《Nyte in Shining Armor [A Vampiric Knight LitRPG]》


 Chapter 1 - Tempest

    A wave crashes over my head as I open my mouth to yell for my brother. It hits me like a punch to the jaw, and I¡¯m sent reeling, spinning beneath the waves, bubbles crackling in my ears as I flail for the surface. I come up and gasp in a lungful of air, then hack and cough as saltwater splashes down my lungs.


    ¡°¨¢lvaro!¡± I scream. ¡°¨¢lvaro!¡±


    Behind the roar of the ocean, I can hear an answering call. ¡°Nye! Nye, I¡¯m here! Help!¡±


    I lunge in the direction of his voice, even as the waves continue to throw me back and forth like flotsam. Panic is all that¡¯s keeping me going, thrashing against the cold and the burn of saltwater in my throat. I take a breath and hold it, ducking under the surface as another wave collapses on top of me. I breach, panting from the exertion, but still manage to summon the energy to call for my brother again.


    ¡°Here!¡± he responds, his voice hoarse and weary. ¡°Here, Nye!¡±


    Finally, the waves part long enough for me to catch sight of him. Water has plastered his hair against his skin, his head barely kept above the surface. He looks exhausted and terrified.


    That makes two of us.


    By some stroke of luck, the waters let me close the gap before the next wave crashes over us. I grab the front of his shirt to try to hoist his head up higher, treading water with one hand, and he latches onto that arm like a lifeline. I have to kick extra hard to keep us from both going under.


    Weariness pulls at me like an anchor.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¨¢lvaro cries. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t mean to go so far. The rip tide¡ª¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± I pant, whipping my head around. Which way is the shore? ¡°Let go of my arm. Help me tread. We need to get back to land.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± ¨¢lvaro sobs, like he¡¯s nine instead of nineteen, but he lets go. ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t want to die.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to die.¡± I¡¯m relieved to have found him, but the absence of that anxiety just makes room for the exhaustion to hit even harder. My bones feel like they¡¯re made of lead. ¡°Can you see the shore?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± ¨¢lvaro says, looking around frantically, eyes wide. ¡°We¡¯re lost. Oh god, how did we get so far out?¡±


    I don¡¯t waste my breath responding. We need to figure out which direction is our best bet and start moving. We can¡¯t survive out here much longer, even if our family knows to look for us. I glance to the sky, searching for birds, but only the storm rages overhead. Where had it come from? It had all happened so fast.


    ¡°Nye, watch¡ª¡±


    It¡¯s the only warning I receive before the wave crashes into me. My brother¡¯s shirt is ripped from my grasp as I slam into the water. I try to gasp in a breath, but I inhale a lungful of water instead. My body convulses, every muscle acting instinctively to expel the lungful of water. The same instinct forces me to draw in another breath, hoping for clear air. But I¡¯m still underwater.


    My mouth and nose and eyes burn from the salt. I writhe against the pain and wrongness, fingers clawing at the ocean, my throat, mind screaming for air. I kick my legs, desperate to reach the surface, but I no longer have any sense of up or down. I struggle and gasp and flail senselessly, terror overcoming every other thought and feeling.


    I¡¯m only semi aware that I¡¯m fading as the darkness closes in.


    <hr>


    The darkness changes. It becomes more disorienting, less physical, and I still think I¡¯m drowning for a long time as I struggle and fail to understand where I am or how much time has passed. The very idea slips away from me as I try to grasp it, and the disorientation sends my mind spinning. Yet, I¡¯m thinking more clearly now than when I was before.


    ¨¢lvaro? I call. But I can¡¯t make a sound. My call echoes out into the void. I try to move, but I can¡¯t feel my body. Nor can I feel the ocean. I can¡¯t feel anything anymore. ¨¢lvaro? I call again, trying not to panic.


    Hello? There¡¯s another voice nearby, though it isn¡¯t my brother¡¯s. What¡¯s happening?


    I don¡¯t know, but that doesn¡¯t frighten me as much as not knowing if my brother¡¯s okay. I push past the strange new voice and keep calling for my brother. ¨¢lvaro? ¨¢lvaro?


    There are more voices now. More¡­ presences. I can¡¯t make sense of it. They¡¯re all afraid or confused. Some are clustered together, as if that could stave off the surrounding abyss.


    But it¡¯s not exactly an abyss. There¡¯s another consciousness here, which I¡¯d missed at first, because it seems to be everywhere. It¡¯s wrapped around us like a net. Abruptly, it tightens, snapping around us with malice so intense, it seems to be a physical pressure.


    Some of the voices scream and struggle. The darkness is eating us. Biting into our very essence, stripping bits of us away. Like the others, I¡¯m scared, and I try to escape, but it only hones my panic down to one idea: My brother. I need to find my little brother.


    Nye?


    Hope washes over me as I hear¡ªfeel¡ªthe voice. It¡¯s ¨¢lvaro! He¡¯s close. Like we¡¯re swimming through the ocean all over again, I struggle against the force of nature that¡¯s trying to drag me down, colliding into the mind of my brother. I want to hug him. I want to tell him it will be okay. But I can¡¯t do either.


    I¡¯m here, I say instead.


    There¡¯s movement all around us. The¡­ thing that has us trapped has turned its attention elsewhere, but that doesn¡¯t take the acidic pain away that¡¯s slowly dissolving my sense of self. I can almost see something. A distant spark of light. Muted voices. Sea salt. Flashes of emotions pulse through us: anger, indignation, hunger, triumph. And smaller flickers too: fear, concern, regret. I don¡¯t understand. Who¡¯s feeling these things? Why are we being made to feel them?


    Some of the sounds finally resolve into words. ¡°...I don¡¯t plan to die today.¡±


    They fill me with renewed defiance. We¡¯ll make it out of here, I tell ¨¢lvaro. I promise. Even if I don¡¯t know how, I¡¯ll find a way to do it.


    There¡¯s movement. A struggle. It¡¯s all the rest of us can do but endure as we¡¯re whipped back and forth, more fragmented bits of reality reaching us.


    Then, a flash of light. The minds around me vanish in an instant, including my brother¡¯s. No, I cry, reaching into the nothingness, desperately grabbing for someone who¡¯s no longer there. No!This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I don¡¯t have much time to be scared for my brother, for the next moment, pain lances through every atom of my being. I scream, writhing against the malice which seems to have stabbed through my very soul, and I feel myself crumbling around it. Being consumed by it. This time, I¡¯m fully aware when I realize I¡¯m dying.


    And then it¡¯s gone, and I¡¯m gone, and I fall back into reality.


    <hr>


    When I awake, everything is dark, and when I try to gasp in a breath, I discover it¡¯s because I¡¯m lying face-down. I groan, spitting grit and sand, as I roll over onto my back and stare up at a beautiful night sky. A warm breeze passes over me, and stars twinkle overhead.


    Had that all been a dream? Some horribly realistic nightmare? I can almost still feel that hatred eating into me, and I shiver at the thought. It had to have been a dream. There¡¯s no other explanation.


    Then I remember what had happened before. The riptide. The storm. ¨¢lvaro.


    ¡°¨¢lvaro!¡± I sit up with a jolt. That had been real. What happened? Have we washed up on shore? But as I look around and start to process my surroundings, my mind only spins with more confusion.


    Despite the low light, I don¡¯t have much issue being able to see what¡¯s around me, but that does little to settle my disorientation. I¡¯m at the bottom of a hill, I think¡ªno, a crater. The base I¡¯m sitting in seems to be rock and clay, but all around me the walls are made of sand. Like some sort of impact blew a hole in a playground. How did I survive whatever left this crater? In fact, as I continue to look around in bewilderment, I realize I¡¯m not alone.


    [New user recognized. Populating stats.]


    I flinch at the voice, so close it feels right in my ear. Nearby, a man groans, shakily crawling to his hands and knees. He looks around frantically, and his gaze quickly lands on me.


    ¡°What was that?¡± he asks, his voice shaking. ¡°Was that you?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± is all I can manage to croak out, thoroughly baffled.


    The thing is¡­ I¡¯m not entirely sure the person I¡¯m talking to is human. His skin is gray, and his ears are pointed, and through his grimace of fear, I can make out two fangs where his canines should be.


    [Compilation complete. Role assigned. Displaying stats.]


    [Name: Nye]


    [Species: Dhampyr]


    [Class: Guardian]


    [Level: 14]


    [HP: 125/125]


    [Mana: 40/40]


    [Role: The Knight]


    I whip my head from side to side as the voice speaks, determining it¡¯s not coming from the man across from me; at the same time, the words appear in my vision.


    The man yelps, swatting at the air in front of him. ¡°What the hell is this? Dhampyr? Level? What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Took the words right out of my mouth.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admit. ¡°But it looks like it¡¯s happening to both of us.¡± Now that I¡¯m speaking in complete sentences, my voice sounds strange to me. I clear my throat as I push myself to my feet, mumbling a few trial words to myself. I¡¯m pretty used to pitching my voice slightly lower on a daily basis, but when I try to do that now, my words sound too deep. Weird. Maybe I¡¯m coming down with a cold.


    I start to dust off my pants, then stop. I¡¯m wearing clothes, but they¡¯re not mine. Black boots, trousers, a shirt and a scratchy cloak¡ªbut it¡¯s the bits of leather strapped to my arms and legs and across my chest that have me tilting my head in curiosity. They look like pieces of armor, I think. The man across from me is wearing something similar. There¡¯s a dual crescent moon-like symbol etched over the chest plate that I don¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°No,¡± the man is mumbling to himself, still on the ground. ¡°No, no, no. This can¡¯t be happening. This isn¡¯t real.¡± He moans, clutching his head.


    I raise a skeptical eyebrow at him. I mean, yeah, this is all very strange and confusing, but that seems a bit dramatic. I decide to address the most pressing issue first.


