were on a water skin. He balanced himself and walked across the twenty paces to the other side. He looked back and let out a breath.


    Surprisingly, the winch moved with Akinsane¡¯s pull, and the bridge lowered to span the river. The trio skittered across.


    Shank ran forward to peek into what lay beyond the gatehouse. Then he looked at Akisane. ¡°I think your father underestimates you.¡±


    The path ahead led to a switchback of stairs that climbed high above the plane. It became dark as the red light faded away, only stoked now and again as the skeleton hurled fire when it began to rage once more. A tunnel led them out of the druid¡¯s temple. They were still deep underground and had exited near the Necromancer¡¯s lair, as indicated by the torches.


    Just as they attempted to sneak back to the castle above, they passed through a ward that let out a flash of light.


    Akisane knew she would come for them. He preferred to deal with her only by his father¡¯s side, where he had little input. Although she was dangerous and untrustworthy, he no longer felt the same fear of her, and he didn¡¯t dread the interaction. It was still an inconvenience.


    It was only moments before the woman emerged.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 41

    The Necromancer didn¡¯t need to command them but only said, ¡°Follow.¡± She led them to her lair, where stacks of caged animals chittered and howled. A large cage held a human-like animal. They moved to more decorated rooms. Some had tapestries that held strange scenes from ages long past. In one, a man with a bull¡¯s head held back a ring of soldiers. ¡°Come, Akisane. Your friends can wait out here.¡±


    Akisane followed her into a room that looked like it was her bed chamber. He hovered near the door, not wanting to get too comfortable. She would try to turn him against his father. She was a schemer, which would be the predictable thing to do. But he had no interest in defying his old man¡ªnot because he was fond of the ruthless Duke but because he didn¡¯t want to die yet.


    Darksun rattled in its scabbard. You don¡¯t have to.


    ¡°A hair short and blond. A hair dark and long.¡± She held out the hairs pinched in her fingers and let them go, and they landed in a silver bowl full of water. It was so full that the water humped at the sides. A single drop of water might cause it to overflow by the look of it. She took an ornate spoon and stirred. Instead of rippling, the water turned to smoke where it went.


    He stepped a bit closer out of curiosity. Sorcery no longer frightened him. As a child, he feared the darker sorts, especially the tales from the mystical forests. He¡¯d been there and seen horrific things, but none of it phased him any longer. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I sent an abominable hinagon to follow Kichi and Masahide and find out why they snuck away and climbed the mountain. It¡¯s time to have a look.¡± She brushed close to him, and she smelled fragrant. The shapes of her body seemed almost impossible when she was near, including an expanse of cleavage. Her finger bumped his sword hilt. ¡°Can I see it?¡±


    ¡°You trust me with it out?¡±


    When she moved her hair behind her ear, it shone like black silk. ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone. Nor should you. ¡°Now, pull it out.¡±


    The black blade rang like a pure sword reunited with its master.


    She put a hand on top of his and smiled at the blade. When had her lips become so swollen? ¡°Do you know why your father didn¡¯t take Darksun for himself?¡±


    ¡°No. Why?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve met the Scatterer of Ashes. It¡¯s tied to the sword, and it will come after you when it is freed.¡±


    ¡°Why would anyone set it free?¡±


    ¡°Look.¡± She waved her hand over the smoke on the water, and a scene coalesced. Kichi and Masahide hiked below an enormous white wolf on a snow-covered slope. ¡°There are powerful spirits in the realm. It would take an entire order to defeat it. If the Duke starts a war, he doesn¡¯t want to be without a patron spirit.¡±


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    When he sheathed the sword, she approached, and he began to back away, but he didn¡¯t fear her, so he stopped himself. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. That monster will fight with the Black Order?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She ended up in his arms, pressed firmly against him.


    He urged her to the bed, and they began tearing away clothes. Her soft thighs closed on his hips, and they felt ice cold.


    A decomposing face with thin hair flashed in his mind, but it was gone as if it had never been.


    He thrust until he was done, but when he went to pull away, she grabbed him in an embrace. He struggled, but she felt like a cold iron.


    She put a hand to her stomach, which, to his surprise, looked slightly bulbous. ¡°I think I ate something that doesn¡¯t agree with me. You may go.¡±


    Outside her chamber, Akisane closed the door and tucked in his shirt. For some reason, he had a bad feeling about what happened.


    Shank appeared beside him. ¡°You slept with her?¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t answer.


    ¡°You¡¯re a madman, plain and simple. And you¡¯re bleeding.¡±


    The back of Akisane¡¯s neck was slick. He looked down at reddened fingertips. ¡°She scratched me,¡± he said and touched again, and it started to burn.


    ¡°I hope you wore a lambskin.¡±


    She¡¯d dug into Akisane¡¯s neck pretty deep. He wanted to get out of there and waved his companions to follow. They headed to the great hall. He didn¡¯t feel like eating, but he¡¯d be expected, of course. When they arrived, the food was on the table.


    Duke Akitomo looked to Darksun. ¡°You did it. I knew you would. Even with your failures, you show promise. Now, take a seat beside me.¡± He gestured to a servant. ¡°Can you bring a washcloth and clean up Akisane¡¯s face? He looks unseemly.¡±


    Whitebeard rose and cleared his throat. ¡°If it would please Your Grace, I¡¯d like to tell the second part of my story.¡±


    The Duke waved for Whitebeard to start, then said in a voice low enough not to reach further than Akinsane¡¯s ears, ¡°Have your fun, Whitebeard, but let¡¯s see what the loremasters have uncovered.¡±


    Shoveling a mouthful of mutton into his mouth, Akisane paused.


    The Necromancer entered the hall. She looked pregnant.


    Akisane spat his food into a napkin.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 42

    The massive white wolf kicked off the ground, soared nose and whiskers first, then pushed from the mountain facets and disappeared over the tooth of the highest summit.


    Kichi watched and then ducked into a cave behind Masahide. Inside, they discovered it shallow and cramped. The entrance light outlined the angles of something at the back. It was a shrine, but not like any she¡¯d ever seen. Two columns held a peek, and a wolf was in the interior.


    Masahide kneeled and put the point of his sword down in front of him. ¡°I saw a vision of Felix fighting alongside elemental druids. This shrine looks like their temples, and I saw them burn twelve centuries ago.¡±


    Kichi looked closer at the figure within. ¡°This must be the same wolf. Why don¡¯t they pay respect to it anymore?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know, but it isn''t right. The Duke claims to protect this area but ignores the mountain''s greatest spirit. Perhaps he is more insidious than I imagined.¡±


    Bowing twice, Kichi smiled at the wolf figurine. ¡°I think this mountain is in good hands in case the Duke ever tries anything.¡±


    Afterward, they returned to the windy slope and left footprints all the way up the spine of the peek. For the second time in her life, she could see both sides of the Great Divide. On one side, it was lush and green; on the other, it was brown and harsh.


    A few wind spirits danced at a granite knuckle at the top of the world. The light died behind the horizon. The wind spirits looked like beings made of stars as they whisked spangles from the snow.


    Hello Kichi. Hello.


    ¡°I can hear the wind spirits.¡±


    Masahide looked thoughtful. ¡°Then you are part spirit. Try asking them a question.¡±


    ¡°Wind spirits. We didn¡¯t know about the white wolf. Is he still the protector spirit of this place?¡±


    It is one of the six guardians.


    ¡°What does he think of the Duke?¡±


    He does not think of humans unless they disturb what he has trapped under the mountain.


    Kichi felt the conversation was going nowhere, so she took the feather from Masahide and held it aloft. ¡°Will you bless our falcon feather?¡±


    The spirits spun, and the feather ripped from her fingers. It fluttered in the current and began to shine. When she took it back, it kept a slight glow.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


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    They bowed to the spirits and departed, half stepping and half sliding downward. The twilight gave them a deep chill, which they wanted to escape.


    Kichi no longer felt her hands on the way back, though she''d stuffed them in her armpits, sacrificing balance for warmth. As the cliffs appeared before her, she had to slow and turn to the side. Somewhere below in the trees, the path began back down to the castle.


    A hand patted her shoulder.


    The red splotches had intensified on Masahide¡¯s pale skin. ¡°We must keep moving. It''ll keep us warm.¡±


    The scramble continued, and the snow thinned until the earth became more common than snow, allowing them to move much faster. The trees were black rows behind mounds of moonlit snow.


    She missed Bin. Her little squirrel cat was the most lovable thing. It felt wrong not to be able to reach into her package and pet a head that fit in her palm. Bin, I hope you and Ema are safe. We¡¯re coming!


    But a white creature with a dark face landed in their path. It looked like a bear at first but had a human build. It loomed over them and had a mouth of sharp teeth that opened wide when it roared.


    Metal flashed, and Kichi and Masahide held their swords to defend themselves.


    Kichi moved to the side so it couldn¡¯t charge them both at the same time. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an abominable hinagon. If it jumps, run. It¡¯ll try to land on you.¡±


    The hinagon bent its knees and vanished. Two large footprints from feet that no boots in history would ever fit were left behind.


    Kichi craned her neck and spotted the creature overhead. It had jumped so high that if there had been a tree, it could have leapt over it. It reached a pinnacle and began a downward dive.


    ¡°Run,¡± Masahide said and made a circle.


    She couldn¡¯t tell where it was headed. It was like a catapult shot coming head-on, but she could not distinguish precisely where it would impact.


    He tackled her.


    The ground smacked her, and the earth erupted beside them, raining debris. A hairy arm launched him. Kichi turned and drew a red line across a broad stomach, but it didn¡¯t make a difference. She dodged around the huge hand and rolled to the side. She found him lying face down with a bleeding temple. ¡°Masahide.¡±


    Her only chance was to drive the sword point first into the beast. Its skin was too tough to slash, and it barely bled along the line she¡¯d left over her stomach.


    The hinagon raised its arms and roared before it charged. Its arm was as thick as a tree trunk.


    Her teeth clapped together, and she staggered. It had barely touched her, and pain exploded in her back. She hadn¡¯t even attacked. What¡¯s wrong with me? I have to do this.


    She turned and meant to meet the next charge with the point of her blade. Even if it crushed her, she would use its own weight against it.


    It bent its knees again and took to the air.


    Kichi


    Level: 7


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+2


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 43

    Akisane couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the bulging stomach. He would not let his mind wonder what grew within. His throat tightened, and he felt he needed to escape the dinner.


    ¡°I cleaned out William¡¯s room,¡± his mother said. ¡°I want you to try on his clothes before I¡­¡±


    ¡°William¡¯s dead. Let it go.¡±


    His mother put a hand to her cheek as if he struck her. A tear ran down between her fingers. He would have to apologize when he could pull himself together. How could I talk to her like that?


    ¡°Akisane,¡± Duke Akitomo said, ¡°Is right. He¡¯s become a man and has duties. Grief is a distraction he doesn¡¯t need.¡±


    The hag found a chair at the Duke¡¯s table¡ªat least, that was how the Necromancer appeared for a moment. Then, she returned to her gorgeous self and relaxed a hand on her terrible stomach.


    Whitebeard¡¯s gaze seemed to catch every detail. He began his story, ¡°There are storms, and there are storms.¡±


    ***


    The ocean hurled the Palfrey to and fro as a child might a toy. The waves were like hills that decided to start a march. I was sure the wood vessel would splinter, and our death would be the gurgle in the deep.


    John barked orders and turned toward me as the deck pitched at an impossible angle. ¡°We cannot pass this way.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain,¡± I asked over the roar of an impact.


    He nodded, turned the ship, and let the wind and waves drive us into the unknown.


    A few seamen claimed to have seen a colossus with a trident wading the sea in those long, dark hours. There was no way to know if this was true, but when we spotted a finger of land, we found a footprint the size of a ship.


    Stretch and I sat in a toe-print away from the others who still feared the lion. Freshwater had collected in a pool at the bottom, which was warm and suitable for swimming. Stretch had grown and thickened into a full-grown lion almost overnight. He was glorious.


    ¡°You,¡± I said, ¡°will be a king of lions.¡±


    Yet the lion''s thoughts were only of adventure. Stretch had picked the right companion for that, but I thought a lion of his magnificence was meant for more, and I said for a second time that he¡¯d be a king.


    Stretch grabbed my shirt in his teeth and threw me into the water. I came up glaring, and he splashed next to me.


    These were good days. The air was hot, the water clear, and the skies endless. But peace and tranquility were always temporary.


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    It''s odd how, at one point, the crew who had once verged on mutiny had now a completely different attitude. They wanted to see what was over the next horizon, to discover. It was uplifting, and perhaps it was the summit of my view of humanity. It couldn''t have gotten any higher.


    However, I find wisdom comes at one¡¯s low points, and this was about to descend into a trough that seemed to have no bottom.


    There are magics so corrupt that they can twist more than spirits and minds; they can permanently alter the physical world. Imagine men turned to beasts or water to blood.


    We had not yet discovered the darkness that lay over this peninsula until we found the temples in the jungle. No animal made a noise and may not have even lived for miles around red pyramids.


    John ceased hacking the tangle of vines when he saw the enormous structures. ¡°Would you look at that?¡±


    Before we could reach for our weapons, the sound of bowstrings being drawn surrounded us. Movement in the foliage morphed into dozens of warriors.


    I meant to ensure them with the jungle, but there were workers of corruption among them.


    A sorcerer stepped forward and burned away the vines. He spoke a strange language, but it took a moment for my ear to translate the tongue I¡¯d never heard. ¡°Answer me!¡±


    I didn¡¯t know the question, but said, ¡°We didn¡¯t know anyone lived here.¡±


    John furrowed his brow. ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    The sorcerer had his men round us up and tie us. Stretch had snuck away, and I couldn¡¯t find him in the jungle. I was certain he¡¯d made it to safety.


    We ended up tied to stones at the pyramid. I listened to every word I heard spoken, and this is all I could put together: we were to be sacrificed, and the bear chased the lion. I had no idea what bear they referred to, but the lion must have been Stretch.


    ***


    Duke Akitomo slammed the table. ¡°Will this story never end? Whitebeard, what is the meaning of this tale? Can you sum it up for us?¡±


    ¡°You,¡± Whitebeard said, ¡°Do look tired, Your Grace. Tonight, I will be brief. Sketch bested the bear. Though the bear was far larger and stronger, the lion was a knight at heart and a king by right. I heard they fought long and viciously, but the bear tired and failed to injure him, much less kill him. What John and I learned before we escaped was that the people here had a story of a golden cup. When we asked about it, they told us it resided here no less than a score of years ago.¡±


    ¡°Very good,¡± the Duke said. ¡°See? We don¡¯t have to get into every detail.¡±


    ¡°I find details important.¡±


    The Necromancer stood in a puddle and clutched her stomach. ¡°It¡¯s coming.¡±


    Akisane fell from his chair and scrambled to his feet. He headed for the door and hurried out. He didn''t know if anyone watched after him, but he didn¡¯t care. It couldn¡¯t be his child. It couldn¡¯t be. It¡¯s impossible to conceive and give birth in an hour.


    Shank, lurking in the shadows outside the hall, raced to walk beside him. ¡°Let¡¯s get a drink while you tell me what¡¯s wrong,¡± he said.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°Not everything. Hisa¡¯s been watching that kid like a hawk. Well, we got him.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Akisane couldn¡¯t care less.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 44

    The abominable hinagon palmed a stone that must have weighed as much as a wagon. It tore it from the earth, snapping a string of roots, and hefted it overhead. Its eyes were dark beads that found their target.


    Kichi ran her hand over the ground and found enough rock to generate a handful of lava. The distance she had to throw wasn¡¯t too far, but she had to move while throwing, or else she¡¯d risk trading and be crushed for sure.


    Masahide remained unconscious. A line of blood streaked his forehead. His sword lay just out of reach of his open hand.


    She dodged the throw, and the hit shook the ground. She ran uphill, hoping the hinagon would chase her and leave Masahide alone. A quick glance only revealed it was looking after her. She stopped, picked up a rock, melted it, and threw it.


    The hinagon batted the hot globule away and turned to Masahide. It walked over to him and grabbed his ankle.


    Why wouldn¡¯t it just follow her? She couldn¡¯t let it hurt him. She put on the amulet, but she was already exhausted and hungry. There was no way to use the power for more than a moment.


    Masahide¡¯s hair tracked in the snow as he slid across the ground. Scarlet drops stood in high contrast to the ice. His sword was now far from his grasp.


    She drew her sword and opened her eyes. The beast¡¯s double form attacked her, and she slipped by effortlessly. Her sword glanced away from the thick fur.


    The thicker-haired parts of the hinagon were like armor. Its shoulders and limbs seemed impervious, leaving only the stomach as a worthwhile target. Perhaps its face might have been vulnerable, but its dark visage was in a cowl of its strong fur. Its clawed hand released the knight.


    With her eyes closed, she ran backward, hoping that she wouldn¡¯t fall and that it would follow her.


    However, it just dragged him back up by the leg.


    ¡°Leave him alone,¡± she said and chucked a lava handful. She put her hands over her mouth.


    The splatter came too close to hitting Masahide. The beast ignored her and kept going.


    Her stomach groaned, and she felt weak. One last chance and I have to take the amulet off.


    The light had faded, and the hinagon headed into the trees. Once inside, it would be dark, and Kichi¡¯s amulet might not work.


    As she ran forward, intent on attacking its weak spot, it jumped and landed among the trees. Now, she could only unfasten her magical item, grab Masahide¡¯s pure sword, and follow.


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    The forest was dark beneath a canopy, blocking only a few moon rays. Fluorescent mushrooms produced an eerie blue that lit her way after her quarry. The large eyes of stripped-leaf sprinters stared after her and chittered in the needles.


    She rolled her ankle a few times as she handed on rocks in the gloom. She stopped when she could no longer see Masahide, and her breath fogged in the iridescence. Had she lost them?


    A branch snapped.


    The hinagon landed with two fists smashing into the ground. Above, Masahide hung limp from a bough.


    She hurled herself to the side and blocked a strike with her blade. She flew into a tree trunk, and she collapsed. It rushed forward to grab with hands that could close around her waist. She put the tree between them.


    The tree shook, and the bark exploded as it raged against it. Kichi pulled herself into the tree and looked down to see it hammering blows into the wood.


    It was frustrating that all these knights could use their powers at range. She felt useless; even with the amulet, she could do nothing.


    She needed to reach out and heat the surrounding rocks, using them as weapons. But her mind slipped from anything she could hold onto. The ability didn¡¯t seem to exist, or she needed more rings.


    Masahide pulled himself onto the branch just in time to hear a crack.


    ¡°Take your sword,¡± she said, but the tree tilted when she tried to toss it over.


    The branches collided and became entangled as the tree fell. The tree rolled as it wrenched free from its neighbor and trashed to the earth.


    Masahide pulled Kichi to his bough. ¡°My head¡¯s killing me. What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a hinagon trying to kill us.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re incredibly tough. I¡¯ll try a lance.¡±


    She heard the Song. A chorus of spirits sang to Masahide from all about the mountain, and his portal opened, severing a few branches. Light poured through the canopy. A lance steak by and slammed into the monster.


    Yet, the hinagon survived.


    She balanced in the tree. ¡°It¡¯s unscathed. What do we do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s weak against heat magic. Use lava.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t create enough.¡±


    ¡°Then we should run.¡±


    Before they could reach the ground, it knocked down their tree and sent them flying.


    The hinagon roared and barreled toward its victims.


    Kichi


    Level: 7


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+2


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 45

    The abominable hinagon snapped a huge bough and used it like a club. The heavy end boomed into the ground and swept branches and needles away in a storm.


    Kichi felt a sharp pain in her hand. A twig protruded from her palm. She plucked it out and looked up at the tornado of destruction.


    The hinagon was on a rampage. It swung and hurled huge branches and even trees.


    Red droplets hit her mouth and rolled into Kichi¡¯s nose. But why did it all look upside down? Why was the blood from her hand dripping upward?


    The hinagon¡¯s muscles bulged under its white fur, and it ripped a small tree from the roots. The earth came up in the tangle, and a cloud of dust rose when the creature swung into the ground.


    Masahide rolled out of the way. He crawled through a trough of broken ground and up beside her. ¡°There¡¯s a technique. When Felix stood against the gajasauruses, it wasn¡¯t just luck that turned them back.¡±


    Kichi pulled from the snags and landed upright. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°The elemental druids forbode tandem magic. It was considered too destructive, but I think we could use a little destruction.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how?¡±


    Masahide dodged the vast sweep of a tree. ¡°Yes, but you must start so I can make the binding.¡±


    There wasn¡¯t much she could do. She scooped a handful of rocks and dirt and tossed a few fingernail-sized pebbles into the air, heating them. They glowed red and made tracings as they zipped about.


    ¡°Yes, now I¡¯m going to shake the ground and bring up more. Be ready.¡±


    The ground trembled. At first, a back-and-forth made it hard to stand. Then it shook the forest, and even the hinagon stumbled. It fell back when the ground began to split, and cracks spiderwebbed around it. The ground caved, and it went waste deep and struggled. Rock erupted in shards all around.


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    She tried to stand but had to find a hold on the new rock pillars to pull herself up. It was like trying to stand on a wagon wheel while it turned.


    Masahide sprang forward with his pure sword overhead. ¡°Now!¡±


    Now what? She knew he had raised the rock from the earth for her to head, so she did. Chunks of lava broke from the protrusions and spun. Soon, it was a deadly vortex in a shaking world. What are you going to do, Masahide?


    Then, she knew what he was going to do. Her magic was seized, as sure as if his hands had closed around her ability and wrenched it away.


    His sword caught drops of lava that glued together around the blade. It grew in size. The vortex followed its trajectory. Heatwaves ripped away from him as he sailed away.


    The hinagon put an arm out to deflect the blade. Its fur, especially on the forearm, would never let steel cut, but the fiery blade went through like a whisper. A black line, without blood, appeared from its head to one thigh. Then, it peeled apart to collapse into two pieces.


    Kichi ran up beside Masahide, and together, they plunged their pure swords into the corrupted creature. She released as the ring burst with energy, and a new one formed. Masahide held for much longer, but eventually, he stopped. Yet the two halves remained with the corrupted spirit within.


    She backed away. ¡°I can¡¯t draw anymore.¡±


    ¡°It was too powerful for us to cleanse, but at least we¡¯re alive.¡±


    ¡°We have the feather. Let¡¯s get Ema.¡±


    However, when they returned to the castle, Hisa found them, and she had eyes that could set fire to green wood. She grabbed them by the arm and pulled them aside. She looked at all the people leaving the dinner.


    Tsunekatsu strode by and made a noise of contempt but smiled.


    Hisa ignored him and whispered, ¡°Gon is missing. It¡¯s kinda your fault, Masahide, for leaving him without someone to raise him.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 8


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 46

    Masahide eased his sore body into the chair in Whitebeard¡¯s quarters. He felt the thrashing he¡¯d taken in every inch of his body.


    Kichi didn¡¯t look much better. Her hand was bandaged, and she shivered until Hisa handed her a blanket.


    The four sat away from the window that let in fresh night air. Their faces were barely visible in the starlight outside and the one candle at the end of the room. But then, Whitebeard opened his hand, and a lightning bug escaped and threw a green light.


    ¡°The potion,¡± Whitebeard said, producing a bottle, ¡°Mustn¡¯t be taken lightly. If you feel tired, ill, or off in any way, don¡¯t take it. Your body will be working many times over, and your heart will flutter like a hummingbird¡¯s.¡±


    Masahide took the bottle and examined the liquid inside. It didn¡¯t look appetizing. ¡°I¡¯ve been tired since I¡¯ve been here. It¡¯s one thing after another.¡±


    ¡°Then drink half and be quick about defeating the balatma. Now to the new issue; Hisa, tell us about the boy.¡±


    Hisa sat upright and folded her hands in her lap. ¡°I relaxed the guard on Gon when Ujisue died in the match with Masahide. I suspected the Duke might kidnap the boy to control Ujisue, but I didn¡¯t know he¡¯d try to use the boy against you, Masahide.¡±


    That didn¡¯t make any sense. ¡°How would that control me?¡±


    There was a slight curl to Hisa¡¯s lips. ¡°Surely, even in your part of the realm, one who slays a parent must care for the orphans.¡±


    Kichi spoke in his defense. ¡°But Ujisue wasn¡¯t his parent.¡±


    Hisa waved the rebuttal away. ¡°Not in blood, but that doesn¡¯t matter. Ujisue took care of the child.¡±


    Masahide pocketed the potion. ¡°I¡¯m a knight.¡± But was he? He felt the words hang there, and whether it convinced anyone else, it didn¡¯t himself. He was one of the Champions now. Even so, he¡¯d taken the oath and felt he should uphold the knightly tradition.


    ¡°I¡¯d argue that makes you double responsible for Gon.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Whitebeard said. ¡°But tonight, free Ema. After your matches tomorrow, follow Akisane and his henchmen, and I believe they¡¯ll lead you in the right direction.¡±


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    Masahide went to the shrine at the end of the hallway when they finished talking. He pulled the wolf figurine from his pocket and placed it where it belonged.


    Kichi startled him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you took that.¡±


    ¡°We may need help before this is through.¡±


    Masahide and Kichi traversed the dilapidated structure above the apartments and meant to get Ema back immediately.


    Kichi pulled herself up onto a remnant of the floor. ¡°If anyone touches a hair on Bin, I¡¯m going to do something terrible to them,¡± she said.


    If Ema were hurt in any way, he would teach the son of a Duke that justice can reach the nobility. The Kight¡¯s Oath had an order of importance. Justice sat well above obeying authority, which people, and even knights, often didn¡¯t know.


    There must have been a reason why they put authority in the oath to begin with. It likely started with the Emperor. It seemed on the surface that no harm could be done to the highest seat, for an emperor can¡¯t commit treason, and therefore, a knight can¡¯t disobey a command from the top. But whoever created the spell meant something different by the word treason. It referred to breaking the ancient laws of the realm before empires and kingdoms. Only now, with the Champion''s knowledge filling in the blanks, did he know the primordial contracts.


    In the distant past, when Cronn was but a sapling, the Corruption first appeared, and with it, the first evils. Do not speak a lie was of the highest importance in the agreement. But there are others that never made it to the ten. It was closer to nine since obeying authority didn¡¯t appear in those days.


    No wonder the white wolf wanted nothing to do with mankind. All the agreements that were trampled on¡­


    ¡°Are you coming?¡± Kichi said.


    Masahide looked up at the tower in the night. ¡°We should split the potion. We¡¯re both tired and beat up, so let¡¯s take Whitebeard¡¯s advice.¡±


    Together, they downed the vile concoction.


    His veins turned to fire.


    The balatma appeared. The vines of deadly hair wiggled around it weightlessly.


    They had defeated an abominable hinagon, and with the potion''s aid, they could surely take on this monstrosity. But the attacks came so fast that even Masahide¡¯s heart rattle couldn¡¯t keep up with them. Each strand of hair was as dangerous as a sword, and hundreds whirled.


    Masahide


    Level: 31


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +1


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 47

    The platter of meats and vegetables tinged against the hardwood table. A cup of diluted beer shone amber in the evening glow, and gnarled hands cracked open bread, which smelled fresh. The hands belonged to Akisane¡¯s grandmother. Strangely, despite being from the Duke¡¯s side, she was pleasant from the first they met. And soon the ancient woman with a hooked nose befriended her and decided to help her escape.


    ¡°Thanks, Gisella,¡± Ema said.


    ¡°Eat up. And take these.¡± Gisella threw four contraptions on the bed. They had spikes on them.


    Ema turned them over and fit one onto her hand. She looked at her barbed palm. ¡°I can climb better with these?¡±


    ¡°When the sun kisses the horizon, the balatma can¡¯t see until it¡¯s completely set. You¡¯ll only have a couple of minutes to climb down. Do you think you can do it?¡±


    ¡°I used to climb all the time. I have great flexibility.¡±


    ¡°Good, you¡¯ll need every bit of it to escape.¡±


    ¡°Why are you helping me?¡±


    Gisella moved a pillow and sat on the bed. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve never really agreed with my son¡¯s actions. And there¡¯s something else you should know,¡± she said.


    Ema took a bite of bread. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Everyone was in a stir when Whitebeard announced he was from Gilgash, the Swallowed City. But I recognized him. Let¡¯s just say that I had a little bit of a crush when I was a girl.¡±


    ¡°Who is Whitebeard?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for him to tell. Let¡¯s just hope that his identity stays hidden. The realm is already full of problems. Just make sure he doesn¡¯t go through with the draining ritual.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to dissuade him.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now eat up, and good luck to you.¡± Gisella grunted as she stood and moved to the shadowed part of the room.


    Bin jumped down from a joist and landed on Ema¡¯s shoulder. The squirrel cat licked a paw.


    Then, the woman shadow-walked away.


    Ema looked down over the balcony at the dizzying height. The sun was a finger away from setting, so she went back inside and ate her meal. Nothing stayed in her mouth long enough to provide much flavor.


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    The steps to descend played through her mind. The rough and cracked cliff face provided handholds, and about two fathoms below was the top of a tree growing from an outcropping. She needed to make it to the tree, shimmy down it, and then make another drop to the castle. If she fell at any point, it meant a plunge of hundreds of feet.


    She sat her fork aside and, feeling her stomach sink, returned to the balcony to put one leg over the side. Her other leg went next, leaving her back to the void. Outstretched arms held her dangling until her foot found a crevice beneath the overhang. I¡¯ve climbed almost as bad, even if it were closer to the ground.


    The bulbous red orb touched the horizon through the two buttresses of the mountain where the towers were built. The balatma screeched.


    Ema was in a race against the twilight.


    The creature''s hair flared out and struck the cliff, but it was three paces away. Rock chips rained. Even if it were blinded, the balatma wouldn¡¯t be long before it found her.


    Bin bounded to the balcony and tossed the beer down onto it. The liquid splashed.


    Ema felt the drops hit her face and turn cold in the wind. Her foot slipped, and she felt her grip fail. Then, the world tilted. The tree wasn¡¯t far below, so she let herself drop and got tangled in the branches. That actually saved a few moments. On the way down, the bark scrapped her calf and snagged her dress. The fabric ripped, but she had no choice but to let it tear.


    Something hit the top of the tree. Bin¡¯s head appeared, looking down at her. Behind the squirrel cat, tendrils snapped branches and sent down a shower of needles.


    Ema let go and saw a flash of white. She was lying on her back. Beneath her was the precipice at the angled end of the outcropping. The tree stood shaking with the balatma ripping it apart. Bin!


    To the side, the sun was just a ruby bulge. There wasn¡¯t any time left to get away. But she could try. She didn¡¯t want to die.


    Yet she stood halfway between the balcony and the castle, and climbing down was even more challenging. She scrambled to the bushes growing down the corner and used them as holds.


    But the sky grew dark. The balatma uprooted the tree and tossed it away. The eyes opened like lampshades. It seemed to smile at Ema as its sight returned.


    Ema felt a sharp pain in her arm. Detached hairs were wiggling on the ground like worms. She looked down to see one push itself under the flesh on her bicep, and she yelled out. She had to let go and risk falling to attempt to pull it away, but it was as strong as a snake.


    She tried and tried, but it buried itself deeper. She looked down and wondered if it were better to die dashed against the rocks than to let this thing inside her guts. There really wasn¡¯t a question. It was better to die by falling. She let go.


    The balatma seized her by the hair and pulled her up.


    Ema screamed.


    Ema


    Level: 1


    Focus: unknown


    Secondary focus: unknown


    Weapons: none


    Items: climbing gear

 Chapter 48

    The balatma turned, and Ema was in its grip. She was being held like a wilted rose. He¡¯d heard her scream moments ago and felt some relief when she spazmed. At least she was alive.


    Masahide tightened the grip on his sword. ¡°Let go of her.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if he could have understood his own words if he hadn¡¯t spoken them. They flowed from his tongue all at once as the potion started working.


    However, the creature did as instructed, and Ema slid on an outcropping. A tendril of hair wiggled from her arm, invading her body.


    Kichi ran up the rock face, never taking a missed step. She had the amulet and the potion working together, and it seemed the laws of nature didn¡¯t apply to her anymore.


    He followed the same steps, hoping his additional weight wouldn¡¯t crumble a step and send him plummeting.


    The balatma opened up. Its ropes of hair spread broadly in every direction, making what lay beneath visible. Its body had scales that wrapped what resembled a heavily muscled person. The large eyes threw light like a beacon in the fading light.


    He didn¡¯t think he¡¯d ever face a creature like this. It was one of the most dangerous corrupted spirits of the middle tier. This was the kind of battle for a company of knights. He needed every advantage and reached out to open the portal and felt the Champions'' presence.


    Si spoke. ¡°I faced one of these in the dungeons beneath the Twenty-Seven Towers. Your sword won¡¯t pierce those scales. Use my legs to gain position.¡±


    Masahide suddenly gained speed and passed Kichi. He felt he could run on air.


    Ema pushed herself up and locked her elbows, but the tendril in her arm squirmed, and she cried out and fell face down. It dug deeper into her flesh. Worse, her pain seemed to go on forever as time flowed like molasses.


    The potion had kicked into full effect. Aside from Masahide, Kichi, and the balatma, the world froze in time. The creature''s tendrils impacted the cliff, and fragments of rock and plants hung suspended.


    Masahide¡¯s sword flashed out, but the tendrils bent under the impact. The blade didn¡¯t cut through, and even if it did, it would just continue to attack on its own.


    ¡°You must remove a scale to plunge your sword into the soft interior,¡± Si said. ¡°Prying with your hands or sword will not do it. A well-placed kick can pull a scale loose to reveal the soft tissue beneath.¡±


    It seemed impossible. The balatma¡¯s defenses were uncountable.


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    Si shook his head, face lost under the conical hat. ¡°I sense your doubt. I defeated one of these with no potion, alone, bare-handed, and without the aid of a weapon or from a score of so-called knights.¡±


    Kichi gave no sign of hearing the spirit Champion. If anyone could, he thought it might be her.


    Masahide dove toward the balatma and swatted aside a whipping tendril. It¡¯s impossible to defeat something this strong without a weapon. You¡¯d have to be beyond a grand master. You¡¯d have to be something else entirely.