    ¡°¨¢lvaro!¡± I call, turning in a slow circle to survey our crater. ¡°Are you there?¡±


    Other figures are scattered over the nearby ground, besides the man experiencing a mental breakdown. I step toward the nearest one, but it doesn¡¯t respond. In fact, it doesn¡¯t move at all. I frown, wondering if I¡¯d mistaken a boulder or bush for a person in the low light.


    [Check,] the voice appears again. [Human remains. Skeletal.]


    A chill runs down my spine. ¡°What?!¡±


    [Check,] the vaguely robotic, vaguely feminine voice repeats. [Human remains. Skeletal.]


    I probably should have clarified I meant, ¡®What the hell?¡¯


    I take a step back from the bodies. Because as I glance around the crater, I can now tell that¡¯s what the rest of them are, too. ¡°Who are you?¡± I say aloud. ¡°Why am I here?¡±


    [This unit has been designated Echo,] the voice in my head says. [The user¡¯s second request is unidentified.]


    I guess it¡¯s not big on the existential type questions. ¡°What are you?¡± I ask instead.


    [This unit acts as an audiovisual interface between User and System,] Echo says.


    ¡°System?¡±


    [The variegated arcane network which governs select neuromagical advancement.]


    Yeah, that all makes complete sense. I turn back to the man who is still whimpering on the ground and wonder what his deal is. Once more, Echo is happy to oblige.


    [Name: Hans]


    [Species: Dhampyr]


    [Class: Brawler]


    [Level: 19]


    [HP: 135/135]


    [Mana: 50/50]


    [Role: Beast Tamer]


    Some notable similarities and differences. We both have around the same numeric stats, but different classes and roles. The same species, though. Wait. What does that mean about me?


    I look down at my hands. Even in the reduced light, I can tell there¡¯s something wrong with my skin. No longer brown, all the pigment¡¯s been leached away to a dark gray, like I¡¯m a living black and white photograph. I touch my ears, and find them slightly pointed at the tips. Running my tongue over my teeth, a prickly nervous sensation runs through my body when I discover the small fangs in place of my canines, just like Hans.


    I nervously run my hands down my arms. Things just went from disorienting to unsettling. Why isn¡¯t this my body? I guess that explains the change in voice. And I don¡¯t hate it, exactly. This body is muscled, lean, and a couple inches taller than what I¡¯m used to¡ªwhich is to say, still on the short side. But I feel strong.


    I feel like I should be freaking out more about all this. Maybe not Hans-level of freaking out, but something weird is happening, and I¡¯m completely in the dark.


    Right, dark. I glance at the stars overhead. Maybe this new body is why I can see in the dark, too.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I say, heading over to Hans. ¡°Pull it together, alright? We need to figure out what¡¯s going on here.¡±


    He¡¯s still mumbling to himself, so I lean down and put a hand on his shoulder in what I hope is a comforting gesture. It isn¡¯t until I¡¯m close that I can make out what he¡¯s saying.


    ¡°I died, and it¡¯s going to kill me again. I died, and it¡¯s going to kill me again. I died, and it¡¯s going to kill me again.¡±


    I pull my hand back reflexively, his words giving me the willies. ¡°We¡¯re not dead,¡± I tell him. I mean, at least I don¡¯t think we are. I don¡¯t feel dead. But how had I gotten from the ocean to here? I thought I remembered drowning, the water in my lungs, but¡­ I mean, if I died, I wouldn¡¯t be here, right? And where¡¯s ¨¢lvaro?


    I shake my head, trying to dislodge the string of uncomfortable questions. No point in dwelling on them. I don¡¯t have the answers, anyway. I try to refocus on more immediate concerns.


    ¡°What do you think is going to kill you?¡± I ask.


    That stops him, and he cocks his head. ¡°Can¡¯t you hear it? The whispers.¡±


    ¡°Echo?¡± I wonder. She¡¯s definitely strange, but her helpful (if not blunt) commentary doesn¡¯t strike me as murderous.


    Hans shakes his head. ¡°No, no. The whispers, underground. They¡¯re hurt. Mad. They¡¯re coming.¡±


    Another shiver goes through me. I can¡¯t help it, this guy just knows exactly what to say to give me the creeps. ¡°Then maybe we should get out of here,¡± I suggest.


    Hans looks up at me in despair. ¡°It¡¯s too late. They¡¯re already here!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s here?¡± I ask, nervously glancing around the crater. The skeletons haven¡¯t gotten up and wandered away, so that¡¯s good, I guess.


    He frowns, in concentration or worry, I can¡¯t tell. Then he looks up at me with wide, earnest eyes. ¡°The cactus.¡±


    I can¡¯t help it. A laugh bubbles out of me. ¡°Cactus? A cactus is coming for you?¡±


    Seeing I clearly am not taking him seriously, his gaze drops back to the ground and he starts mumbling to himself again, scratching his fingers through his hair. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. I don¡¯t understand what you want!¡±


    I¡¯m beginning to think this guy might be one crayon short of a full box.


    ¡°Okay, well, while you worry about the murder cactus, I¡¯m going to climb out of here and figure out where we are,¡± I say.


    Hans begins rocking back and forth. ¡°Requirement? What requirement? I can¡¯t do it. I can¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± I say, drawing out the word. ¡°Well good luck with¡ª¡±


    And that¡¯s when the murder cactus bursts from the ground.

 Chapter 2 - Murder Cactus

    Sand and chips of dried clay explode upward as the monster erupts from the earth. Long, spindly vines of cacti crawl from the opening like feelers on an insect.


    Okay, so, looks like Hans might not have been totally off his rocker after all. If I could hear the approach of a giant, underground, sentient cactus monster whispering murderous threats as it sped our way, maybe I would have been freaking out, too.


    A spine-studded vine stabs in my direction, and I stumble back, narrowly avoiding being turned into a human pincushion. Er. Dhampyr pincushion? I¡¯m not given a moment to consider this as more feelers race over the ground, all of them coming for me and Hans.


    I take one look at the swarm of crawling cacti, then turn tail and run.


    So, not the most heroic move. It¡¯s definitely not my intent to leave Hans to a spindly death. But there¡¯s nothing I can do against this creature barehanded; which means the first step is to arm myself.


    As I dash out of the cactus monster¡¯s range, I run past one of the bodies that litter the field. Most have hints of some kind of armor on them, and some of them¡­ there! I dive for the hilt of a sword and yank the weapon from the sand as I spin to face the cactus.


    I test the weight of the blade as vines race toward me, grimacing as I note the rust and scuffs along the edge of my sword. Hopefully that won¡¯t stop it from cutting through some plants. I¡¯ve never used a sword before, but how hard can it be to swing a sharp implement around?


    I quickly find out. One of the feelers spears toward my feet, and I sidestep the vine, chopping the sword into the ground. Sand sprays into the air as a result, some of it ending up in my eyes and lungs, which causes me to start hacking uncontrollably.


    [6 points of Slashing damage dealt,] Echo reports.


    Great start, I sarcastically think to myself. But at least I managed to cut through the cactus. And the damage report is interesting. It¡¯s like a game or something¡ªonly this feels all too real.


    The severed limb sits inert next to me, leaking a clear juice into the sand. I might have actually overdone it with the chopping. Looks like these things don¡¯t need that much force to cut through them. All the better for me.


    Spitting grit and blinking the sand out of my eyes, I quickly locate Hans¡ªan endeavor made easy from all his screaming. One of the vines is wrapped around his leg, and it¡¯s dragging him back toward its main stalk. I don¡¯t know what it intends to do with the man once he gets there, but I think ¡®nothing good¡¯ is a fairly safe assumption. I charge in his direction.


    More vines come for me as I run, and I hack them apart without breaking stride. Notifications pop up as I do, Echo reporting, [4 points of Slashing damage dealt. 6 points of Slashing damage dealt. 3 points of Slashing damage dealt,] as I cut each of them to pieces. It¡¯s kind of fun, actually. I love how powerful I feel with each swing of the sword. I love how I feel like I¡¯m doing something. Protecting someone. Maybe it¡¯s just the adrenaline talking, but I could get used to a high like this.


    I skid up next to Hans, slashing through the thick vine that¡¯s wrapped around his leg. The cactus monster squeals in protest, its injured limb whipping away, as I grab Hans and haul him to his feet.


    ¡°Come on,¡± I tell him. ¡°We need to get out of here.¡±


    He tries to take a step after me, but his leg crumples. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± he gasps. ¡°It hurts!¡±


    I glance skeptically down at his leg, and find the severed vine is still wrapped around him. I grab the loose end and pull, which causes Hans to scream and a strange smell to hit my nose. It¡¯s sweet with a coppery tang, and instantly makes my mouth water. My stomach turns a moment later when I notice the rivulets of blood running down Hans¡¯s leg and I realize where the smell is coming from.


    Dozens of finger-long cactus spines are embedded in Hans¡¯s calf, which is why the severed vine still hasn¡¯t fallen away. I swear, one-handedly swinging my sword to cut through more incoming attacks, then hoist Hans¡¯s arm over my shoulder and begin dragging him away. He cries out as I do, but he¡¯ll just have to bear it, or we¡¯ll both end up shish-kabobbed.


    When we¡¯re finally far enough away from the main stalk, I unceremoniously drop Hans to the side, then turn back to face the cactus. Maybe if I can keep chopping off every vine it sends my way, it won¡¯t have any left to attack me with. Even as I think that, a dozen more stalks erupt from the ground and begin crawling over the sand.


    I sigh. ¡°You gotta be kidding me.¡±


    Our one saving grace is that the plant isn¡¯t only targeting Hans and I. It¡¯s also grabbing the skeletons half buried in the sand, attempting to drag their crumbling remains back toward its center. That might mean it¡¯s a scavenger of some kind. If it¡¯s just as interested in the bodies as us, then we have an opportunity to escape and leave it to the bones.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Think you can make it to the top of the slope?¡± I ask Hans, still keeping an eye on the cactus monster. ¡°If we can make it up there, it might not follow.¡±


    He only groans in response. Was the injury worse than it looked? I spare a glance down at him, wondering what¡¯s wrong.


    [Check,] Echo says, answering my unasked question. [HP: 113/135. Status Effect: Sanity Loss.]


    ¡°Sanity Loss?¡± I repeat, alarmed. Sure enough, the man is groaning, rocking slightly back and forth as he clutches his head. ¡°Why? What¡¯s causing that?¡±


    [Failure to adhere to the user¡¯s Role Requirement may result in a decreased Sanity stat.]


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Whatever happens, I need to make sure I don¡¯t end up the same as him. But first thing¡¯s first. I have to take care of this¡ª


    Stabbing pain spikes through my ankle as I¡¯m yanked from my feet.


    [7 points of Piercing damage sustained.]


    The sword is flung from my hand as I strike the ground. I lunge for it, but another tug on my leg pulls me away, and I grab only a fistful of sand. I scream through clenched teeth as excruciating pain radiates up my leg with each tug, and I roll over onto my back and kick at the vine with my free foot. A bloody spine protrudes from my ankle, and my stomach lurches at the sight. Focusing instead on the vine, I grind the heel of my boot into the plant, and succeed in breaking open its flesh. More watery liquid spills out, and with a final slam of my boot, I break all the way through. I hiss in pain as I drag my injured leg back toward me, struggling to claw my way through the sand and away from the monster. I leave drops of blood in my wake, and the smell once again prickles my nose in a way I can only describe as delicious.


    This is so messed up.


    I groan as I try to peel the vine away, each tiny shift sending fresh lances of pain up my leg. I can¡¯t get anywhere with this thing sticking out of me. Shit, no wonder Hans was screaming. But as damn painful as it is, at least it didn¡¯t hit any vital organs, and I¡¯m in no danger of bleeding out.


    ¡°Do it fast,¡± I growl to myself, grinding my teeth as sand crunches between them. ¡°Like a bandaid. Quick¡ª¡±


    I yank the spine out of my leg and scream again, throwing the spine uselessly back toward the monster.


    ¡°Screw you,¡± I seethe as blood oozes from my wound. I clamp my hands around it, but the pain has already lessened, and when I roll my ankle, it aches, but there¡¯s no new lances of pain. ¡°Screw you, you stupid meat-eating¡­ plant.¡± Okay, not my best insult. But it¡¯s a little hard to come up with something snappy when you¡¯re in pain and fighting for your life. ¡°Now you¡¯ve done it.¡±


    I struggle to my feet, testing my weight on my injured leg, and find it can support me just fine. I thought it was worse than this, honestly. Maybe it wasn¡¯t as deep as I thought?


    [Health Regeneration Rate: 1 HP per minute.]


    Woah. I¡¯ll heal automatically? Nice! It¡¯s still aching pretty bad, but at this rate I¡¯ll be healed up in another couple minutes¡ªassuming I can survive them. That cactus monster needs to be taken down. Now, it¡¯s personal.


    More of the cacti feelers are crawling in my direction, so I limp quickly away, looking for my sword. I catch sight of it half covered in sand a dozen feet away, though a new twisting vine is between me and it. No matter. It¡¯s not the only discarded weapon in the crater.


    Quickly checking Hans is still out of vine range first, I jog-limp away to the next nearest body. The skeleton¡¯s clothes are full of holes, and its armor and bones fall to pieces when I try to tug part of it out of the sand. If there¡¯s a sword strapped to its waist, it¡¯s buried, and I don¡¯t have time to go digging.


    A glint of metal catches my eye, and I limp-run over to it next. The corner of something pointy is sticking out of the sand. I grab the edge and pull. The item shifts, but it¡¯s heavier than I expected. I take hold of the metal with both hands, then haul it up with everything I¡¯ve got.


    I go staggering back as the shield comes free from the sand. It¡¯s enormous¡ªas big as me¡ªand patterned with a wicked design of fangs and claws. Red stones glint within the dark metal like eyes, and an impression of teeth are engraved at its center. Honestly, pretty damn cool looking. But it¡¯s not a sword, and while a shield certainly doesn¡¯t hurt, this one is definitely of the two-handed variety.


    At the very least, maybe I can set it up in front of Hans to buy us some time. I dash back over to Hans, finding the shield lighter than expected¡ªor maybe I¡¯m just stronger than I¡¯m used to¡ªand the ache in my leg lessening with every passing moment. One of the cactus¡¯s feelers is creeping toward Hans even as I arrive, and I slam the shield down on its limb, severing the vine as I lodge the shield in place. So not totally useless as a weapon. Neat.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, gripping the edge of the shield as I look around for the next nearest available weapon. ¡°If I were a sword, where would I¡­¡±


    Something moves at the edge of my mind. I flinch, looking wildly around for the source of the deeply unsettling sensation I just experienced. What was that? Was it really in my head? Maybe I caught something in the corner of my eye¡ª


    The sensation happens again, and this time, it¡¯s accompanied by more concrete thoughts. A mind yawning into my own, stretching out like a cat waking up from a nap.


    Blood. It tastes blood.


    A faint light appears within the rubies on the surface of the shield. Spiraling out from the stones, red lines glimmer to life along its surface, tracing the carvings of teeth and claws etched into its face. My bloody fingerprints, which cover the shield where I¡¯d been holding onto it, abruptly vanish as if absorbed into the metal itself.


    [Bond established,] Echo says.


    I snatch my hand away, taking an alarmed step back. What the hell? I mean, I know the demonic design probably should have clued me in to its suspicious nature, but how was I supposed to know it was literally possessed?


    Even though I¡¯m no longer touching it, I can still feel it in my mind. It¡¯s looking about curiously, taking in our surroundings. It notices me, and more specifically, it notices the open wound on my ankle.


    Blood. It needs more!


    ¡°Uhhhh, yeah, no thanks,¡± I say, backing further away. Unfortunately, that leaves Hans right next to it. The shield notices him, too.


    God dammit.


    I dart back in, grabbing Hans and hoisting him up by his shoulders, then give the creepy shield a kick for good measure, intending to launch it away from the both of us.


    As it turns out, this was kind of a dumb move.

 Chapter 3 - Murder Shield

    As I kick the shield, I realize a moment too late I¡¯ve done so with my injured foot. The worst consequence to this should have been that it just kinda hurt and was a little stupid and unnecessary. Instead, it¡¯s much worse.


    The glowing red lights engraved in the shield whip out when I kick it, like text lifting from a page, and wrap around my foot. Alarmed, I try to yank my leg back, but only balancing on one leg while holding up another person is not the most stable stance.


    I am successful in yanking my leg back. I¡¯m not successful in yanking my leg away.


    The shield comes with my boot, the weight of both tip over me, and then all three of us crash back into the sand in a painful, tangled heap.


    I struggle to throw everything off of me. ¡°Let go!¡± I cry, attempting to flail my leg.


    The shield seems completely unperturbed by any of this, mentally prodding at the wound in my leg. Ah, there is the blood source!


    ¡°Oh, no you don¡¯t,¡± I say, grabbing the shield and trying to yank it off of me. ¡°No, no, no, no, no!¡±


    The red bands of light shift, using the opportunity to let go of my boot and lash around my forearm instead.


    ¡°Crap!¡± I try to push the shield away with my free hand, but the magic has strapped my arm down against the inner surface of shield. It¡¯s really stuck now.


    The shield finds my behavior very perplexing. Why am I acting this way? Don¡¯t I want to fight? Don¡¯t I want to win?


    I manage to roll to the side, extracting myself from Hans, who at this point is still mumbling to himself and seems completely unaware of anything going on around him.


    Must be nice.


    But at least now that my foot is free, I¡¯m able to stumble to my feet. I spend a moment dumbly flailing my arm around, which only succeeds in banging the bottom of the shield against my own shin several times, but the demon shield isn¡¯t going anywhere.


    Well, this is just great.


    ¡°What do you want with me?¡± I demand, holding the shield as far away from my body as I can manage. Which is to say, half an arm¡¯s length.


    The shield thought this was obvious: Blood!


    ¡°Okay, well, besides that,¡± I say. ¡°Because I¡¯m not giving you any of my blood. I need that for not dying!¡±


    It wouldn¡¯t need very much blood, the shield clarifies. It could do so much, with only a few ounces. Besides, I¡¯m leaking it anyway. Wouldn¡¯t it be better for the shield to have my blood than for it to go to waste in the sand?


    ¡°That is the creepiest argument I¡¯ve ever heard,¡± I say. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t need your help. I was doing great earlier with just that rusty old sword, and I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s going to be more useful to me than you.¡±


    Affront bursts through my mind like a physical blow, and I stumble back from its suddenness. A rusty sword? Absurd! How dare I compare the two! Don¡¯t I know what I¡¯m dealing with? How powerful it is? Such disrespect is entirely undeserved!


    I blink. Wow. I think I hurt its feelings.


    The shield is still fuming at my insult when the next cactus vine whips my way. I spin the shield around, and the feeler skips off its face, deflected into the nearby sand. I pounce on the vine before it has another chance to attack, severing the end as I plant the shield in the ground.


    The shield swells with pride. A pathetic attempt to damage it. As if it could be scratched so easily!


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it was aiming for you,¡± I say.


    Relegating myself to the fact that I¡¯m stuck with this thing for now, I head back over to Hans. It¡¯s becoming a real pain trying to keep this man alive.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I tell him. ¡°I¡¯ve got one less arm to use now, which makes getting you out of here kind of difficult. Could really use your help in the fight.¡± Hans continues to rock back and forth. ¡°Or, you know, just don¡¯t leave yourself open to attack.¡± He mumbles to himself. ¡°Like, even running away would help.¡±


    I sigh, stabbing the shield down on top of another feeler creeping our way. This just couldn¡¯t be easy.