    Si scoffed. ¡°What is a grand master? The realm has been too safe for too long, and you¡¯ve grown soft. You must become more if you want to protect it.¡±


    And Whitebeard?


    ¡°I do not know his strength. It is hidden from me by something he carries.¡±


    Five attacks came at once. Even though Masahide was moving faster than an arrow, he couldn¡¯t avoid them. Si must be disappointed in him.


    Kichi appeared beside him. She flowed around the strikes and deflected them. Her foresight allowed her to make five attacks seem like child¡¯s play. Soon, she¡¯d cleared a path forward.


    It was like entering a forecast. The balatma¡¯s tendrils surrounded them and blocked the light.


    Finally, he reached the interior where the creature lay. Its tendrils were more numerous but less deadly this close. Even though they were anchored and more rigid, they could still keep him back. He sheathed his sword.


    Kichi fought behind him. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    He had no time to answer. With his hands as weapons, he had more space. He pushed closer until he was nose-to-nose with the horror.


    Beneath giant eyes, its mouth smiled a grin of sharp teeth. ¡°You want to be eaten alive.¡±


    ¡°No, this is how we fight, up close.¡±


    ¡°Do you think my eyes are weak? If you puncture one, it will splash you with acid that will make you into a soup of flesh. And I like soup.¡±


    Masahide''s kick caught a scale with his toe and ripped it free. The flesh underneath dribbled green blood.


    The creature wailed, and its eyes narrowed. Its hands, with long pointed fingers, came for him.


    Kichi screamed. A tendril wrapped around her body and squeezed. Her sword fell and slowed as it left her possession. But the blade was moving faster toward the ground. The potion was wearing off. It was the one thing keeping them alive against the balatma, and soon it would be no more.


    Masahide


    Level: 31


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +1


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 49

    Kichi struggled against the tendrils wrapped around her that kept her arms flat against her sides. It was hard to tell how hard they squeezed her, but judging by her expression, it was enough to be painful. She fought and struggled, and though her hand gripped her sword handle, she couldn¡¯t retaliate.


    All Masahide had managed was knock a single scale from the balatma. ¡°The potion¡¯s wearing off.¡± He said matter of factly. All he could do was die trying to fight.


    Where the creature had seemed fast, now it was lightning. The worm-like tendrils slashed in every conceivable direction. The next barrage pushed Masahide off the outcropping. But with Si¡¯s agility, he found footholds on crannies that a cat would have trouble finding purchase. The side of his foot balanced on a fissure, and he launched himself.


    However, he was so close that it was the creature within that he worried about. It punched, and though it missed, a blast of air knocked him back. It came forward with a chain of attacks, and he had to dance back as talons shredded the air, but even a few paces back meant the tendrils could lash him.


    How could Si have fought past the outer defenses and defeated one of these without a weapon? After removing a scale, he must have punched into the creature¡¯s guts. It was beyond human strength and speed. Perhaps the Champion had exaggerated or fought one that was already wounded. Sometimes, the most obvious explanation was the correct one.


    Masahide launched a volley of arrows and a lance from the portal and moved in simultaneously. They found hits but did little other than to distract. He kicked, but when his shin met the hard scales, it sent a shockwave of pain up his leg. Knuckles bled when they met the same impenetrable defense. He pressed forward but had to relent as his injuries mounted.


    Suddenly, Si was beside him. His hat moved as he shook his head. ¡°Do not attack with only your flesh and bone. It will fail.  It is a spirit corrupted. You are a spirit in the flesh. Skin will tear, swords will bend, but spirit is unbreakable.¡±


    Masahide looked down at the blood leaking from his hands. Red dots appeared at his feet. Unbreakable? He was far from that.


    The scaled form rushed forward and hit him so hard in the stomach that he exhaled a heaving sound and almost bent over to meet an uppercut.


    He threw himself to the side and found an opportunity to counter. The skin peeled from his knuckles when his left first grazed the edge of a scale.


    Kichi struggled, and the tendrils crushed down. ¡°Save yourself.¡±


    Masahide didn¡¯t respond other than to slam his first into the brick wall that was the balatma. It felt like every bone turned to dust up to his elbow.


    The trick was speed. If one swung an axe fast enough, one could split the most knotted log. That¡¯s how his kick had torn the scale away. He¡¯d had the potion to give him that speed, but there was no way now. His knuckles exploded in pain as he smashed them into the creature.


    The balatma slowed and regarded him with lamplike eyes. It let him beat his mushy limbs against its body. He¡¯d slowed so much that it could reach out and grab him. It raised him a foot from the ground, and he dangled.


    The abilities that the Champions shared with him were magical. He had extraordinary legs with Si¡¯s help. The man was only a ghost of an age long past. It was memories that they shared. It was his spirit that did the work. Right now, with the portal open, the memories expanded in his mind. He was driftwood in a sea of Templar history. There was no time to search the vastness, but it couldn¡¯t be too different from the gift of supernatural running.


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    The creature pulled back, ready to deal a blow that would end it all. It was a magnificent creature. Even if it were corrupted, who¡¯s to say that¡¯s wrong in and of itself? As Si''s people believed, nature is just the other side of the coin. They thought that spirit was pure, and nature and corruption changed it, not for good or evil, but for balance. Life and death, time, suffering: none of that meant anything in the spirit world.


    But the Champions had said there were bad times ahead, perhaps worse than they had ever seen. Corruption had tipped the balance and needed to be corrected.


    Masahide channeled the spirit energies he¡¯d used for agility into his fist. The skin stretched tight, burned, and bled more.


    The balatma looked at the fist curiously.


    The Templar Champion threw a straight punch. It seemed to strike so fast that there was a delay before the scales of the creature''s chest exploded into fragments.


    The balatma flew backward, struck the cliff, and bounced. It managed to pull itself up instead of falling over the side, though it sent a waterfall of dust and rocks into the mountain hollow. It stood with pink flesh exposed around its abdomen.


    Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t kill it. And he had no strength left. All the energy in his body left him, and the portal closed. Ema screamed as she lay with a tendril snaking into her arm.


    The only reason they weren¡¯t dead yet was that the creature staggered. The tendrils attached to its body had slumped. But as it stood to its full height, the deadly hair rose again.


    Kichi raised her sword overhead and rushed forward. With each tendril attack, she moved almost imperceptibly, dodging. Then she buried her sword into the pink flesh.


    The balatma let out a low, dry scream. It clutched the blade as black oozed from its chest. It staggered back and collapsed.


    Masahide crawled over to help cleanse it. But how? It was so strong the two of them would have no chance. He plunged his sword into the prone creature, and the energy surged into him. He would have to push his limit even though a knight¡¯s teaching was to use restraint. It was dangerous, deadly, to exceed filling one ring. But he felt the ring fill quickly.


    Si appeared beside him, but not in spirit. It was like some piece of the man stuck inside his head. ¡°Don¡¯t stop. A Champion has unparalleled spirit control.¡±


    The spirit power felt like being struck by lightning. Masahide felt like he was being cremated alive, and he loved every minute of it. The thirty-first ring spilled over in moments that felt like hours.


    Si moved to the other side of the creature. ¡°If you learn nothing else from me, learn to live with one foot in life and one in death. This is how one reaches one¡¯s full potential.¡±


    Masahide¡¯s life flitted away. He was dead, he was sure, when another ring overflowed. No knight would ever take a risk like this. It was insane. But he was still thinking, wasn¡¯t he? That was a good sign. All was dark until his eyelids peeled open.


    Stars shone in the night sky. A chill wind swept the outcropping below the tower.


    Ema held his head in her lap. ¡°You came after me! I had almost given up.¡± Her arm hung limp with a tendril still digging into it.


    Whitebeard¡¯s face came into focus. What was he doing here? How long had he been here? ¡°I came to see if you had it under control. Looks like you do. But I have bad news.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 34


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +2


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 50

    Akisane put a hand on Darksun¡¯s hilt. He relaxed as fear dissipated like frost in the daylight.


    Duke Akitomo examined him. ¡°Leave the blade alone unless you plan to use it.¡±


    Look at your father¡¯s coat. Did he sleep in it? He fears Thailoc, and is in a rush to prepare for battle before the chains break. He will fear you as well when you master me.


    From a more equal footing, Akisane saw his father from a new perspective. Where the Duke was always polished to a mirror finish, now there were scuffs and chips in the facade. And he suspected what was about to happen. His father would set things in motion whether the pieces were in place or not. But he would not correct the Duke. He would be ready to take advantage of whatever ensued, and if the opportunity presented itself, he¡¯d put an end to the tyrant. ¡°There¡¯d be no reason to use it here.¡±


    The Duke didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he looked at the two tables in the chamber. That tightness of the mouth¡ªit looked all too familiar.


    Long ago, William had grabbed his arm once and said, ¡°Don¡¯t run. It¡¯ll only make it worse.¡±


    The Duke had knelt and put a hand on his small shoulder. ¡°If you can¡¯t control pain, then you have no business being my son.¡±


    The brothers had learned to go to another place, to retreat into a rigid fortification in their minds as the thrashings continued.


    Their mother cleaned the blood from the floor but would never touch their gashes or bruises until the Duke had left. It was understood that he didn¡¯t want the carpets stained.


    The necromancer poked a thin glass tube into Gon¡¯s arm. Her stomach was flat now, as if she never carried the abomination. She led Akisane to the table with their offspring. ¡°Now that we have a child, it¡¯s time I told you my name. My name is Metztli. You are one of a hundred who know or have known it.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t know what she was saying. ¡°You¡¯ve had a hundred children?¡±


    She smiled and went back to draining the kid¡¯s life force. The red liquid abandoned the arm and ran down a long tube into the glob of semi-transparent jelly with the shadow of veins and a large child, who began to struggle and turn. ¡°He¡¯s ready to be born.¡±


    The Duke stayed across the room and crossed his arms. ¡°Then get it over with.¡±


    A dagger appeared from beneath her robes. She ran a slit through the membrane, and liquid sloshed out, along with an arm. The fingers grasped. Eventually, a body slid free, and she caught it before it fell over the edge. Then, she wiped away the slime until a face emerged.


    It looked all too familiar.


    The Duke¡¯s narrowed his eyes. ¡°It looks like my first disappointment.¡±


    Akisane stumbled back. Where Darksun left a absence of fear, a new terror filled it to the brim. There was William, just as he¡¯d looked at ten years old.


    The imposter turned his head and spewed clear liquid from his mouth. He gasped, and Metztli slapped a hand on his back. He began to breathe normally but with the rattle of fluid still in his windpipe.


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    Metztli smiled and ran a hand through the child¡¯s wet hair. ¡°His name is Atzi.¡±


    Akisane stepped back until he was as far away as his father. Of course, there would be a family resemblance, but this was a clone. It wasn¡¯t natural. No doubt the necromancer had used dark magic.


    She helped Atzi to his feet, which were wobbly at the knees. ¡°Akisane, I see the look on your face. My kind can¡¯t have children by sex alone, so there are many spells involved. Rest assured, he will be powerful. He will grow extraordinarily fast, both physically and supernaturally.¡±


    The Duke stepped forward. ¡°And he will help us defeat the King¡¯s army?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes.¡±


    ¡°And what of Gon? Is he still fit to use as bait?¡±


    ¡°I believe he will live.¡±


    Atzi kept a hand on the table but took a few uncertain steps. He coughed and then moved his mouth.


    Metztli took the child''s arm and helped him walk. ¡°He¡¯s about to say his first words,¡± she said.


    Atzi looked at Akinane, and his words started to form. ¡°I recognize you.¡±


    Akisane felt like he¡¯d been kicked in the gut. He turned and said, ¡°I¡¯ve got to go.¡±


    Metztli chuckled, and it seemed to ring in the chamber.


    The Duke joined him as he walked out the door and down the hall. ¡°We are about to join the tournament. I want a show of force that will persuade the knights to join us when the time comes. I want you to fight tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°And the order as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I want shock and awe.¡±


    Akinane was about to turn into the doorway where Shank awaited when the Duke stopped him.


    ¡°One last thing. Arrest Whitebeard. He¡¯s to be chained in my hall.¡±


    ¡°On what charges?¡±


    ¡°Suspicion of killing the King¡¯s son.¡±


    ¡°You have evidence?¡±


    ¡°Enough to hold him, get him out of our way.¡±


    When Akisane and Shank were alone, they found a barrel of wine and began to drink themselves into a better mood.


    Akisane leaned against the wall. ¡°With Darksun, I feel like I could challenge the Lords of Chaos, yet I¡¯m afraid of my own son or whatever curse came out of her.¡±


    Shank juggled a pair of daggers with his one hand. ¡°You know, a lot of people find fulfillment in parenthood.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t like that.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Akisane drained another cup. ¡°I¡¯m not sure of anything else, but I¡¯m sure of that.¡±


    That damn thing looked just like William. Akinsane put his hand in his pocket. It was trembling again.


    Shank added a third dagger. ¡°So, what are we up to tonight?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go put the soloknight in chains.¡±


    One of the daggers rang as it hit the floor.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 51

    Akisane and Shank walked with purpose, hoping to barge in on the soloknight, make the demand, and avoid too much abrasion. They were about to confront a man who put their party down in a moment.


    But this time, he had Darksun. He wouldn¡¯t go down so easily.


    Upon visiting the guests'' apartments, the biggest surprise was finding Ema out of the tower. Messy red hair framed her face, and she looked up in shock¡ªnot terror, for she showed remarkable bravery for a commoner. She wasn''t any of his concern now. They had the boy, and Masahide had some kind of guardianship.


    Akisane did all he could do, which was walk right to the midst of them. ¡°Whitebeard, you are under the custody of the Duke. Come with me.¡±


    Kichi put herself between them. ¡°For what?¡±


    Akisane wanted to laugh. ¡°You don''t want to know.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not good enough. You¡¯re not taking him.¡±


    Masahide made to reach for his weapon but then just joined the blackade. ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen.¡±


    Shank wore his broadest smile and showed empty hands¨Cwell, one empty and the other sheathed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you knights? Don¡¯t you have to obey authority?¡±


    Anger boiled just beneath the surface of Masahide¡¯s calmness. ¡°The oaths are not in isolation to one another.¡±


    Shank rocked on his heels and tucked his thumbs in his belt. He looked as though he won some sort of victory. ¡°So they mean nothing. You can just interpret them how you wish.¡±


    Whitebeard''s head appeared above his two protectors. ¡°That¡¯s not how it works. Now, I have a story to tell, so where in Crann¡¯s shade do you intend to hold me?¡±


    Kichi twisted her head to look back and up. ¡°You don¡¯t intend to go along with this charade, do you?¡±


    The soloknight¡¯s mouth formed a crooked smile. ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s evidence the Duke intends to provide.¡±


    Akisane handed over the scroll and whatched Whitebeard break the seal and read. ¡°I don¡¯t know the evidence, but you¡¯re under the Duke¡¯s roof, so I would advise you to comply.¡±


    Eyes under bushy eyebrows scanned the scroll. Whitebeard chuckled and handed it over. ¡°I¡¯m going to be chained in the great hall. That¡¯s acceptable.¡±


    Darksun pulled, making his belt heavy. Kill him while he¡¯s separated from his sword. It is the blade forged by music and held by Crann for a thousand years.


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    It seemed straightforward: just draw a red line through the tall man. There would be one less thing to worry about. Akisane¡¯s ears felt stuffed with cotton, and Darksun¡¯s energy roiled through every fiber of his being. But not yet. He needed to take on lesser opponents and learn what he could do first. The tournament would be a perfect playground.


    Nudging his friends out of the way and muttering encouraging words to them, Whitebeard came very close. ¡°You have Thailoc¡¯s steel. In the Age of Heros, a Northman who was the greatest adventurer of his time took Darksun and ran as fast and as far as he could. The giant skeleton chased him for three years, devastating cities and wildlands until it culminated in the death of a great spirit and the Northman at the Sea of Slugs. You might want to put that back where you found it.¡±


    Shank looked between the soloknight and Akisane and said, ¡°The elemental druids chained the creature.¡±


    All mirth in Whitebeard''s face was gone. ¡°It¡¯s always chained until it needs to reunite with its creation, where the forces of good can chain again. That is the true bondage it faces; it will forever hunger to possess its masterwork.¡±


    Akisane feared that what Whitebeard said was true. At least, the myths were as the soloknight knew them. But he could not simply put Darksun back. It had given him a new path. Why hadn¡¯t the ancient hero turned Darksun against Thailoc? That seemed like the reasonable thing to do. Then, the blade would be free of its curse.


    The blade became light at his hip. You must become powerful quickly.


    When they reached the great hall, Akisane and Shank were to each side of Whitebeard. The soloknight had put up no resistance or argument.


    Duke Akitomo stood before the black marble. A few workers finished fastening an iron sheet and chains to the floor. ¡°Put him here.¡±


    Whitebeard let them clamp the iron down on his wrists. There wasn¡¯t enough slack in the chain for him to stand. He rattled the irons. ¡°What is this, Akitomo?¡±


    The Duke paced. ¡°Before the Liogasts there was the Empire, which you should know well, as you¡¯re old enough to have grown up in the remnants that kept fighting before your city was swallowed. Before the Empire, there were the Lifweards, and I shouldn¡¯t have to tell you anything about them, Sada Lifweard. But you took your mother¡¯s name as you were a bastard of Edmund Liogast. Is it pure coincidence that the only prince of an ailing king is assassinated when a long-lost Lifweard returns?¡±


    ¡°Even if I wanted the Crown, which I don¡¯t, I was forced to choose between knighthood and death.¡±


    ¡°Because of your foresight, the Dragon Order left the realm. As a soloknight, nothing is keeping you from the throne. You came to me so that I would spare you the draining ritual and maybe even talk me into rebellion. Is that not right?¡±


    Whitebeard raised his voice. ¡°Nonsense. Accuse me of what you will. I have come only for the purposes I declared when I arrived. I¡¯m not interested in conspiracies.¡±


    ¡°You know why you are here, and that¡¯s enough.¡± The Duke turned to Akisane. ¡°Get a good night¡¯s rest. You¡¯re to fight an archknight for your first match tomorrow.¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 52

    Akisane stood before a row of twenty Black Knights.


    They belonged to Duke Akitomo in both mind and body. Some he had lifted out of poverty. It¡¯s strange that he would have such a gentle hand with those he barely knew, something never showed to his sons. Others witnessed the battles in the deserts and followed him like he was a great spirit.


    Each was hand-picked from the enormous battlefields the Duke left strewn across the Eastern Half. Like in Whitebeard¡¯s story of Thailoc, he razed city after city, many of which still remain in ruins.


    The archknight, Uchiyasu, of the Black Order, leaped onto the arena platform. He did nothing more than humiliate the Lords and send them into complete silence. His purple blade clever through the pure steel of the other¡¯s and left the victim to stand there a moment before the two slabs of torso slid apart.


    Akisane flinched and started to look away but stopped himself. He must harden himself if he were ever to challenge the Duke. The dead knight had had twenty-two rings¡ªno weakling by any measure. Yet, it was over that quickly. The death was planned, as was every move his father made.


    The Dunaguard crowd went wild and cheered. They threw food, punched, and jumped. The peasants were like vultures excited by a carcass.


    The Duke hushed them. ¡°I apologize for the efficient killing you just witnessed. I will tell Uchiyasu to restrain himself in the future. The Black Order is not an order of secrets and old traditions; it was born like a sword, placed in an inferno, and forged into a thing of great strength and flexibility. When the next threat arises, they will be the first line of defense. It has been generations since the Dragon Order fled. Now we are whole once again.¡±


    Though the crowd continued to shout, the various knights turned to each other and whispered and argued. No doubt word of the thirteenth had reached them, but now it was real.


    And now it was Akisane¡¯s turn to fight. No knight took him as a threat. He was merely the Duke¡¯s son. No one seemed to recognize the sword at his hip, as the soloknight had done. This should be a short match between a young man no stronger than a squire against Kazusuke, a famous archknight of the Celestials.


    It was rumored that Kazusuke turned down the opportunity to take the grandmaster¡¯s test ten years ago. His nickname was Lord of Storms.


    Darksun rattled and rose an inch from its sheath. He¡¯s powerful. It''s like a full banquet is set for us.


    Akisane could feel Thailoc in the lake of fire pounding on the foundations of the mountain. How long before the chains break?


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    Kazusuke didn¡¯t bow. Instead, he turned his back and folded his arms in protest. ¡°The Black Order is a farce. It was stupid of you to join the tournament. I will cut you down.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t bow, either. ¡°And what are knights but a farce?¡±


    Kazusuke¡¯s eyes widened, and he flexed at the temple. He paused as if for a rebuttal but then walked away.


    When they separated to the two far corners, and the gong tolled, Akisane gripped the handle but didn¡¯t free Darksun. Can you disguise yourself? A demon blade is not a weapon for this occasion.


    I¡¯m not a demon blade. Most of them are made in my image, but so be it.


    When Darksun slid free, it was nothing but a warping of air. Its shadow lay like smoke on the stone floor.


    Akisane looked about for an advantage. A shadow lay across one corner of the arena, creating a triangle. Only there could he shadowwalk. In all likelihood, this would be a straight fight.


    Forks of lightning jabbed around Kazusuke. Above him, low whisps of clouds began to form and roil. Good, they dimmed the arena.


    In the crowd, Akisane glimpsed his enemies. Why did he consider them so? They were targets of the Duke. But he loathed them as well. They seemed to stand for the values of knighthood above all the others. He¡¯d never seen Kichi or Masahide drink, gamble, or anything. All they¡¯d done since arriving was save people and excel in the tournament. Disgusting, and somehow, they¡¯d avoided all vectors of attack and manipulation. Let¡¯s see them do so well without the soloknight.


    Hisa sat next to them, twirling a cane. How could the Order of the Arc let a little girl lead them? Who cares what magic disguised her true age¡ªit was an embarrassment.


    Akisane almost forgot about his adversary.


    Kazusuke raised a hand, and the snakes of white energy coalesced into a staff.


    The wind pulled at Akisane¡¯s clothes. It raced in all directions toward the archknight. Hats flew from heads in the crowd. Food abandoned trays.


    Kazusuke must mean to end the fight with a single blow, just like Uchiyasu. He glowed white, and his staff twirled.


    There went shadowwalking, as all shadows from the building storm skittered away from the glow of the knight.


    Akisane took a step back. Could a single attack kill him?


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 53

    Akisane¡¯s first swordmaster would have scolded him for holding his sword out without guarding angles, but it felt right to hold Darksun toward his enemy. It wasn¡¯t the only thing that felt right. He was calm and steady, even in the face of awesome power that could turn him to dust.


    Kazusuke formed a ball of liquid light, demonstrating power few knights could ever match. It had an intangible weight like it tingled some sixth sense, letting him know it was a remarkable amount of energy. It was a judgment against the knight¡¯s death and a demonstration to the people that the twelve orders didn¡¯t need a thirteenth¡ªcertainly not from a group gathered by the nobility. It was an unwritten rule that there was a separation of powers between them, but the Black Order could threaten all that.


    Akisane had no counter. He couldn¡¯t coast into the shadow realm nor force it aside with his mind. It would hit him.


    Darksun towed him toward the enemy. Shadow is always greater than light. A lantern along a dark road doesn¡¯t illuminate the miles the road stretches. The sun doesn¡¯t reach deep oceans or caves, and even the surface experiences night half the time. Do not fear.


    The blazing orb in Kazusuke¡¯s hands seemed to take over the world. Even when Akisane raised his grip, he couldn¡¯t block it out; his skin turned red, glowing like a curtain before the sun.


    Time had passed¡ªit must have been nearly an entire round. Perhaps Kazusake expected Akisane to run and try to escape the coming doom. Instead, the seconds ticked on. Then, the orb grew. Akisane guessed that meant it sped toward him.


    Knights threw up shields all around the arena. They created a short hum as they bloomed.


    As the liquid light came to scour Akisane from existence, he tried something insane¡ªhe cleaved it like it was a man or beast. His blade should have passed through ineffectively, but that¡¯s not what happened. Darksun parted the energy, and it passed to both sides of him.


    Behind Akisane, it was as if every knight had put up a shield. It was like soap bubbles at the edge of the tub. The two errant halves clapped into them. Many burst, an arc shot out and evaporated a score of spectators, but no knight was killed. They had known that Kazusuke would bring his full might.


    Darksun warped the view of the world through its invisible presence. Be careful you do not become the Herold of Death. If you draw too deeply from my power, you will weaken Thailoc¡¯s bonds.


    Akisane thought it strange that the sword would give him this information. Why would Thailoc¡¯s creation betray its creator?


    What¡¯s left to rule if it is all a waste?


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    What do you want to rule?


    Everything from as low as the Mantle Lords to as high as the temple in the clouds, Mount Templar. We¡¯ll use the portals at the Twenty-Seven Towers and take all until the sun never sets on our realm.


    Before Akisane could digest Darksun¡¯s ambitions, his opponent blipped forty paces away to the right before him. A broad, pure sword knocked the demon sword aside, and a knee exploded into his abdomen. He was in a compromised position, double over with a pure sword above him with the possible intention of decapitating him.


    But the gong tolled.


    Shank handed him a flask. ¡°These knights don¡¯t know how to fight dirty, so use that to your advantage.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Look,¡± Shank gestured all around. ¡°No one, not even your family, expects you to do well out here. Your father knows you have the sword, but he doesn¡¯t care if he has to pick it up from your corpse and hand it to another. So get out there, do some underhanded shit, and win.¡±


    The liquid burned Akinsane¡¯s throat. It felt wonderful. He took another swig and nodded.


    Kazusuke stared at him from across the corners as the second round started. A forking white light danced along his blade. He looked at Akinsane the way a blacksmith might a piece of iron to hammer.


    Akisane freed Darksun again. ¡°How do I use your powers?¡±


    The only response was, Careful.


    The lightning sword came as a whirlwind. Arcs scorched the stone and fingered around the two compatents.


    Akisane fought with all the skill he possessed. The knight was a great swordsman. He¡¯d always wondered how good they were. They rarely sparred with anyone but their own, especially not strong knights.


    Kazusuke wasn¡¯t only fast and precise, he was strong, and each strike rang loudly.


    If Darksun were easier to see and not just a warp of light, perhaps Akisane would already be dead. But he wasn¡¯t. And he was skilled enough to drain the knight of some of that strength but dancing back and forth, steel against steel, for the rest of the round. But he was slowing, too. One plan was to lure the knight into the showdown corner, but that wasn¡¯t working.


    The second plan was to listen to Shank.


    When the swords locked against each other and they grappled, Akisane leaned close and spat a mouthful of alcohol into Kazusuke¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t expect what came next; he snatched onto the knight''s wrist and felt strength flow into him. His grip tightened down like a vise. All the exhaustion of the swordfight melted away.


    Kazusuke looked at his hand, and his mouth fell open. From the wrist, his hand was a shrunken, charred husk.


    The gong tolled.


    Shank patted Akisane¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Good job.¡±


    The Duke stepped forward to address the crowd. ¡°For the third round, we release an air snake. It is the job of the knights to contain it to the arena.¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 10


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 54

    When the Duke said Air snake, it rattled in Akisane¡¯s brain, and then the sight of it¡­ How had his father captured such a creature that only exists in the uncharted islands far to the northeast?


    It had a red mane about its long jaws; Its scales were pastel blue and green, alternately descending a body longer than a ship. It was untethered from the ground like a cloud. Loops in its body seemed to stand still until it moved away.


    Akisane figured it out; these creatures were of such legendary terror that he¡¯d either die¡ªand surprise no one¡ªor thoroughly impress the twelve orders. It would be remembered for generations in Dunaguard and perhaps the realm if he survived.


    The only thing he knew about them was that they had been considered a type of dragon by the Empire. Supposedly, an Emperor had had one as a pet by tradition, but it never set foot on the continent.


    Kazusuke looked at it with contempt, and though one of his hands was shriveled to a husk, he looked as dangerous as ever. He seemed to waver between the more valuable target, the air snake or Akinsane. His lightning staff orbited around him without being held, and he gripped a two-handed pure sword with his remaining hand. He launched himself up and darted across the arena in a blink.


    Akisane knew he was coming for him because the hair on his head stood up. He hadn¡¯t noticed it last time, but it was part of the teleportation. He threw up Darksun and easily deflected the coming blow.


    ¡°Before it kills me,¡± Kazusuke said, ¡°I will have the satisfaction of cutting off your head.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not very knightly of you.¡±


    ¡°You privileged little brat!¡± The sword in Kazusuke''s good hand cut the air with a whistle, and the lightning staff hummed and shot forks and sparks. He¡¯d turned himself into an omnipresent attack, a frenzy of steel and magic, with no openings to counter.


    If there is no opening, make one.


    How? The man was a literal storm. Akisane¡¯s eyes could discern no opening. So he stepped aside, but it didn''t help. The whirlwind of death followed him wherever he maneuvered. Perhaps some knights had earned their reputation, no matter how skeptical he was.


    He couldn¡¯t shadow or fire walk out of this fight. Nothing he could throw at the man would do any good.


    Then Akisane noticed something at his periphery. The necromancer appeared to sit next to the Duke. What followed in her wake was shocking; William, a fully grown version of himself, watched him.


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    How did that concern him more than Kazusuke or the air snake? Either could, and probably would, destroy him. But William presided over him like a judge.


    Without a care for Kazusuke''s frenzy, he struck out with Darksun and stopped every bit of momentum that the knight possessed.


    The knight hung his mouth open, ran his eyes down his blade, which stood frozen in place, and then flicked them to meet Akisane''s. His face twisted in rage.


    William had always been the best teacher. That was because he had known him so well. He had sat sweating after a heavy training bout. ¡°You''re so uneven, Richard. Sometimes, you make the stupidest mistakes, but when you''re angry to the point that you just don''t care, I don''t think I could ever beat you.¡±


    It was true. It wasn''t that Akisane went berserk and became a better fighter by magic; it was a particular state of mind¡ªlike meditation. He had just lost so many times and got so frustrated and angry that he changed and became intensely focused.


    Seeing William should have shaken him to his core, but it pushed him into that zone instead. And when Kazusuke''s sword came again in a flurry,  not only was he ready, but he matched every single strike.


    What did he have to lose? He murdered his brother¡ªshoved him from the parapet and splattered below ¡ªand was now haunted, and Kazusuke and the great serpent would end him. He didn''t have to worry about anything. His blade whistled through the air, and he moved it as if he knew where every strike would come from as if he had prescience. Steel clanged faster and faster.


    The knight let his magic vanish. He focused only on the blades. It was two sword masters fighting to the death.


    When had the tide turned? When had Kazusuke been put on the defensive? Akisane drove forward, throwing the knight off balance.


    The air snake rippled about in the air above their heads. No one could say why it hadn''t come down and bit one of them in half.


    The knight¡¯s sword skittered across the stone.


    Instead of cutting him down, Akisane reached out and grabbed Kazusuke. He didn''t know what overcame him, but he drained him as he had his hand. The energy of the knight appeared as the body withered. Rings of power crackled, chimed and snapped as they were obliterated. He drew as much power as he felt was safe, though we really didn''t have any idea. Was it the same as using a pure or demon sword to extract energy? It felt the same. He let go of a blackened corpse that hit the ground lightly, as there wasn''t much left.


    This is all you do? You can do so much more.


    He looked at his brother and searched his face for any hint of emotion, but he could not find disgust or anything else there.


    He looked up to see the serpent coming for him. He''d been expecting the wide jaws with the dagger teeth to bite into him. There was nothing that could stop it. But he kept the blade up anyway because if it were going to have a meal, it wouldn''t enjoy it without a little bit of pain.


    The serpent stopped short. Its mane flowed like it was underwater, and its yellow eyes blazed at him.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 13


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 55

    When Akisane looked into the air serpent''s eyes, intelligence was the only word that came to mind. The serpent swam closer, casting a large shadow even though no water existed above the arena.


    This gave Akisane a chance to survive. The creature blocked the sun enough for him to enter the shadow realm and travel a short distance. He stepped in, but the air serpent didn¡¯t recede like all the other forms. The sky became a dim dome of racing clouds, and the crowd turned into faceless forms, but the serpent became ivory, and its gaze never left him.


    Then the ground left his feet, and he tumbled back into the noonday of the real world. He picked himself up and meant to defend himself, but the serpent hadn¡¯t moved.


    Kichi stood in the audience when everyone else sat, captivated by the nobleman''s coming death. Her voice rang clear as though amplified, and she looked absently ahead. ¡°I have traveled far to be here.¡±


    Akisane looked between the serpent and her. He responded to the former. ¡°My father captured you and brought you here.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, little man. I took a free ride, and they fed me fish the whole way.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±


    ¡°You are the Shinlemune if you survive this tournament.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be watching.¡± The serpent swam away and slithered around a huge statue behind his family''s seating area.


    The matches paused as the Duke sent knights to retrieve the air snake, but after they became lunch, he called it off. Surprisingly, he returned a half-drawn sword and indicated that the tournament would continue. It seemed the creature would be a permanent fixture above the arena, coiled around some old forgotten hero.


    ¡°Excuse me, Lord Akisane,¡± said a short man in a brown cloak. ¡°His Grace asks that you join me into Dunaguad and speak with the rebels.¡±


    Akisane moved his head to get a look at the match below. ¡°I¡¯d rather drink pitch and set myself on fire.¡±


    ¡°Duke Akitomo doesn¡¯t require self-immolation. He¡¯s decided it¡¯s time to start bringing you into the weeds of running the dukedom.¡±


    Shank rose to leave, but when Akisane caught him, he smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be needing a goon. I¡¯ll keep an eye on things here.¡±


    There was no way that was going to happen. If Akisane had to go to the cesspool of a city and deal with politics, then Shank would too. ¡°Bring the gang. I¡¯m not going alone with this old scholar.¡± He squinted at the short man. ¡°Do I know you?¡±


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    ¡°My name¡®s Hawk and I¡¯ve been promoted. You¡¯ve probably seen me around a lot lately. I¡¯m the one who dug up Sada¡¯s past and brought it to your father¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡°Never mind, I don¡¯t recognize you. If we¡¯re doing this right, we¡¯ll need horses and a cart to carry a barrel of wine.¡±


    The man cupped his chin, and a black ring adorned his index finger. ¡°Interesting. You¡¯re bringing the wine to get the leaders lubricated for negotiation?¡±


    ¡°No, we¡¯re getting drunk.¡±


    Hawk made it happen, and soon, they headed out of the main gate and over the bridge to Dunaguard.