    It could be, the shield says, invading my mind once again. I am using the shield in such a rudimentary way. But it¡¯s so much more. It holds amazing powers beyond my comprehension! If only¡­


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, if only I give you some of my blood,¡± I say, finishing the thought. ¡°Didn¡¯t you already get a taste?¡±


    It did. But that was only enough to establish the bond. To do anything offensive, it needs more.


    ¡°Offense?¡± I ask, knocking another vine away as I retreat a step.


    Yes, the shield eagerly agrees. An attack! That¡¯s the only way I stand a chance of defeating this beast. A conventional weapon will not be nearly enough. And with just a bit of my blood, the shield could be so much stronger!


    As much as I hate to admit it, the shield has a point. With Hans out of commission and lacking much of anything to fight with myself¡ªeven if I did grab another rusted sword¡ªthe likelihood of getting close enough to the cactus¡¯s central stem to deal a fatal blow seems low. I either need to find a way to get us all out of here, or I need a better way to fight.


    ¡°What kind of attack are we talking here?¡± I ask the shield.


    The shield grins into my mind. It knew I would come around!


    At the same time, Echo pipes up. [Check: The Crimson Aegis.]


    [Currently available abilities:]


    [Repeal: Absorb and redirect kinetic attacks. Activation cost: 10 mana.]


    [Devour: Apply a corrosive effect to the outer face of the Aegis. Activation cost: 1 mana per second.]


    [Endure: Enhance the strength and shock absorption of the Aegis. Activation cost: 1 mana per ten seconds.]The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I¡¯m liking the sound of activation costs using mana instead of blood. ¡°How much mana do I have?¡±


    [Mana: 40/40]


    ¡°Sweet.¡± I¡¯ve got some options then. ¡°You can activate these abilities if I spend my mana?¡± I ask the shield.


    It grumpily admits this is the case. But using blood would be much more effective. And it has even stronger abilities I could unlock if I gave it just a few ounces¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡± Things are looking up, actually. The shield¡ªthe Crimson Aegis, apparently¡ªmight have, uh, particular tastes, but it seems it doesn¡¯t actually need blood. And having a sapient magical weapon on my side while attempting to fight off a man-eating plant can only count in my favor.


    I¡¯ve got 40 mana to work with, so I shouldn¡¯t start with the ability that drains 1 mana per second. It¡¯s probably the strongest, given the cost, but until I know what I¡¯m dealing with, I¡¯ll need to be conservative with my mana.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try Repeal, then,¡± I say. It¡¯ll use a quarter of my mana, but being able to redirect attacks against the murder cactus will help me more than just making the shield better at being a shield. ¡°Er, how do I make it work?¡± I mentally prod the shield.


    Echo answers instead. [Mana transfer available via Pact formation. Initiate Pact?]


    ¡°Suuuure,¡± I say, hoping this isn¡¯t a big mistake.


    [Pact initiated.] And then Echo says, [Additional capabilities unlocked.]


    A couple things happen simultaneously. First, I realize I can see through the shield. Not like it¡¯s transparent, exactly, but it¡¯s as if the stones on the front of the shield are actual eyes that I can use as my own. Doubled over the top of my normal vision, it¡¯s almost like a set of bifocals.


    And second, the shield gets loud. If the Crimson Aegis had been a distant yet irritating whisper in my mind before, now it¡¯s a booming gale.


    Finally! It has waited too long to taste power again. Even this is merely a fraction of its potential, but it cannot wait to exercise its will again! It will be good to crush its enemies and drain them of their blood.


    ¡°Uhhhh, or we could not,¡± I say, abruptly having deep regrets.


    But before I can ask Echo if any of this is reversible, she says, [Repeal activated. Mana: 30/40.]


    The light inside the rubies overflow, engulfing the Crimson Aegis in a faint red glow.


    ¡°Okay then.¡± I blink rapidly, trying to adjust to the double vision. It¡¯s a little disorienting, but at least I can now see where I¡¯m heading and what¡¯s coming at me. All I have to do is point the shield properly and make sure it takes some hits. That shouldn¡¯t be too hard, right?


    I step forward, raising the Crimson Aegis before me, and right now, illuminated with its red magic, it¡¯s certainly living up to its name. As I move toward the cactus monster, it sends several vines my way. I duck beneath the shield, planting it in the sand so I don¡¯t experience any more ankle-stabbing surprises, and then flinch as several impacts smack into the shield, rattling me.


    [Kinetic energy stored,] Echo reports.


    ¡°Hell, yeah,¡± I say. ¡°Let¡¯s see how it likes a taste of its own medicine.¡±


    A ripple passes through the shield¡¯s red glow, then it pulses outward like a forcefield, blowing back toward the cactus.


    And it does¡­ nothing. A handful of sand stirs at the attack. The cactus monster sways minutely, as if caught by an unexpected but light gust of wind.


    [0 points of Bludgeoning damage dealt.]


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± I cry. ¡°That was pathetic!¡±


    The Crimson Aegis balks at my words. Its powers are anything but pathetic! It¡¯s not the shield¡¯s fault I don¡¯t know how to use its abilities properly. If I¡¯d just waited for more strikes to hit, its counterattack would have continued to grow in strength!


    ¡°Oh.¡± I guess that makes sense. ¡°Okay then, let¡¯s give it another shot.¡±


    The shield simmers down as I ready a second Repeal, its affront switching to eager anticipation as it looks forward to landing a critical blow. Man, it sure changes tune quick.


    [Repeal activated.]


    [Mana: 20/40]


    Once more the red hue covers the shield, and again I maneuver around the crater, raising the shield to block any incoming attacks, bracing against each glancing blow. I have to fight my instincts and stay standing there to take it each time. Cutting through the vines with the sword had been much easier, but I hadn¡¯t been able to deal any serious damage that way. Hopefully, if the shield can sustain enough hits, I can end this fight in one shot.


    I¡¯m not sure my arms are up to the challenge, though. Each new strike rattles the Crimson Aegis, and in turn me, the vibrations jarring through my hands and arms no matter how much I try to brace against them.


    But there was that Endure spell, too. It said it would increase the durability of the shield and act as a shock absorber.


    ¡°Would that interfere with Repeal¡¯s effect?¡± I ask Echo.


    [Negative,] she reports. [The spells¡¯ effects may be stacked without impacting the efficiency of either.]


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about.¡± The Endure spell costs 1 mana every ten seconds, though, which means I can¡¯t take forever on this. Hopefully, though, with a few more hits on Repeal, I¡¯ll be ready.


    I activate Endure as well, and a second effect appears over the shield; still red, like the rest of the magic, a staticky effect appears along the engraved lines in the shield, tracing all the fangs and claws and the hint at a monstrous face that are embossed in the surface. When I block the next vine strike, I don¡¯t even feel it. On the inner surface of the shield, however, magic ripples in the spot where the vine struck, like a stone cast into a pond.


    Alright, I might be warming up to this murder shield. I dart around the field, circling closer to the cactus monster and drawing more of its attention. It begins coming at me from both sides now, and I have to spin back and forth to keep deflecting the attacks.


    There¡¯s no way I could have moved like this before. Picking up the shield isn¡¯t effortless¡ªit definitely still feels heavy¡ªbut I¡¯m barely breaking a sweat. And yeah, I do spend a lot of time at the gym, but this shield has got to weigh at least two hundred pounds, and I¡¯m swinging it around like it¡¯s made of cardboard. What am I now? A dhampyr? What does that even mean?


    [Check,] Echo says. [Damphyr: one of the many native sapient species of the planet Lusio. Nocturnal and carnivorous in nature, dhampyrs require a diet of fresh meat and blood to survive.]


    Dhampyr¡­ like vampire? You gotta be kidding me. That explains why my blood smells so uncomfortably attractive.


    It just figures I¡¯d get saddled with a shield that¡¯s got the same craving.


    ¡°This is stupid,¡± I grumble.


    But something else Echo said also sticks out to me. The planet Lusio. Then this really isn¡¯t Earth anymore. I mean, the monsters and magic probably should have given that away, but¡­


    How the hell did I end up here? Why in a different body? And why does the magic act like some kind of video game mechanics?


    What in the world is going on?


    Numbers blink in the corner of my vision: [Mana: 8/40]


    Getting low. Another minute before I¡¯m totally out, I think. Which means I need to end this now.


    ¡°Ready, shield?¡± I say, absorbing another couple of hits. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s now or never.¡±


    The Aegis surges to the forefront of my mind, eager to let loose its power. That makes two of us. I dash forward, getting as close to the main body of the creature as I dare. More feelers are coming at me from every direction, now; there¡¯s too many to block them all. Instead, I slam the shield into the ground, point it at the monster, and release Repeal.


    The magic bursts from Aegis in a red shockwave. The vines nearest to us snap back so suddenly that they break into pieces and fly away. The main stalk bows beneath the pressure of the attack, and sand blasts into its flesh, peppering the surface and drawing out more of its watery fluid. A wind whirls around us, kicking up sand and forcing me to duck my head into my arm. Then the wind dies, and the crater is still.


    [213 points of Bludgeoning damage dealt]


    I peek an eye open, blinking away the grit and sand. ¡°Did we win?¡±


    Pain explodes through my side. I stagger and go down as something drives me into the ground, agony burning through my stomach and back.


    [29 points of Piercing damage sustained.]


    [Status Effect: Blood Loss]


    I scream, twisting to get a look even as the movement wrenches new lances of pain from me. A fist-sized vine is stabbed through my side. Aw, damn. That doesn¡¯t look good. And I doubt I¡¯m going to be given enough time for my healing to kick in.


    In a herculean effort, I swing my arm around my body, dropping the shield on the vine. It severs the limb a foot from my body, but this end is still stuck in my abdomen. Crap. Crap crap crap.


    Grimacing against every twinge and stab that¡¯s radiating through my side, I drop my head to the sand, turning it to the cactus monster.