    The stain on the bridge didn¡¯t escape Akisane¡¯s attention, and his eyelid fluttered. He took a swill and chuckled at the jeweled goblets from which they drank as they rode into the dilapidated city. Whoever retrieved the vessels must have had a sense of humor.


    Shank rode up beside Akisane and held a serious set to his face. ¡°It¡¯s not a good look riding into the squalor like this.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t create any of this mess.¡±


    Bahram yanked at his carpet, trying to ride with it on his back. ¡°One does not tease a starving bear.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s teasing Amat,¡± Shank said and slapped the big man on the shoulder.


    Hawk raised a hand as they entered a narrow market. He glanced at rotting produce and at a cobbler sweeping his doorstep. ¡°Beware, there¡¯s an ambush ahead.¡±


    Akisane dismounted, drained his wine, handed the goblet out to the cart driver, and walked ahead. ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Hawk said.


    Akisane had no business being so confident, but with Thailoc¡¯s creation at his hip, he felt like he could do anything. ¡°We¡¯re on to you. Come out.¡± Silence met him.


    Then, a blacksmith showed himself. He had one enormous arm and gripped a war mallet the size of a man. ¡°The Duke doesn¡¯t negotiate in good faith.¡±


    A face receded from a window, and someone made a scuffing sound from a roof. Akisane didn¡¯t put a hand on Darksun, though he felt the urge. ¡°I¡¯ve been sent without an agenda. I¡¯ve come to drink and listen to what the rebels have to say.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not rebels. We¡¯re men and women of Dunaguard who have nothing left to give, and we¡¯re sick of it. And we¡¯re not going to let the tax inquiries continue.¡±


    Hawk whispered, ¡°They¡¯ve cut heads off.¡±


    Akisane nodded that he understood. ¡°Do you want to sit down and talk or not?¡±


    The mallet shifted on a muscled shoulder. The blacksmith looked to the side and made a subtle signal. ¡°We¡¯ve talked and talked, and it¡¯s got us nowhere.¡±


    Akisane shared the man¡¯s sentiment, but he decided to try one more thing. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you watching the tournament? Dunaguard is funding the sport, and the citizens are happy to watch it.¡±


    ¡°Those of us who have been victims of your inquiries won¡¯t be distracted by blood.¡±


    Words would go nowhere it seemed, so Akisane put forth an offer. ¡°You¡¯re a large man. How about we do this the way it was done centuries past; You against Amat, giant against giant. If you win, I will do everything I can to ease your burden.¡±


    ¡°No, we have the Duke¡¯s son. Why would we let this opportunity slip through our fingers?¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 13


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 56

    They agreed to hand-to-hand combat, as Amat and the Blacksmith felt it demonstrated raw power. When they clashed, the impact was like headbutting bulls.


    No one was stronger than Amat. Akisane had seen the Giant of Aadril challenge Amat to a wagon-flipping contest. No one sanctioned the contest, so it garnered a lot of ire, but Amat flipped one with one hand. Amazingly, now that famous strength was being overpowered by the blacksmith¡¯s oversized arm. Amat slowly gave in to the press.


    Akisane sipped wine from his bejeweled goblet, which he held at the rim to keep the dust the two stirred from contaminating it. Hurry up, Amat. I want to return to the castle and relax in my bed chambers.


    Shank leaned against the cart. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of the game amwrestling. I should take these two to the North and make a killing.¡±


    The two barrel-rolled and struck a lean-to. A beam cracked, and the structure sagged¡ªby the time they finished, they might destroy the city.


    ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll join you. If I keep this blade,¡± Akisane said, ¡°Then, I might have to leave the castle forever. Or at least until I find a way to stop Thailoc.¡±


    Shank gave him a you-are-insane look. ¡°Get rid of the damn thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it. I¡¯d have to leave anyway. Duke Akitomo would kill me. As he¡¯s fond of saying, he can always have another son.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not putting my neck on the chopping block for you. I think we should go now. We have horses and means.¡±


    The smartest thing to do would be to follow the advice. However, though Akisane spent his life trying to please his father, the title Shinlemune still rattled in his head. Perhaps he was destined for something greater than being an unremarkable nobleman. No, Darksun¡¯s power is not my power.


    I offer it to you.


    The blacksmith pointed. ¡°Bowman!¡±


    Amat turned and looked behind him and started to say, ¡°Where?¡± But the massive balled-first detonated against his mouth. A tooth flew and landed in a pile of dung.


    ¡°He¡¯s an idiot,¡± Shank said.


    The blunder led them to meet with the rebels in a tavern used as a meeting hall. Akisane insisted that everyone had to drink if he was going to go through with this.


    The blacksmith gave his name, though it was probably a nickname, ¡°Lopside.¡± He then introduced the leaders and insisted that the movement was far more significant than was present. ¡°There are cities and towns all coordinating against the Duke. Even highwaymen joined our cause when a knight defeated their glank.¡±


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    Akinsane nodded the man along, hoping to get to the meat and bones. ¡°So I supposed I¡¯m to meet your leader.¡±


    Lopside chucked. ¡°No, that¡¯s an honor you haven¡¯t been given.¡±


    One of the leaders leaned forward. ¡°He¡¯d never meet with you.¡±


    ¡°The Duke took his hand and his eye.¡± Lopside glanced, making the other lean back and fold his arms. ¡°So it¡¯s unlikely he will meet with you.¡±


    Akisane downed his fifth glass of wine. ¡°I¡¯m going to be honest with you. I don¡¯t share my father¡¯s aims here, and I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m here because you exploited my man¡¯s shortcomings. Can we get on with it?¡±


    The man at the blacksmith¡¯s elbow said, ¡°We should just take him as ransom.¡±


    Shank looked around. ¡°You have what, thirty? You haven¡¯t seen Amat when he¡¯s ordered to kill¡ªhis weakness becomes his strength as he fixates on annihilation. Bahram is a powerful wizard. And I just watched Akisane defeat a high-level knight. So shut your fucking mouth.¡±


    ¡°And what about you?¡± the man said.


    Akisane felt the pang of a headache at his temple. How long would this go on? ¡°Shank grew up on the streets of the capital city. By the time he could grow facial hair, he killed the biggest smuggler in the city.¡±


    ¡°And I would have replaced him, but it seemed his followers were fairly loyal, and I barely escaped with my life. I had to kill six of them with a chair leg on my way out.¡±


    Lopside finally took a drink. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know how involved you are, Akisane, but you must have some responsibility for your family''s doings. The taxes started going up years ago, and when they got so high we couldn¡¯t pay them, they started sending scribes to keep track of our goods, who could pay, who couldn¡¯t pay. When they didn¡¯t like the list, it gave the enforcers license to hurt families and do unspeakable things. The time of being the victim is over; we have demands.¡±


    The chair under Akisane creaked as he shifted. This has nothing to do with me. ¡°What are your demands?¡±


    ¡°The taxes go back to what they were a decade ago. And there are no more serfs in the dukedom. We are all freemen. Afterward, we take it to the entire realm.¡±


    The demands were preposterous. ¡°How am I supposed to bring that before my father? You¡¯re all crazy.¡±


    ¡°Why not pack up and leave,¡± Shank said.


    The blacksmith¡¯s sausage-sized finger plucked at a chip in the table. ¡°We aren¡¯t like you, who has nothing. We have families who have been here since time out of mind. The spirits gave the land to all of us, not just a few.¡±


    Hawk sat scribbling on a piece of parchment. ¡°This is enough to bring before your father. He may say no, but that is part of negotiation.¡±


    Akisane felt his hand coil around Darksun. Screw his father. ¡°No. Who¡¯s the man conducting the inquiries here?¡±


    Lopside¡¯s eyes opened in surprise, and he looked at a few of his men, who shared his reaction. ¡°You don¡¯t know? It¡¯s the Butcher.¡±


    Duke Akitomo used the Butcher to collect taxes¡­ The man had been the Duke''s grand captain in the wars and now unofficially ran the Black Order as its grandmaster. His face was a disgusting patchwork of scars, and that was his most redeeming characteristic.


    Akisane¡¯s heart raced as an idea bloomed in his mind. ¡°I have nothing to do with your rebellion, but what if I helped you with this one man?¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 13


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 57

    Hisa wound the balatma tendril another turn about a wooden wheel that had kept constant tension over the last few hours.


    Each turn caused Ema¡¯s closed eyes to crease in pain, her pallid face contorting in spasms. She fought a relentless battle to shield her mind from the parasite, whether awake or asleep.


    Masahide gently took her hand and said, ¡°I should have saved you faster. I didn''t know how much you meant to me.¡± He turned to Hisa. ¡°What can I do?¡±


    Hisa gave one more crank. ¡°I can help her. You need to be out there, fighting. Bring Akitomo to justice. You watched him kill a knight in an iron maiden. He¡¯s rigging tournaments. And this Black Order needs to be brought down.¡±


    ¡°But what if she dies? ¡°


    ¡°If she loses the battle before I can remove it, she will become a balatma.¡±


    ¡°I must help. Tell me something I can do. Everything else can wait a moment.¡±


    ¡°Alright. You can enter her mind and help her fight the parasite, but it has dragged her dreams into Everywhen, so if you die, it''s a true death. You won¡¯t have your rings or sword. You will be helpless.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Hisa brought out a figurine of an elephant, which sat in the palm of her hand. ¡°You two will need to be naked and under the covers,¡± she said. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I¡¯m not a pervert. Well, not in this case.¡±


    Masahide removed his clothes and folded them beside the bed. He sliced Ema¡¯s shirt as it couldn¡¯t be pulled over the tendril. Being trapped in the tower had slightly softened the lines of her body. He crawled in beside her, and the blanket blocked the crisp mountain air, and he waited.


    Hisa raised the elephant, and an ethereal blanket fell on him. A weight pushed their bodies into the mattress. A thin green light pulsed from her hand with a low vibration. ¡°You must find the parasite and make her realize what it is. She must do the fighting.¡±


    His vision was a pond reflection, and the waters warped the world crazily as the spell disturbed it. He struggled as he tried to piece reality back together in his mind, but like shattered glass, nothing fit.


    Then, all was sane.


    He was in the forest under a blue sky, standing in the middle of the road. A cart bounced past him with a canvas tarp over the back. An arm stuck out from under it. It was a cart of bodies.


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    Worse, Ema was gone. He¡¯d expected to travel to Everywhen with her, but she was nowhere to be seen. He had to find her.


    He hiked up the road beside the ruts and entered a town. The well and the bridge felt familiar, and he realized it was Wythmere. Of course, this was Ema¡¯s home before she decided to join Whitebeard, Kichi, and him to Dunaguard.


    A robust woman tossed a bucket of dirtied water and wiped a hand on her apron. ¡°Go on, Sir, and find another town. No one will let you stay here on account of a plague that came through a few weeks ago.¡±


    He turned from her and searched for the Lion Cave, where he first saw Ema. Why did it feel like years ago when it had just been weeks?


    He had been so sure of his destiny as a knight, and he¡¯d had full faith in the twelve orders. But were they all like the Black? Does each spawn from those like the Duke? He had uncertainty now.


    ¡°Hey, Sir. You look like a knight. The voice came from a gangly girl with a basket and a doll. The doll was a sad thing of fabric and rope.


    Masahide decided he¡¯d try to lie. ¡°I¡¯m not a knight.¡± The words came out. This place wasn¡¯t the same as the world he¡¯d left. It abided by a different set of rules. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little old for dolls?¡±


    She looked down. ¡°Maybe, but I have no one left to talk to. Everyone¡¯s in bed or gone.¡±


    The look on her face broke his heart, but he reminded himself she wasn¡¯t real. ¡°I¡¯m looking for a woman named Ema. Do you know her?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a common name in my family. My mom, me, and my cousin are all named Ema.¡±


    This Ema had a lot of freckles. He figured it was her cousin. ¡°Can you bring me to your cousin?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s very sick. I¡¯m trying to gather enough food to bring back. It¡¯s my fault they¡¯re so sick. I can¡¯t find enough. I¡¯m just going in circles.¡±


    ¡°I can help, but could you bring me to her first?¡±


    ¡°I suppose so.¡±


    He followed the girl over the bridge and down the footpath, where a stream cut through a clearing of trees. Three houses stood there, with abandoned gardens and loose animals.


    Ema shooed the chicken and went up to the front door of the closest house. ¡°These are all my family''s. Two of my uncles are woodcutters, and they built these houses.¡±


    A stench wafted out when she opened the door, and he pulled his shirt over his mouth.


    There were rows of people, and to his shock, many weren¡¯t breathing. Some rolled their eyes toward him but didn¡¯t have the strength to speak. A blade from a large knife or dagger had scrawled cursed on the wall.


    The girl set down the basket and kneeled. ¡°This is Ema right here.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 34


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +2


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 58

    The cousin wasn¡¯t the right Ema. The girl gave a last sputtering breath and died. Masahide closed her eyes. ¡°May the spirits give you peace.¡±


    A gnarled hand clutched his ankle. ¡°Ever since the necromancer built her tower, it''s brought nothing but misery,¡± an old woman said.


    Ema knelt with the basket. ¡°East some berries, please.¡±


    The old woman turned away sharply and shook her head.


    Masahide straightened. ¡°What year is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the year of the hornet,¡± Ema said.


    Eight years ago. That timeframe meant this girl in Everywhen could be Ema, but he hoped not. Sure, it would mean he¡¯d found her, but it also meant she was in pain from losing everyone.


    ¡°Can you help me, Sir?¡±


    Masahide ducked down to her level. ¡°How can I help you?


    ¡°Follow me?¡±


    Ema and he left the house, walked stone beside it, and passed a stick fence into the forest. They walked for a time with only the sound of birds in the pines and the occasional buzz of an insect. On top of a knoll, a shovel lay in loose dirt.


    She picked it up and stuck it in the dirt. ¡°I can''t dig the graves by myself. And I can''t bring them to the graveyard.¡±


    ¡°No one could help you?¡±


    ¡°No one comes up here anymore.¡±


    He took the shovel. ¡°Go help who you can. I''ll dig.¡± He didn''t have to help. He was in an alternate reality, and nothing should matter, but he couldn''t turn away. He knew Ema, and to see her in this situation was unbearable.


    He made them shallow, but he dug through the night and made twelve graves¡ªnot enough.


    When she saw it in the morning, she cried and folded up with her doll to the ground. ¡°I don''t know why you''re helping me; I''m cursed, just as my Aunt Beth said before she passed. She squeezed my hand until it hurt and said I''m doing this to them.¡±


    He tried to comfort her, ¡°This feels real, but you¡¯re grown up fighting for your life. Remember.¡±  But she grabbed his hand and pulled him into a jog into the trees. Down in a low area covered in ferns, she pointed to the dark maw of a cave.


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    She let go and stepped towards it, and the cave breathed out and mussed her red hair.  ¡°A voice in my head says to go in the cave.¡±


    He knew the feeling of corrupt spirits. ¡°Don''t go in there.¡±


    ¡°At first, I didn''t want to because it¡¯s scary, but I don¡¯t want to take care of everyone anymore. It says there¡¯s a world where I don¡¯t have to worry about anything.¡±


    A pair of red eyes hovered in the blackness. Masahide reached for his sword but grasped air as he had none. ¡°Step away.¡±


    But an illusion formed in the cave. It was of Ema in a circle with other children chanting a nursery rhyme, full carts with tarps the smoke is sharp. There, her clothes were clean, and she smiled.


    He knelt and spoke softly. ¡°It¡¯s a dream within a dream.¡±


    She turned away, and the illusion evaporated. ¡°I know, but that¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you the truth before; I am a knight. I will help you. Just don¡¯t listen to the voice. There¡¯s a corrupt spirit attacking your mind. Stay strong.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll stay and help? I¡¯ve been wishing for help every day.¡±


    All the chatter in the woods ceased, and a blanket of silence settled on them. He felt the chill cave air on his sweaty neck. The smell of trees hung thick. But he sensed nothing else as he expected some approach.


    Blackbirds took flight, and their wing beats startled him. He watched them flit away, and when he looked back down, Ema was gone. He saw her disappear into the forest.


    It seemed simple enough. Masahide just had to keep Ema from entering the cave, but everything he said must sound crazy to her. She was completely enveloped in this world.


    All he could do was support her, so he dug for hours and brought bodies to bury. He placed mossy rocks as tombstones at the heads of the graves.


    When he pulled a large man up the knoll, she appeared again. ¡°Dad quarried stone. No one in the town was stronger than him. Why would it take someone so strong?¡±


    ¡°Whatever corruption permeated this place, it was probably afraid of him and wanted him gone. But you are his daughter. You can be strong, too.¡±


    He needed to find food for the sick. Why he was genuinely helping, he didn¡¯t know. Nothing that happened here mattered except pulling her out of this nightmare. However, he wandered the streets and looked for food along the shuttered buildings.


    A man in a plague mask took something from a body and slipped it into a pocket. Then the pointed beak of the mask pointed Masahide¡¯s way, and he straightened and walked away.


    But Masahide caught up to him. ¡°I saw that. Aren¡¯t you supposed to be a healer?¡±


    The muffled voice replied, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. The Duke is sending a force to neutralize the pestilence. If you know what¡¯s best for you, leave Wythmere and return when they¡¯re done.¡±


    What was this place? He should have asked Hisa more about it. Everything felt real, and perhaps it was in a different sort of way. Perhaps he couldn¡¯t find food, but he¡¯d find a weapon.


    Masahide


    Level: 34


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +2


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 59

    Masahide pried boarded windows and crawled into buildings, but the best weapon he found was a bill. The blade at the end of the pole was flaked with rust, and the edge was dull.


    When the healer said the Duke¡¯s men were on the way, he must have meant now because a score of armed soldiers entered on the east side of town and rode down the main street.


    He pulled himself up to the thatched roof of a shop and kept low. As they rode past, he heard them mention an inn full of sick.


    A man with blue eyes rode forward and turned to the group. ¡°We¡¯re going to search the surrounding town for the sick. Those at the inn aren¡¯t going anywhere.¡±


    They turned their mounts and headed over the bridge. If they followed the road, it wouldn¡¯t be long before they found Ema.


    He dropped from the roof and kept to the woods beside them. There were houses along the way, so it let him overtake them quickly.


    The three houses were quiet, with thin tendrils of smoke rising from their chimneys. Ema had done an admiral job collecting firewood, but it was far too much for a child.


    He found her with dirt streaking her cheeks and her hands around the ankles of the dead, dragging the corpse toward the knoll. When she saw him, her hands slipped, and she fell back. A rock snagged her elbow, and it bled.


    Ema rose and dusted herself off. Her mouth was turned down into an ugly grimace. ¡°That¡¯s it, I¡¯m going in the cave.¡±


    Masahide picked up the body and slung it over his shoulder. ¡°Please don¡¯t. You¡¯re tapped in Everywhen. I don¡¯t know if this is your real past, but I know you¡¯ve recovered by the time I meet you. You need to wake up.¡±


    ¡°But they¡¯re all gone.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s gone. I¡¯ve talked to those on the other side, and they¡¯re real.¡±


    ¡°Talk to them now.¡±


    Masahide stopped at the foot of the hill and lowered the load to the ground. ¡°I can try, but this isn¡¯t a real place.¡± He tried to open the conduit to Mount Templar, but it felt infinitely far away. Given up wasn¡¯t an option, so he forced every ounce of his being to establish the link. Finally, a ray of light ripped the air. However, no portal opened beyond a small puncture that let in light. When it vanished, and he wilted.


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    She looked at his with half-open, red-rimmed eyes and left, walking toward the cave with her doll. She seemed defeated.


    He ran forward and wrenched the doll from under her arm. It was always with her.


    ¡°Hey, give it back.¡±


    ¡°No. This is what¡¯s talking to you. It wants you to give up.¡±


    His hand closed on nothing, for the doll suddenly vanished and reappeared under her arm. He looked down to see his feet buried in the dirt and pine needles.


    She turned away and started to walk. ¡°Don¡¯t follow me.¡±


    He needed to get through to her but might have already blown it. ¡°Soldiers are coming to kill the sick.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s left.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of the measures they take. They¡¯ve come to burn everything. They¡¯ll burn the sick at the inn¡­ alive.¡±


    A pine coln struck him in the face. The trees thrashed and snapped all around Ema. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any more of your lies.¡±


    The soil took his boot as he tried to step forward. ¡°Come back to us, Ema. You have people who care about you.¡±


    She was gone.


    He freed himself and put his boots back on, though they remained full of dirt and pebbles, but just as he was about to pursue, he heard hooves downhill. The soldiers had reached the houses.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± a voice said.


    The sound of a tightening bowstring made Masahide freeze. Hisa had said if he died, he died for real. He raised his hands.


    The bowman whistled, and the score rode up. The leader looked at Masahide. ¡°Is he sick?¡±


    The healer came forward and looked him over. His muffled voice said he wasn¡¯t showing any symptoms. ¡°If he¡¯s gone this long, he should be released. There¡¯s no danger.¡±


    The leader looked at him with blue eyes set deep in a stern face. ¡°You carry that bill like a weapon. You should wait until we¡¯re gone before you trim the trees.¡± He turned to his men. ¡°Burn the houses.¡±


    They marched downhill and lit torches. Why did Masahide care? This wasn¡¯t real. He followed and took out three of them before they could get a word out. The bill in his hands whirled, and the swords that came out never got a chance to come close. With the reach, he could take them all out.


    An arrow stuck in the ground next to him. I need speed. Though he couldn¡¯t create a portal, he felt a trickle of Si¡¯s energy flow through him. He moved in a flash and took out four more.


    The hand of the leader grabbed the bill. ¡°Why would you throw your life away so carelessly? Don¡¯t you know who I am?¡±


    Masahide gave a punch full of spirit energy, but it hit bedrock.


    The man smiled. ¡°I¡¯m the Butcher.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 34


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +2


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 60

    Ema¡¯s own self emerged from the shadow of the cave just as she¡¯d seen herself in mirrors and reflections. She was her except for the inky black hair that squirmed down to her waist. She¡¯s Dark Ema, she decided.


    The leaves of the vines around the cave brushed Dark Ema¡¯s head as she came closer. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Ema took a step forward. She knew that if they touched, everything would change. And why not? She wanted everything to be different. But then she caught a scent coming from the cave that smelled like the plague. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll come back later.¡±


    Dark Ema looked down and saw the ground between them stretch, moving them apart, and looked up. This close, her eyes were noticeably black. ¡°We will make a great us.¡±


    The knight had warned her about the doll. She tossed it down, and it rolled over the dirt, but then it picked itself up, and wooden limbs made jerky movements.


    The doll moved like an insect, and limbs bent backward. Its head rotated to be upright.


    Ema felt a pain in her upper arm, but nothing had touched her. She found blood on her sleeve. She felt tugging and pain.


    Dark Ema rushed forward, ¡°I will not go.¡±


    The doll launched itself into the air. It was so fast, like an arrow. Dark Ema¡¯s hair spread out, tendrils reaching out like a thousand arms.


    Ema sagged to her knees in the face of doom. ¡°No!¡±


    There was nothing but silence. Ema expected the two to descend upon her, but nothing happened. She kept her eyes squeezed together until she hazarded a glance.


    Dark Ema and the doll were frozen in place. Only their eyes moved, rolling around to look at each other and her.


    Ema stood and brushed herself off. ¡°You guys aren''t so scary.¡±


    They blinked and looked back at each other.


    The sound of a commotion towards the houses caught her attention. It sounded like yelling and a ting of metal. She ran away from the cave and through the forest until she reached the clearing.


    A group of soldiers surrounded her house. They waved torches and rode in a line, setting fire to the thatch. A massive man with blue eyes held the knight two feet from the ground.


    They had entered a game where she made the rules. She snapped her fingers, and the fire surged back towards its source, scouring those riding with torches from existence. Only a shadow of ash hinted that they had ever been. Yet the horse ran free unscathed.


    The large man threw down the knight and turned to her. ¡°When I fought the djinn, they used the power of Everywhen. They trick those who serve for wishes into thinking their illusions are real. But they¡¯re not quite real, are they?¡±


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    She flicked her fingers, and a blast hit the man.¡± He leaned in and scooted back a few paces but didn¡¯t go flying as she¡¯d envisioned.


    ¡°Do you think the Butcher is so easily defeated?¡± He laughed, and it verged into hysteria.


    The knight rolled to his feet and tackled the Butcher, but the latter only bent his knees and chucked the knight away.


    The Butcher drew a black blade. ¡°I¡¯m going to fillet you and serve you to whoever¡¯s still alive in there.¡±


    Ema felt sweat dripping down her forehead. It was as if she¡¯d run for miles.


    She uprooted a tree and sent it flying. Dirt sprayed everywhere, and she felt clumps of it hit the back of her head. She couldn¡¯t believe she could do all this. But she couldn¡¯t do it for long. Her legs felt like noodles.


    The tree shattered against the Butcher¡¯s chest into a thousand splinters, and he roared and chuckled as if it felt good. ¡°The djinn couldn¡¯t kill me because my reality is stronger.¡±


    The knight crawled on his hands and knees toward the Butcher, but that was useless. She let out a scream as she did everything she could: trees, a house, chunks of earth; all became a tornado that she sent forward.


    The Butcher fought, but he was surrounded. As he knocked away a tree, a rock hit him, and a branch sliced his face. The house crumpled around him, and when he reemerged from the vortex, his face bled, and parts of bone showed on his cheeks. ¡°You ruined my face, you bitch.¡± He came forward, but the blows took their toll.


    Just as she fell from exhaustion, so did he. And he finally fell forward and didn¡¯t move, though she feared he would. She took the black blade and made it pure again. She felt energy surge into her.


    The knight watched with wide eyes. Then he pulled the Butcher¡¯s head back and looked at the ravaged face. He then stumbled beside her. ¡°I think you did it. Bring us back.¡±


    Ema didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Think of when you are full grown. Take us back.¡±


    She had no idea what he meant, but she tried. When she opened her eyes, a woman stood there.


    It was her, but older, taller, with fine lines around her eyes and mouth. Her armor and weapons looked carved from precious stones. She looked like she came out of the Age of Heroes. ¡°Don¡¯t use your power any longer, child.¡±


    ¡°Why?.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a rare gift to manipulate Everywhen, perhaps the rarest of them all. They¡¯ll come for you, so wait until you¡¯re ready.¡± Older Ema walked to the Butcher and passed her hand over his head. ¡°He won¡¯t need to remember this day.¡±


    The knight was staring at the older Ema. ¡°Is this real?¡±


    ¡°Real enough, Masahide. Now, let this spell be broken.¡±


    The world shattered but remained except for the knight.


    A decade later, Ema woke naked beside Masahide. She saw him open his eyes, and they smiled at each other.


    Hisa crossed the room with a wound-up black tendril. She opened the door and looked back at them. ¡°Don¡¯t wait too long before you go to Whitebeard. I fear he¡¯s lost his mind.¡±


    Ema


    Level: 3


    Focus: Everywhen reality warping (50ft radius outside) (1 mile inside)


    Secondary focus: unknown


    Weapons: none


    Items: climbing gear

 Chapter 61

    Kichi gave Bin a giant bowl of milk. The squirrel cat lapped it up and made an oscillating purr at the attention.


    She opened her codex and studied the art on the first page. Somehow, it comforted her, as she¡¯d opened to this intricate shield design many times in many places.


    Of course, she should be doing other things than reading, but she felt like an old cloth that had been wrung out too many times. She wanted to spend the intermission relaxing.


    She decided that all the fighting and scheming was a misuse of the castle. She could find peace here on the balcony, lulled by the warm stone on her back and crisp breeze.


    However, she knew that was impossible. As she turned the page to the ten rules of chivalry, she saw her vision of Whitebeard falling from the bridge. She had never had a flashback of a vision before, but it was just as hazy. But she felt it¡ªthe super-will working against them.


    It was as if the act of relaxation had triggered the response from her ability. If there was an evil being with a super-will influencing things here, then perhaps there was another prodding her to stop it.


    She sighed, clapped the codex shut, scooped Bin up, and went inside to buckle her sword girdle.


    Her footfalls echoed in the corridor. The last time she wandered the castle alone, Akisane and his henchmen attacked her. She glanced behind, and though the hair rose at the nape of her neck, nothing was there.


    A boy stumbled and caught himself on a suit of armor, which jangled. He looked ghostly and stood unsteadily.


    Then she recognized him. It was Gon. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I just feel dizzy.¡±


    She took his hand. ¡°You better come with me. I¡¯ll take you to Hisa after we see Whitebeard.¡±


    He nodded, and they continued.


    Finding Whitebeard was easy. Kichi felt like they were loadstones drawn together. She had no idea what she¡¯d see in the grand hall where he was and hoped she wasn¡¯t being too bold dropping in on him.


    Two guards crossing polearms blocked the way in front of the double door.


    She looked at them in surprise. They stared ahead impartially. This would take a bit of finesse. She knelt and told Gon to follow her, and while she spoke, she clasped the amulet around her neck. Then she stepped between the guards. They tried to grab and strike her, but seeing everything in advance, she moved away from them and pushed the door open, spun around, slammed it closed, and dropped the lock.


    She pocketed her amulet and walked into the hall.


    Whitebeard was chained to the floor by the wrists. Though he was upright on his knees, he appeared asleep.


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    She laid a chain straight and aimed to strike it with her pure sword. She brought the blade up.


    ¡°No,¡± he said, opening one eye to look at her. ¡°Don¡¯t free me. I am exactly where I should be.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t where you should be.¡± She tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn¡¯t hear of it and just tried to change the subject. After a time, she looked at his long, scraggly white hair, pulled out a dagger, and began cutting. The hair snowed onto the floor, and though she was no barber, he looked much better. His beard was trimmed and neat.


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s been a year, at least.¡± He shook his head and looked at her. ¡°But please believe me when I tell you all you need to do is win the tournament, and everything will be okay.¡±


    He was a knight, so he must have spoken the truth. But what he believed was true and what was actually true may not be the same.


    She straightened and raised her chin. ¡°I saw that you would teach me to become a knight. Not just take the oaths, but to truly be one.¡±


    ¡°You are a knight. ¡°


    ¡°No, there''s more. I can see it like opening your eyes in the ocean. There''s a whole world I don''t know. ¡°


    ¡°You are perceptive, Kichi. There are greater purposes. Perhaps they go on higher and higher. But you, like me, are where you must be, doing what you need to do.¡±


    ¡°No! Give me more. This is not what¡¯s calling me.¡±


    Gon pulled on her sleeve as he indicated shadows under the door, which meant a gathering of guards.


    Whitebeard remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, and then he smiled. ¡°Stubborn girl. Take my hand, and I¡¯ll show you a glimpse of what¡¯s to come.¡±


    She wasted no time and put his hand in hers. It was a wide, callused.


    ¡°The nobility have ruled too long and forgotten their purpose, to secure the realm from corruption. The decay will spread, and it will draw the unspeakable things like sharks to blood. The shadows will come from east and west, south and north.¡±


    The world melted, and she saw it from up high, flying mile after mile. The land smoked and burned¡ªthe valleys, hills, and mountains rolled by and all decayed. In the forests, the trees were brown or charred. Stinking towns and cities were filled with chaos as neighbors turned against neighbors. Kichi saw glanks filling with bodies, graveyards emptying their dead, and twilight heralding dark wings. Dragons sat upon their thrones, the husks of castles.


    All was a ring of fire that closed on the Midbluffs and the great tree, Crann. Kichi found herself on the back of a sky whale throwing conjured lances. How¡¯d she become so powerful? But it was for naught as the realm plummeted into ruin.


    A time spirit hovered beside her. ¡°You should not be here.¡±


    She sent a volley of lances out, skewering a turquoise dragon and a half dozen demons. If she was going to die, let the forces of corruption feel her wrath.


    ¡°Leave now!¡±


    Whitebeard let go of her hand, and the world snapped back. His white hair was stark in contrast to the black marble hall. ¡°I¡¯m afraid my ability has transcended prescience. I can reach out and touch the future¡ªa future. So, I know I must go through with the draining ritual. I am here to save one person. And you must fight your hardest in this tournament. It puts us on a road that avoids disaster.¡±


    The shadows under the door disappeared, and there was the sound of fighting. Metal rang against metal. Then the doors burst in, and Masahide and Ema stood in the doorway.


    Kichi


    Level: 8


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 62

    Kichi ran over to Ema and almost knocked her over. ¡°You¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I feel fine.¡±


    How was that possible? Hisa had privately said that Ema would likely not survive, but there was no sign that she¡¯d struggled for her life. There was a glow and energy to her.


    Bin jumped onto Ema and scrambled. Ema hugged the little body. ¡°We grew to be good friends while Bin watched after me. Now that we¡¯re all together, everything will turn around.¡±


    Masahide studied the chains tying Whitebeard to the floor. ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of here.¡±


    ¡°He is where he needs to be,¡± Kichi said. ¡°Gon doens¡¯t look good. Let¡¯s bring him to Hisa.¡±


    The chains rattled, and Whitebeard looked up. ¡°You can¡¯t. They¡¯ve laid a trap for you, so prepare yourselves.¡±


    On the dais, a small wind devil spun and revealed two men. One was Tsunekatsu of Marstonic, whose tattooed arms extended from a torn sleeveless shirt and his braid whipped.


    The other was the lute player Kichi heard playing at the arena. His face was painted half red and half blue.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Masahide said.


    The grin on Tsunekatsu¡¯s face showed teeth. ¡°I¡¯m doing this so I can fight Hisa. She¡¯s rejected me for too long.¡±


    Kichi stifled a laugh and looked to the others. ¡°He can¡¯t be serious.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m dead serious. No one else is a challenge.¡±


    Kichi glanced at the minstrel. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°My motivations are a little more complex. For one, no one understands the importance of the pentatonic scale. Do you think it¡¯s happenstance that the sharps and flats of a key just so happen to comprise those five tones? Or that the chords and their agreeable extensions, both major and minor, fall upon their respective pentatonic? Or that music found inside and outside the realm all use these intervals in common? Preposterous. And my other reason is that I foretold I would die at twenty-seven, and the Duke has promised me a delightful life even if it will be short.¡±


    Masahide drew his sword. ¡°You¡¯re both maniacs.¡±


    Kich produced the pure sword and stood by Masahide¡¯s sword, creating a barrier between the aggressors and their unarmed friends. However, the knight and minstrel made no move to attack.