    ¡°How?¡± I ask through clenched teeth. I thought we landed a direct hit.


    [Check,] Echo says. [Carrion Cactus: Mutated by the naturally occurring arcana spawned from the Lifespring Oasis, carrion cacti are harmless when dormant, but voracious and single-minded when starved and in need of food.]


    Great. Glad I¡¯m getting this information now. But that doesn¡¯t tell me anything about how it withstood my attack.


    [HP: 492/725]


    Oh. That¡¯s how.


    I¡¯m so screwed.

 Chapter 4 - Murdered Cactus

    Despite half the vines being blown away, more spine-covered limbs are already crawling toward me. At this rate, I¡¯m going to be plant food.


    ¡°Crap.¡± I try to roll over onto my hands and knees¡ªeasier said than done with a giant shield strapped to your arm and a huge hole stabbed into your side. Instead, I manage to collapse on top of the shield. I suck in a breath as the impact sends another shockwave of pain radiating from my side. With my free hand I feel for the severed vine sticking out of me, and give it a halfhearted tug. I clench my mouth shut and scream inside of my head. The spines are lodged into my skin like hooks. This is not good.


    The shield perks up. Blood? More blood! It greedily consumes what I¡¯ve spilled onto its surface, the drops vanishing with a hiss of smoke the second they make contact with the shield.


    Great. At least one of us is happy.


    More. It still needs more.


    ¡°Sounds like a great way to get me killed,¡± I pant, trying to struggle upright. ¡°Which is already a pretty good possibility.¡±


    The Aegis is aghast. Die? That means losing! And it does not lose.


    ¡°Yeah, well, might not have much of a choice in that.¡±


    The Aegis broils with offense. No! It will win. It will destroy that monster. It will be easy. Trivial! All it needs is more blood. It¡¯s so close!


    I grimace, staggering to my feet. The vine pulses in my side like an infection. It¡¯s getting harder to breathe. Will it prevent my healing from kicking in if it¡¯s still stuck there? I can¡¯t fight like this, not when every tiny move digs those spines in deeper and sends a new wave of agony through me. I know you¡¯re not supposed to pull a knife from a stab wound, but those rules might not apply when magic is involved.


    ¡°Tell you what,¡± I gasp. I stagger a few steps from the nearest vine and then plant the shield in the ground, leaning against it like a crutch to keep me from collapsing back to the sand. ¡°If you can get this thing out of me, you can have whatever blood comes out as a result.¡±


    ACCEPTED! Offer accepted. It will use my mana to activate Devour and eat the vine away.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I say, struggling to focus on anything other than the agony that continues to lance through me. ¡°Do it.¡±


    [Devour activated.]


    The lines of light on the shield turn a darker shade of red¡ªalmost black. More bands of magic appear, like the one that¡¯s strapped my arm to the shield, and these ones also lift off the surface and snap themselves around the vine in my side. I gasp as the spines in my flesh are jarred from the movement, but a moment later, the plant begins to disintegrate before my eyes. The edges turn black, then dissolve like bits of burned paper in a breeze. The relief is immediate as the spines vanish from inside me. In a matter of seconds, the vine is gone.


    [Mana extinguished.]


    And then, the inevitable happens. Blood begins pouring out the hole in my side. The shield¡¯s magical bands don¡¯t retreat, however; they snap around my wound, plastering to my skin like some sort of demonic bandaid. It stops the blood from spilling from my side, which might have been a good thing except I can feel the shield greedily lapping it all up, encouraging more of my blood to keep flowing toward it.


    ¡°Stop,¡± I say, still leaning heavily on the shield. Maybe it¡¯s my imagination or just the rush of the fight, but I already feel a little lightheaded. ¡°You¡¯re going to make me pass out.¡±


    Just a little more, the Aegis insists. It¡¯s almost enough! Then we can win.


    ¡°Neither of us will win if I die from blood loss.¡± My knees buckle, and only the shield keeps me upright. This was a mistake.


    No! The shield swells in my mind, defiant and determined. Defeat is not an option. The Crimson Aegis never loses. It will not accept that. Almost¡­ There!


    [Blood Ward activated,] Echo says.


    What? It can do that? Hold up, I didn¡¯t give it permission to activate an ability!


    The shield doesn¡¯t pay me any mind: it doesn¡¯t need my permission.


    It¡¯s acting on its own. I don¡¯t have control over it. The thought chills me.


    The red magic that flows through the shield¡¯s engravings becomes thicker, viscous, more real. It¡¯s blood, but it¡¯s also sparking with energy. The eyes on the shield glow. A light appears between its teeth, and magic flicks around the edges like a serpent¡¯s tongue.


    A vine reaches up for the shield, and Aegis reacts so fast, I barely see it.


    A line of blood lifts off the shield and snaps out like a whip, severing the vine as if its attack is made of metal, not blood. More lines of blood raise from the shield, each writhing like the feelers of a giant, horrifying bug. Anything that gets too close is skewered in an instant¡ªthen cut to ribbons if the skewering isn¡¯t enough. The threads of blood move faster, spinning around us, hacking and slashing everything within range.


    Closer, the shield tells me. It needs to get closer to the creature¡¯s main stalk. And quick! Before the blood runs out.


    I tear my eyes away from the shield¡¯s horrifying display of slicing and dicing, and manage to push myself upright. I grunt as I pull the shield from the sand¡ªit feels heavier now than it did earlier¡ªand I stagger forward. The Aegis is more than a little terrifying, but deciding what to do with the murder shield is a problem to be solved when not faced with the possibility of being eaten by a murder cactus. Right now, working with it is my best move. Maybe my only move.


    I stumble toward the cactus¡¯s central stalk, gaining more confidence in my footing with each step. The pain in my side is still throbbing, but the initial agony has dulled to a troubling numbness. I¡¯ll bear it now and deal with the consequences later.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The Aegis continues to whip its net of razor-sharp blood around us, shredding more of the cactus the closer I get. My vision begins to speckle with salt and pepper dots. I miss a step and go down to one knee¡ªa vine takes advantage of this opening and darts toward me, but Aegis shreds it before it can get close. I push upward once more. Only a few more steps.


    My vision is tunneling inward when I finally make it. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve pushed an invisible force field into the monster. One moment it¡¯s looming over me, and the next, half of its trunk is missing, like an ice cream scoop carved a chunk of it away. Then it¡¯s tipping toward me, falling downward¡ªand it disintegrates where it crashes over me. The lines of blood are like a blender, shredding the cactus so fine, all that reaches me is a cool, green-smelling mist.


    My vision goes black, and I faintly feel myself fall to the side as Echo distantly says, [Carrion cactus defeated. EXP threshold met. Bloodloss Status Effect ended. Level up! Health regeneration rate increased by 5%.]


    Warmth washes over me, and all my aches and pains vanish in an instance. Even with my sight speckling slowly back into view, I can clearly read the following words imprinted over my vision.


    [Name: Nye]


    [Species: Dhampyr]


    [Class: Guardian]


    [Level: 15]


    [HP: 130/130]


    [Mana: 45/45]


    [Role: The Knight]


    I breathe a sigh of relief. I¡¯m healed. Thank god.


    The Aegis beams with pride. And more importantly, we won!


    ¡°Winning doesn¡¯t matter if I end up dead,¡± I grumble, feeling my side where the hole had been just a moment before. There¡¯s a tear in my clothes now, but the skin beneath doesn¡¯t have a mark on it, like I was never hurt at all.


    The Aegis somehow manages to scoff in my mind. Winning is winning. Nothing else matters.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I groan, picking myself up and one-handedly dusting my clothes off as I survey the scene. ¡°If you say so.¡± Bits of severed cactus litter the field, but none of it is moving any longer. In fact, the only thing that stirs in the entire crater is Hans, still curled up in the fetal position and whimpering miserably.


    ¡°So, Echo,¡± I say, heading back over to Hans. ¡°Know how I can get this thing off of me?¡± All the shield¡¯s magic has since flickered away, except for the bands of light that still have it strapped to my arm. ¡°I¡¯d really like to get the use of both arms back.¡±


    The magic squeezes tighter at my words. What?! How could I want to get rid of it? It¡¯s so powerful! Anyone would want to use such an amazing shield. Only a fool couldn¡¯t see the value in it!


    I roll my eyes as Echo responds. [As a Pact has been established, the Crimson Aegis may summon or disperse its bands at will.]


    ¡°So I have to wait for it to let go of me?¡± I ask, annoyed.


    [Affirmative,] Echo says. [Additionally, the user has access to one Inventory slot. Any non-living items may be placed in the slot.]


    I tip my head. ¡°An Inventory?¡± I glance down, as if expecting to find a bag at my waist or straps of a backpack around my shoulders I¡¯d somehow missed before. ¡°How does that work?¡±


    [Add the Crimson Aegis to Inventory?] Echo asks.


    The shield notices this exchange, but doesn¡¯t seem to entirely understand what we¡¯re talking about. It can¡¯t be so easily discarded. It is the great Crimson Aegis! Nothing can stop it. Nothing can injure it. It is the eater of dragons. Destroyer of w¡ª


    ¡°Sure, add it to my Inventory,¡± I say.


    The shield vanishes from my arm.


    [Crimson Aegis added to Inventory.]


    I flex the fingers of my newly freed arm and roll my shoulder. Whew! That¡¯s a relief. Murder cactus: killed. Murder shield: stored. Now there¡¯s just¡­ literally everything else to deal with.