    Tsunekatsu called a wind again, and its swirling dissolved their form. It was a way to become invisible. ¡°Behind the throne is a passageway. If you survive, follow it and face me. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    The minstrel vanished, too, but first, he plucked an eerie dirge. Many eyes blinked open about the gloom of the vaulted ceiling.


    What came next dropped Kichi¡¯s heart into her stomach. Four vesters descended and caught themselves with a beat of batlike wings. And two hinagons crashed to the floor, bending knees to absorb the impact of their weight.


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    Masahide went back to back with Kichi as enemies surrounded. ¡°We¡¯ll have to use the Firequake tandem attack. Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, digging for the four marble stones she always carried. ¡°But what if it brings the whole place down on us?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to do.¡±


    The marbles glowed and streaked through the air. Kichi felt Masahide seize control of the magic and intertwine it with his own. What would happen if one resisted letting go? More importantly, could one try to take control of another¡¯s magic by force? She had no time to mull it over as the vesters swooped.


    Ema raised an arm and ducked away from talons reaching for her. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to bring down the hall, I might be able to help.¡±


    How would Ema help? Kichi hoped she wouldn¡¯t get herself killed trying something desperate.


    Instead, Ema closed her eyes and put her hands flat against each other. Behind the red glowing marbles, the background warped, like everything had been woven in a tapestry and now it ripped. The hall vanished fifty feet in every direction and was replaced by the tower that had held her.


    Sometimes, the floor under their feet turned to open air with the arena far below, yet they didn¡¯t fall. The dark room flashed to the afternoon sun and back. The vesters crossed their arms over their faces when the light struck. The hinagons panicked and ran. One fell through the floor and to its death.


    Masahide shook the side of the cliff, and the tower collapsed. The stones that made it up turned red and melted. He flung his arm back, and the molten rock followed and transformed into a whip. The lash severed the creatures wherever it found them. One fell in half, and the others fell in a shower of limbs.


    The black hall became solid again, and the bodies of three vesters and a hinagon hit the ground with a wet slap. The missing two had been left with the destroyed tower.


    Ema extended a hand and a vester decayed. The power must have hit her as she stumbled back and let out a groan.


    Kichi was close enough to catch her. ¡°Where did you get all that power?¡±


    ¡°I was told to hide it long ago, and I did so for so long it¡¯s like it wasn¡¯t even there. But I just know it¡¯s time to be myself now.¡±


    ¡°Let us cleanse the rest of these,¡± Masahide said, and he went to work absorbing vast amounts of spirit energy.


    Whitebeard jangled his chains. ¡°What are you doing? It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    A hinagon and a vester filled Masahide¡¯s blade. The hinagon alone was more than any one knight should absorb. ¡°I was taught to live with one foot in life and one in death.¡±


    ¡°That leaves a whole vester for me,¡± Kichi said.


    ¡°You can do it,¡± Madahide said. ¡°The trick is to stay conscious. No matter what, don¡¯t close your eyes.¡±


    Whitebeard dropped his head and shook his head. ¡°The path to forty-seven rings should be tread carefully. But Masahde is not without wisdom. Do as you will.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t want another vester in this world, so she made up her mind and stabbed into it. There was so much power. The beasts around the castle were all so powerful, and it made little sense unless the Duke was gathering them. Akitomo must be worse than she¡¯d ever imagined anyone being.


    The surge in energy washed her away in a torrent. Keep my eyes open? Did it matter if she saw nothing but a light show? Her sense of self dwindled until she felt as insignificant as an ant. She could have been one with everything, or everything dwarfed her until it didn¡¯t matter if she let go. Like a statue in the sand, she could let it wash over her and leave nothing. My eyes are open!


    The vester was gone, but Kichi was still there. She stumbled and found herself close to Whitebeard. ¡°I did it.¡±


    ¡°Well done,¡± Whitebeard said. ¡°Now go after Tsunekatsu. It¡¯s time to show your enemies how strong you are together.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 12


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 63

    Kichi looked at Gon. ¡°What about the boy?¡±


    ¡°The necromancer released him,¡± Whitebeard said. ¡°I don¡¯t know how they''re using him against you, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯s safe walking the castle.¡±


    She hesitated. ¡°Why is Tsunekatsu trying to kill us if the boy¡¯s supposed to be bait? It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    ¡°Our enemies show signs of internal strife. Their allegiances begin to fracture.¡±


    Gon put a hand to his stomach. ¡°I don¡¯t feel so good, but I can make it to Hisa¡¯s apartment.¡±


    Ema ruffled the boy¡¯s hair. ¡°He¡¯s so adorable. Masahide, we have to take care of him. I know what it¡¯s like to be a child alone.¡±


    Masahide¡¯s face glazed over for a moment as if he possessed prescience and saw the future but probably struggled to reimagine his life. ¡°That¡¯s the right thing to do.¡±


    Gon crossed skinny arms. ¡°You killed Ujisue. You must teach me to be a better fighter than him so I can defeat even you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean¡­¡± Masahide said and then looked at his feet. ¡°I will train you to the best of my ability.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Ujisue taught me how dangerous it is to be a knight. Sometimes, people kill you.¡±


    Kichi wandered away from the conversation and near the passageway behind the throne. Busts of family members and weapons decorated a recess behind the dais. And she found the door to the promised passageway and gazed into the darkness. She heated a marble and sent it forward to light the way. It became a pinprick down the narrow length of the walkway, and the amber light exaggerated the rough walls. She entered and immediately felt claustrophobic and smelled dirt. She and the orange light move steadily onward. Closed in by thick walls, the silence was heavy.


    Soon, Ema and Masahide caught up and followed behind. They suspected they were headed for a trap. But bolstered by their victory, each pushed on eagerly until the passageway opened and the walls vanished.


    The space smelled of smoke, and embers formed a circle. A wind kicked up, resurrected the flames in the braziers, and revealed the chamber as a library and the two standing inside.


    ¡°Thank the spirits, you¡¯re alive,¡± Tsunekatsu said. ¡°I didn''t want a hair touched on your head before I had a chance to fight you.¡±


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    The minstrel adjusted his lute. ¡°It wasn''t our idea. I hope you''re well. Do you need a minute before I destroy you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Kichi said, ¡°We¡¯re ready to fight.¡±


    ¡°You have no idea what ready means. I am a creator. The music guilds would burn me at the stake if they could. Knights would slay me as if I were corruption itself. Even the great spirits limit my life to twenty-seven years because they know what they did to the primordial spirits I would do to them. We are but spirit energy caught in the celestial harmony, and creators know the tune.¡±


    Kichi readied herself and saw her friends to her flank. She wasn¡¯t scared of the ramblings of a madman.


    The creator¡¯s fingers danced as if they comprised an entire ballroom. From out of the complicated tension of chords came a pure melody. It soared and filled the room and warbled down like it was a bird made of crystal. The deep strings sounded like the mountain¡¯s yawn. ¡°Knights and sorcerers are but conjurers of cheap tricks. If I were allowed to grow old and expand my knowledge, I could remake the world, but I guess I have to settle for destroying the three of you.¡±


    Tsunekatsu folded his tattooed arms. ¡°Don¡¯t destroy Kichi¡¯s body.¡±


    The music should have been something terrible, but it sounded angelic. The melody made giant strides in pitch and tempo. Then, the shadow coalesced into a shape. Little eddies in the chamber created the outline of a dragon.


    Kichi stepped back, and so did Masahide. But Ema strode forward and thrust her hand out.


    Reality shredded around the minstrel. He turned to see a rift open and display a scene of fire. In a burning lake, a giant skeleton thrashed against its bonds. A bound wrist broke free, sending a chain flying in a spray of lava. Then it stopped to look at them. Its gaze hit them like a tempest. The creator staggered back. ¡°Thailoc!¡± And he lost his balance, he pitched forward over the threshold.


    Kich darted forward to catch lutist, but he fell through the rift.


    The rift trembled, and the minstrel scrambled back, but it shut faster than he could make it. His terrified face was sealed away.


    Ema fell unconscious, and Masahide tried to wake her. She wouldn¡¯t open her eyes. He looked up in a rage. ¡°Tsunekatsu!¡± A portal opened, and light flooded in. Two lances floated through.


    Tsunekatsu laughed. ¡°The forgotten summoning. I control what flies.¡±


    The lances shot forward but lost control in a gust. Books flew from shelves. Dust filled the air. The lances destroyed a shelf and crashed into the wall, sending fragments hurtling. Kichi¡¯s hair lashed in the air that had become alive. She didn¡¯t want to give time for the wind to grow, so she ran and jumped from a tabletop. Her pure sword crashed against the Tsunekatsu¡¯s, and a blast of air knocked her back. She kept going, flying across the room. Darkness overcame her.


    Kichi


    Level: 12


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 64

    Kichi had no idea how long she lay against a bookshelf. Pain sizzled at the back of her head. Thick tomes littered the floor around her. Legs from a half table stuck upward. Bin slapped her face with tiny paws and stared at her with big eyes. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Bin, I¡¯m up.¡±


    Then she saw it.


    Masahide was no longer a mere knight. She¡¯d seen archknights now, and he surpassed even them. The sword in his hand glowed as it moved in perfect orchestration. It wasn¡¯t the heat of a pure sword against a demon sword. No, it was just an internal white aura. His pure sword battered the other pure sword away like a toy. Then, the blade cut through the other¡¯s steel.


    Tsunekatsu¡¯s sword exploded into a rain of shards, and he flew.


    Kichi wanted to be the most chivalrous knight, but how long would it take to catch up to Masahide? She would have to dispatch corrupted spirits as fast as a cook does carrots. They say a knight who looks for rings is the knight we wait to ring. It was a gibberish saying, but it had something to do with dying. Perhaps she shouldn¡¯t try to match him. But she¡¯d seen that glimpse of a future, and she¡¯d been so much more than she was now, laying uselessly on the floor.


    ¡°You are no longer a knight,¡± Masahide said, standing over the fallen man.


    ¡°How could¡­ how did¡­¡± Tsunekatsu stuttered. He swept a few pieces of his sword into his hand and looked at them glittering in the dim library.


    ¡°Good luck finding a spirit to lay on the forge. You¡¯ve lost yourself, Tsunekatsu .¡± Masahide scooped up Ema. Her eyes opened, and she smiled and explained in slow words that she used too much of her ability. The three of them followed the passageway up to the great hall.


    A buz of argument reached them. Dinner must have already started. There was such a commotion when they peeked from behind the dais that they darted out unnoticed. At least it didn¡¯t draw too much attention.


    The Duke battered at the armrest of his high chair. ¡°Silence! I will not hear any more of your drivel, Whitebeard. Tomorrow, we will begin the trail.¡±


    A man with silver at his temples stood at the Celestrial table. ¡°Duke Akitomo, we have arrived, and the twelve are here. When it appeared our efforts to reach Oligar were thwarted, the Council of the Round decided to come to Dunaguard for an urgent session.¡±


    ¡°I was not aware of this. Who let you in?¡±


    Hisa stood. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d mind if I brought in a few strays.¡±


    The Duke took a second, and a calmness settled on him. ¡°It gave me no time to prepare a proper welcome.¡±


    Kichi found her seat and tied the cord around her legs in the traditional style. Masahide sat and bade Ema to eat.


    The silver-tempered man stayed standing.  ¡°Let Whitebeard speak. I have an interest in the Dragon Order. Hisa has caught me up on his tail. And if he is a criminal, let him create the noose by which to hang himself.¡±


    The Duke''s knuckles turned white in a fist. ¡°Very well. Proceed.¡±


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    Whitebeard¡¯s chains rattled as he adjusted his seating position. ¡°Let me then tell you of the Grail.¡±


    ***


    At last, I found the golden cup of legend.


    Along the way, I¡¯d seen dark things. Human cultures seemed on a downward trajectory, becoming more destructive the further I sailed. But suddenly, I came to silver walls and impossible towers of an advanced people.


    The towers rose heavenward at the skirt of a forest plateau. At the height was a temple and a tree. I knew at once that the tree was from Crann¡¯s seed. They named it the Tattergorn. It stood by their temple for millennia when the first philosopher king planted it and proclaimed that their kingdom would last as long as Tattergorn.


    I was a man of interest, as they seemed fascinated by the world outside. Yet they closed themselves off with a huge silver wall. Even the Palfrey had to anchor outside the boundary. The crew remained except the captain.¡±


    I sat with a scroll on a bench at the plateau''s edge. I could see league upon league into the blue distance beyond the island city.


    Stretch lounged at my feet. The lion was restricted to the plateau, but I didn¡¯t protest. I was surprised they let him off the ship.


    Around me, citizens ate fruit and talked of music, existence, and morality. Their eyes were tender, as though they were on the verge of a nap, and their movement was languid and deliberate.


    I probably irritated them with the rapidity of my questions, but I didn¡¯t run on the same clock as they did. ¡°How old are you, Bacna?¡±


    The second daughter of the chancellor seemed to think about it. ¡°In what way?¡±


    ¡°How many summers have you been alive?¡±


    It seemed even Stretch perked up to listen. The loin napped most of the days, and seemed to fit in perfectly with the listless atmosphere.


    She was a lovely girl. Almost too perfect like her society. But she narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°I¡¯m no child. I¡¯ve seen two hundred summers.¡±


    I laughed, but she only searched my face.


    She looked like she was twenty, not ten times that. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone over a hundred.¡± It took some explaining for her to understand.


    That¡¯s when she showed me their secret. At the center of the plateau was a lake and a fountain. In the fountain was a golden cup. They drank from the lake, and I guessed rightly that it expanded their lifespans. What I did next I regret to this day.


    Perhaps I could have lived a perfect life there. Bacna and I were like magnets to each other, but one day, when I was no longer under the influence of her company, I strayed and found myself swimming in the green waters to the cup. I took it. I seized it in my hands, felt the cold, heavy metal, and swam back ashore with my heart thumping. I met the captain, and we hurried to the ship.


    I felt sick to my stomach. They came after us but had no ships of their own. They had never met strangers and didn¡¯t know to fear evil. I sat in the captain¡¯s cabin and wondered how fast before their utopia collapsed. Bacna would grow old. They had very few children. They ate so little and only grew fruit as the blessed water sustained them.


    What horrors had I visited upon them?


    I urged the captain to turn around, but he refused. The crew was consumed by a strange greed, and I couldn¡¯t reason with them. They wanted to drink from the cup, but I warned them of its potency.


    The tension built, and I felt violence coming. I filled the Grail with water and poured it into a vessel. The first to drink gagged and vomited blood. A sore formed on his throat, and his neck melted.


    ¡°I warned you,¡± I said. ¡°We need a large body of fresh water to drink from.¡±


    The captain searched for an island, and when we finally found one, we found ruin. This was the lowest point of my life. Already, my heart ached for Bacna. But I was about to lose Stretch forever.

 Chapter 65

    The grand hall went quiet as Whitebeard told of another man who thought the cup was only given to worthy people. Every drop of water that poured from the cup ended up at the man¡¯s feet in a gruesome mixture.


    Duke Akitomo didn¡¯t want to listen to Whitebeard, but the Grail fascinated him. With it, he wouldn¡¯t need an inept son to rule. He could keep on going forever. But some things could be learned privately. ¡°Wiggo, I want him found guilty quickly.¡±


    The chief minister never seemed to eat; he just pushed his food around. ¡°Of course, Your Grace. He will endure the three trials?¡±


    The Duke¡¯s eyes flicked across the room to the necromancer and the abomination who sat beside her. ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t kill him. She still wants to drain the soloknight.¡±


    ¡°Shall I start in the morning?¡±


    Most of the Marstonic Order, Order of the Arc, Order of Lords, and the Celestial Order were present with their leaders. And now the leadership of the orders of Mount Templar, Metaterra, Whales, Noble Eight, Octavo, Signs, Mystics, and Moons were all in attendance. Together, they were the most potent force in the kingdom. Though, he would one day break the Council of the Round. He just needed the throne first. ¡°No. The first trial will be the next dinner in full view of the grand masters.¡±


    ¡°Then it will be a spectacle.¡±


    The Duke looked around his table at his family members. Those who noticed looked away and fidgeted. They had no idea how he single-handedly protected their place in society and showed no gratitude. ¡°Continue, Whitebeard, and let us drink to the Grail.¡± He lifted his cup and smiled when he saw his family hesitate, put a hand to their throats, and swallow uncomfortably. Weakness surrounded him.


    Whitebeard¡¯s voice rose to fill the chamber.


    ***


    The cup migrated about the ship. It was held high from the sails that raked the sky when a man snatched it and climbed the rigging to escape a mob of his fellows. It was hidden for hours in the bilge water when a thief took it in the night. Eventually, the captain brought order to the ship, and the cup was stowed in a chest and guarded by half the crew.


    Some tried to drink the bilge water and vomited.


    I reminded them, ¡°Everyone knows the water must be pure and flow from a spring.¡±


    I said little else to anyone, feeling betrayed that they wouldn¡¯t return the cup and betrayed by myself for having taken it in the first place.


    Paradice came into view. White cliffs ascended from the water to a lush green island. Waterfalls cascaded onto sandy and rocky beaches.


    The Palfrey circled its anchor and emptied every last man onto the island. John played the first joyful melody on his flute since they¡¯d left the silver walls. Stretch stood at the bow of the boat, his fur in the face of the oarsmen.


    We thought we were alone. No signs of life showed on the bluffs or the sand until a row of terrible lizards looked down on us. The largest of them had gold ornaments and a royal cape¡ªobviously stolen from humans.


    ¡°No one wanders out,¡± John said. ¡°We stay close with polearms at the ready.¡±


    The lizards retreated, but the sailors remained vigilant while searching for water.


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    I saw the king lizard again through a V-shaped opening in the trees. The cape was, in fact, a rug. I didn¡¯t like how careful the lizards were. They studied us with cold eyes while they basked in the sunshine.


    ¡°They¡¯re not that big,¡± a sailor said. ¡°They¡¯re our size, and fewer of them.¡±


    ¡°I feel a power from them,¡± I responded.


    I cut my way up the slope. In the dips into low places with thick foliage, bugs plagued us. We walked in lines and swiped at each other¡¯s backs. The terrain had caused our formation to break, and we wiped the sweat from our bows to glance up for lizards.


    Stretch walked by my side with his head low.


    I patted his back. ¡°I know. I don¡¯t like this place either.¡±


    A man fell near the front. The captain called for a halt. John and I pushed forward to the edge of a vine-covered drop. Below was a vast mirror. It reflected the trees and sky, and a waterfall jetted into it from the hills on the other side. It was a fresh lake as pure as anyone could hope for.


    John handed me the cup. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I needed to get us here. You know what to do, so please lead the way.¡±


    I nodded at the man I¡¯d once called friend. ¡°Stretch and I will go alone to the waterfall. When the cup is in place, you can climb or jump into the water.¡±


    The sailors grumbled, and a few gave hard stares, but none made a move to take it from me¡ªnot yet. Where did they think I would go with it on an island with no escape?


    I skirted the rim until a stream divided it. Taking a running start, I jumped to the other side. The cup fell from my hand and rolled.


    A lizard¡¯s dark form stood between the trees. It had a makeshift spear.


    I grabbed the cup, scrambled to my feet, and pushed on until I came to the waterfall''s side. I couldn¡¯t hear my thoughts in the roar. The water came down with so much force I thought it would crush me, but I followed a way behind. The world undulated as I pulled myself through the water and spray.


    A boulder jutted into the torrent. I placed the cup there, and gold leaked down around the base. I thought it was melting, and in a moment of panic, I thought to grab it back, but it had fused to the rock.


    The stone underfoot, slick with water, almost threw me down the side as I left. A few pebbles fell and splashed into the lake. The mirror was gone. The water had become transparent save for a green hue. Fish of varying colors swam alone and in schools.


    Unfortunately, the lizards had found me. I saw the leader mesmerize Stretch. The lizard held a scepter and waved it back and forth, and the lion followed the movement. The lizard returned the scepter to a loop and pulled two daggers.


    I ran forward, but the distance was too great.


    A dagger found a home under his jawbone. Another stabbed into the back between the ribs.


    I lost my footing and fell. I tried grabbing earth and roots, but it sped past me. The water hit like a cudgel, and I found myself drowning. But the blessed water didn¡¯t suffocate me. I took lunge-fulls of the lake and ran along the bottom to seek revenge, but the lizard had fled. I lashed out with magic and felled trees. I must have hit something because I found blood and a shred of the rug.


    ***


    The grand hall filled with whispers and then arguments, especially among the grand masters.


    The man with the silver temples, Grand Master Letame, shouted, ¡°He¡¯s guilty!¡±


    Kichi bolted upright. ¡°He¡¯s a knight. He can¡¯t lie. Just ask him.¡±


    Duke Akitomo silenced the room. ¡°It just so happens he knows how the prince died. I think we¡¯ve heard enough. Is there any reason to hear any more of this?¡±


    Whitebeard snapped a chain. ¡°Just as Thailoc has broken one arm free, so do I.¡± He put a hand inside his shirt, pulled out foldings of leather, and shook it. Salt sprinkled the ground, and a severed hand tumbled free. So did a piece of familiar rug. ¡°When I fell into the lake, I became stronger than the Knight¡¯s Oath. I can lie, but everything I told you was true except one thing: there never was a lion.¡±


    The Duke pulled his sword. ¡°Silence him! He¡¯s no knight and never was.¡±


    Duke Akitomo


    Level: 47


    Focus: Annihilation


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, Redirection, Sand Tornado,


    Weapons: Lost Sword - 65% corrupt - Shadow+8, Dagger of Bones - damage resistance +20


    Items: Cape of the Blasphemer, Crown of the Dried Seas

 Chapter 66

    Akisane drew a card and found a prince of coins. He sat there studying the watercolor and gold leaf design and realized his heart wasn¡¯t into the game. Perhaps that¡¯s why he was losing.


    Shank tapped this blade hand on the table and pushed a handful of silver forward.


    Laying a flush down, Bahram waited for the groans and scooped up his winnings. ¡°He who is was slow to strife stands a greater chance than a king against the Chaos Lords. So I applaud this group who let me empty their pockets and don¡¯t redden with anger.¡±


    Darksun pulled at the scabbard. You could be leagues down the road. Thailoc has one hand free, which means he will summon the Core Shield. It makes him invulnerable.


    Akisane took each card that Bahram dealt. If he¡¯s not invulnerable without it, why didn¡¯t the elemental druids destroy him?


    Indestructible and invulnerable are two different things.


    A barmaid''s gaze snagged on Akisane one too many times to be accidental. He thought of his experience with the necromancer and shivered. However, he was intrigued nonetheless. Still, he remembered Duke Akitomo¡¯s view of the common people. When they said my Lord, listen to the note of disdain. They would slit your throat and take everything you have given the chance. Even the most beautiful common girl has a flaw in her quality that makes her useless, even if it¡¯s not visible from the outside.


    Through the tavern window, an old farmer handed out weapons, many of which were modified scythes with the blade turned upward. Some of his father¡¯s outlook must be true. Dunaguard was preparing for violence.


    This place is doomed. Flee from Thailoc!


    Amat folded his arms and sat back petulantly. ¡°I never get the good cards.¡±


    Boney fingers full of rings rearranged a hand. ¡°Like men, cards are neither good nor evil, and they must work together,¡± Bahram said.


    Akisane stole a glance at the brown-eyed girl across the room. She leaned forward to fill a glass of wine. He turned away and examined his fellow goons. ¡°You guys went to the capital some months back. How was it? I¡¯m thinking of heading that way.¡±


    The blade stump thumped on the table. ¡°I have no fond memories of the place. Not growing up, and not on our last visit. It left me like this.¡±


    Bahram made a sound of agreement. ¡°Nasty business. I won¡¯t be going back.¡±


    Shank stood. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of games for today.¡±


    Bahram beamed as he swirled his pile of coins. ¡°You know what they say about the lucky man?¡±


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    ¡°Save it,¡± Shank said and then noticed Lopside approaching the table.


    The blacksmith gestured with his massive arm to a man and woman. The man¡¯s face looked like a rotten potato, and his eyes were almost swollen shut. ¡°Tell Lord Akisane what happened.¡±


    The woman curtsied and kept her gaze down. ¡°When the Butcher came to collect the poll tax from our house, we gave him everything we could.¡±


    The mangled face of the man nodded.


    She started crying but wiped her face and eyes with the back of her wrist to keep talking. ¡°We gave him everything we had. We gave more than we could. When he turned to leave, our youngest son darted past me before I could catch him. The Butcher hit¡­¡± Her voice broke, and she shook at the shoulders.


    Lopside put a hand on her arm and looked Akisane straight in the eye. ¡°He killed their son. The little guy hit him in the leg with a tiny fist, and his response was to backhand with a gauntleted fist.¡±


    Akisane winced but pushed the image away. He didn¡¯t need to know all the suffering in Dunaguard. It wasn¡¯t his problem. He¡¯d have to leave anyway. ¡°I told you I¡¯d deal with the Butcher.¡±


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s just him?¡±


    Duke Akitomo would do what he wanted with anyone, including his family. Perhaps given the opportunity before Thailoc broke free, Akisane could deal with the Duke, but it was unlikely. ¡°I¡¯m offering you more than you realize.¡±


    ¡°You could be like the lords the Good King surrounded himself with in his prime.¡±


    Akisane downed his wine and took his jacket. ¡°Have you noticed how they have a habit of dying in accidents?¡±


    ¡°If you could live it¡­ I know you¡¯d do the right thing.¡± Lopside had no idea¡­


    Akisane carried the most infamous blade to ever exist. He was the Herald of Destruction. Soon he would lead Thailoc on a path that would level everything in his path. Which was why he had to act quickly and rid himself of Darksun. ¡°Just take me to the Butcher.¡±


    When they left the tavern, Shank spoke in a soft voice. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°I have a cold hatred of my father that was clouded by fear. It¡¯s not much different with the Grand Captain. He¡¯s as if you wrung all the most repugnant aspects out of the Duke and created a man from it.¡±


    ¡°The sword¡¯s gone to your head.¡±


    ¡°I know. I intend to get rid of it.¡±


    Oh, it¡¯s not that easy. Darksun cackled in Akisane¡¯s head.


    Akisane walked with the group but wished he¡¯d rode. Dirt blew in rivelutes along the cobbles. Supposedly the farmland lacked rain, and not only had it made the demands on the peasantry more difficult, it¡¯d created a constant dustiness. It felt gritty between his teeth. He had to beat it from his clothes.


    Less rain meant fewer commodities to pay the Butcher. It meant less to eat. It meant suffering. But wasn¡¯t that the job of the peasants? They were foundation of the kingdom, and foundations bore the burden and sometimes cracked.


    Lopside pointed to a flour mill. ¡°Not far past that wagon, we¡¯ll find him. I can circle around to the other side there, and we can crush him in the middle.¡±


    Akisane squinted to make out the Butcher. Yes, there was the beast. ¡°No, I intend to take care of him myself.¡±


    Lopside looked at him like he was a madman. ¡°Yourself?¡±


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 13


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 67

    Hawk stood in Lopside¡¯s shadow and scribbled on a piece of parchment. ¡°I won¡¯t miss any detail as he tears you to pieces.¡±


    Akisane wasn¡¯t in the mood for humor. ¡°Why do you write everything down?¡±


    ¡°The times of peace and stability come to an end, and someone needs to chronicle the collapse of the realm.¡±


    ¡°Is stability over? What if my father takes the throne?¡±


    ¡°Even an iron fist won¡¯t hold it together. Already, those who claim blood from before the Empire begin to lay claim. Even this Whitebeard fellow has emerged with some plot behind him.¡±


    ¡°He killed the prince?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s likely. Who else would want to end the king¡¯s line?¡±


    ¡°Another Liogast?¡±


    ¡°The Duke is next in line. Surely you don¡¯t accuse your own flesh and blood¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course not.  Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have a grand captain to kill.¡±


    Shank caught up. ¡°Turn back. I can¡¯t help you with this if it goes wrong. He¡¯s the Butcher, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t answer but continued. Amat, Shank, and Bahram fell behind. They said he would get himself killed.


    Not far ahead, the Butcher grabbed at something in a little girl¡¯s hands. ¡°That¡¯s a well-bred puppy. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s worth something to the Duke.¡± His hand swiped air as she dodged, but then he snatched the bundle in the girl''s arms. The puppy began to shriek.


    Akisane stepped from behind the flour mill. ¡°You and the Duke, the great war heroes. I see you¡¯re putting that experience to good use.¡±


    The Butcher threw the puppy aside and swiveled. ¡°Your dad was a renowned fighter by your age. Imagine working so hard to be the best, and you produce sons that can¡¯t be weaned from the teet.¡±


    Darksun slid a hair from the scabbard. He¡¯s powerful. Test my edge.


    Akisane held down the pommel to keep the sword from drawing itself. ¡°How long since you fought a duel?¡±


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    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time. Unfortunately, my reputation keeps everyone away.¡±


    ¡°Duel me then.¡±


    A tongue darted out and licked the lips on the scarred mass that was the Butcher¡¯s face. ¡°No, not worth my time.¡±


    The girl scooped up the puppy and ran.


    The Butcher held a hand to the side, and a tongue of flame spewed forth. It engulfed the child, and when it was gone, it looked like a statue of a girl holding a puppy. The wind stole it bit by bit.


    Akisane staggered. He felt sick, but he wrenched Darksun free.


    The Butcher pulled a giant black blade and held it over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen war close up, have you? It¡¯s an acquired taste.¡±


    ¡°What war?¡±


    ¡°Look around you. They¡¯re arming themselves.¡± The Butcher paused and narrowed his eyes. ¡°But you¡¯re with them, aren¡¯t you?¡± He shook his head. Then he motioned with his fingers, and archers appeared on the rooftops. Glinting steel introduced a score of soldiers. ¡°I saw you coming with that blacksmith.¡±


    And from behind, more polearms prevented Shank, Brahman, and Amat from escaping.


    Brahman jumped onto his carpet and sailed overhead. ¡°Strength of spirit is greater than strength of arms.¡± A jet of purple fog hazed the area.


    Shank disappeared just as he slipped past an attack and rammed his dagger stump into a belly full of guts.


    Amat barreled into the line with Lopside at his side. Their victims looked helpless against tree-trunk arms.


    The situation wouldn¡¯t look good for the grand captain. Akisane tightened his grip on Darksun. ¡°Let¡¯s end this in a duel. Isn¡¯t it easier, or are you a coward?¡±


    The eyes in the flesh mask widened. ¡°You think you have a chance against me? You''re a fly to be swatted away.¡±


    All that remained of the girl holding the puppy was a thin column of bones that fell and littered the ground.


    The gauntlet on the Butcher¡¯s hand sparked red where it held a ruby. The rocks at his feet melted, and the man¡¯s form wavered in the heat. ¡°I can burn Dunaguard to the ground. What are you but a piece of kindling?¡±


    Wisps of superheated air funneled.


    A row of buildings behind the grand captain erupted. His anchors screamed and dropped from the tiles. Some rolled to rid themselves of garments caught on fire.


    The Butcher bulged at the neck. Veins stood out on his sweaty skin. He pointed his sword, and heat swirled around it. ¡°Let¡¯s duel.¡±


    The heat pushed the purple fog away. Beyond haze and smoke were hundreds of faces. The people of Dunaguard gathered around. They should have run for fear of fire. They should have fled from the Butcher. Instead, they watched Akisane.


    Dunaguardians clogged the street to both sides. Many raised the war scythes and bills. But it wasn¡¯t just warriors. Maybe there were a thousand of them. Maybe more. It was like the arena, but it felt different.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 13


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 68

    Akisane traded blows with the inferno of a man. Sweat poured down his face and burned his eyes. The grip on the handle was slick. Worse, Darksun fought against him. Why? Every strike took double the effort.


    Darksun pulled a thrust to the side. That ruby is part of the Core Shield. If you fight too hard, you may release it.


    The Ruby flared a steady stream of flame from the Butcher¡¯s gauntlet. ¡°I had higher expectations. The only thing Akitomo has ever said about you is that you¡¯re gifted with the blade and that maybe you could someday be the best swordsman in the realm. But you¡¯re pathetically average. The only thing that surprises me is you¡¯re impervious to heat. It¡¯s as if you had your own ruby. Let¡¯s see how far that extends.¡±


    It appeared Akisane became immune to fire when he learned to firewalk. When the flames engulfed him, he saw the sky boil red with yellow arcs streaking heavenward. He drifted in and out of another realm. Was this one of the lost powers of the elemental druids?


    The funnel of fire around the Butcher expanded. If it continued, it would burn the city block to the ground.


    Darksun deflected a blow but resisted when it was time to draw blood. It¡¯s time to go.


    Even if Akisane wanted to, he was surrounded. Though the soldiers stepped back, they still encircled. However, skirmishes broke out among them and the peasants. Obey me! He forced all his effort into a swing.


    Darksun wobbled but finally slackened as much as a sword could. Fine. I¡¯m as light as a feather in your hands.


    Akisane sprang forward and launched a dozen attacks. He sliced his opponent''s arm and thought he was about to win when the gauntleted hand closed on Darksun.


    The Butcher laughed and drove a knee into Akisane. ¡°There¡¯s the spirit.¡±


    To create leverage, Akisane dove to the side and pried downward in a twist to free the blade. Aren¡¯t you stronger than the gauntlet?


    Yes, but I¡¯d free the ruby. Don¡¯t you understand? This is what Thailoc wants. His super-will has brought you face to face with the Butcher. If he gets the ruby, all he needs is the iron shield. Is there such a thing here?


    An iron shield? I don¡¯t know. Things come in and out of the city all the time.


    If you don¡¯t know, then the answer is yes.


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    The Butcher hacked down, and when the Duke¡¯s son went to meet the swing, he hammered with the gauntlet and immediately swept with his leg.