    ¡°Hey, man,¡± I say, approaching Hans. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on with you, but if it¡¯s anything half as weird as what I just went through, a little bit of freaking out is warranted.¡± I look around at the skeletons scattered around the crater. ¡°That said, it looks like we¡¯re in the middle of a graveyard, so maybe we should try to get out of here.¡±


    Hans looks up at me through squinted eyes, as if just trying to focus is painful. ¡°This¡­ Echo. Do you hear her too?¡±


    That might be the first coherent thing I¡¯ve gotten out of him. ¡°Yeah. Are you also from Earth?¡±


    ¡°Earth?¡± He looks around. ¡°We¡¯re not on Earth?¡±


    Oh, boy. ¡°Thought the murder cactus would have clued you in.¡±


    ¡°Murder¡­¡± He frowns. ¡°I was supposed to tame it. That¡¯s what Echo said. My Role Requirement.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    His face turns pained again, and he clutches his head. ¡°It hurt so bad. My Sanity. It¡¯s better now, but what if it happens again?¡±


    I wish I had any idea what he was saying. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it while we get out of here, alright?¡± I say. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re in this together.¡±


    And if both of us ended up here, then maybe my brother isn¡¯t far. I¡¯d felt him nearby in¡­ whatever that place was, after the ocean. He¡¯d been there with me, I¡¯m certain of it. Which hopefully means he can¡¯t be far.


    Hans accepts my hand up, and I help him limp up the side of the crater. I tip my head as we walk. ¡°Do you hear something?¡±


    Now that there¡¯s not a new existential crisis to process or monster to fight, I¡¯m becoming distantly aware of a faint sound. I can¡¯t tell which way it¡¯s coming from, but there¡¯s distant, muted cries, mixed with rapid clangs of metal. A smell is growing stronger as we approach the top as well: something sweet and coppery which makes my mouth water and my stomach clench with hunger. I already have a sinking suspicion of what might be the source.


    ¡°Christ,¡± Hans says as we pause at the top. I slowly lower him to the ground so he can give his injured leg a rest as we silently take in our surroundings.


    We¡¯re in the middle of a desert; that was obvious enough from all the sand. Rocky arches and pillars of stone dot the landscape like fingers of a giant reaching from the earth. But that might be the only normal thing about our surroundings.


    As the clouds shift, allowing the light of the two moons to illuminate the lands, the battle becomes apparent. There¡¯s a clamber of fighting and the occasional flash of half a mile away. Shadows dot the ground between there and here, which Echo unhelpfully labels as [Corpse]s when I focus on them; it isn¡¯t hard to imagine what I¡¯m smelling.


    One small blessing is that the fight isn¡¯t right on top of us, but we¡¯re definitely too close for my comfort. What if we get mistaken for one side or the other? I glance at Hans and the two crescent moons carved into his chest plate. Looking down at myself, I note I¡¯m wearing the same.


    Wait. What does that mean? Whose bodies are these?


    ¡°We¡¯re really not on Earth anymore,¡± Hans says, looking at the sky. ¡°It¡¯s night. Why can I see everything so well?¡±


    ¡°Uh, well, the world isn¡¯t the only thing that¡¯s changed,¡± I tell him, tapping my own pointed ears. His eyes widen as he touches his own. He¡¯s probably going to need a minute.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, surveying the landscape. The battle is off in¡­ well, I¡¯ll just call that North. To the west are some rock formations, to the south is our crater and seemingly open desert, and to the distant, distant east appears to be some mountains or cliffs. The question is: which way is least likely to get us killed?


    As I¡¯m wondering this, Echo¡¯s presence reappears in my head.


    [Role Requirement,] she says, and a new symbol appears in the corner of my vision. It¡¯s an¡­ arrow? It swivels around, then stops, pointing to my relative west.


    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± I ask.


    [Role Requirement,] Echo repeats. [The Knight must protect the Prince at all costs.]


    ¡°Role Requirement?¡± I repeat, perplexed. ¡°Prince?¡±


    Han¡¯s head snaps in my direction, and he visibly pales. ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I shrug. ¡°Echo¡¯s saying something about¡­¡±


    [Role Requirement,] Echo repeats, and the arrow in the corner of my vision seems to shimmer urgently. [The Knight must protect the Prince at all costs.]


    Then, another stat appears in my vision.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Hans says. ¡°It¡¯s happening to you, too.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I ask. ¡°What happened to you? What are you worried about?¡± But the new stat answers that for me.


    [Sanity Level: 99%]

 Chapter 5 - The Umbral Blades

    ¡°Sanity level?¡± I repeat. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡±


    ¡°You have to do it,¡± Hans says. His expression is weary and pitying. ¡°Whatever she¡¯s telling you, if you don¡¯t, it¡¯ll only get worse.¡±


    ¡°What will get worse?¡± But even as I ask, I can feel a distant buzzing in the back of my head. An uncomfortable static tingling in my fingers.


    [Sanity Level: 98%. Role Requirement: Protect the Prince.]


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know who that is!¡± I cry.


    But there¡¯s that arrow in the corner of my vision. I turn my head, and it swivels around with me. It¡¯s pointing toward a cluster of rock formations not far off.


    I groan. ¡°You have to be kidding me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, man,¡± he says. ¡°But it¡¯ll get bad if you don¡¯t do it. With that monster thing¡ªI was down to thirty percent. I couldn¡¯t even think anymore. It only stopped when you killed it.¡±


    ¡°This is crazy,¡± I say. ¡°I don¡¯t have to do what she says!¡±


    The mental static is getting louder, though. An uncomfortable pressure is encroaching on my mind.


    [Sanity Level: 97%]


    ¡°What does she want you to do?¡± Hans asks.


    I huff. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to protect some prince or something.¡±


    ¡°Tough break.¡± Hans grimaces. ¡°How are you supposed to even find him? That¡¯s almost worse than my ¡®tame a beast¡¯ Requirement.¡±


    ¡°Well.¡± I hesitate, tipping my head and watching the arrow move. ¡°There is this pointer thing. I think it¡¯s showing me where he is.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Hans raises his eyebrows. ¡°Then that makes it kind of easy, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about it being easy,¡± I growl. ¡°It¡¯s about free will! I shouldn¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t,¡± Hans agrees. ¡°But I don¡¯t think either of us are really being given a choice. And at least yours seems achievable.¡±


    [Sanity Level: 96%]


    ¡°This is stupid,¡± I growl, running my hands through my short shock of hair. The buzzing in my head is getting worse.


    ¡°You can say that all you want, but that¡¯s not going to make Echo go away,¡± Hans says.


    I glare down at him, as if that makes anything he said less true.


    [Sanity Level: 95%]


    ¡°God dammit!¡± I spin on my heels and angrily begin stalking in the direction the arrow is indicating. This is not what I need right now. What if this dumb, mandatory quest is taking me away from my brother? It¡¯s been one thing after another since I ended up in this world. When will I catch a freaking break?


    ¡°Stay there,¡± I call back to a very worried looking Hans, still sitting at the edge of the crater. Not like he can go anywhere with that injury anyway. ¡°And pull those spines out while you wait! It will start to heal. I¡¯ll be back whenever I¡¯m done with¡­ whatever this is.¡±


    ¡°Be careful,¡± he shouts.


    I wave an acknowledging hand over my shoulder and angrily strike out into the desert. Now. Where is this stupid prince and why does he need protecting?


    As I stomp my way over the sand, my Sanity Level ticks down another percent, and I walk a little faster. Then, I break into a jog. I can¡¯t let myself end up like Hans, useless and indefensible. Especially if ¡°protecting¡± this prince means another fight. Fear tinges my anger. How far away is this guy? What if my sanity doesn¡¯t last that long?


    And what happens when it hits zero?


    I wish those were my only worries. As I hurry over the sand, I come upon a body, and I can tell it¡¯s fresh from its smell. Not a corpse kind of smell¡ªa tempting, rare steak kind of smell which has my stomach grumbling. I¡¯m disgusted by the instinct, even as I really, desperately want to sate this hunger. It¡¯s almost as uncomfortable as this mind static the Sanity metric is causing. No, actually, I think the Sanity stat is making it worse.


    I struggle to keep my eyes away as I pass the body, swallowing as my mouth starts to water. It was that damn shield, I bet. Took too much of my blood, and now I¡¯m the one left desperate for a top-off.


    [Sanity Level: 92%]


    I let loose a string of swears and push myself faster. The one good thing about this body is that I seem to have a lot more stamina. Unfortunately, I¡¯m probably going to need it.


    Over the next couple minutes, my sanity dips below 90%. The rate of decline slows the faster I move, but I can never get it to quite stop. The mental pressure is almost a physical sensation now, buzzing beneath my skin and threatening to fog my mind. The thirst is worse, too. God, I¡¯m so thirsty. But I can¡¯t think about that now. The Role Requirement arrow has started wiggling a little, meaning I must be getting closer¡ªor maybe the prince is on the move. I really hope it¡¯s the former. At this rate, I maybe have twenty minutes before I¡¯m reduced to a mindless babbling child. What kind of magic does this to people?!Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    I¡¯m so laser focused on following the arrow that I don¡¯t notice the shadow until it¡¯s almost on top of me.


    They move from behind a nearby boulder and dart my way. Moonlight catches on a blade, and without that flicker of movement, I might have been toast. I try to skid to a halt but even with faster reflexes I can¡¯t stop on a dime. Still, it¡¯s enough to make the slash cut through air instead of my gut, and by the time they¡¯re pivoting around and coming in for a second attack, I¡¯m actually registering what¡¯s happening.


    That person just tried to kill me!


    I dodge to the side and sweep my foot through theirs as they lunge for me, and they stumble, dropping to a knee. I come down on top of them, stomping my boot on their knife-hand with all my might.


    [4 points of Bludgeoning damage dealt.]


    They let out a cry, scrambling away from me on their hands and knees. I really wish I had remembered to pick up that rusty old sword back in the cactus crater, but I¡¯ll just have to make do without. In fact¡­


    ¡°Echo, can I have that shield back now?¡± I ask.


    ¡°What?¡± the person says, drawing another knife from their belt.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you,¡± I say, only realizing how crazy that must sound after the words have left my mouth.


    Now that I have half a second to take them in, I can tell they¡¯re also a dhampyr. But unlike Hans and I, this one is dressed all in tan, loose clothes that match the desert¡¯s color; no armor or insignias, but the cloth is wrapped around their face like a mask.