    Akisane lost his footing and crashed onto his back. He moved his head just in time to keep his brain in his head as the hammer fist smashed where it had been.


    The Butcher flourished his sword and barred his teeth. ¡°In battle, everything¡¯s a weapon. You don¡¯t have the commitment to beat me. I will fucking eat your face.¡±


    Darksun slashed and thrust, but the gauntlet latched onto it again. Akisane expected the knee and voided it, but then he felt the grand captain lean close, and pain exploded.


    The Butcher''s teeth closed on the Akisane¡¯s ear, and cartilage cracked and popped between his jaws.


    Darksun drank the light of the inferno and moved as a black arc.


    Fingers flew, and the Butcher looked at half a hand. He had a smear of blood on the flesh around his mouth. The metal-encased fingers at his feet showed the white of bone. His hand would never make a fist again. The ruby fell from the gauntlet and crashed to the earth like a sledgehammer. It sank into the ground.


    The Butcher turned and ran. He ran!


    Akisane followed, running with his sword cocked back for a swing. Then the arrows came and whistled past him. Lines of archers darkened the sky with their arrows.


    Firewalk.


    The few remaining flames wooshed with one last hurrah, fading as the ruby buried itself deeper into the ground. The sky turned red when he switched sides, and Akisane caught the Butcher as if the grand captain was caught in honey. The archers pulled bowstrings fractions of an inch at a time. He sliced both Achilles'' heels. He left the fire realm and made ready to finish the job.


    The Butcher screamed and fell to his knees. His head rolled to find the Duke¡¯s son.


    What came next was the most disgusting thing Akisane had ever done¡ªever imagined doing. The spine and ligaments put up a fight before ripping free. Anyone who saw him must think him a monster. Yet, dropping the head into a sack, he looked up to see a family looking at him with admiration.


    Soldiers broke ranks and fled, but peasants had already surrounded them. Though they were well armored, it was two to one, then three to one as peasants cut them down.


    The wife went to a knee and grabbed Akisane¡¯s hand. She cried as she said, ¡°Thank you. Thank you.¡±


    The husband gently pulled her back and looked up. Eyes shone in a dirty face. ¡°We¡¯ll never forget what you¡¯ve done for us.¡±


    Akisane staggered back and looked around the smoking road. Thousands of Dunaguardians stared at him. He reached down and grabbed the Butcher¡¯s demon blade. He decided to drain it. He¡¯d done this to a living person, and it hadn¡¯t felt right. Could it work on a corrupted pure sword? He knew that it worked when the power flowed in and filled rings. Why should he ever stop drinking the energy from the sword? It was the sword or him. He knew only when the sword turned to rust and scattered, which would survive.


    Someone in the incoming crowd yelled, ¡°He¡¯s not like his father. He fights for us.¡±


    You¡¯ve given Thailoc the Core Shield.


    Lopside patted him on the back. ¡°You¡¯re one of us. Whether you want to admit it or not.¡±


    Shank motioned for Akisane to leave and mouthed, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± It was a good idea.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 16


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 69

    Akisane glanced at the sack drooping at the side of his mount. A trickle of blood worked its way through the cloth and ran down the horse''s flank. There¡¯s no turning back now.


    Darksun¡¯s steel rang against the sides of the well as it dwindled into the depths. With it, it took all the power and potential promised by the infamous blade. Akisane hadn¡¯t explored anything beyond the ability to drain energy. Was it like the draining ritual? He¡¯d never heard of a soloknight being drained until their body shriveled up, but it must have been similar. It wasn¡¯t much removed from how spirit swords worked. Both pure and corrupted stole energy, but only from spirits. Was it all connected in some way? It didn¡¯t matter; it was outside his purview.


    Shank passed a round of wine to the quartet. There was still plenty in the barrel.


    ¡°No,¡± Akisane said. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough. Perhaps some water.¡±


    The twist in Shank¡¯s face told everything he thought about liquid, but he added anyway, ¡°You¡¯ll make yourself sick with that stuff. I¡¯ll take a sip from some mountain stream, but that¡¯s a last resort.¡±


    ¡°Well, I won¡¯t be drinking from mountain streams for a while. I¡¯m heading south. Probably past the mystic forests.¡±


    Bahram¡¯s gold jewelry jangled. ¡°If you find the right group to follow, you don¡¯t have to worry about direction.¡±


    Akisane could count on one hand how many times Bahram spoke straightforwardly. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    Shank wiped the wine from his mouth. ¡°It means we¡¯re coming with you.¡±


    Akisane pinched his nose, for he felt a pang at the temple. Why the hell would these knaves follow him over the Duke? He had nothing to give them, no riches or lands¡ªwell, not after today. Starting now, he was no different from the desperate faces around him. Yet, the air snake promised him a strange title if he stayed for the tournament. What was it to be Shinlemune? He wondered so much that he decided to ask Hawk. The man read scrolls and codices, so surely he¡¯d know something.


    Hawk and Lopside must have become friends as they¡¯d spent the last hour talking since the death of the Butcher. When Akisane approached, they went silent, pausing whatever conspiracy they were engaged in. The brown-robed scholar listened to the question and puffed his cheeks. ¡°That must be another name of Thormagne. When the elemental druids disappeared and cast the realm into the Dark Ages, Hundreds of years passed when the realm held nothing but small kings squabbling for power. He briefly ruled the Two Halves and pulled us out of ignorance¡ªa precursor to the Empire, if you will. Some call him the Great King.¡±


    Lopside could lean on his mammoth arm and shoulder as if he were leaning against a building. ¡°Time is a wheel, and it¡¯s time for another bout of chaos. When the King goes, even we peasants won¡¯t stand idle. And now we have you.¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯m nothing without the sword. You don¡¯t need me, but I can give you some advice. Flee into the hills. Duke Akitomo gathers support from the knightly orders to march west. It¡¯ll be war between great powers.¡±


    Hawk furrowed his brow and made a gesture to the city. ¡°You are a great power. There¡¯s a hundred thousand ready to follow you. And your sword has half drawn itself as we speak.¡±


    What sword has half drawn? What was Hawk talking about? Akisane palmed the pummel at his side. It was still there, in the scabbard! But he¡¯d thrown Darksun into the well. He¡¯d rid himself of Thailoc¡¯s quarry. But there was the cold steel in his hand.


    The only way to be rid of me is to return me to Thailoc¡¯s prison. Place me back in the stone. But do you dare?


    I did it once; I can do it again.


    Thailoc has one arm free and thrashes in a lake of fire. Does a rabbit find safety in the fox¡¯s jaws?


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Lopside asked. He examined Akisane until they met eyes. ¡°Here¡¯s the messenger you asked for.¡±


    Akisane untied the sack and handed it to the messenger, who took it carefully and wrinkled a nose at the blood seeping from the cloth. ¡°Bring this to the Duke and say it¡¯s from me. But don¡¯t stay long. Put it in a box and leave before the Duke opens it and stares down at the severed head.¡±


    Afterward, he wondered why he¡¯d sent the head. It didn¡¯t matter, the Butcher¡¯s men had witnessed the duel. However, sending the head went one step further, and now that he was staying, meant more trouble.


    A gold hew lit the city thoroughfare and glinted from metal, and as the sun sank, it turned blood red. A sudden wind tugged at his black cloak and kicked up dust that hazed distant buildings. Instead of fading away, the crowd grew as if the whole city converged.


    Darksun loosed itself from the scabbard, and he had to catch it, or it would fly away. He should have let it, but reflex took over. The black steel pointed skyward and drank from the dusk.


    For the first time, he saw the moon shine red as well, and the dimness seemed to be a dreamscape.


    A chant rose from the crowd of tens of thousands. ¡°Down with the Duke.¡±


    Lopside¡¯s voice somehow cut through the thunder of the masses. ¡°He will fall by his own son!¡± He knelt and looked up. ¡°I swear my life to you, Akisane.¡±


    Hawk knelt, too, and like the start of an avalanche, so did those all around. It was as if the King himself had walked into Dunaguard.


    Akisane should have stopped, but Darksun pulled energy into him from out of nowhere. No spirit had been slain or flesh drained, yet the flow was the same. Did the sword take it from the crowd? He had no idea, but the torrent of power pushed the questions further away, and he felt rings overflow one after another.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 16


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 70

    Gon ran to the balcony and leaned dangerously over the edge. His head swiveled to the three strange things seen from Hisa¡¯s apartment. First, the air snake frantically wound its way up and down the statue at the arena. Second, the white wolf spirit took to a jagged peak and howled, a sound that haunted the mountain hallow. Lastly, the full moon turned bright red.


    Ema pulled the boy close and looked up at the red disk. ¡°How¡¯s your stomach?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s getting better.¡±


    Good, the poor child struggled to recover from the necromancer¡¯s magic. She¡¯d drained him of life to give to the twisted resurrection of the Duke¡¯s eldest. But she had faith that Gon was strong and would recover.


    Masahide joined them and watched the wolf leap to another peak. ¡°After the tournament, and after we help Whitebeard, I don¡¯t want to be a knight anymore. I understand I¡¯m the Templar Champion, but it''s a thing that goes back much further than knights. I want to take you and Gon and find a place to make a home.¡±


    Hisa spoke first before Ema could tell him how much she wanted that. ¡°Perhaps You should consider taking the trails.¡±


    ¡°I already found a grand master,¡± Masahide said.


    Gon stood at Hisa¡¯s level. ¡°Why is the moon like this?¡±


    Hisa spoke in a singsong voice. ¡°When the moon turns red, the King is dead.¡±


    Ema felt old memories stir. She¡¯d heard the saying before from the older generations in Wythmere before the plague. But the elders passed down many sayings that they stitched together from ancient premonitions.


    The White Wolf howled one last time and bounded from sight.


    Kiyosue, the steward of Mount Templar, barged into the room, sloshing a mug of ale. ¡°How could you put this Whitebeard fellow forward? He¡¯s a chained prisoner who looks guilty and will stand trial tomorrow?¡±


    Masahide¡¯s blue eyes bore into Kiyosue. ¡°I watched Whitebeard dispatch a wight singlehandedly, effortlessly. And since then, he¡¯s proved to be the greatest knight of the realm.¡±


    ¡°And a criminal?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on here. But the Duke is up to no good. I watched him murder a knight. He kidnapped Ema and Gon; we¡¯re lucky to have gotten them back. And we¡¯ve just scratched the surface of what¡¯s happening.¡±


    Kiyosue emptied the mug and wiped the foam from his mouth. ¡°You can¡¯t make these accusations public. Fucking spirits, man, he could be the king. Everyone¡¯s in a stir about the moon.¡±


    ¡°And the Black Order?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the first time a thirteenth replacement has come along. They come and go.¡±


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    Hisa stood between them at elbow height and spun a cane. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember the full saying? When the moon turns red, the King will be dead. The realm shall fall under Mount Templar¡¯s pall.¡±


    Ema had heard that, too, but the elders always spoke of the End Times. They couldn¡¯t have meant now. It was just a bunch of stories to scare children.


    ¡°We must,¡± said Hisa, ¡°free Whitebeard. His hesitation has gone on long enough.¡±


    Kiyosue frowned down at Hisa. ¡°Who is this small woman?¡±


    Ema pulled Gon from the balcony. She didn¡¯t want the same thing to happen to him as had happened to her. ¡°It¡¯s Dragon Hisa.¡± She closed the doors to the outside.


    Kiyosue made an annoyed grunt. ¡°Another survivor of the Dragon Order?¡±


    Masahide crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll help free him. But first, what¡¯s happened to Mount Templar?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Kiyosue said.


    Hisa pointed the cane. ¡°Look for yourself.¡±


    The chamber was silent for a time, and Masahide stepped back, raised a hand, and opened a portal that expanded to reach floor to ceiling. A rumble echoed and shook the dust from between the stones. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can step into it.¡±


    Hisa put her cane through the portal and tapped the other side. ¡°Solid.¡±


    Kiyosue examined the rim where one location met the other. ¡°How did you do this? No one can do any more than open a pinprick into the temple. The whole order together couldn¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°Come,¡± Hisa said.


    The group walked into the portal. There, fluted columns towered over them to hold a roof far above. Five huge statues of strange warriors stood in the temple. She recognized them by Masahide¡¯s description. One was a muscular, grizzled man named Ulf. Batu pulled a bow from horseback. Felix played a lyre. Si, in a conical hat, pressed both hands together. Sagara carried a thin staff.


    ¡°No one¡¯s allowed in here,¡± Kiyosue said. ¡°This is the spiritual heart of Mount Templar.¡± But he made no move to stop them from walking the temple.


    ¡°Look,¡± Masahide said. He stood in a red glow that outlined his figure didn¡¯t come from the moon but from a fountain of lava.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing under us.¡± Kiyosue staggered back from the edge. ¡°There¡¯s nothing!¡±


    Ema let go of Gon and crept to the side. All she could see what ash and steam, for it looked like the range of snow-capped mountains ended here, where it collapsed into a vast crater. She hurried back to take the boy''s hand. ¡°We¡¯re floating in the air, the whole temple.¡±


    ¡°This was not the whole temple,¡± Kiyosue said. ¡°We had a village and an entire complex. It¡¯s all gone.¡±


    Blowing towards the plains, a column of smoke miles across billowed into the sky. It blotted out the stars and rained ash.


    Masahide knelt at the center of the temple, at a shrine of a mountain spring. ¡°This is the end of the realm.¡±


    Tears welled in Ema¡¯s eyes, but she placed a hand on Masahide¡¯s back and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get Gon out of here.¡±


    Hisa stuck a hand outside the temple into an ashy wind, and her hand came back sooty. The air outside didn¡¯t enter the temple. ¡°It looks bad, but we have to face it and make the best of what¡¯s coming.¡±


    Ema


    Level: 3


    Focus: Everywhen reality warping (50ft radius outside) (1 mile inside)


    Secondary focus: unknown


    Weapons: none


    Items: climbing gear

 Chapter 71

    Kichi caught herself by grabbing ahold of a rib in the hallway. The red light of the moon filtered into the windows facing the mountain hallow. Three visions assailed her, and she struggled to make sense of the flood of images, words, and sensations.


    A man sat on a throne with a black sword, but the kingdom was small and blighted. Whitebeard turned to her on the bridge and said, leave now, but fire enveloped her when she turned to go. She watched herself burn away. Lastly, Masahide lay in a pool of blood, and Ema turned to her and said, why didn¡¯t you use me?


    When the barrage ceased, she straightened and turned toward the grand hall. Somewhere in the fragments that created the premonition, she needed to go to Whitebeard.


    Tosa¡¯s transparent hair caught the red light and shimmered on the wall when she bounded around the corner, holding Yoshiie¡¯s hand. The pair skidded to a stop when they saw Kichi.


    Letting go of Tosa¡¯s hand, Yoshiie made a deep bow. ¡°Kichi, it¡¯s good to see you. I¡¯ve been working on my swordsmanship day and night. I would like to spar, if possible.¡±


    ¡°Look at her,¡± Tosa said. ¡°She¡¯s worried about something and is in a rush. We shouldn¡¯t keep her.¡±


    Kichi felt the pull to leave but resisted saying what bothered her. Since all knights used mystical items, it shouldn''t, but she felt like a charlatan. ¡°Yoshiie, I didn¡¯t beat you with skill. I have an item that allows me to focus my talent and see where you¡¯re striking before you do.¡±


    Yoshiie waved it away as if it didn¡¯t matter. His slender form matched the sword at his hip. ¡°That changes nothing. I believe that skill with the blade can defeat anything, that it¡¯s limitless. Whatever made you as great as you are, it¡¯s for me to become better.¡±


    That didn¡¯t make any sense at all, but Kichi nodded. ¡°I should be going.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s the word,¡± Yoshiie said, ¡°That the King is dead. And you look like you¡¯re on a mission. We¡¯re joining you.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t want to involve them. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do it together,¡± Tosa said.


    There wasn¡¯t a good reason to turn down the help. Whatever drew Kichi to Whitebeard may need more knights. When the three of them arrived at the guarded door, five others appeared from the stairwell. Masahide and Ema approached with Gon in tow. Hisa and Kiyosue followed, and the group of them faced the guards.


    Evidently, the Duke replaced the guards with stronger Black Order knights because shields bloomed and protected the door. Hisa poked her cane at one of the bubbles and said, ¡°Pop.¡±


    An explosion of air obliterated the shields and sent the guards into the door. The wood splintered, and they collapsed.


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    Inside, Whitebeard lay in an awkward position, sleeping on the marble. The necromancer sat on the high seat. She had a breast out that looked like a drawn leather sack, and at the nipple, a man suckled and dribbled milk.


    To both sides of the witch, two underworld hounds sat on their haunches. They sniffed the air, taking in the group''s memories and emotions, which they seemed to delight.


    ¡°How rude,¡± the necromancer said, ¡°To barge in on a woman feeding her baby. William!¡±


    The man unfastened himself from the tit and stood beside the high chair. ¡°Yes, Mother?¡±


    ¡°Show them out.¡±


    Tosa took a step back as she drew her pure sword. ¡°He only has ten horizontal rings but dozens of vertical ones. I¡¯d never seen anything like it. It¡¯s half as many as the necromancer. Still, he must be very powerful.¡±


    Vertical rings? Kichi remembered Tosa mentioning more than just the common rings but wished she¡¯d asked more about them while she¡¯d had the chance. Instead of focusing on that, she pushed her curiosity away and remembered Ema in her premonition. Use me.


    Kichi didn¡¯t draw her sword, instead, she knelt and put her hands on the black marble. Heat poured out of her. ¡°Masahide, Ema, let me control your magic.¡±


    Masahide opened the conduit to Mount Templar. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t let anyone else use the Champions magic. Use it wisely.¡±


    The conduit felt like holding onto a bucking horse. She brought it under control and said, ¡°Ema hurry.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Masahide watched William approach. ¡°Ema, Everywhen.¡±


    The world rippled, and Kichi took control of reality. An idea took hold immediately.


    The Dream Sword looked like glass made of the cosmos. It stretched six feet long and bent the light around it. Masahide took the handle and looked at Kicki. ¡°This is amazing. Tandem Dream Sword.¡±


    Hisa stood above them, at the center of a body of wind. When she moved, it moved. Yoshiie flourished his sword. Kiyosue made fists, and a statue ripped from the wall and hovered beside him.


    The necromancer cackled and walked from the chair to the back of the dais. ¡°Children at the playground. William, don¡¯t hold back. If there are deaths, so be it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mother.¡± He blinked, and his eyes shone like stars. ¡°The only one of you who stands a chance against me remains chained to the floor and refuses to stand up for himself.¡±


    Whitebeard had moved to a seated position on his knees. ¡°I mean to stand trial. But what you say may be true. Everyone, leave. I¡¯m not in need of rescuing.¡±


    Kicki felt the Dream Sword as if it were her and not Masahide who wielded it. It seemed impossible that this man could stand against it. ¡°No, Whitebeard. I don¡¯t know if I can trust you if the Knight¡¯s Oath does not bind you.¡±


    Whitebeard shook his head. ¡°Please, everything is about to happen at once. The realm needs you. I do not.¡±


    Masahide raised the blade spangled with lights. ¡°I¡¯m with Kichi this time.¡±


    Whitebeard smiled.


    Kichi


    Level: 12


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3, Tandem Dream Sword


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 72

    A man rushed into the grand hall carrying a box and placed it near an underworld hound. It growled at him, and he started as if he¡¯d thought it was a gargoyle, only to be surprised by a living creature. Even then, he didn¡¯t lose his composure but bowed his way past William and the knights. ¡°It¡¯s a gift from Akisane to the Duke.¡±


    The Dream Sword hummed in Masahide¡¯s hand, yet it was just a magical extension of Kichi, Ema, and himself. When it moved, it did so with a heat and reality warping; it was like the hall was a wet painting, and it smeared the colors.


    The man seemed to notice the sword, and as if that were the final thing to tip him over the edge, he ran through the doors, and his footfalls retreated.


    Before the trio could attack, Hisa ran forward in her giant wind-body, raised a fist, and swung.


    Ice crystals formed around William¡¯s feet. They lifted him into the air and encapsulated him so that he stood on par with Hisa. He caught her fist and jerked to the side, sending her somersaulting into the wall. Cracks spiderwebbed the black marble.


    Hisa planted her feet on the wall and shot herself like an arrow. The arms swirled into sharp spikes, and she impacted with an air blast.


    Kichi bent low against the gust to avoid being tossed like a leaf from a tree.


    William battered Hisa down until her wind-body dissipated. Her tiny arms tried to push herself up, but they shook. Then, in a burst, her wind creation flashed back into existence, and she flew towards him.


    William looked down and swatted. Hisa hit the floor and coughed blood, and an ice leg punted her across the room, where her hand squeaked against the tile to stop herself. She didn¡¯t try to get up, but Gon, who stood far from the fight, ran to her.


    William¡¯s ice form melted and created a pool around the high seat. ¡°Strong and knowledgable, but it wasn¡¯t enough.¡±


    Yoshiie brandished his sword. ¡°With the proper technique, a pure sword can defeat magic.¡± The steel in his hand danced with more competence and speed than any steel had in the hands of anyone.


    Kichi had no idea that¡¯s what she¡¯d been facing when she¡¯d dueled. Against Yoshiie, she wouldn¡¯t last a sliver of a second without the amulate. He cut through the first few spells, balls of energy, and his sword turned red with heat. Ordinary steel would have melted, but he fought on and approached his target.


    But two lines grew from William''s hand and merged into a staff. The pure blade rang against it and smoked.


    Masahide launched forward to assist, but the distance between them seemed to grow so that he retreated no matter how fast he ran.


    It must be something similar to Everywhen. ¡°Ema,¡± Kichi said, ¡°Can you stop it?¡±


    Ema closed her eyes, and suddenly Masahide started to move forward at a snail''s pace. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you can. You¡¯re winning.¡± Perhaps it would be easy for her to win if she wasn¡¯t maintaining the Dream Sword; but that was their best chance.


    The staff moved like the blades of a windmill and battered the pure sword away. The red hot blade broke out of Yoshiie''s hand, but the blade rotated from the impact and lopped off fingers. Yoshiie fell to his knees and stared at his ruined sword hand.


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    Kiyosue¡¯s energies ripped pieces of marble and statues from the hall and hurled them at William, but one boomeranged back and struck him. His body crumpled under the weight, and any possibility that he remained alive was slim. The chances of healing such an injury were slimmer.


    The Dream Sword met the staff and split it in two. The halves disintegrated, but a new staff appeared repeatedly, and Masahide cut through them each time.


    The underworld hounds pounced at William¡¯s whistle, and they snapped and snarled.


    Kichi had to risk attacking. She might drop the tandem spell if she was injured, but the same was true of any of them. She struggled to clasp the Near-Field Amulate and met Ema¡¯s eyes. Ema nodded and concentrated on helping Masahide by fighting against the stretch of reality.


    Kichi closed her eyes and ran blindly toward the fight. This was made harder by distance no longer remaining constant. It was as if she ran in a treadwheel crane, for when she chanced a glance, she¡¯d barely moved.


    The underworld hounds snapped, and when one got too close, it lost its nose. Even closed, the jaw underneath showed sharp white teeth and a snaking tongue.


    Kichi closed her eyes and ran as fast as she could. Her lungs burned, and she opened her mouth to suck air in gasps.


    William¡¯s voice filled the hall. ¡°A few knights are nothing against a born sorcerer. You should¡¯ve brought your whole order. Imagine if Mother had stayed to crush you.¡±


    Hot air hit Kichi¡¯s face. When she looked, she was nose to snout with an underworld hound. Its jaws snapped onto her head and ripped it from her shoulders in the near future. She moved to the side and thrust. The hide was so tough that her sword stuck.


    Masahide cut the other hound in two and rushed to meet the sorcerer. A thousand fireworks erupted from the two figures beside the high seat. Sparks landed everywhere.


    Holding onto her sword, Kichi swept back and forth as the hound tried to bite her, only held back by the blade. When the steel ripped free, she rolled and rose to one knee but was forced to throw herself backward. Jaws opened wide and bit at her, but she scooted underneath and shoved the blade under its mouth and into its brain. The heavy mass landed on her and kept her pinned. Struggling to breathe, she hoped she could maintain the Dream Sword.


    Ema¡¯s forehead glistened, and the struggle showed on her face. How much longer could she go?


    The hunger ate at Kichi¡¯s stomach, so she took the time, even only half freed from the corpse, to unclasp the amulate. She was so weak. Pulling her legs out from under the weight was the hardest thing she¡¯d ever done.


    Masahide cut through the high seat of the Duke. It left a sharp line from one corner of the back to the ground. Things from the gloomy ceiling, hands, mouths, and wings descended on him, and his attacks sometimes turned from William to descend himself. But objects of light blinked into existence and fought most of them back. The extra defense must have been Ema.


    William spun a new staff every time broke in his hands, but that happened less and less. He landed a few blows to the arm and leg.


    Finally, and horribly, the Dream Sword evaporated; the blade of stars vanished and left Masahide holding nothing. Kichi didn¡¯t know who had lost control, but it would have been her in a few moments anyway.


    William''s face was mostly shadow without the light of the clashing magic. He hit Masahide¡¯s arm as he went for his pure sword. Then, as a portal grew in the air, a smack to the side of the head ended the connection to Mount Templar.


    Kichi looked back to Whitebeard, but he hadn¡¯t even looked up. He faced down, beard hanging and one hand shackled.


    But she recognized a figure in the light of the double doors. Akisane stood holding a black blade. Just when things were bad, they got worse.


    Kichi


    Level: 12


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3, Tandem Dream Sword


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 73

    Like failing to contain a campfire, Akisane unleashed something he had no hope of stopping. The streets turned into a bloodbath as those who suffered at the hands of the Duke found others who betrayed them and murdered them. A crowd of war scythe-armed rebels pulled a stocky bald man out of a four-story stone building and hanged him from the limb of a twisted oak at the end of the block. They destroyed the paperwork they found in his study, as it contained the names of peasants in violation. He didn''t drop from a height that could snap his neck, so he wiggled and kicked until he finally stilled.


    A tall woman only in her shift was tossed from a second-story window. She brained herself on the cobbles and stared unblinking at the chaos around her. Supposedly, she had worked closely with the Duke''s men and weaseled on her own family.


    There were a few dozen such episodes. No matter how much they begged for their life they were killed. No one was tortured, robbed, or anything else; they were simply eliminated for their crimes against the populace.


    The blood moon seemed to reflect in the eyes of the Dunaguardians. They appeared as demons with a ruby glean in their eyes.


    Only a few were unaffected; it must have been Akisane¡¯s subconscious choice to leave them as they were. Shank, Amat, Bahram, and Hawk remained normal. Lopside was harder to judge as he engaged in the violence.


    Hawk stuffed a scroll into his pack and bundled his pen and ink. ¡°What are you going to do next?¡± He made it sound like there was some sort of plan.


    Akisane thought about it while he felt a tingle at the back of his neck caused by the brutality behind him. ¡°It''s probably smart to stop the messenger now that I¡¯m stuck with the sword. More importantly, I must return the sword to Thailoc¡¯s prison.¡± That was not a pleasant thought. Trying to sneak back in with Thailoc¡¯s half-unchained would be risky. He would have shaken in his boots, though he lost specific fears when he took Darksun. They''ve been cut from his mind like a surgeon would remove a limb.


    A peasant girl with striking gray eyes looked up at him. She had a limp when she scooted closer. ¡°The ash sun will rise tomorrow. The end is nigh.¡± Did she expect him to believe that a poor girl in the streets had the ability of prescience? Ridiculous. Yet, it harbored some warning in his heart.


    Hawk continued as if they hadn¡¯t been interrupted. ¡°How will we get away from the mob?¡±


    ¡°I don''t think we can. I¡¯ll take them to the arena, and we can lose them there, where there are many hidden passages into the castle.¡±


    ¡°That''s a lot of eyes to try to give a slip. And they¡¯ll wreak havoc.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be my problem for long.¡±


    They mounted and began back to the castle in a long line with Dunaguadians in tow. Akisane hoped few would join, but a mass followed.


    Darksun emanates excitement. You won¡¯t succeed. The dark sun has been prophesied, and Thailoc shall break free.


    I don''t believe the future is predestined.


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    The future is anything, but one can only paddle so close to the edge of a waterfall before the boat will inevitably go over.


    Perhaps Darksun told the truth. Nevertheless, he had to try. It would be the last chance.


    The road to the castle was steep, so much so that the line drew out long as those who struggled fell behind. Akisane held out his hand. ¡°Okay, give me some of that wine.¡±


    Shank grinned and slopped some of the dark liquid into the bejeweled goblet.


    It tasted sweet and brought relaxation nearly instantly. Akisane still felt the power trickling in from the people around him, through the sword, and into his body. Though it had slowed, it remained steady, and he wondered how long it would possibly go on for.


    How do I stop it?


    It''s easy.


    How? There was no answer.


    Finally, they reached the bridge, and their horses clip-clopped over the stone until they reached the drawbridge. He saw the stain of his crime once again.


    ¡°Akisane, what is going on?¡± John called in the parapet. The soldiers'' bowstrings creaked as they pulled them taut, ready to unload.


    ¡°It''s okay they''re with me.¡± But that was a ridiculous thing to say. But the man paused a second as if considering the words.


    ¡°No.¡± John seemed to search for words. ¡°Turn back.¡±


    Akisane looked to Shank, to Hawk, and to Lopside, though only Shank responded with a shrug. ¡°You know who I am. And you know who my father is. Open the portcullis.¡±


    Darksun rattled in the scabbard. You must fight.


    ¡°I say again, open it.¡±


    An arrow loosed and punctured a peasant through the ribs. He gave a wheezing gurgle as he died, and his lifeless body rolled into the void.


    Don¡¯t you feel angry?


    There was a new power at Akisane¡¯s fingertips. New but not new since he couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly when it had originated. It crept up so slowly that it didn¡¯t feel foreign or enigmatic. And when he decided to end this, it was his will springing out to his followers. Two Dunaguardians bent their backs and howled in pain and then hunger. Their fingers curled into claws. Wings sprouted from their backs, and they took to the sky. Their teeth grew too long to stay in their mouths. Arrows tried to find their mark, but the transformed easily flew to the side, and when arrows did find their targets, they didn''t penetrate deep enough in the skin that had turned into tough hide.


    His creatures rushed forward and tossed soldiers from the battlements. And when they were done, they pulled the leavers round and round to open the gate. Open, the Dunaguardians began to file towards the next gate. His creatures opened that, too.


    I feel like I''m transforming just as they did. What am I becoming?


    Darksun flew into his hand as he led the mass toward the arena. You are not becoming anything else but yourself. You are now more yourself than you ever were.


    The sword spoke the truth. He shook his head to ward away his own thoughts. Stick to the plan. There''s no reason to escalate things.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 17


    Vertical Rings: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 74

    Chaos brewed, alarms rang, and arrows loosed in the mountain hollow. The moon of blood raced through the stars on its journey across the night. The mass of the Dunaguardians flooded over the arena and spilled over the garden ruins. The maze thinned their ranks as tens of thousands wondered the stone buildings and paths.


    Soldiers and knights lined the entrances to the castle and shot at the demons in the sky, of which there were now six. This wasn¡¯t the best way to return home after a day in the city.


    Along the main corridor that had many windows to the arena, Tsunekatsu kicked a man who fell into the ruins. He brandished a regular sword without ornament. He must have met with considerable misfortune to lose his knight¡¯s weapon.


    Standing on a tower, the Duke scowled down at the rebellion. He¡¯d gone to the inner armory and retrieved the triangle spear Gyaku, the weapon he claimed the Empire used to defeat invaders long before it reached these shores. The cataclysms that racked the realm left Gyaku lost in the east until he reclaimed it, and the King had already lost enough faculties not to demand it be handed over to the Crown. Thoughts of killing all the rebels must have passed through his head, but that would hurt the coffers.


    Akisane loosed the horses and looked up. He didn¡¯t want to be anywhere near the Duke with that thing in his possession. It was a weapon for one man to stand against an army, which he¡¯d seen his father do beyond the Glass Dunes. Are you strong enough to fight Gyaku?


    I don¡¯t know this weapon. It¡¯s after my time, but there¡¯s no blacksmith greater than Thailoc. To form my edge, he beat metal, spirit, and corruption without tiring for centuries. In the process, he plunged into underworlds hotter than any furnace and swung a hammer constructed by the primordial spirits. You should concern yourself with your own strength to wield a weapon like me.


    Akisane slipped into a shadowed crevice that opened into a sacred passageway. He thought he''d escaped the mob, but when he swiveled around, Lopside followed Shank, Amat, and Bahram.


    Lopside carried the gigantic war mallet that just squeezed into the narrow way. ¡°Where are you off to?¡±


    ¡°I told you, I''m not here to overthrow the castle. Your rebellion is doomed to fail.¡±


    ¡°You beat the butcher. Why not face Akitomo?¡±


    None of this should need explaining, but Akisane tried to make Lopside understand. ¡°You¡¯re talking about the difference between night and day. I was there as a boy on the last campaign, Some of the battles were won by armies, and the Butcher helped. But I saw my father slay the djinn and march alone to face a city-state. He stood outside their range and crumbled their walls. His magic sent them scurrying into the wastelands. I can¡¯t face him fully armed, if at all.¡±


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    Hawk sparked a torch alight and led the way. ¡°I¡¯ve heard these accounts and believe them. I estimate the Duke is at least as strong as a grandmaster. ¡±


    Shank blocked his face from the torch. ¡°Raise it higher. I see less now than in the dark.¡± He stepped past the scholar. ¡°Let''s just get this thing done and get far away. Imagine the money we can make with Akasani in our group. We can travel around and will be all feasts, balls, and relieving lords of their excess of gold.¡±


    Bahram unfasted the roll of carpet from his back. ¡°Then let''s truly make it quick.¡± He unfurled it and bade everyone to climb aboard. It sagged under the weight, but soon, they were flying up the corridor and wheezing through doorways and arches before landing before the grand hall. The open doors flashed with colors, and the ground shook. There was some kind of battle within, but between who and for what?


    Akisane peeked inside and saw William standing tall before a withered group of fools. Those who didn¡¯t lay on the floor stood unsteady as if they¡¯d fought past exhaustion.


    Kiyosue stood with a crackle and snap of bones. One eye bulged from the eyelid in a rim of blood. His jaw snapped open and closed as he shuffled towards Hisa and Gon. The man was undead, and that wasn¡¯t good. The strength of the dead correlated to both the strength it possessed in life and the strength of the necromancer, and he had been strong, leaving the only unknown strength of William.


    Darksun rose just in time to black an orb of energy from William. The corpse stopped in its tracks and turned toward Akisane. My cut will destroy the dead just the same as the living.


    True to the sword¡¯s word, Kiyosue fell into two halves and never stirred again. How strong is William?


    He¡¯s born of the Niandezalo blood.


    What does that mean?


    It¡¯s the reason your kingdoms and Empires have orders of magic wielders. They are far stronger than mankind, so you form groups to hunt them down. Only the strongest learn to hide themselves with illusions.


    So William could beat me even with your help?


    Yes.


    The strange look of the necromancer made sense to him now. She seemed to change from a beautiful woman to a hag for almost imperceptible moments one catches at a glance. But it wasn¡¯t just looking human that kept her alive; she seduced the Duke with promises of power. Akisane had overheard them speak of places beyond the ocean.


    William smirked and took a few steps forward, energy crackling between his fingers. ¡°Brother, how nice to face you again. Don¡¯t worry; when I kill you, I¡¯ll bring you back.¡±


    Kichi stood as if she were lifting a stone. She drew her pathetic pure sword and swung it to bring it overhead. ¡°I can help, Akisane.¡± But she stumbled to one knee.


    Whitebeard''s voice came from nowhere like a lightning strike. ¡°Akisane, a piece of your brother¡¯s still in there. Use that to your advantage.¡±


    Level: 17


    Vertical Rings: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 75

    Kichi struggled to regain her feet even though she had failed to do so just a moment before. However, somehow, through exhaustion, she straightened her knee to stand wobbly. A slight breeze could knock her over, but that didn''t stop her from tightening her grip on her pure sword and lifting it several inches from the floor. The steel scraped across the black marble and trailed sparks.


    Akisane had tried to kill her, or kidnap her, or whatever his intentions were, but she would still help him against this supernatural foe.


    ¡°Henry,¡± William said, ¡°how would you like to die? Fast or slow?¡±


    Akisane laughed. ¡°I don''t think you''ll find it nearly as easy as you imagine. Don¡¯t you know whose sword I have?¡±


    William looked puzzled, and she didn''t blame him because what Akisane said made no sense. What little difference would the steel in his hand make in the fight? Whatever it was, it didn¡¯t hold a candle to the magnificent sword that Whitebeard had carried. At least, she didn¡¯t think so.


    Kichi searched for some last pocket of energy, which she found in the twelve rings about her. Grasping the magic, she flew forward with her sword and came up with a new attack on the fly. A spiral of energy wrapped the blade and would have cut through any ordinary steel. She had no idea how she knew, but it was true. However, her will to become the most chivalrous knight ended in vain when William flicked her attack away like she was nothing. She truly realized how useless she was against her enemies.


    The staff shot out, knocked the pure sword away, and then struck into Kichi¡¯s side. It bore a hole right through the ribs. Blood erupted from her body, and someone started screaming. Not someone¡ªshe was screaming. This wasn¡¯t a vision of herself dying as if through the amulet, she was experiencing it. The staff had destroyed her spine, and she would die. She looked down at her broken body and blood pouring out and saw vines creeping up and tangling around her.


    Whitebeard''s voice reverberated in her mind. Crann save you.


    But she was dead, she knew, and there was no way to avoid it. She felt those vertical rings spinning backward that Hosa spoke of spinning. They seemed to speed up faster and faster into a whistle beyond hearing.


    The world tumbled away into nebulous clouds and stars, streaking into bars, blackness, and immense structures rotated past. Whitebeard''s voice was distant and she couldn''t make out any of his words. All of her concerns vanished for some time while she melted into everything.


    Suddenly, she found herself in a room of plush furniture. Light flooded from the ceiling, from circles of glass. This was a strange afterlife where everything seemed amazingly crafted. Legs crossed, she sat against a couch in front of a glowing rectangle. And she saw a knight, the realm, magic all playing out in front of her, and some form of game shared with her sibling. Yes, this was a game. Had she fallen asleep?


    They were sitting on a rug with squiggly gray lines. The other person was her brother, Nish, a dark-haired youth with thick glasses. Both of them had something in their hands that controlled the game.


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    Nish died and pointed. ¡°You have to have at least seven rings to summon Shining Armor. Just use the first ring and let the others come in.¡±


    She stuck her tongue and and did it, but a glank appeared.


    He half-reached for her controller as if she couldn¡¯t play. ¡°Dip your sword in the spirit realm.¡±


    Then, rudely, their mom unplugged the game. The screen darkened, and the game was lost. Before they could protest, they saw how frantic she was.


    Nish sighed, stood, and pressed a button, and a nicely dressed man and woman appeared.


    Images flashed and flickered from city to city, and each flattened and erupted blooms of fire. ¡°Another city has been destroyed. World leaders plead to cease firing before it¡¯s too late.¡±


    A burst of light scorched the window, and their mother screamed as it branded her skin and glass exploded. The apartment began to rumble and shake. Grasped by fear, Kichi peeked through the gaping maw where the window had been and saw a wall of death.


    I''m going to die. I wish I were a knight in our game. She dropped the controller a moment before the world was wiped clean.


    Soon, she was looking at the stars again whirling past and found herself somehow disembodied and broken. It wasn''t her anymore. She was two halves that eventually came together in a burning doorway, and she stumbled out unscathed and ran into a strange world. A chicken and pig ran, cut her off, and she whirled around to see the remnants of a smoldering hut. She touched herself to double-check that she was alive.


    I was born into a game. It''s all just a game and nothing more.


    She looked around at all the tiled roofs and horse-drawn carts and cocked her head. ¡°I want to be the most chivalrous knight,¡± she said. She stepped barefoot into the smoldering hut and pulled free a gleaming blade.


    She remembered all that, stood in the tangle of vines, and realized she had all her dozen rings full before William in the grand hall.


    The vines retreated and brushed the floor, and Whitebeard spoke silently. Uncountable universes with uncountable more folded within each, and it happens that there was a game in your previous life much like this reality. I hope that this is more real to you than that world lost to corruption and barren of magic because this is all that matters now.


    He had a point, though it didn¡¯t matter. This is what Kichi wanted. She took the innermost ring of power and drained it into her hands. Always before her abilities skimmed it from the outside. The void caused the larger rings to flood inward, and she took the energy and spun it into a suit of ethereal armor. She put ten rings into the protection, which didn¡¯t leave much to spare. Blue flames raced along her limbs and torso. She dipped her sword into the spirit world, and it vanished a second before reappearing, dripping with liquid light.


    Masahide stared at her in amazment. He¡¯d lost the Dream Sword and now had his pure sword drawn beside Akisane. Would the three of them fight together against this necromancer?


    Kichi


    Level: 12


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+3, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 76

    Kichi, Masahide, and Akisane stood shoulder to shoulder with swords bristling, but William¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter.


    Ideas swam in her head that she barely comprehended. The memory of the other world was only a residue. Some ideas were helpful, such as grabbing control of others'' power. Masahide had shown the first step of tandem magic, but now she knew one could wrest it from their hands if they weren¡¯t prepared. She knew the best way to win was to utilize tandem magic, but she didn''t have time to explain or coordinate with the others.


    She had to use her largest ring to stand a chance because any lag would allow them to resist.


    William stared down his nose at the three of them as if he were about to lick his lips before a meal. There was no fear there; he didn''t believe they could do anything to harm him and that he was in complete control of the situation like a cat playing with a bug, taking its time disassembling them. Worse, as a necromancer, he would control them even after death. His energy staff lengthened to ludicrous proportions, at least three times the height of a man, and he''s spun it around.


    She wrestled with Masahide''s magic but hit a wall. Once he understood what was happening, it flooded into her control. He looked at her for a brief second of acknowledgment.


    With the combined strength of the two, she grabbed Akisane''s power like the snap of a whip, just in case he was strong enough to resist. He shouldn¡¯t have stood a chance, but as the magic slipped from him, suddenly, just as she had most of it, a gigantic yank almost tore it away. It felt like getting burned, like a rope sliding through one¡¯s hands. She played tug of war with a giant, but that giant didn¡¯t have a proper hold, so she took the last bit desperately.


    It¡¯s time. However, the strength of the combined energy was too great, and time and direction seemed meaningless until Kichi struggled to hold it down.


    William lashed out with the staff. A single hit could cut through all three if no one blocked, and she didn¡¯t attempt to. Instead, she brought down Black Star Rain that drizzled from the ceiling and pelted William. He brought the staff up and whirled it so fast that it sprayed the black rain. But she sent the droplets back at him, and it forced his concentration and magic to protect himself.


    In horror, she realized that she was using corruption. But did it matter? Was this life just a game or not? Either way, she wanted to be a good knight. Yet this was the only way to win, the only way to help Whitebeard escape, and the only way to save her friends'' lives. And how dare Whitebeard! He knew what she had to do, and now he was just sitting there watching her do it.


    She realized that she was still connected to Ema. That was a different type of magic, if you can call it that at all. It was the control of reality itself. However, Ema was weak and wouldn¡¯t stand too large a drain.


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    But Kichi used the Everywhen arua to cast another spell. She had to end the fight quickly before William could strike back.


    The worst thought was that the necromancer that created William was vastly stronger than he was. If she had double the vertical rings¡­ well that was a lot more power, and who knew the wisdom of long years and the collection of mystic items imbued her. If they succeeded here, there was nothing to stop her from killing all of them, save for possibly revealing herself to the orders of knights. In fact, remaining clandestine was the only reason Kichi and her friends were still alive.


    I have to use Vanquish.


    The trick now was to use a spell designed explicitly for creatures of the underworlds.


    She knew it would work because Akisane had a depthless ocean of Corruption to draw from. It felt like floating in dark water where one¡¯s feet couldn''t touch the bottom. It was terrifying yet thrilling, and like Ema¡¯s arua, it boosted the magical energies.


    The blast of Vanquish impacted William. For a moment he was a ghostly figure who screamed out. Yet skeletal ghost fingers refused to release the staff. When the attack ended, his face held two emotions. On one side, there was a smirk, that same smug twist of the lip, and on the other, there was fear in a widening eye.


    William stumbled backward in confusion, or perhaps he was hurt gravely, she couldn¡¯t tell. He released the staff, which shrank into nothingness. ¡°Nooo,¡± he bellowed.


    Masahide looked to akasani. ¡°It''s trying to trick you. It failed to overpower us and will resort to deception.¡±


    Akasani ignored Masahide and stepped forward. ¡°You''re in there, William.¡±


    William¡¯s face looked up in a strange twist, with one half smiling and the other frowning. ¡°He¡¯s here, but so am I. Yes. Here.¡±


    Akasani continued toward William. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, William.¡±


    But his brother turned and ran so fast that he fell and scrambled before heading into the shadows behind the high seat. Then, his footfalls pattered down the corridor towards the secret library.


    ¡°We need to follow and end this,¡± Masahide said.


    Akisane held a dangerous look in his eye. ¡°No one follows me.¡±


    Kichi nodded and watched Akisane follow his brother before looking down at the lumps of the dead underworld hounds with pockmarks from the rain. She stabbed into one with her pure sword.


    Kichi


    Level: 14


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 77

    Kichi almost followed Akisane in pursuit of William, but she heard the groan of Yoshiie, who held a bleeding right hand with no fingers save for a thumb. Blood dripped from the partially cauterized stumps. It looked inflamed and painful, and she tore a bit of cloth and wrapped it around his injury.


    Gon pulled Hisa to Whitebeard. Luckily, she couldn¡¯t be much heavier than the boy if at all. ¡°Can you heal her?¡±


    ¡°Of course I can,¡± Whitebeard said and laid hands on her. Moments later, she lay in a growing bed of sunflowers.


    Barely able to move, Ema scooted beside Gon and smiled when Hisa opened her eyes.


    Then everyone seemed to notice the split, smoking ruin that was Kiyosue. The mood in the room descended into a sad introspection before Kichi spoke up in the echoey chamber, which felt much smaller after the reality warping had ceased, ¡°We should leave before the guards get here.¡±


    One hand and that¡¯s all he had, propped a man at the jam of the double doors. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, no one¡¯s coming. The rebels have the full attention of the Duke. Oh, for anyone who doesn¡¯t know, I¡¯m Shank. I believe we¡¯ve met, Lady Knight.¡±


    Kichi looked at a giant and a skinny man floating on a carpet. ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys try to kill me?¡±


    Shank¡¯s forehead wrinkled in thought. ¡°I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ve tried to kill a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to stop us from leaving?¡±


    The stubbly face split into a broad grin, and he moved to the side to unblock the exit. ¡°I don¡¯t think we could if we tried. We¡¯re waiting for Akisane to have a word with his brother.¡±


    She relaxed and started to wonder about what he first told her. ¡°You said they¡¯re rebels outside, but who are they.¡±


    A giant man with a massive arm filled the double doorway. ¡°They are the proud people of Dunaguard. Akisane led them in revolt against the Duke.¡±


    Shank eyes widened, and he looked like he wanted to stab the man with his blade-replaced hand. ¡°That¡¯s not exactly what happened. They followed him.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and they¡¯ll follow him till he rights the wrongs.¡±


    Kichi turned away from the argument and again tried to reason with Whitebeard. ¡°Are you sure you want to stay? It sounds like the castle may fall.¡±


    Whitebeard nodded and told Masahide and Ema to come close with a chain-rattling gesture. Even on his knees, he seemed to stand over them; in actuality, he was still taller than Kichi. ¡°I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll get a chance to speak with you again. Right now, the Blue Chaos Lord rides the ash clouds to watch the rise of Thailoc. If Akisane lives long enough to see him, then you must take the Duke¡¯s son to Crann. Masahide, the Mount Templar Champions are only the beginning for you. Find the Heroes of the Neptune Dome, The guardians there will teach you what you lack. Ema, you will never escape pain, but you¡¯ll have these two to hold you up when it comes again, and if you survive, your strength will have few limits. Kichi, the realm needs purity spirits to give a thousand of their own to the cause. They can give some now and have a chance to thrive again or be utterly devastated in the dark times. Take what I¡¯ve told you and prepare yourselves. Now, leave me be.¡± He lowered his head and didn¡¯t respond to any questions.


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    Kichi led her friends out of the grand hall and past the three henchmen. Shank watched them go and carefully crossed his arms. The strange pair departed the carpet and rolled it up. The thin one slung it over his back, and the huge one pulled a cudgel from a loop on his belt. That trio was trouble.


    Knights packed the main hall overlooking the arena, throwing up shields and fighting unarmored people with war scythes. A few knights invoked Shining Armor and descended into the throngs of rebels to keep order. Bare hands could bypass the armor, and those knights stayed balanced on stone walls and pitched roofs.


    Kichi found an opening to look out to see the full scope of the conflict. Thousands of Dunaguardians crawled below like ants, and some climbed high enough to try to enter the hallway. A sword hilt found one on the side of the head right beside her in a spray of blood. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    The Celestial knight who struck the man looked down at her. ¡°Defend the realm.¡± He turned back and kicked the injured man down to his death.


    The second rule in Kichi¡¯s book was to do just that, and she felt its pull, but it raised questions. What was the realm? More importantly, she knew the Duke wasn¡¯t a legitimate power¡ªhe couldn''t be¡ªand that brought to mind the third and seventh laws to defend the weak and bring justice to the unjust.


    Masahide was ruddy in the strange moonlight. ¡°This isn¡¯t our fight. The knights who don¡¯t know are bound to protect the castle, but we aren¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I feel an internal conflict.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because when you took the oaths, your mind has to resolve any conflict between the rules, and one is never fully convinced.¡±


    Ema pulled them away from the battle scene and led them towards the apartments. ¡°We need to get Hisa in bed to rest. I think we should all barricade ourselves in her room.¡±


    It was a good idea to stay together if the rebels penetrated the castle¡¯s defenses and swarmed the apartments, so Kichi didn¡¯t protest. She gathered blankets and spread them on the floor. When she started to barricade the balcony with a chest, she glimpsed the duke on a tower. He held a cross polearm and stood in an armor of specs of swarming triangles. She now understood how he maintained power; he could single-handedly fight any enemies who confronted him. However, what about this Thailoc or the necromancer?


    Ema put a hand flat on the bed before laying Hisa down. ¡°It¡¯s hot.¡±


    Kichi yelled, ¡°Get away!¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 14


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 78

    Kichi had almost forgotten about witnessing the necromancer create a lava man, but the heat sounded an alarm in her mind and prompted her to warn them before placing Hisa on the bed. Hisa was powerful, and it made sense for the enemy to attack her while she could barely move.


    The sheets began to brown, and a split in the mattress ignited and separated, revealing a molten hand. The fire spread wherever the hand groped.


    Kichi had no ability to prevent the room from burning. She dipped her sword in liquid light, which didn¡¯t seem to cost much, but then she didn¡¯t know how effective it was until she sliced into the forearm, and the light burned the lava away.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Masahide said, ¡°Open the conduit. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong.¡± He attacked, but his pure sword only slowed through lava that reformed around the blade like a spoon in syrup.


    The creature emerged, and Yoshiie placed himself between the beast and Hisa. He didn¡¯t have a sword out and still clutched his missing fingers.


    Ema pulled Gon across the room to shield the boy from harm. Her stance was that of a protective mother bear, ready to fight tooth and claw to keep her cub safe.


    Kichi sliced again, but the Spirit Dipping did less and less damage, and she realized she was alone in this fight. If she failed, then she could lose all of her friends. No one had the strength or ability to assist her. Though she could always count on Masahide, he seemed unable to deal with the creature effectively. Worse, they had just barricaded themselves into the room. The group had moved heavy furniture to secure the door. She redipped her sword, but it came away less coated with light, as if there was a limited supply in any given location.


    ¡°I can help, but for only a second,¡± Ema said.


    Kichi severed the lava arm, and it deformed into a lump and then into a pool of hardened rock. To her satisfaction, it didn¡¯t grow back as she¡¯d feared. The monster wasn¡¯t invulnerable. ¡°When I say now, do it.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    A dip of light and a crescent arc of Kichi¡¯s sword fended the creature back and drew a crackling line down its torso. She stabbed her pure sword down through the rug and lodged it into the stone, and she let go to fumble with the amulet. It seemed to take hours to reach into a pouch inside her shirt and take the thing out. It took even longer to attempt to clasp the thing around her neck.


    The lava man sprang forward and filled her vision as it neared. The heat ignited everything it touched, but standing six feet from it felt like falling asleep in the sun and waking with blistered skin. The head had at first appeared faceless, but up close, a face briefly surfaced to show rage and horror.


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    Just when the inevitable descended on Kichi, her skin melted, and the lava man slowed to a crawl. She let go of the necklace clasp. The shadow of the future vanished, and she pulled the sword from the floor and rammed it into the creature''s side. ¡°Now,¡± she said as slow as she could or wouldn¡¯t be understood. If she spoke at a normal pace, she¡¯d sound like the squeak of a chipmunk.


    With time slowed, the warp of reality appeared like eddies in a current, and colors and shapes lengthened and wavered as they took a new form. The room expanded near the center where Kichi and the lava man fought. Crystals of fogging ice replaced the void around them, creating a cage.


    The lava man darkened as the cold created a cust, and movement created glowing fissures.


    Perhaps Ema could only hold it for a second, but a second would stretch for some time wearing the amulet. Unfortunately, Kichi had used it in the grand hall, and she lost energy she didn¡¯t have to spare. It gnawed her insides, and she wanted to double over in pain, but she just needed one last strike.


    The beads of light ran along the edge of her sword. The lava man took a step, and its foot stuck. Its leg stretched and peeled away. It collapsed in slow motion, and the cold crept deeper, turning the creature gray. Fissures ran up its leg.


    Kichi¡¯s pure blade flashed, and the creature exploded into shards of rock and dust along the line it drew. Reality snapped back before the pieces hit the ice wall, and what was left filled the room as if it were broken pieces of pottery. Motes of dusk and smoke hung in the air in the firelight of the burning bed.


    She removed the amulate.


    Masahide grabbed her arm. ¡°We need to cleanse it before it comes back. Who knows how corrupt this thing was.¡±


    The face on the head had solidified in a strange position, sinking on one side and leaving it looking like a half-finished sculpture.


    They plunged their swords into it, and the rock evaporated in a bright flash that seemed to hold a smiling man, but it was gone almost before it was.


    The spirit energy rocketed into them, and Masahide urged her to hold on. They had to cleanse it, but it was so strong. When it was over, they were alive.


    Kichi collapsed, striking her elbow and feeling a trickle of blood. Everyone moved to put out flames or check on each other, but it was as if they were in a dream. A few smothered the fire and stomped on pillows and blankets. She crawled along the floor and opened the shutters for fresh air. Beyond, the Duke still stood over the hallow. The world spun in her vision before darkness overcame her.


    Kichi


    Level: 16


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 79

    The floor of Akitomo¡¯s secret library was strewn with scrolls. Its shelves were broken and tipped, and desks and chairs lay overturned. There had been a fight here between powerful adversaries.


    Akisane resisted the urge to draw his sword, for he¡¯d previously encountered carinkul but didn¡¯t want to threaten William. Still, he looked about uneasy. Those creatures feasted on the residue of imagination that gathered in these places like dust, and with the entrance open, they would infest the place sooner or later.


    There on the ground sat a familiar codex, which he picked up. It was the most complete collection from the Epic of the Giant Slayer. Save for the Rebellion of the Spirits it was the oldest story that has survived to this day. Before civilization, the great trees were plentiful, but the giants cut them down indiscriminately until the trees'' numbers dwindled to less than a hundred. As a last-ditch effort, the trees created Genisis Vas and gave it to the hero Ajan, who embarked on an adventure to slay the twelve giant chiefs.


    William sat with his back against the wall, and his head turned so that only one side of his face showed. ¡°A tragic tale. Ajan never fulfilled his quest. He defeated the giants but never reached the Underworld Core with the sword.¡±


    Akisane sat the codex on the shelf. ¡°He never brought the trees back. I do read sometimes, you know.¡±


    ¡°Unless you plan to kill me again, please leave.¡±


    ¡°I just want to say I shouldn¡¯t have followed his orders.¡±


    William turned his head just far enough to show the half-face full of hate. ¡°But you did.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ve regretted it ever since. That moment haunts me.¡±


    William turned aside again and gave him a sidelong look. ¡°None of that matters now. Things can never be as they were again.¡±


    Akisane was tired of standing over his brother, so he sat on the floor. ¡°I can defeat Akitomo.¡±


    ¡°Doubtful, but even if you could, the necromancer, Metztli, won¡¯t let you live if you ruin her plans.¡±


    Akisane put a hand on Darksun. ¡°I have this.¡±


    ¡°When I was resurrected, it wasn¡¯t to bring me back. The necromancers come from a species that recycles their numbers. Another was born in my body and dominated my mind until its defeat. I have its memories, and it¡¯s not mankind that their kind fear, but only the great spirits. The Darksun Sword isn¡¯t one of their concerns because they know you will be chased down by the demon who seeks its return.¡±


    ¡°You know of the blade?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can remember two who dared take it for themselves. It will destroy you. Right now, you should leave for other lands. You might survive for years if you stay on the move.¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯ve come to return it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not possible. Leave. The blade will draw you a following, an army that you will drain of spirit until they are nothing but zombies. You¡¯ll destroy kingdoms and think you¡¯re ahead, but the demon won¡¯t stop, and it will walk over mountains and under oceans until it catches you.¡±


    Akisane didn¡¯t like the sound of that. Is it true?


    Only if you wish it. Perhaps one who gathers the strength of millions can defeat Thailoc.


    The strength of millions? That would mean he¡¯d have to be the worst villain ever to save his own life. And he¡¯d subconsciously stolen some lifeforce of the Dunaguardians before he¡¯d known it was possible. He might have turned them into zombies if he hadn¡¯t learned about this. ¡°Come on, I¡¯m bringing you to Mother. You were always her favorite. She¡¯ll be glad to see you and take care of you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll retain control of my body when Atzi recovers.¡±


    ¡°If she helps you, she¡¯ll help Atzi, too. It¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I would like her to know I still exist.¡±


    Akisane clasped hands and helped William up. They took the passageway into the grand hall and stepped onto the dais beside the high seat. ¡°Not long ago, this is where the Duke told me you were planning to kill him. Is it true?¡± Whitebeard had almost become a piece of furniture that one could ignore, but he thought about retracting his question.


    But William, who ran a hand along the carved black marble, answered immediately. ¡°Yes. I had half the Black Order willing to side with me.¡±


    The box with the head remained beside the seat. The intelligent thing to do would be to hide it or destroy it, but after reuniting with his brother, Akisane didn¡¯t want to. ¡°I cut the Butcher¡¯s head off, and now it¡¯s a present for the dear old Duke.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t the Henry I remember.¡±


    ¡°I was given power and a death sentence, and I have nothing to lose. And damn it, if I won¡¯t go down fighting.¡±


    Shank¡¯s footfalls echoed as he crossed from the open doors to stand before them. ¡°William, you look¡­ good. Akisane, if we¡¯re going to return that cursed thing, we better go now.¡±


    Akisane nodded and stepped down from the dais. ¡°I¡¯m going to escort my brother to the family wing, and then we¡¯ll descend.¡±


    Chains rattled, and Whitebeard¡¯s low rumble filled the hall. ¡°Tomorrow feels much like yesterday to me, except there are thousands of them, and only a few avoid disaster. Your path is to fight in the tournament tomorrow. The Duke has lost patience and will demand an all-out war in the arena. You must survive to the end.¡±


    Shank¡¯s face twisted in confusion. ¡°What kind of nonsense is he talking?¡±


    Akisnae stared at the soloknight, but the white-haired man had already drooped his head. ¡°Akitomo warned me about prescience.  But then I trust him least of all.¡±


    As they passed the chained man, William paused for a moment. ¡°Metztli wants nothing more than to drain you. She thinks you have some role in this new age. Why don¡¯t you save yourself?¡±


    ¡°The last thing you should worry about is my life.¡±


    Level: 17


    Vertical Rings: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 80

    Akisane led the group down the narrow passageway beneath the castle into chambers of ancient traps. Spirit animals roamed the gloomy caves, and with the memory of the boar fresh in their mind, they kept their eyes darting.


    Amat slid a hand to the bandage on his thigh and rubbed. With the other, he pulled his cudgel from its loop, even though the weapon would prove useless against most things here.


    They followed the path until they stood before the Red Temple.


    Akisane touched the warm stone and wondered if this was the right course of action. Was he just raging against the inevitable? Would he die now instead of living a life on the run, a short life that could still be enjoyable where he sailed from land to land and enjoyed food and women? Can I put you back?


    The elemental druids constructed the prison. Their designs are overcomplicated, and no one has attempted this before.


    Akisane continued to the massive cavern where holding shadow magic was like trying to hold air. ¡°You¡¯ve demonstrated that your carpet can carry us all.¡±


    ¡°For a short distance in still air. You want me to carry you so far with these hot updrafts. Life is full of treacherous roads, but let us take the one furthest from the precipice.¡±


    Hawk began asking the trio questions, mostly personal but sometimes straying to their knowledge of the capital. He seemed to skirt around the subject of Prince Mochikage, the last son of the Good King, but surprisingly, before dropping the topic, he asked directly. ¡°Did you ever meet the Prince?¡±


    Shank seemed nervous and answered questions out of character. No one cared less about politics, but he didn¡¯t tell the scholar to fuck off, and to anyone who knew him well, he was lying through his teeth. ¡°One time from a distance.¡±


    Hawk backed off quickly when the conversation built tension, as Amat and Brahmen kept their mouths shut and glanced at each other. Deftly, he turned the silence into a chat about life in general, but then it became probing again. Perhaps all the man was trying to do was disperse the anxiety of the situation, but it was doing the opposite. ¡°Why are you loyal to Akisane over the Duke? Is it friendship?¡±


    Shank talked more when he was nervous. ¡°A friendship begins when you trust someone not to stab you in the back if you turn around.¡±


    ¡°And that trust doesn¡¯t extend to the Duke?¡±


    ¡°You ask a lot of questions.¡±


    Hawk pushed a finger against his lips in thought. ¡°I am fascinated by the situation. Forgive me, but someday, I want to chronicle the definitive history of what happens here. I have no loyalty to any of your enemies if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about.¡±


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    Shank patted the brown-robed shoulder. ¡°Good. Killing always ruins my appetite.¡±


    Lopside grunted and loomed over them. ¡°Let¡¯s not start killing until we¡¯ve left this place. Otherwise, when you have a war mallet, everyone¡¯s a stake to be driven into the ground.¡±


    The look on Shank¡¯s face would only be noticed by someone who knows him, and his hand moved slightly towards a clandestine dagger. Evidently, he didn¡¯t know the man well enough to take a joke.


    Lopside looked at each severe face of the trio. ¡°Lighten up. What is this place anyway?¡±


    The pen in Hawk¡¯s hand began to scribble as soon as they¡¯d reached the temple. How did the scholar write away from a desk? It would be much easier to wait and write things down after the adventure, and one wouldn¡¯t be covered in ink stains. ¡°The elemental druids tried to separate spirit energy into elemental partitions. It¡¯s why knights still specialize in water, fire, and other similar elements, though now there are many subcategories allowing for greater specialization. This temple is the culmination of supernatural knowledge. We stand on the overlap of three worlds: ours, a shallow underworld, and a fire realm.¡±


    As they reached the ruins where the medusas dwelt, Akisane repeated what Darksun told him of the history. ¡°The elemental druids grew arrogant. They took the land from the great spirits, and when it unbalanced the natural order and let corruption seep in and blight the land, they thought cultivating ultimate power would solve all their problems. Instead, it led to their demise when the chaos lords came and destroyed everything, resetting civilization once again.¡±


    Hawk looked at him in wonder and scribbled it down.


    Darksun rasped against the smoky air, and the medusas withdrew. Even the unnatural light in the ruins recoiled from the black blade.


    They reached the hill that overlooked the flat land of hot rock and lava. The largest lake of fire bubbled and spewed as if angered by the intruders'' presence. And there stood the one who meant to take Darksun.


    Thailoc had been just a skeleton when they¡¯d last seen him, but now sinew of flame wrapped around his massive frame like muscle tissue. The Core Sheild shone like the sun, but it wasn¡¯t complete. The shield collected shining bits from thin air and formed the finishing outline.


    It was time to get this over with.


    Darksun inched into the space between cube sections held together by blue light. Finally, Akisane would be free. When the blade reached halfway, and just as they closed around it, stones moved.


    Stones that seemed part of the rubble around the area gathered into a humanoid form, and from it came a deep voice.¡°You willfully give the sword to Thailoc?¡±


    Akisane couldn¡¯t stop, though the rock form began to look menacing. ¡°I¡¯m putting it back.¡±


    Stone hands with fingers of stones that one man could hardly carry made fists.¡°I will kill you and take the sword to the OceanicTemple of Yegoroth. Just because the druids are gone doesn¡¯t mean you can disregard their authority.¡±


    Level: 17


    Vertical Rings: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 81

    The rock creature stood two men tall and nearly as broad. Complex joins rotated like clockwork as it stepped forward and reached out. Emblazoned in its palm was a star, and within an orb spun, which grew brighter as it picked up speed.


    ¡°Run,¡± Akisane said. He didn¡¯t know if it was his idea or Darsun¡¯s, but he swung, and the blade left his had to complete a distant arc before returning to his grasp.


    The blade left a scratch on the rock but nothing deep enough to cause damage. Magic is just energy, and there are ways around every safeguard.


    I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re trying to tell me.


    A rock fist wooshed past Akisane¡¯s head, and he realized his face would have become a pancake if it had connected. No, it would have been more like porridge. The thing was so fast and heavy that a single touch could kill.


    Akisane knew better than anyone that magic was energy. After all, telekinesis came to those like himself without formal training. But it was weaker than any of the focused abilities that the knights possessed. Where they could build towers of ice or flame, all he could do was nudge his brother off the parapet.


    Then Bahram moved his arms in arcane gestures, and a sheet of ice formed beneath the creature¡¯s feet. Did he use the same magic as the knights? The Black Order taught that distinct types of magic existed and were like oil and water, which might have a grain of truth for some magic, but most were merely a different arrangement of the same underlying phenomenon. At least, that¡¯s what he came to believe now that he felt Bahram¡¯s use of power.


    Shank turned back to face the fight. ¡°You said run. Why are you fighting?¡±


    As Bahram¡¯s hand rose, the ice crackled along the ground and spread to his feet. ¡°Akisane, go with them. I¡¯ll hold it off.¡±


    The sorcerer would sacrifice himself? Akisane reeled. He never expected anyone not under compulsion of duty to give their life for him. He was no longer following the Duke, and no one had any duty to fight for him to the death.


    Bahram hit the creature with a gust of wind, but it was so heavy that it didn¡¯t slip on the ice. ¡°The elemental druids were truly powerful.¡±


    Akisane put everything he had into a blast. It wasn¡¯t of wind but pure energy, and when it impacted the rock body, a leg slipped, its balance shifted, and the creature crashed to the ground in a heap. However, he was under no illusion that this would end the fight.


    A beam of light shot from the creature¡¯s palm but passed harmlessly overhead. Though far in the distance, a stalactite fell and exploded, sending echoes like thunder in the underworld.


    Akisane¡¯s thoughts raced, looking for a strategy as the creature regained its feet. Can you cut through the rock?


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    I can do more than you can imagine. But I was left bereft of power, an empty vessel, for an eternity in this prison. You stopped me when I went to drink from the crowds in Dunaguard. Let me drain these people who follow you now, and I can end this.


    Darksun wanted to drain his friends, as well as Hawk and Lopside. On the one hand, better one survived than none, but this ragtag group meant something to him now. He could identify with them, could relax around them like he could with no one else. No, I¡¯m not willing to make that sacrifice.


    Then this sorcerer only. He is strong.