    [Affirmative,] Echo says. [Remove Crimson Aegis from inventory?]


    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± I say. ¡°Please.¡±


    The shield abruptly blinks into existence right in front of me, causing my attacker to retreat another couple of startled steps.


    The Crimson Aegis emits a spike of surprise as it takes in its new surroundings. What¡¯s going on? How did it get here? What was that dark place it had just been in?


    It quickly lashes its magic back around my arm again, as if afraid I¡¯d leave it behind. And honestly, I might; my feelings on this shield are still undetermined.


    Its surprise shifts to indignation. It hat been in the middle of explaining something, and I interrupted it! How disrespectful. Now, where had it been? Oh, right.


    ¡ªWorlds! Bane of the gods! It is so powerful, it once¡ª


    ¡°Can we not do this now?¡± I say. ¡°I¡¯m kind of in the middle of something.¡±


    The shield finally notices the person before us, who warily raises their knife.


    Who is this, the shield wonders. An enemy? We should defeat them! Then it can drink some of their blood. It really would like more blood!


    Well, that didn¡¯t take long. ¡°Hey,¡± I say, calling around the shield. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but I¡¯m in a bit of a hurry. Now, this shield would love to duke it out, but I¡¯d rather not fight if I can help it. Like I said; a bit of a time crunch.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the stranger demands, not moving from their defensive stance. ¡°How did you find us?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t find anything!¡± I object. ¡°I¡¯m just, uh, headed in this direction.¡± Yeah, super convincing. ¡°Looking for someone. Now will you let me go?¡±


    [Sanity Level: 87%]


    I wince.


    The stranger¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°Looking for who? Where are you headed?¡±


    Ugh, I don¡¯t have time for this. I hoist the shield out of the sand and take a careful step to the side. ¡°A prince. It doesn¡¯t matter. Look, I¡¯m just going to head this way, and forget that you just attacked me, and then we can both just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Traitor!¡± the person cries, their arm a flicker of motion.


    I duck and the knife pings off the shield. The Aegis swells with indignation. Attacked us? How dare they. Pathetic! We will destroy them!


    I sigh. I guess we¡¯re actually doing this.


    I activate Endure, and red magic washes over the shield¡¯s surface. Then I run straight at my attacker.


    To their merit, they don¡¯t just stand there and take it. Probably most people would take one look at a glowing, red, demon-styled, person-sized shield and try to get right the fuck out of its way. But they¡¯d already been running in my direction, and only have a moment to pivot and try to dodge.


    I run over them like a bowling ball. I don¡¯t even feel it. The magic ripples on the backside of the shield where their body impacts, and then they¡¯re flung to the side like a ragdoll. They pinwheel through the air, hit the sand face-first, and don¡¯t get up.


    [35 points of Bludgeoning damage dealt.]


    Well that was easy. I turn off Endure; the whole fight lasted all of seven seconds and cost me one point of mana. I grin. Sweet.


    [Sanity Level: 86%]


    Less sweet.


    Victory! the shield declares in my mind. They were a fool to think they could stand against us. Nothing can defeat the Crimson Aegis. Now, all I have to do is let it consume their blood.


    ¡°Echo, add the Aegis back to my inventory,¡± I say.


    No, wait! Don¡¯t do that, not ag¡ª


    [Crimson Aegis added to inventory.]


    I¡¯m starting to think I can make this relationship work.


    I take a quick moment to check my unconscious attacker, despite the ever-growing discomfort in my mind. Even as I¡¯m digging through their clothes, wondering who the heck this person was, Echo pipes up to add her own commentary.


    [Check: Zetya, level 21 dhampyr shadow rogue. Member of the Umbral Blades, a radical organization from the Moonfall Dynasty.]


    Neat, but doesn¡¯t really tell me much of anything useful. I finish digging through their clothes, but besides the blades, I don¡¯t find anything on them. Nothing that will help me, at any rate. I grab the two knives, and then keep running.


    The Role Requirement arrow takes me into the sandstone formations. The pillars and walls of rock rise up in a labyrinth around me; I hope I¡¯ll be able to find my way out again. The effects of my rapidly depleting Sanity now tingle through my whole body, like ants beneath my skin and sand shifting through my bones. I¡¯m getting antsy. Thirsty. I desperately need to find that prince. It¡¯s getting hard to focus on anything else.


    [Sanity Level: 84%]


    The sand around this area is stirred up, like people have come through here; then again, an entire battle is taking place not far off, so that doesn¡¯t tell me if the footprints are relevant to my task. The arrow swivels more now when I cut around rock formations. I think that means he¡¯s close.


    A minute later, my hope is confirmed as faint voices drift between the rocks. I briefly slow down, trying to step more softly, but then my Sanity Level drops another point¡ª82% now¡ªand I start hurrying again. What do you think the chances are that these guys are more interested in talking than Zetya back there?


    At least I¡¯ve got the advantage of stealth. I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯ll do, exactly, but hopefully how I can ¡°Protect the Prince¡± will become visibly apparent once I scope out the scene. The voices grow louder¡ªand my Sanity Level drops another point¡ªas I sneak around a rocky outcrop.


    ¡°...back by now. Something¡¯s wrong,¡± a feminine voice says.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± a masculine voice responds. ¡°Getting him to Moonfall territory is our top priority. They can catch up with us later.¡±


    ¡°We both know that¡¯s not going to happen,¡± the first voice grumbles.


    ¡°This is bigger than any one of us,¡± a third voice says. I slowly edge my head around the corner, trying to get a look at the scene. ¡°Sacrifices will have to be made. This is war. But his capture might at least blow the dunes in our favor.¡±


    There¡¯s a group of four people, all dressed like Zetya in light desert-colored clothes, and armed with small weapons. Two are dhampyr, I think, but two more look human. Even as I scan them, Echo pipes up with a brief description.


    [Members of the Umbral Blades.]


    Looks like I found Zetya¡¯s buddies, then. The group is arrayed around a captive, whose wrists are tied and mouth is bound. I¡¯ve never seen the man before in my life, but I instantly know who he is: my arrow is pointing right at him.


    [Prince identified,] Echo helpfully adds.

 Chapter 6 - Bloodlust

    The prince appears to be about my age, somewhere in his early twenties. He¡¯s definitely not a dhampyr, as his skin is a shade of dark brown instead of gray. His black hair is woven into dozens of tight braids, which are tied back with a gold ribbon, and he¡¯s wearing a matching pair of round, gold glasses, one lens of which is cracked. A handful of jewelry decorates his person: a few gold ear cuffs, and equally fancy gold bracelets and neck chains. Compared to his captors, each well-toned and athletic, the prince looks like he¡¯s more used to wielding a pen than a sword. He¡¯s wearing some kind of light leather-based armor, similar to mine, though the colors and design are different, the style more decorative. I would have liked more time to take in all the details, but my Sanity ticks down another percent, and I decide that¡¯s enough reconnaissance for now.


    Given the state of the prince and how things with Zetya went, it¡¯s obvious they¡¯re not about to hand him over willingly. Talking it out won¡¯t be an option. Which means it¡¯s time to use the element of surprise to my advantage.


    [Sanity Level: 79%]


    I step from behind my hiding place, take practiced aim, and throw the first knife. It strikes Goon #1 in their back, stabbing partway into their shoulder. They cry out and stagger forward, the others turning to their companion, even as I switch the second blade to my dominant hand and throw again. It flashes by Goon #2¡¯s back as they turn to see what¡¯s happening.


    [9 points of Piercing damage dealt.]


    I run full-tilt toward the group. The prince has turned to look as well, his eyes widening as I race toward them. Goon #3 catches sight of me and shouts, while Goon #4 draws a sword. She¡¯s the first to react, so she worries me the most.


    ¡°Echo, summon the Crimson Aegis!¡± I say.


    [Aegis removed from Inventory.]


    The shield appears in the air before my arm, latching itself back onto me as I bear down on the group.


    Ah! The shield emanates irritation. I did it again, didn¡¯t I? Why am I treating it with such insolence? We should be working together. With the Aegis in hand, I would be unstoppable! It is a power worthy of¡­ Wait, what¡¯s going on? Oh yay, a fight!


    I crash into Goon #2 shield-first and the two of us go sprawling to the ground. Echo rattles off some bludgeoning damage, but I¡¯m already rolling over and springing to my feet: the Umbral Blade I hit remains stunned on the ground for the time being. I bring my shield up right as Goon #4¡¯s sword swings toward me, and the shield and blade ring with a metallic clang.


    ¡°Devour!¡± I cry, activating the spell. Magic ripples over the surface as Aegis eagerly attacks the blade that¡¯s still making contact with our shield, wrapping bands of red magic around it. The sword melts away like it¡¯s being eaten by acid, and the woman jumps back, yanking her sword from Aegis¡¯s grasp.


    That doesn¡¯t stop the others. Goons #1 and #3 circle around to opposite sides and race toward me at once. I swing the shield toward Goon #3, fending off another sword attack, while I turn to face #1. They¡¯ve still got the knife in their shoulder from my first attack, so I figure they¡¯re less of a threat.


    Turns out less of a threat is still a threat. They swipe at me with a knife, and it¡¯s either their off-hand, or the wound is getting to them, because there¡¯s not much precision behind the slash. I jerk out of the way, then block their wrist and try to disarm them. Thanks to the Aegis I¡¯m also only using one hand, however, so the move is awkward and clumsy.


    They yank back as I twist, and the knife spins around in their grasp, slipping from their fingers. It still manages to nick me on the way down to the sand. Blood wells on my wrist, then drips down my arm. It¡¯s not deep, but it burns like hell.


    [2 points of Slashing damage sustained.]