    Sacrifice one man to save everyone in the group? That was a tougher proposition to dismiss. Akisane had to consider it, especially if he listened to the training he¡¯d received since childhood. The Duke would have him make the sacrifice without thought, and that¡¯d been drilled into him so deep that that¡¯s what almost happened. Instead, he chose a compromise. Not yet, but if we are losing, then I will sacrifice his life.


    Be careful. If the creature kills him¡­


    I know.


    Darksun¡¯s edge bit into the rock, but the cut wouldn''t split the rock no matter how much force Akisane applied. With each swipe, the sword flashed preternatural darkness and left the creature striped like a tiger, but the only thing slowing it was ice. He skidded down a patch and hit the beast with another blast, but it didn¡¯t fall. The fight would soon exhaust the Duke¡¯s son.


    The Core Shield slammed against the chain, and Thailoc roared. Even the rock creature stopped to look at the incredible spectacle. Lava erupted and rained down, and the companions rushed for cover.


    A blob hit the rock creature in the side of the face and hardened there. Still, it experienced no pain, and it didn¡¯t slow. It rushed forward and hammered down at Akisane, but just when the fist grew in his vision, Lopside¡¯s mallet collided with it, and the fist fell aside.


    Lopside shot forward and hammered over and over again. The creature absorbed blows to the face and arms, and it sent it soaring back.


    When it fell on its back, Amat grabbed a leg, and sinew rippled on his arms as he dragged the creature over the ice and tossed it downhill toward the fire lake. Perhaps it would have melted there.


    But it caught itself at the shore, and its foot dipped into the liquid and smoked there. It dragged itself uphill.


    The two giant men could barely stand after expending so much energy.


    Akisane looked at Bahram. He would have to do it. The creature didn¡¯t tire and would kill them all. ¡°Forgive me.¡±


    Bahram looked at him, puzzled. ¡°This is no time to give up.¡±


    Akisane dropped his gaze; this wasn¡¯t easy. Before he gave Darksun the command to feast on Bahram, the burning eyes of Thailoc landed on him.


    Words crashed into Akisane¡¯s mind like an avalanche. BRING ME MY SWORD, AND I WILL DEVOUR YOU AND NOT THE WHOLE WORLD.


    Level: 17


    Vertical Rings: 7


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 82

    The rock creature formed spikes over its body and bristled like an angry porcupine. Its feet dug into the ice, and it could move normally, which meant it was free to destroy them.


    The black blade scarred the rock one more time but didn¡¯t do any lasting damage. Akisane stumbled away more than dodged as it slammed its foot down and stamped the ground with a toeless footprint.


    That impact would have driven him into the ground. I have to sacrifice Bahram to save myself and the group. I¡¯ve already waited too long. Why haven¡¯t I acted yet?


    A whip of fire sprouted from Bahram¡¯s hand, and he snapped it at the creature, but it wasn¡¯t hot enough to melt the rock. The air filled with dust and chips like little razors when it missed and struck a boulder.


    Tightening his grip on the handle, Akisane noticed his hands were numb from striking steel against stone. It rattled him to the core every time the impact shot down from the sword and worked its way through his body.


    Shank crawled onto the rubble surrounding the hill and searched, perhaps for a weapon, since his daggers were useless in this situation. The best part about him was that he might take orders, but he''d leave as soon as he didn¡¯t like the arrangement. The man had no devotion to anyone or any spirit, setting him apart from the commonly hired blade. But why did he still stick around when the fight was lost?


    Even Amat and Bahram fought on despite an insurmountable challenge when all the creature wanted was the sword in the hands of the Duke¡¯s son. Was this loyalty?


    The only time Akisane saw magic wielded as a group was when Kichi and the other fools fought his brother. Perhaps instead of sacrificing Bahram, he could use the sorcerer''s power in tandem. Rather than use his spirit energy to shove, he sent it out and searched like a blindfolded man for a hold, and what he discovered was emptiness.


    A rock fist came near, and though Akisane threw himself, the contact sent him flying. He skidded along the ground and felt skin tear but never gave up searching. In the void, his search found resistance like giant strings of a lute, but they weren¡¯t solid when he reached for them but diverted from the touch until they locked with his own in harmony.


    As Akisane merged their magics, he knew what he¡¯d done. He¡¯d seized control of the sorcerer''s magic by force.


    Judging by the look of shock he directed to the Duke¡¯s son, Bahram realized what happened.


    And the spell Akisane constructed with the vast reserve came together almost of its own accord. He knew the name of it like a name recalled from so long ago that it felt familiar and unfamiliar simultaneously. It was Tandem Fire Decay.


    Bahram¡¯s flaming whip vanished, and at the same time, sparks burst from Darksun in a shower that rose to a blaze of blue and white.


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    The sword was so black that it remained a shadow in the inferno, which made the lake of fire look as cool as ice water. The blackness crept out and licked around the flame. You don¡¯t need other¡¯s magic to be this powerful. Why do you hold yourself back?


    He didn¡¯t respond to Darksun. Instead, he rushed forward with the blade raised high.


    The creature bounded forward and raised a fist. ¡°The elemental druids constructed me at the Red Temple. Fire will not destroy me.¡±


    This was undoubtedly a powerful being who had no reason to fear the magic of someone like Akisane, but necessity can force imagination. ¡°You underestimate me.¡±


    Before the swing came close, the rock crumbled into powder and flaked away, and then the white flames made it pop and melt. The strike went clean through the creature, and the two halves thudded to rest beside the cube.


    Bahram staggered when the magic released, and the sword died out. ¡°The sun rises a thousand times in the east, and no one takes note. It rises one time in the west, and the world ends.¡±


    Shank walked through the rubble with an old dagger, throwing it aside before seeming to change his mind and pick it back up to tuck it in his belt. ¡°Put the sword back, and let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Bahram said. ¡°We need to cleanse the creature before it returns, which might be sooner than you suspect.¡±


    Akisne didn¡¯t sense corruption in the rock, but perhaps they used something else. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can. A creature this strong would take a squad of knights to cleanse.¡±


    ¡°Nonesese. Knights are uneducated and needlessly put themselves at risk. The desert threaders could teach them so much, but their arrogance is without equal.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then teach me.¡±


    ¡°Put Darksun into the dirt. I will draw from the creature, and whatever I can¡¯t handle will fall to you. And whatever you can¡¯t handle, you will channel into the earth to hold. It¡¯s called Grounding, and we could be here in moments or hours. This is how so few threaders have cleansed so much of the Blasted Lands.¡±


    The energy passed through the sorcerer and trickled to Akisane until the floodgates opened, and it slammed into him in a torrent. Rings filled and overflowed, and when it felt like consciousness faded and the world shrank to a pinpoint, it passed into the sword and into the ground. Hours passed, or lifetimes, before they could draw the stored energy back up from the ground and metabolize it.


    Akisane let go of the handle and looked at his hands; the lines stood out in the grime. I¡¯m so strong.


    Shank looked at the cube, which appeared lifeless. The blue lines dimmed to gray. ¡°Can you put it back?¡±


    Akisane tried, but it was dead stone, and though there was no resistence to placing it into the slot, it came right back out.


    Thailoc began to laugh, and the noise vibrated the ground under their feet. Stalactites fell in the echoes, and pillars fell.


    Level: 20


    Vertical Rings: 15


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker, Tandem Fire Decay


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 83

    Masahide kept watch through the night, protecting those in Hisa¡¯s apartment, and he sat on an outcropping until dawn when a sun rose as a ruddy ball shrouded in ash. He¡¯d never been more exhausted, not just from the previous night but also from the long, contentious days at this castle.


    He must have fallen asleep briefly, for he caught himself blinking awake under dark clouds and hot snow. Mount Templar has reached this far already? It was his home turned to dust and raining on Dunaguard.


    Those who stormed the castle ceased their frenzy, and a strange quiet settled in the absence of their din. They didn¡¯t leave but milled about the arena complex in a daze until they seemed to snap to attention and gather at one end.


    Duke Akitomo vanished sometime earlier, and the knights manning the doors and windows thinned until only soldiers eyed the throngs for the threat of continued violence. Surprisingly, the order reached the gates to let in the spectators. The crowds poured against the lower gate, and soldiers formed a dam and let in a trickle to allow a search for weapons.


    With things calmed down, Masahide stood from his perch and climbed higher. Poor Gon had endured so much that he wanted to get him a treat: flavored snow. This meant a small hike and a visit to the kitchen. He dug into a snow drift so that no ash got into the sack and brought it to the servants bustling in the kitchen.


    When he returned with a bowl of snow and fruit and handed it to the wide-eyed boy, Kichi grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to the window as Gon squeaked with delight.


    She pointed to the arena square. ¡°I think the Duke is getting ready to speak. Something big is happening.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Hisa and Yoshiie?¡±


    ¡°Hisa¡¯s doing well, just sleeping. Yoshiie is¡­ hanging in there. The loss of his sword hand may not be something he can accept.¡±


    ¡°At least they¡¯re alive for now.¡± Masahide scooped up the bowl Gon lay aside and took a bite. ¡°It was delicious. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you finish it?¡±


    ¡°My stomach still hurts.¡±


    Kichi shot back from the balcony and pulled Masahide back again, and Gon followed. All three bent over the balustrade to squint four hundred feet down to where a stone cube moved onto the square. A score of soldiers lowered it near the thirteen seats, which generally sat empty but now held grandmasters and archknights of their respective orders. The air snake made figure eights above the seats. Mount Templar was empty, and the Duke sat where the Dragon Order once did, but now he represented the Black. ¡°Let¡¯s go down there,¡± she said.


    They ran through halls and flew downstairs until they pushed through the throngs and stood with the knights. It seemed the arena couldn¡¯t hold another person. A whole section held stone-faced peasants with war scythes. The uprising should have been stamped out during the night, but here they were all in one place, and at their center stood Akisane and his henchmen.


    In the front row of the Duke¡¯s family, William twitched and rocked, obviously disturbed in his mind. A smile stretched strangely on one side of his mouth. The rest of the family scooted from him, afraid or appalled, save for his original mother, who pawed at him and appeared just as manic.


    At the center of all the attention, Whitebeard emerged from the throngs walking with weighted chains that rasped when the cheers died out. Bearing the weight and walking himself meant to show a willingness to prove one¡¯s innocence. One should struggle before the judges and ask for forgiveness for everything save the thing one did not do. However, he didn¡¯t sweat, and when he reached the judges, he remained silent and upright. He hadn¡¯t confessed, yet he also refused to defend himself.


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    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Kichi asked. A few tall men partially blocked her view despite her step above them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if he plans to prove himself innocent.¡±


    ¡°That seems backward. Shouldn¡¯t someone have to prove you did something?¡±


    ¡°How would they do that? If you¡¯re accused, you should have witnesses to the contrary.¡±


    Kichi¡¯s head wandered until she found a gap to view through. ¡°What if you¡¯re alone? It sounds stupid. So what¡¯s the box for?¡±


    The box stood two fathoms with a port at the top and dolphins carved in the stone sides. ¡°With a crime this bad, they will probably leave it to the spirits to decide.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    How did Kichi know so little of the customs of the realm? It was as if she hadn¡¯t been born here at all, though her accent indicated the contrary. ¡°They might do the three trails: water, earth, and fire. In each case, air is the only way to survive.¡±


    Kichi¡¯s eyes widened, and her hand went to her sword to rest on the pommel. ¡°He might die?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone has ever lived through it. The judges don¡¯t have a witness so the spirits will act as the realm''s eyes and ears. If he is innocent, the water will have a single air bubble to breathe, earth a gap not to be crushed, and fire¡­ the air doesn¡¯t protect and makes it burn hotter, and the spirits will protect his flesh by cooling it.¡±


    ¡°So basically, this is a death sentence.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t want us to intervene. I trust him, but I don¡¯t know how far. Would I let him die if all it did was prove my trust?¡±


    Masahide assumed she asked a rhetorical question. ¡°I don¡¯t know myself either.¡±


    Out of nowhere, the Duke leaped from the Dragon Order seat and landed like a cat. For the first time Masahide had seen, he wore black overlapping armor, and though he still carried the cross-polearm, a yellow gauntlet grasped it. The Duke expected a fight, there was no doubt. He raised a hand, and everyone quieted down to hear what he had to say. ¡°I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the tournament will be cut short, but the good news is that there will be a war reenactment after this trial, and all the knights will fight at once. This will represent the fall of the Empire at Gojuk, and the scramble for the throne. The last knight standing will be the winner. I¡¯ve descended to enter the fray myself since the grandmaster of the Black Order was killed in a duel with my son.¡± He said the last word with disdain and held up a box with blood seeping from the bottom corner. ¡°Does anyone know whose gift this is? I found it by my high seat this morning.¡±


    After a moment of quiet, Akisane stood among the armed peasants. Were they the rebels? ¡°It¡¯s from me, father.¡±


    The Duke reached in and pulled a head out, and a look passed over the Duke¡¯s face. One of shock that he quickly replaced with control. ¡°I will see you in the square, Akisane. It¡¯s your right to take your inheritance now. But you¡¯ll have to destroy me first. Many have tried, and all are dominated or dead.¡±


    ¡°Your biggest mistake,¡± Akisane said, ¡°Was sending me after power you didn¡¯t understand. We are both doomed men.¡±


    The Duke sneered and turned his attention away, barking an order to those around the box. They took Whitebeard by each arm and hoisted him up the side of the box, where two reached down and pulled him up. They lowered him into it, and a knight with a water focus filled the container and dropped the hatch. The first trial had begun.


    Masahide


    Level: 35


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +3


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 84

    Masahide enumerated his options. He could try to crack the cube open and let Whitebeard spill out of it, but with so many knights around, he¡¯d be lucky to put a scratch on it before they subdued him. Or he could open the conduit to Mount Templar, the lone temple left hanging in the sky, and hope he had the control to bring forth a lance. Lastly, he could gather his allies and try to reason with the Duke, but his allies were in shambles, and the Duke had no reason to listen. Would that do anything but delay the inevitable?


    Yasukatsu stood by Akitomo, and the Black and Marstonic members mixed about them. They had joined forces openly, which wouldn¡¯t come as a surprise to anyone. ¡°Duke Akitomo, the time has exceeded the Trail by Water by several minutes. Whitebeard is no more.¡±


    Akitomo seemed to consider this but shook his head and cast a disdainful glance at the box. ¡°Let it continue. I believe the time should be doubled for a crime as heinous as this one.¡±


    Yasukatsu nodded a fraction, and there were gasps among the knights at the break in tradition, but no one wanted to side with the murder of a prince, the former heir to the kingdom. Faces hardened as they quietly accepted the amendment and watched as a man drowned. Worse, the Duke may become King Akitomo before long, and the Knight¡¯s Oath held everyone who still believed in the Duke¡¯s legitimacy at bay, for an act against him could be seen as treason.


    Masahide felt his temper boiling over. A man is drowning without evidence of the crime.


    Kichi put her hand on his forearm. ¡°Ease off. There¡¯s nothing you can do but trust in Dragon Sada that he knows what he¡¯s doing.¡±


    He let go of his sword, and his hand ached with the force he¡¯d squeezed it. Justice must come for the Akitomo.


    After what seemed like hours, four squires clambered up the box and pried the hatch open. Masahide expected them to reach in and pull a limp body out of the water, and he¡¯d see his friend laid down on the square, lifeless.


    What emerged dazzled the eye as constellations of water droplets illuminated from within orbited around Whitebeard in helices. He stood tall and erect, far from the corpse everyone expected. The water sparkled like diamonds in untold quantity. No display of fireworks or magic could rival this beauty of control.


    The knights stepped back, bewildered, and some drew weapons as if an attack were imminent. Even with strength in numbers, some paled and looked about to run.


    The Duke brought down the cross-polearm like a gavel, and the ground rumbled. ¡°Stand your ground. So he''s a master of Water. And that''s why we have the three trials. No one can beat the three trials with magic. Even if he¡¯s as old as he says he is and from the Dragon Order, he would not have time to master Earth and Fire as well.¡±


    What Akitomo said was true as far as Masahide knew. No one could use magic to defeat all three trials. Some memory from long ago, perhaps from Felix, told him even the elemental druids considered this impossible.


    Kichi had a self-satisfied smile as if she had known all along what would happen. ¡°They only know what''s possible for a knight. Whitebeard has traveled the world, and who knows what secrets he¡¯s discovered? He¡¯s embarrassed the Duke. Maybe that''s all he aimed for, but I believe more will come. But there¡¯s one thing I fear.¡±


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    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Masahide asked.


    ¡°With his level of prescience, he might sacrifice himself for the greater good even if he can pass the trials if he foresees a benefit.¡±


    The droplets around Whitebeard coalesced like a compressed spring and settled on the ground, creating a pool that ran rivulets down from the box. He had shown that water belonged to him and was an extension of himself. The surrounding knights could only dream of such finesse.


    William popped out of his chair, circled, moving through the people, and ended up by Masahide¡¯s side. One side of his face belonged to another, and it gave heated looks like it wanted to murder. This was a man who had tried to kill them and a servant of the necromancer witch. Yet, now he was broken inside. ¡°Your friend is something else. Unfortunately, the necromancer will drain him if he makes it through the trials. Though I hear that''s what he came here for.¡±


    Kichi folded her arms and didn¡¯t meet the other''s gaze. ¡°It is and nothing more.¡±


    ¡°I see I offended you when I tried to kill you. That wasn''t me, at least not entirely, but this hellspawn that resides in my body.¡±


    Masahide refused to feel sorry for him because even if he¡¯d been cursed, he was one of the Duke¡¯s men. ¡°Do you have business with us?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do. This trial has put a wedge between the Duke and the necromancer, and that¡¯s an advantage that can¡¯t be left unexploited. From the start, she''s been yearning to drain that man to the point that her effort to kill you has been inadequate.¡±


    ¡°You think she should kill us?¡±


    ¡°For her self-preservation, yes. You see, the worst thing that can happen to a ghashantan is to be exposed as a puppet master. With you two wondering about the castle investigating, she should have done more, but luckily she hasn¡¯t. Perhaps because of her arrogance.¡±


    Masahide didn¡¯t trust William, but it wouldn¡¯t hurt to find out what he knew or wanted to tell them. ¡°What does she have over the Duke?¡±


    ¡°After the wars to take the Eastern ports for the King, the Duke returned with a destroyed back. He could barely get out of bed in the morning and made elaborate efforts to hide it from the court. One day, the necromancer appeared with a golden statue, a magical iron maiden that she used on healthy Dunaguardians to create an elixir to mend his back. He needs her for his health.¡±


    ¡°Why does she need him?¡±


    ¡°She is ghashantan. Nothing would unify the realm against anything like one of her kind. A creature that looks human but is something ancient, powerful, and corrupted strokes some deep fear in us. And after having seen the other side, that fear is valid.¡±


    ¡°I want to trust you. Tell me something to help us, and perhaps we¡¯ll work together.¡±


    ¡°Sure. During my resurrection, I recall the necromancer doing something to the boy. He is in danger in some way, and perhaps all those around him.¡±


    Gon was in danger? Masahide didn¡¯t waste time; he shot through the throngs and knocked people over in his haste to reach the stairs. He flew down the corridors on his way to Ema and Gon.


    While he sprinted, he heard the Duke ask for the strongest knights in Earth. The second trial began, but Masahide would miss it.


    Masahide


    Level: 35


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +3


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 85

    Kichi watched Masahide run through the crowd and disappear on his way to protect Gon. She wanted to help, but this was important. She came here because of some promise by the cosmos that centered on Whitebeard. Further, the only threat to Gon was a rumor by a former enemy who could be trying to get rid of her.


    William watched him go, too, but when he turned back, his eyes fell on her, and she turned away at the strange sneer on one side of his face. Yes, there was little reason to trust her enemies.


    Thank the spirits, Hosa emerged and waved her over, so the two stood and witnessed the trail continue. ¡°Whitebeard must be powerful with Water. But these knights are powerful. I don¡¯t see how they¡¯ll fail to overwhelm him with Earth.¡±


    Kichi didn¡¯t need Hosa to tell her that, and she let the words break against her optimism.


    The knights flung their magic into the box in streams of rock sized from pebbles to boulders. It sounded like an avalanche as it filled the container, which spiderwebbed with cracks before exploding. An oval-shaped mass compressed where it had been, and the rocks deformed until they smoothed. The noise waned, and the structure became as uniform as an egg, with the tree knights surrounding it and making a pushing gesture as they crushed it down.


    How can the soloknight survive this?


    The Duke watched with delight as if the sound of his enemy being pulverized played like music in his head. He raised a hand when warm spots developed on the sphere¡¯s surface, and the magic stopped. ¡°We will have this stone dedicated to my uncle. What¡¯s more fitting than a monument to the king with the prince¡¯s assassin dead inside?¡±


    Kichi wasn¡¯t going to listen to her friend being slandered. ¡°Whitebeard is no assassin!¡±


    ¡°Ah, Kichi. I look forward to seeing you in the tournament today. I¡¯m sure you knew nothing of this man¡¯s crimes, but this is a time of mourning. Show some respect.¡± With the ashen sun behind him, his look was one of death.


    Perhaps Whitebeard had had time to counter the magic and arrange it inside so that he had space. She pictured some kind of cavity where he lay prone, waiting for the box to be opened. But there was no plan to open it again¡­ How long would he have air? She and Masahide would have to come back in the night, crack it open, and find out how the soloknight faired.


    Hosa grabbed her arm and stared at the sphere. ¡°I can¡¯t see Whitebeard¡¯s rings, but I still feel something within.¡±


    The rock split apart like a cracked egg, and Whitebeard spilled out from the inside of a massive geode. He stood amid a display that put his water talents to shame. Rock crystals of purple tints streamed around him in geometric designs that oscillated between patterns. He had utterly dominated the three knights'' magic, and everyone knew it by the look of awe on every face but the Duke¡¯s, which darkened.


    Whitebeard made a hand gesture and the sphere slammed close, and the crystals around him darted out and repaired the fissure so that the surface was smooth once again. ¡°Bring the last trail, Duke Akitomo.¡±


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    ¡°Gladly.¡± The Duke called on every knight who could manage Fire, which turned out to be about twenty strong. Twenty knights surrounded Whitebeard.


    Kichi wanted to run beside him and help, but what could she do? This was far outside her power level. No, this was outside anyone¡¯s.


    The crowd glanced at each other, uncomfortable with the extent to which the Duke was willing to condemn this man. The attitude of the knights was similar, with some gripping swords, perhaps struggling with their oaths. If Whitebeard could survive, would he gain the respect of the orders? Was that his plan all along?


    None of that seemed to matter when an inferno ignited where the soloknight stood. The heat pushed everyone back, and a fire tornado erupted heavenward. The wind pulled at Kichi¡¯s clothing and hair, a hot, dry blast.


    Even the air snake slithered overhead and out of the way of the fire. Hands raised to block the bright light. The drifting ash blew away from the square.


    When the firestorm stopped, Whitebeard remained. ¡°Genesis Vas!¡± His voice echoed in the mountain hollow. A crumbling of stone from a castle tower turned heads. A sword in green flame drifted toward the square and into the soloknight¡¯s hand. A green column rose into the sky and blew a hole in the ash clouds before it fizzled. He flourished the sword. ¡°Akisane, son Duke Akitomo, come here.¡±


    Pushing through the armed Dunaguardians, Akisane and his henchmen approached the square. The Duke¡¯s son had changed a lot in the last few days. Kichi hadn¡¯t noticed in the fight with William, but somehow, he seemed larger, sticking out from the crowd like a born leader.


    Whitebeard pointed to one of the knights, a grandmaster Kichi believed, who brought out the hand and a scrap of fabric. ¡°When I returned from my voyage, I went to the King immediately, for he is my halfbrother.¡± He waited for the crowd to murmur amongst themselves before going on. ¡°He knew there was a target on Prince Mochikage. I offered to personally protect him, but he assured me the guard was enough. During my stay, three attempts were made on the boy¡¯s life. And all worked for Duke Akitomo.¡±


    The Duke flourished the cross-polearm. ¡°This is outrageous. Silence him!¡± None of the knights made a move.


    Whitebeard indicated to the evidence. ¡°Akisane, do you recognize these.¡±


    Akisane whispered to his men, and Shank and Bahram hurried away, hiding somewhere within the mass of Dunaguardians. ¡°Yes, I recognize these.¡±


    ¡°Can you confirm they belong to those in the Duke¡¯s employ?¡±


    Akisane looked straight at the Duke. ¡°Yes.¡±


    There were gasps from all around. Knights drew swords, and the crowd pushed in. The Duke barred his teeth and glanced around for incoming threats.


    Whitebeard raised his hand. ¡°This is a matter for Akisane to make right. I¡¯ve seen a path of the least horror, and he must defeat his father before Thailoc breaks free. Now, bring the necromancer, Duke Akitomo. It is time for the draining ritual.¡±


    The Duke retreated to the thirteen seats and took his. ¡°Gladly.¡± The Black Order and Marstonic surrounded him and watched for threats. ¡°And then we have the final day of the tournament.¡±


    Whitebeard pointed over the mountain to a dark spot in the sky. ¡°A chaos lord has arrived to wipe the slate clean. He would kill all living things to preserve his city. The hubris to think he could kill Thailoc.¡± He raised his sword into the sky and pulled a golden cup from thin air. ¡°Forgive me, but I must cast the Field of Dreams into the world.¡±


    From the sword to the sky, reality splintered like shattered glass. Lightning forked along the Great Divide, and a wave spread from the soloknight and moved through the world like a ripple on a pond. It began to rain soot.


    Over the next few hours, the dot in the sky grew into an upside-down mountain with its own landscape and city on its upturned base.

 Chapter 86

    Masahide reached Hisa¡¯s chambers, flung the door open to slam against the wall, and stumbled in. He didn¡¯t know what he expected, but the calm scene somehow surprised him.


    Yoshiie curled a bloody, wrapped hand behind his back as he practiced swinging his sword with his other hand. It whistled through the air. He must be trying to get used to his new predicament, but surprisingly, he was still the best swordsman Masahide had ever seen. Losing fingers would be challenging, but this man wouldn¡¯t be deterred.


    Hisa stood weekly from the bed, her legs shaky. However, when she grabbed her cane, she twirled it with finesse. ¡°I''m not at my full strength, but I will not let Whitebeard go down like this. I don''t care if I have to face the necromancer myself.¡±


    Ema came over and hugged Masahide. She felt warm, and they stayed like that for a minute. ¡°Yes, we have to help him,¡± she said.


    Masahide stepped back and looked to Hisa. ¡°He surviving somehow.¡±


    Hisa smiled. ¡°They won¡¯t get him in the trails. Last I saw him in the world, the Nation of Ships tried him for heresy and failed, but the Necromancer is a whole other level of threat?¡±


    Masahide repeated the word he¡¯d heard name the Necromancer¡¯s species, ¡°Ghashantan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, they¡¯ve been the enemy of mankind since the beginning, and they¡¯re powerful beyond reason. It¡¯s because there are millions of us that they work in the shadows.¡±


    Masahide understood why Hisa wanted to interfere, and he agreed with her. Kichi seemed to have stopped second-guessing Whitebeard, but he didn¡¯t think he could any longer. At the moment, there was a more pressing issue. ¡°Then we should go down there. I¡¯m here because William said Gon was in danger. Have you noticed anything?¡±


    A series of shrugs and head shaking followed the question. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Yoshi picked up the sword and practiced again, whirling it in his left hand, oblivious to the conversation.


    Masahide paced, thinking about the next step. They should all go down to the arena. Gon would be safer surrounded by the knights than up here with Yoshiie as his only protection. Though the man was so good with his off-hand. ¡°You¡¯re still the best with the sword.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Yoshiie said. ¡°I discovered a skill beyond blade work, a thing I knew I had always sought, a thing that rivals magic itself, but I¡¯ve lost it.¡±


    Hisa and Ema dressed to go down to the arena, the former donning a shirt of mail that glittered unnaturally. Hisa twirled her stick and stopped Yoshi''s blade with a ting. ¡°If we¡¯re going to help Whitebeard, we must attack with everything we have, which won¡¯t be enough, but perhaps she¡¯ll reveal her true form, and the knights will join our cause. Will you help, Yoshiie?¡±


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    Yoshiie looked down at his ravaged hand. ¡°Yes, but I won¡¯t be any use.¡±


    Gon sat still in a chair, reading the codex that Kiki had given him. Perhaps the boy would like to become a knight.¡±


    Hisa sat next to him in the white chair, which was wide enough for both of them to sit side by side. She pointed here and there and told me a little bit about the book while Masahide, Ema, and Yoshiie peered over the rail and looked at the trail below. ¡°We¡¯re going to the arena,¡± Hisa told Gon. ¡°When we get there, I want you to do everything I tell you for your protection.¡±


    Below, they saw the green sword cross the hollow and hover into Whitebeard''s hands, rising high and shooting a beam of energy into the sky. A shock wave expanded from the sword and rippled through reality.


    ¡°My stomach,¡± Gon said.


    Masahide was thrown into a wall, his mind reeled, and his ears rang. He didn¡¯t know what hit him. The shock wave had already passed and didn¡¯t seem to affect anything physically. He patted himself and reached for Emma to see if she was alright. The ash snow outside swirled and mixed with smoke coming from inside.


    Emma looked at him with white eyes, but her voice sounded like it was a mile away and mixed with a peal of a bell. Inside, bits of fabric drifted with flamed edges.


    Light burst from behind and flooded the apartment. When had he opened the portal?


    Inside was nothing but horror. Hisa stood, blackened, bleeding. A few remnants of Gon plastered the chair where the two had sat only moments ago.


    Ema careened forward. ¡°No. No.¡± Reality stretched and bent as she used Everywhen, but for what purpose, Masahide didn¡¯t know.


    Hisa collapsed in a smoking ruin.


    Masahide crossed the room and opened the door.


    Ema screamed, and even with defend ears, it seemed impossibly loud.


    Yoshiie sat doubled over Hisa with tears streaking his face, ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    Masahide¡¯s voice came flat and emotionless. ¡°I will kill the necromancer.¡±


    What had the Ghashantan done? William had warned him that Gon had been in her possession, but this was unimaginable. She would die.


    Sagara¡¯s red sash caught his eye. ¡°Do not attack without a plan. This is what she wanted, to draw you out and make you act with haste.¡±


    ¡°Then she did her job.¡±


    Felix appeared in the portal that followed behind, casting light down the corridor. ¡°I understand that there¡¯s no other way. We must rely on luck and power.¡±


    Ulf burst through the portal and brandished an axe. ¡°We are the Champions.¡±


    Level: 35


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +3


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 87

    Probability doesn¡¯t exist. It¡¯s a term for gamblers, and Whitebeard was not a gambler. The strands of what was and what will be formed an hourglass, with the present moment a single point in the middle that formed an illusion of one existence. In many worlds, heroes stood against Metztli, and in this one, he did.


    The misconception lingered through the ages that the Ghashantan feared mankind because it was outnumbered, but the great spirits posed the only danger to them. Dunaguard once worshipped the white wolf Qanaarok, but the Duke drove the city and castle from the spirit''s protection, and now they have settled here and meant to dominate mankind.


    The Field of Dreams loosened the hourglass of reality. Many would remember different timelines, lives they¡¯ve never lived but could have, and worlds where they defeated Ghashantan and survived the End Times.


    Whitebeard lowered Genesis Vas, the green flames dying but still illuminating a circle in the falling ash.


    Duke Akitomo dismissed Akisane and came forward with the cross-polearm, a weapon no order allowed forged from the pure spirits. A polearm had a clear advantage over a sword and emphasized war. ¡°You accuse me of killing Mochikage?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Whitebeard said. ¡°You sent Shank, Amat, and Bahram to assassinate the Prince. Shank lost a hand, and Bahram tore his flying carpet. I would have protected him, but Thailoc cast his super-will over the King, who pushed me away. Only now, while I¡¯m at the eye of Thailoc¡¯s storm, can I see all.¡±


    The Duke rushed forward and struck. ¡°Die!¡±


    A standard pure sword couldn¡¯t strike back at the other''s reach, but Genesis Vas leaped from Whitebeard¡¯s hand and stopped at the Duke¡¯s throat. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you,¡± Whitebeard said. ¡°Though I could as easy as crushing a worm under my boot. Bring the necromancer to begin the draining ritual.¡±


    The Duke didn¡¯t need to comply, for Metztli appeared and glided down to the square. She wore a black veil to cover her hideousness since she¡¯d need all her strength to complete the ritual and wouldn¡¯t want to keep up the human facade. ¡°So be it, Sada Lifweard, the man who turned the grasslands of Zarbin into a desert. Oh yes, don¡¯t look surprised; I¡¯ve crossed paths with you out in the world. I know your power, and I am prepared.¡± She held up a figurine of an earth spirit. ¡°On your knees.¡±


    The downforce she evoked cracked the stone under Whitebeard¡¯s feet, and he knelt. He looked up to see an upward turn to the Duke¡¯s mouth.


    The knights crowded back, forming a circle around the ritual. Their faces displayed a mix of emotions, ranging from concern to puzzlement. No one had seen a draining in a generation.


    Metztli''s hand shot out, her gloved fingers crooked, and her innate and learned magic spewed forth and thickened the air into a syrup.


    The knights looked stricken. They¡¯d heard the truth about the assassination and felt the wrongness of concentrated corruption coming from her being.


    Marstonic and the Black Order moved across the square with the Duke at their center. The end of the tournament wouldn¡¯t be a game but a reality when this was through.


    The magic seized Whitebeard, coiling and squeezing him, only giving him a moment to levitate his blade so it wouldn¡¯t bind against him and cut.


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    Eyes behind the veil flashed. ¡°He has no magic.¡± She¡¯d hoped to drain something that wasn¡¯t there. Her magic searched for rings but only found his physical body.


    The Duke chuckled, and so did some who surrounded him. ¡°I thought he hid his rings, but he has none. It was all a bluff.¡±


    Whitebeard couldn¡¯t help but share in their amusement. ¡°I hide nothing.¡±


    The statement stole the Duke¡¯s delight. ¡°Then you didn¡¯t want to be drained because you have nothing to drain.¡± He spoke now to the knights. ¡°How you cheated the trails doesn¡¯t matter now that we know your a liar.¡±


    Whitebeard struggled as the magic crushed down on him. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie. You had the Prince killed, and your son and my companions will carry out your execution. Further, I want to be drained.¡±


    Metztli''s other hand joined the attack, and all her magic crackled in the air. The knights moved back, finding breathing difficult, some choking.


    Whitebeard began to stand, lifting what felt like a mountain of her full might. ¡°Duke, do you have the Eyes?¡± He pointed in the distance. ¡°Look.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s gaze followed, and his jaw dropped. A series of rings, hazed with distance and ash, vaulted over the mountain. He wouldn¡¯t have seen them except that Whitebeard tilted them upward so that they wouldn¡¯t lost in the surroundings, but there they were. ¡°You think too much of yourself, Akitomo. Your power is nothing to me, yet I can recognize my small part in this world.¡±


    The head of Metztli swiveled back and forth, now unsure of herself. Likely, she had assumed the sword and cup had augmented his power, but they had been mere ornaments. Perhaps out of desperation, she began the draining. After only moments, her limbs shook.


    ¡°Take as much as you want, Metztli. Here, take more.¡±


    The Ghashantan screamed in pain as the spirit energy rushed into her like the flood from a burst dam. Cracks spiderwebbed her skin, and light seeped from them.


    The Duke and his knights staggered back. ¡°How? A knight can only have forty-seven rings.¡±


    Whitebeard locked eyes with the tyrant. ¡°It is a barrier, not the limit. I had to go from forty-seven to forty-nine in one cleansing, and then even those close to my body expanded far outward.¡±


    There were whispers of ¡°Impossible¡± and ¡°That would kill you.¡±


    The necromancer exploded with a boom that echoed endlessly in the mountain hollow. For a moment, tiny bits of her pelted everyone in the arena.


    Pointing at the soloknight, the Duke yelled, ¡°Get him,¡± but even the Black Order didn¡¯t budge.


    The crowd parted for Whitebeard to stand before Akitomo. ¡°Finish the tournament. I will handle the Chaos Lord. He plans to wipe you all out and install a replacement for the people of the realm.¡±


    A rent in the ash cloud parted to reveal an upside-down mountain floating above the Great Divide. On its upward side were sprawled cities, forests, and waterfalls illuminated by the sunbeams that broke through.


    The Duke shrank back. ¡°What is this illusion?¡±


    Whitebeard stared at the city above, not looking forward to the confrontation. ¡°Did you think you could bring back a primordial threat, sending Akisane after Thailoc¡¯s sword without the Chaos Lords getting involved? They float their civilization off the spirit energy the knights release during cleansings. Now I have to tell them we can deal with Thaloc alone.¡±


    ¡°Lies!¡±


    Whitebeard grabbed Genisis Vas and tethered it to the sky island. The world fell away under his feet.


    Sada Lifweard (Whitebeard)


    Level: 137


    Focus: Prescience, Conduit  to Crann


    Secondary focus: Spirit Manipulation, Dimensional Attack, Dream Field, Will of Life


    Weapons: pure sword (Genesis Vas) - 99% pure, The Grail

 Chapter 88

    Akisane followed the flashes of light around the sky island. A tiny figure descended and met Whitebeard, and a confrontation ensued. When the gray pall closed the sun off again, all that remained was colored lightning where they fought. Unfortunately, the soloknight appeared to tell the truth about the Chaos Lords. Hopefully, he¡¯d prevailed, but every story of them says they¡¯re invincible.


    A quill scratched over a page of parchment, and it stilled when Hawk looked up at a knight with a dented breastplate who loomed over the scholar. But he didn¡¯t look intimidated, not even when the pure sword came out of the scabbard.


    Darksun tried to free itself as any danger caused it to become agitated.


    The knight¡¯s eyes blazed in a grizzled face. ¡°You can¡¯t control me.¡±


    Hawk¡¯s codex slammed shut as he returned it to his pouch. ¡°Get back to your order. This mock battle is about to begin.¡±


    To Akisane¡¯s surprise, the knight followed the scholar¡¯s command, though an internal struggle surfaced as a clenching of a fist and a baring of teeth. What was all that about?


    The Black Order formed into rows with Marstonic spreading out from the flanks. The Duke raised his voice above the din of the crowds. ¡°Akisane, leave now, and I¡¯ll spare your life.¡±


    This time, Darksun shoved itself into Akisane¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m tired of you using people. That¡¯s all you ever do.¡±


    ¡°You would be nothing without me. But I offer you freedom. Leave.¡±


    Akisane neared the rows of his father¡¯s knights, and more than a few worried glances fell on his demon sword. ¡°Even now, it¡¯s all manipulation. You want me gone so Thailoc will chase me through the countryside and destroy the armies gathered against you. Well, if I leave, it¡¯ll be over the Great Divide and into the deserts.¡±


    ¡°You little brat. If you don¡¯t respect me, you¡¯ll respect my power.¡± Shining Armor shone purple and encased his father in seven layers of protection.


    Darksun, can we win?


    You barely use me and stop me from draining those around you.


    I know, but is it possible?


    Anything¡¯s possible.


    Kichi materialized with a plate of food. She scooped the fry bread into her mouth as if she were trying to make herself sick.


    Darksun went transparent in Akisane¡¯s hand. ¡°Why are you here, and what are you doing.¡±


    Her bread-stuffed cheeks flushed. ¡°I have to eat to fight. Can we work together once more?¡±


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    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help.¡± But was that true?


    She crammed in one more fry ball and looked like she wanted to heave it back up. ¡°It¡¯s not just me. My companions will be here soon, and we have the Order of the Arc.¡±


    He didn¡¯t answer. What would happen would happen, and none of them knew his father¡¯s power. One couldn¡¯t conceive of what would happen unless one were at the Glass Dunes. ¡°If you¡¯re smart, you¡¯d flee.¡±


    The girl smirked! ¡°And let it be game over? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    The Duke¡¯s booming voice made her drop the plate in her hands. ¡°Knights! Take your positions. I am the King, and the Black Order and Marstonic are my forces. You are the Empire, and let those who are worthy fight their way to me. This is the end of the tournament, so bring your all to this fight.¡±


    Akisane watched Hawk step down from the arena beside Lopside, and another knight approached the scholar. There was more to the little man than he¡¯d realized, but it didn¡¯t matter now.


    Three pivotal events pushed Akisane to the edge of a cliff. The Chaos Lord above could win and put an end to everything. The tournament could see any number of deaths, including his own. And Thailoc could appear at any time. It¡¯s madness.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Masahide?¡± Kichi asked herself.


    He shouldn¡¯t ask for her help, but time wasn¡¯t on his side. But he¡¯d never see her or this place again. ¡°Can you make an opening for me to get to my father?¡±


    Her head dipped as she fastened an amulet around her neck. ¡°I will, or I¡¯ll die trying.¡± She stepped forward with her sword a flash as it left the scabbard.


    Yasukatsu¡¯s figure moved before her, and he drank an elixir before tossing it to the ground and wiping his mouth. His eyes glinted with an internal light like a wolf in the dark.


    She was dwarfed but didn¡¯t back down. ¡°A knight died for that elixir, crushed to death in an iron maiden. Yes, I saw the whole thing.¡±


    The sky and arena traded places back and forth, and the ground smacked Akisane in the side of the face. One moment, he¡¯d watched Kichi talking to the Marstonic knight, the next he lay on his side. Darksun, what happened?


    You weren¡¯t paying attention, and I saved you.


    He looked down at the blade in his hands and impaled on its length, a Celestrial of no more than twenty and dead.


    Kichi and Yasukatsu caught his attention again. They were moving in an unnatural dance as if they knew every move of the other. It was a perfect choreography.


    Akisane sat up, pushed the body off of him, and stood. It was mayhem, with so many knights crossing swords and summoning Shining Armor.


    Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to create armor that would keep one alive in this bloodbath?


    Darksun moved lightly in the hand, parrying a sword from the crowd. I can¡¯t drain someone who can create that armor. It¡¯s always inside them, warding off my ability. But let me take from the weak.


    A jolt from behind sent him sprawling, and the ice grew from the ground and trapped him in thick ribs. He¡¯d turned on his back and saw Whitebeard still hundreds of fathoms above the arena fighting the Chaos Lord before a figure eclipsed the view. A sword came through the ice ribs towards his face.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 20


    Vertical Rings: 15


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker, Tandem Fire Decay


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Chapter 89

    Kichi found herself against an opponent that moved so rapidly that her focused prescience revealed nothing but failure, and she would have to retreat or die.\


    The elixir turned Yasukatsu into a death machine.


    Luckily, the knights refrained from magical attacks while they were so crowded, and so did Yasukatsu. But with his abilities a mystery, she¡¯d have no idea what would come next if she survived his blade.


    But his strikes detonated against her blade, forcing her backward. Her stomach growled as she burnt through her reserves. It made her feel ill, especially knowing that by taking the elixir, he¡¯d engaged in a type of cannibalism. She¡¯d never forget the muffled sounds from the iron maiden as it extracted the substance from the knight.


    The blows came faster than the patter of rain, and she bumped into a shield, stopping her and letting the other¡¯s blade nearly take her head.


    She rolled to the side and put enough distance to choose another course of action. There must be a downside to the elixir. Perhaps it would run its course, and Yasukatsu would return to normal, but she couldn¡¯t chance a battle of attrition. She¡¯d starve herself to death with the amulet draining her while her eyes were open.


    Countless images of her demise played before her eyes. Finding new angles revealed new ways to die, and she was beginning to feel desperate.


    His sword struck between her torso and arm, and his boot came up to catch her in the gut.


    She stumbled back with her lungs burning for air and her stomach clawing like an animal. This was the test that would determine her worth as a knight. She¡¯d never tapped into the rings for prescience and didn¡¯t know if it would help, but she kept her eyes wide and pulled spirit energy into her focus.


    Immediately, it was as if she stuck cotton into her ears. Images emerged between images, smudging into continuous forms. She was a dimension removed from the fight to see the smear of future states fanning in all directions.


    The air snake above didn¡¯t blur but instead watched her. And far above the serpent, Whitebeard battled the Choas Lord in the sky duel.


    The time came to throw caution to the ash winds that swirled the arena. She would either prevail or die, so she flew forward through the labyrinth of what would be, slashing recklessly at the deformed statue of his movement through time. She slashed until her blade nicked a bit of flesh from her opponent''s face.


    She had to let go or run herself into the ground, so she removed the necklace and stuffed the amulet into a pocket.


    The melee went back to normal around her. Swords clinked, and spells shot ice and fire. Behind her, Akisane fought three knights at once, and they used magic to keep him at a distance. He held the hilt of a sword, and where the blade should be, the air warped. He seemed to talk to himself only to pause to deflect magical attacks with the invisible sword.


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    Yasukatsu wiped crimson from his cheek, where a line ran above his ear, and looked at his stained fingers. ¡°You bitch.¡±


    Kichi prepared to retreat, and give up for the time being, but he moved differently now and slower. A green mist steamed from the blood rivelets dripping down his head. Perhaps it had released the elixir.


    A blue-white flow grew at his feet and swirled to encase his body in Shining Armor. He darted forward like a viper and lounged for a stab into her stomach.


    But the red flames encircled her, and his blade slid from her armor and stuck into a man¡¯s back. The other screamed as it twisted free.


    She capitalized on the delay, sidestepping and attacking his flank. The Shining Armor deflected most of her hits, but the armor flowed presented weaknesses, and she managed to jam her blade between the slushy ice magic.


    Strangely, his magic wasn¡¯t Water or Ice but a mix. He conjured a shield that was solid but malleable. The shield morphed into a mouth like a giant flycatcher.


    She reached down and scooped a handful of stone like clawing into clay. It sizzled in her hand. Her foot caught in the mouth, and her boot slipped off, leaving her to stand with a bare foot on cold stone.


    The mouth split into two large winglike blades and came down to slice her in an X, but she tossed the handful of lava and sprinted past the danger. Well, she wasn¡¯t clear of danger. It was like a pig running from the farmer into the hands of the butcher.


    Yasukatsu managed to deflect every piece of lava that peppered him, raising his sword just in time to block a red pebble that came from his face.


    She dropped and skidded low, and even though it gave him the perfect position to chap down at her with maximum force, it gave her a moment extra to strike, but she needed to find an opening in the armor.


    He saw her and began the downward swing.


    She knew almost nothing about Yasukatsu aside from which order he belonged and where he received the elixir. It wasn¡¯t enough to hate him, so when she saw the opening, she felt wicked for exploiting it. The armor weakened right at his crotch, and she split him right up the middle. The look of shock on his face fell apart as the two halves flopped aside with the sound of pulling apart a melon.


    She Covered her mouth, and a thin yellowing stream squirted through her fingers. She didn¡¯t have time to dwell on the worst thing she¡¯d ever done because the Black Knights parted before her.


    At the same time, Shining Armor erupted from a score of archknights on the battlefield. They¡¯d waited a little longer than her to summon it. Did that give them an advantage toward the end of the fight?


    She looked around. Where is Masahide?


    Duke Akitomo stood in the opening, brandishing his polearm. He wore layers of plated armor and likely could summon Shining, too. His helmet had horns, which made him look more like a demon than a man. ¡°I¡¯m glad we could meet on the battlefield. I¡¯ve seen a spark of power in you. Show me.¡±


    Kichi


    Level: 16


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 90

    Kichi didn¡¯t have time to prepare for the fight with Duke Akitomo. The man sailed forward, dipped into a shadow, and emerged at her flank.


    Steel sparked in the growing gloom as the ash clouds gathered. Her blade was too short against others, but against this cross-polearm, she didn¡¯t have a chance in the Twelve Hells to strike back.


    The Duke impaled Kichi through the shoulder with the long end blade, and it sent shockwaves of pain through her body. It twisted free with a crunching wet sound.


    ¡°Pathetic,¡± he said. ¡°After all your exploits, this is all you have?¡±


    ¡°I spoiled your plans with Yasukatsu.¡±


    ¡°Fool girl. Do you think I rely on every move to win the game? Look around you; the knights are falling into place at my side. They see my strength, my connection to the Crown, and have disregarded Whitebeard¡¯s lies. They know this is no longer a tournament but a show of loyalty.¡±


    It was true; most of those without Shining Armor had no real chance at victory, and many stood beside the Black Knights. How could they when the truth had been revealed about the Duke? They made her angry enough to push through the throbbing and leap forward.


    However, the polearm drove through her thigh, and she screamed out. The blade twisted to wring out as much anguish as possible.


    I have half my spirit energy left, but it¡¯s useless. She couldn''t throw lava even if she grabbed a handful of melted stone because of her wounds. Fire Sword would also be ineffective against the Duke, who could keep her at a distance. ¡°He¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    ¡°After fighting a Choas Lord? I don¡¯t think so. I shall cut him down and take the Grail.¡±


    Kichi felt dizzy from losing blood, but she held her blade up and looked for a place to strike. Even though the polearm kept her at bay, she managed a few thrusts that came within inches of hitting, but she had the feeling the Duke only toyed with her, like a cat with its supper. She stumbled and couldn¡¯t regain her feet.


    His eyes drank in the sight of her weakness. ¡°Look at my son.¡±


    Without thinking, she did and saw Akisane fighting multiple knights.


    ¡°He¡¯s having trouble with six knights, yet I am his father and trained him well. I gave him the Greatest Sword in existence, and he still struggles. His mother¡¯s side is all sad specimens. I never should have accepted the King¡¯s arrangement.¡± He put the butt of the polearm to the stone in a relaxed posture as if he didn¡¯t mean to kill her. ¡°I could call a healer to save you. You¡¯re arrogant and foolhardy, but I won¡¯t deny your strength. Think of the children we could have.¡± He extended a hand. ¡°Join me, rule at my side, and produce heirs worthy of their King and Queen.¡±


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Do you think I fear death that much?¡± She swung her sword and caught him in the outstretched hand.


    He looked at his palm with disappointment, but amazingly, there was no cut. Kichi had sliced his hand, she was sure, but there wasn¡¯t so much as a scratch. He tightened it into a first. ¡°Yes, you are strong. Let¡¯s see if you change your heart when your friend''s lives are on the line.¡±


    Overcome with exhaustion, Kichi fell to the hard stone and rolled to her back. Was the Duke¡¯s blade poisoned?


    The fighting in the sky slowed to a pulsing of green or blue every few seconds, and aside from that, the clouds obscured everything above. Had Whitebeard failed as well? All the soloknight¡¯s plans unraveled, the foresight false; the realm would fall.


    Masahide yelled her name. He¡¯s here, she thought and felt comforted. The sounds of battle seemed to move away until it sounded far off, like the rustling of leaves.


    She rolled her head, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Akisane raise his sword, and four of the knights shrank into skeletal husks. The two remaining backed away from him as the sword in his hands went from invisible to blacker than night.


    A hand touched her, and Masahide¡¯s face came into view. He didn¡¯t look worried but angry. A fire raged behind his eyes as he said something muffled. She tried to ask him what he was talking about, but her words came out silent.


    Prescience hit her with the visions then. She wanted to help Masahide, but her body wouldn¡¯t move, and her eyes no longer saw what was before them but the future.


    Genesis Vas no longer belonged to Whitebeard. People wrapped in thick wool climbed the unclimbable volcano to toss in the sword. But how it was too tall to breathe? The world lay leagues below at the skirt of it, and they ascended to the great vent.


    Her vision swept to a desert wasteland. She saw Thailoc ravage town after town, city after city. The Glass Dunes would see a great hero fall at the hands of the monster.


    Finally, she heard the deep calls of the sky whales as they swam along the azure horizon. The balance of the spirit realm teetered, and many things that had not been seen in a long time would be seen again.


    Her vision cleared, and she saw the ashen sky once again. No time had passed; Masahide remained right where he had been. He stood and tossed away his sword, which rattled on the arena floor.


    Had he given up? Tell me he hasn¡¯t given up.


    Ema appeared standing above her with glistening cheeks. She glanced down with red eyes and sobbed at the sight of Kichi.


    Kichi turned her head and saw a pool of blood spreading out from under her prone body. So, this is it?


    Kichi


    Level: 16


    Focus: Prescience


    Secondary focus: Lava+4, Tandem Dream Sword, Fire Sword, Spirit Dipping, Tandem Black Star Rain, Tandem Vanquish


    Weapons: pure sword - 5% pure


    Items: Near Field Amulet (Prescience+2, focus)

 Chapter 91

    Masahide heard the mountain spirits sing, but he wasn¡¯t here on a holy mission. Quite the opposite; he wanted vengeance. What remained of Gon and Hisa couldn¡¯t be buried the way they¡¯d died. The necromancer¡¯s deception painted the walls with their guts.


    He¡¯d questioned Hisa¡¯s knights at the arena''s edge and discovered Whitebeard had killed the necromancer during the ritual. That left Duke Akitomo to pay for the deed.


    Anger surged further when Masahide discovered Kichi in a pool of blood not far from the Duke.


    Akitomo stepped back behind the ranks of the Black Knights. ¡°Masahide, I¡¯ve watched you closely. You¡¯re a wildcard with potential but can¡¯t conjure Shining Armor. That weakness will now mean your death.¡±


    Ten archknights erupted with Shining Armor and closed on him. Their animal faceguards made them look like monsters.


    Masahide shouted over them. ¡°I¡¯m coming for you.¡±


    The ring of knights paused when the portal opened, and light poured forth like a liquid.


    Ulf¡¯s long hair steamed in the ash wind, and he bared his teeth like a wild man. ¡°I hate armor. There¡¯s too many to fight as you are.¡±


    Masahide raised his sword as his enemies squinted and came forward. ¡°I won¡¯t turn away.¡±


    ¡°Who understands this magic?¡±


    A jaw cut from mahogany flexed. Sagara¡¯s thin figure stepped forward and studied the Black Knights. ¡°An enemy who reveals his trick better have ten more behind his back. Si, Ulf, and I will be your body in this. Put your sword away.¡±


    Felix strode in front of the enemy, who couldn¡¯t see him. ¡°You¡¯ll need my luck to avoid these pointy blades.¡±


    ¡°And,¡± Batu added from horseback, ¡°When you bring down their armor, an arrow will find its mark.¡±


    Masahide sheathed his sword and felt the Champions imbue him with their skills. He took Si¡¯s stance with his hands open and feet wide. Ulf¡¯s power raced through his muscles, and Sagara¡¯s calmness eased all concerns but the beating anger.


    The knights with a boar¡¯s visage shared a look of confusion. He shrugged and shot forward with an expert diagonal slice.


    Masahide shuffled an inch out of the way of the whooshing steel. The polished black reflected his eyes as it passed. Another missed by a hair, and he did the same, not to show off but to gauge his augmented ability.


    The boar''s face stared at him. ¡°You toy with me, but how long can you keep this up?¡±


    Another black knight joined the boar. ¡°Let¡¯s be done with him.¡±


    Facing swords unarmed should be lunacy. Add armor that made a knight impervious to most attacks, and only a fool would stay and fight. But the power raging in Masahide surged to the tips of his fingers and crackled. ¡°You should have watched me fight,¡± he said, turning away from a demon sword before it sliced through his cheek.


    The two knights rushed forward, intending to kill Masahide quickly. With one on each side, there would have been no defense.


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    In the middle of a dodge, Masahide redirected his momentum into a strike with fingers under the chin of the boar helmet. The neck crunched inward at the pressure of the stabbing fingers.


    The man folded over and gurgled as he strained for air that never came.


    The rest charged at the realization that Masahide was an existential threat.


    Masahide was like a puzzle piece fit between blades, with the lot attacking simultaneously. A man¡¯s knee bent back at a low kick. A palm jerked a head backward.


    From the outside, perhaps it looked like he was lost as they surrounded him, but each time he made contact, bones snapped and armor dented. This close, most half-sworded, and it must have been Felix¡¯s luck none found their target. From time to time, an arrow thudded between plates and into flesh. After moments, he emerged from a heap of broken bodies.


    The Duke brandished his polearm. ¡°What are you? I¡¯ve fought all over the realm and never seen this fighting style.¡±


    Masahide focused beyond the Duke and past the swimming air snake to a tower that fell in a waterfall of stone. The whole hollow rumbled, and the ground shook. ¡°Your castle¡¯s falling apart.¡±


    Akitomo whipped his head around in a panic and then raised his voice to reach his son. ¡°No. Not here. Akisane, you fool! You¡¯ve brought Thailoc right here under our feet.¡±


    Ema appeared at Masahide¡¯s side. She had a line of dried blood over the side of her face, but it wasn¡¯t hers. It was a stain of the atrocity. ¡°Let¡¯s end this.¡±


    Masahide avoided weapons so he could bring them to bear against this monster. The portal grew wider, draining the magic from his rings. The light intensified, throwing their shadows large in the ash dust. He barred Ema from stepping forward. ¡°Wait.¡±


    A volley of lances streaked from the portal and exploded against the Duke. A cloud obscured the extent of the damage.


    The cloud warped into a sphere, pulling the ground to a vortex at the bottom. Ema stepped forward, and the orb turned with her outstretched hand and shrank. ¡°We must make sure he¡¯s dead.¡±


    The orb diminished until it was only large enough to contain the Duke, but then it stopped, and Ema¡¯s eyes pinched closed.


    Masahide readied another barrage and drew his pure sword. ¡°I take it he¡¯s alive.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    They waited, and during the pause, cracks surged up the walls, and stone shifted. The unstoppable beast would bring down the whole castle. The arena was probably the safest place to stand. The square sat further away from the walls than their base to the parapet. Only a tower could reach this far.


    The sphere shattered to reveal the Duke unmoved. A new volley of lances fired into him, but the damage appeared miniscule. Suddenly, all the lances that had hit him floated overhead and pointed at Masahide. ¡°Crown of the Dried Seas,¡± he said, placing a tarnished crown on his head, ¡°Die with the honor that I won¡¯t hold back.¡±


    Three black whirlwinds spun to life with shadow bones and skulls of demons. Before they came, the lances launched.


    ¡°The mind,¡± Sagara said, ¡°Can allow you to take damage beyond your body''s ability to absorb it. Let me guide you.¡± Masahide put himself between the lances and Ema; at the same time, a light bloomed in his mind.


    The lances collided one after another. At first, Sagara¡¯s trick worked incredibly well, but each explosion against Masahide¡¯s chest shot pain throughout his body. When it ended, he stood, but a breeze could knock him over. How can I win against this kind of strength?


    Akisane walked into view, and the demons shrieked. He raised his sword, and a handful of black knights and others around the arena collapsed. One face stared blankly, frozen in death. Dozens of knights dropped dead all at the same time the Duke¡¯s son raised the sword, and it hinted at a depraved evil. Only one seemed alive but struggled, and wings erupted from behind a backplate. ¡°Father.¡±


    Masahide


    Level: 35


    Focus: Conjuring (conduit) +3


    Secondary focus: Quake, Firequake tandem attack, spirit punch


    Weapons: pure sword - 35% pure


    Items: Heart of the Earth

 Chapter 92

    Akisane steeled himself against the sword''s price to focus on Akitomo. However, ignoring the blackened bodies shrinking and absorbing into Darksun proved difficult. The screams for help echoed as they died.


    Darksun pulsed with energy with the black tip in the stone, Grounding the energy. We sip when we should gulp.


    The sword wouldn¡¯t lie to him about this. At least not now. The river of power became a deluge.


    The square shook, and dozens of knights fled with the stampede of the Dunaguardians, seeking to escape the catastrophe. A few cries came from the stands of those broken in the rush.


    Shank led his companions to the arena, and they glanced wearily at the blackening corpses whose vapor coursed into Darksun.


    William approached as well, and he dragged one foot. His other side must have fought every step. ¡°Let it absorb me. You wouldn¡¯t merely gain my strength but the creature who possesses me.¡± The one side of his face twitched violently.


    The idea wasn¡¯t worth entertaining. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Imagine what could have been if you two had listened to a single lesson,¡± Duke Akitomo said. ¡°Look at your poor mother. She¡¯s the only one who hasn¡¯t fled because she¡¯s worried about you. When she sees me kill you, I¡¯ll have to put her out of her misery.¡±


    William spoke before Akisane could. ¡°You won¡¯t lay a hand on her.¡± Then he turned and lowered his voice. ¡°Do it now. Take what I can offer.¡±


    Winds of power circled the Duke like a tornado. Magical items glowed all about him. ¡°What is stone but to be reduced to sand? Thailoc¡¯s not the only one who can destroy. The Devils of the Desert rise.¡±


    Among the sand-swirling black bones, two massive creatures grew to a height that wouldn¡¯t allow them into a house if they were to try. They stood sentinel in robes of rock that tore from the arena. A cold breeze sucked toward them in gusts.


    Masahide tried to join the fight, but as he neared, he fell to one knee with blood streaming down his arm and matting this shirt to his chest.


    ¡°Drain me,¡± William persisted.


    Akisane knew his brother was correct. Even Darksun didn¡¯t want the fight. Not yet. The blade would usually pull toward the target. ¡°No. Everything seems to push me towards worse and worse ends. I will win or die by my own choices.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just about you. And you¡¯d be doing me a favor. I can¡¯t live my life with this thing always attached to me.¡±


    The blacked corpses littering the arena no longer held energy. Their stares came from empty sockets. The skin stretched as if it were any more taut would rip. What¡¯s one more death on my conscience? The idea was insane. Could he live with himself?


    ¡°Think of what happens if you die,¡± William said. ¡°If you spare me and lose, that demon will ravage the world. Even if it¡¯s imprisoned again, it won¡¯t be until everything is razed to the ground.¡±


    Two blades emerged from the tall creatures. The steel was curved like crescent moons, reflecting the red glow of the ashen sun. The creatures moved in unison, raising their swords high as if trying to strike a giant.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to let them cut me down,¡± William said and stepped before the towering figures, who bent slightly to acknowledge him and brought the crescents back.


    Why didn¡¯t Akisane stop William? He could have reached out and grabbed him and yanked him back.


    William would die within moments.


    Not again.


    William¡¯s half wilted. The Niandezalo thrashed in the other half.


    Darksun shone like a black sun. You made the right choice. Now, taste a fraction of my true potential.


    The crescent swords sliced through the husk of Akisane¡¯s brother as if he were a scarecrow or mummy. All life and soul had fled¡ªnot fled, absorbed, desecrated. The creatures looked down in confusion, and then eyeless stares locked onto Akisane.


    Whirlwinds closed from behind. The towering figures struck.


    Akisane¡¯s first thought was to throw himself out of the way, but he lifted the sword, and a force knocked everything back.


    The small creatures flew back, and some of the remaining Arc Order Knights engaged them.


    Darksun sparked against incoming crescent blades. Shock ran through the handle. These are blades forged in the Early Fires.


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    The cloaks of stone shifted back at Akisane¡¯s reply, a series of spinning cuts he¡¯d learned in training against multiple opponents.


    The roiling sky allowed passing shadows over the battle. He shadowwalked and stuck from the sides. The stone cloaks parted and stuck something beneath. The creatures had an immaterial core.


    They screeched at the upper bounds of hearing. First, a crumble of arms and then a head fell to the ground as one dropped like a tree.


    Akisane felt nothing under his feet. He saw a blade coming for him but stuck out his hand and let out a blast.


    The creature reeled.


    My telekinesis has never been this strong. Akisane flattened the creature with the subsequent use. Cracks spiderwebbed the whole arena.


    The constant shaking made the square fall apart at the edges. The footing felt uneven.


    A star fell from the ash. Whitebeard landed lightly. Blood streamed from his nostrils. Bruises mottled his face. His posture slumped, and he gestured to the Arc and his companions. ¡°Behind my shield.¡± He stood just before Kichi and Masahide, and vines grew to encircle them. ¡°This fight is between Akisane and Akitomo.


    After only a few moments, Kichi stirred and opened her eyes. Masahide climbed to his knees and said, ¡°I must fight.¡±


    Whitebeard put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°No. The burden of seeing what¡¯s to come means I have to try and push people in the right direction. And right now, the push becomes a shove. I can¡¯t let you do a thing.¡±


    The Duke slammed the cross-polearm into the stone, which gave way like clay. He left it there and raised his hands. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this.¡±


    Akisane knew what would come. He saw the desert city¡¯s walls reduced to rubble. The building blew away as if in a hurricane. He would face Annihilation.


    The cape around the Duke¡¯s shoulders glowed orange and fluttered. Perhaps it magnified his strength, for he always wore it into battle. Stone chips levitated above the arena.


    The hair at the nape of Akisane¡¯s neck rose as well.


    Rents in the air around the Duke tore outward and opened. The world went white.


    Akisane held Darksun before him and parted a sea of liquid heat. The sound of the barrage was like an avalanche.


    Darksun pulled. You¡¯re not dead. Fight.


    He looked down and realized he was standing on lava. The heat had turned the ground into a lake. I could fire walk.


    The look on the Duke¡¯s face could only be described as horror when he emerged. The magic storm vanished.


    Almost losing his head, the Duke ducked and grabbed the polearm from the ground.


    Sword and polearm danced back and forth. Multihued sparks erupted like a fireworks display.


    Akisane¡¯s strikes whistled in the air with the added force of the demon sword. It seemed it could cut through a mountain, but the polearm blocked it every time.


    As if from a great distance, Whitebeard said. ¡°My shield shattered. Run. Get out of here.¡±


    The tip of the polearm was like a short sword, and it stuck into Akisane¡¯s shoulder. Pain burst from the wound, but even that seemed far away.


    At the same time, the Duke¡¯s intestines fell from his stomach. ¡°No,¡± he said, trying to scoop up his innards.


    Akisane wanted to raise his father¡¯s head and show him the damage he¡¯d caused. Look what you¡¯ve done, he wanted to say. Instead, he severed the Duke¡¯s head from his shoulders in a clean strike. He took the Dagger of Bones, the Cape of the Blasphemer, and the Crown of the Dried Seas from the corpse.


    Masahide stood with the support of the soloknight. He still had fresh blood running down his sleeve. Kichi limped beside them.


    Whitebeard approached with a gaze that said he looked somewhere far beyond. ¡°Thailoc is here. It¡¯s time to go.¡±


    From above, the air snaked and looped around them in a wide circle. Shinlemune, I will take you away.


    Something else caught Akisane¡¯s attention. A white wolf, the size of a small house, leaped from a crumbling tower and landed in the square. It sniffed Masahide, who put a bloodied hand on the white fur. It lowered itself so that its back was only eight feet or so.


    Shinlemune, there¡¯s no time. The air snake swam closer and paused right beside him. He hesitantly touched the scales.


    Whitebeard drew the sword from his back and handed it to Kichi. ¡°When the time comes, you¡¯ll know what to do with it. No doubt you¡¯ve already seen glimpses.¡±


    The girl stood there with a blade that dwarfed her.


    The air snaked hissed in Akisane¡¯s mind. I didn¡¯t come all this way to watch you die. There are things to be done.


    Just what he needed¡ªmore voices in his head. He¡¯d never have a quiet moment again if he didn¡¯t get rid of the air snake and the sword. But they were useful right now. He climbed on the back of the serpent and held onto the long mane. It undulated.


    Masahide climbed on the back of the wolf. ¡°Whitebeard, Kichi, come on.¡±


    The two climbed onto the wolf¡¯s back. ¡°Take me to the high bridge,¡± Whitebeard said.


    Akisane watched the ground flee as the serpent took to the air. I want to see what I¡¯m dealing with.


    From a distance, Shinlemune.


    The castle fell inward. A ponderous slab of mountain crashed into the arena, creating a rent that spewed lava. And there Thailoc rose, a horror of sinewy fire. He wielded a shield of semi-transparent red on one forearm, like a giant ruby. When stone and boulders smashed into him, he didn¡¯t slow as if nothing could touch him.


    Henry (Akisane)


    Level: 26


    Vertical Rings: 21


    Focus: Telekinesis


    Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker, Tandem Fire Decay


    Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12

 Author note

    The future chapters will wrap up Book 1 pretty quickly, and our heroes will travel the world. I plan to show where the orders of knights stand in a bigger world of magic users and have our heroes surpass what they thought was possible.


    If and when I post this chapter, it will be Whitebeard against Thailoc.


    Anyway, here''s some lorem Ipsum to get the chapter minimum word count:


    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.