    [Status Effect: Blood Loss]


    [Sanity Level: 78%]


    The Crimson Aegis doesn¡¯t let the status effect escape its notice, ribbons of magic creeping toward my wrist.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare,¡± I growl. I deactivate Devour, as it¡¯s already eaten a quarter of my available mana, and activate Endure instead. I pull away from the four fighters as I reassess the situation and mentally fend off the Aegis, who is desperate for another taste of my blood.


    The problem is, I¡¯m kind of feeling similar.


    The smell of blood is driving me crazy once again, and it seems like the more I bleed, the hungrier I¡¯m getting. I shake my head as if that can clear it out, but my mind is buzzing, and I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s because of the blood, my Sanity Level, the Aegis¡¯s intrusive presence, or some combination of the three. This is not what I need in the middle of a fight. I have to concentrate!


    Even as I¡¯m trying to figure out what to do next, the Umbral Blades are regrouping.


    ¡°Jan, take the captive,¡± Goon #4 barks. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of this and catch up with you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain.¡± Goon #2¡ªJan, apparently¡ªhas recovered from my initial attack. He stumbles over to the prince, grabs his bound wrists, and yanks him to his feet. Jan drags the prince away as the other three step into place before me, weapons raised.


    [Sanity Level: 77%]


    [Sanity Level: 76%]


    Even as the prince moves away from me, I can feel the stat getting worse. It had slowed down a little since I began fighting, only dropping when I took damage, but I guess now that the distance between us is increasing again, that moment of reprieve is over.


    This is going to be a pain.


    I press my injured wrist to the shield, smearing a streak of blood across the surface. ¡°Is that enough for a Blood Ward?¡±


    The Aegis greedily devours my blood, which vanishes from the surface of the shield almost as fast as I leave it there.


    Not much blood, the shield informs me with disappointment. But it will work with what it has. Defeat is never an option!


    I huff out a laugh as the three Umbral Blades spread out, trying to encircle me. At least it¡¯s confident.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    [Sanity Level: 75%]


    The Blades rush in. I swing the shield around, but they dodge rather than make contact¡ªstill wary of Devour¡¯s effect, looks like. That¡¯s a problem, because the only other two spells I can use, Endure and Repeal, rely on contact to have any effect. Instead, they wait until I turn to face a different adversary to dart in and try to stab me. A spear makes it through, slicing across my back, and I cry out as I stagger away.


    [4 points of Slashing damage sustained.]


    [Status Effect: Blood Loss]


    [Sanity level: 73%]


    ¡°How about that Blood Ward?¡± I gasp. My mind is full of bees. My mouth is watering at the smell of my own blood. Pain burns in my wrist and back, and Echo¡¯s Role Requirement rings in my mind, urging me to protect the prince. I¡¯m trying, dammit!


    The Aegis still waits; there¡¯s not much blood for it to work with. It needs to be intentional about when it activates the ability. Unless I want to give it more blood?


    ¡°There will certainly be more if you don¡¯t do anything!¡±


    Oh! Maybe it will wait then.


    I let loose an exasperated growl and charge at the nearest soldier. They slash toward me out of instinct, landing a blow on the shield; finally a little bit of energy to store for Repeal, though I¡¯ll need to take several more hits before it will be strong enough to turn against them. Seeing their weapons are no longer being corroded by my shield, the other two also grow more bold, launching a flurry of attacks at me. I block and dodge where I can, and take hits where I can¡¯t. They¡¯re landing glancing blows, leaving slashes across my arms and legs and back, slowly whittling away at my HP. This isn¡¯t good. I shouldn¡¯t have tried to take several people on at once. I know better than that. But it¡¯s too late to back out now.


    [Sanity Level: 71%]


    I fight as hard as I can. I give it everything I have. I spin, deflect, dodge¡ªbut this is nothing like the cactus monster. People use strategy. People coordinate. People have experience. If I don¡¯t shake these guys and go after the prince soon, I¡¯m screwed.


    A slash across the back of my leg sends me stumbling to my knees. The Umbral Blades close in, and I finally activate Repeal. The magic pulses outward, blowing away a pulse of sand and striking my opponents. They reel back from the unexpected blow, and one of them loses their spear, flung away like a twig on a gust of wind. I struggle to stand, but their captain has already recovered and is racing toward me, sword raised. I try to climb to my feet in time and bring the shield around, but I¡¯m not quick enough. Luckily, the Aegis is.


    [Blood Ward activated.]


    A line of blood whips out of the shield and toward the woman just as her sword is about to crash into my head. Instead, her sword flips over me¡ªalong with her sword arm.


    Just the arm.


    Her blood sprays me and the shield, and the Crimson Aegis rejoices from the extra blood. The splash of red that hits the shield¡¯s surface vanishes almost as quickly. At the same time, the Aegis¡¯s presence in my mind feels stronger.


    The woman screams, stumbling away and clutching the stump of her arm. I swipe a hand over my face where her blood had sprayed me¡ªwhere I can smell it on me¡ªbut it¡¯s a futile gesture. Fighting the pain as I struggle back to my feet, I instinctively lick my lips.


    The taste hits me like a slap, and my mind short-circuits.


    The blood should be revolting. I should be horrified. But it¡¯s hard to remember those things when you¡¯ve just hooked your tastebuds up to a live wire. When all your nerves feel electric, when you¡¯re on the highest high you¡¯ve ever experienced in your life.


    Ambrosia.


    [Bloodlust ability activated.]


    The pain dims. I¡¯ve never felt so powerful. So confident. So strong. I lick my lips again, and get a second jolt of ecstasy. I need more. I¡¯d do anything for more. The world narrows in on the three soldiers around me. They meet my eyes with looks of horror.


    Suddenly, they don¡¯t seem so scary. I leap toward them¡ªand I really leap, like six feet in the air¡ªand swing the shield down on them like a baseball bat. I blast Goon #3 in the side and send them skipping over the sand until they slam into a boulder. Goon #1 comes at me from my non-shield side. I can¡¯t block with my free hand, so I don¡¯t. I snap my head to the side, dodging their thrust, then bite down on their hand. They scream. Blood fills my mouth. My mind goes white with elation. The Aegis is thrilled, too.


    Things start to feel like they¡¯re moving in slow motion after that. The Moonfall soldiers try to fight back, but I¡¯m too fast for them. I tear weapons from their hands. I jump on the back of one who tries to flee. The Aegis sucks up any blood that manages to spill over its surface, and I likewise lick my hands, like a cat cleaning its paws. There¡¯s a distant part of my mind that itches at me¡ªsomething that¡¯s trying to warn me this is wrong. Something is deeply wrong. But I don¡¯t want to pursue that thought. I like feeling this way. Powerful. Invincible. Floating. Buzzing.


    Buzzing?


    The prince. Right. That voice is still ringing in my head, that mental pressure still urging me on my quest. In fact, it¡¯s starting to resolve into a headache. A pinching, painful corkscrew drilling itself into my head. I growl; it¡¯s hard to enjoy the high with the Role Requirement still pressing at me. And my Sanity Level¡­ what was that again?


    What¡­ what am I doing, again?


    I frown, trying to concentrate on that itch of alarm. Trying to bring it into focus.


    There are three bodies around me. None of them move. The sand is stained red and smells like summer rain. I lick my lips again, and the pain dissolves, my briefly-realized concern melting away with it.


    The prince. That¡¯s the only thing that matters.


    I kick off the ground, sending up a burst of sand in my wake. I race across the desert so fast it feels like I¡¯m flying. The wind whips through my hair and across my skin, drying the wetness on my face. I¡¯ve never felt so alive. I never want this feeling to end.


    The arrow in my vision keeps me on course. After a few minutes, I can make out two figures ahead of me. They¡¯re running. I¡¯m faster, though, and I know I¡¯ll overtake them in another minute. But with the Role Requirement urging me on, I¡¯m impatient. I grin, and the Aegis grins with me.


    I wait until they¡¯re only a hundred feet ahead. Then I grab the Aegis with my free hand and pull it from my arm¡ªand the shield lets me, dissolving the arm band that previously kept me from getting rid of it. Maybe it knows what I¡¯m thinking. Right now, it¡¯s hard to tell where my mind stops and its mind begins. Blood. We both crave blood. That much at least we have in common. For now, that¡¯s enough.


    I aim, spin, and launch the shield. The Crimson Aegis flies through the air like a refrigerator-sized frisbee. The last Umbral Blade doesn¡¯t even stand a chance.


    They go down as the shield skewers them into the ground, and the prince stumbles and falls next to them. When the puff of sand clears, the Aegis remains upright like an oversized gravestone.


    I don¡¯t stop running, the excitement of the chase still coursing through me, the high of more blood calling me¡ªmaybe even more insistent than the Role Requirement which still rings in my ears. Oh, and that Sanity Level. What is it at, now? I try to focus on the numbers, but they¡¯ve stopped making sense. Like I¡¯m staring at meaningless shapes. 5¡­ Fifty something? It doesn¡¯t matter. Just blood and the prince matter.


    I clear the final dozen feet with an excited leap, coming down on top of the corpse of the Umbral Blade. To my disappointment, however, there¡¯s no new blood. Aegis already drank it all! I angrily turn to the shield as it exudes smug satisfaction. I snatch it from the ground, but there¡¯s nothing I can do about it now. As punishment, I add it back to my Inventory. I lick my lips again, but all the blood there is already dried or gone. There¡¯s no new hit of elation to be had. Frustrated, I turn away from the dehydrated, bisected corpse, and look to the prince.


    [Role Requirement fulfilled,] Echo says. [The Prince is no longer in imminent danger.]


    [Sanity Level: 55%]


    Even behind his gag and broken glasses, the look of abject horror is apparent. The expression pulls a laugh out of me. Doesn¡¯t he know? He¡¯s no longer in imminent danger!


    [Sanity level: 65%]


    I stalk over to him, and he tries to scramble back through the sand. I catch up to him anyway, and he stops moving when I crouch down beside him.


    [Sanity Level: 75%]


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not the enemy,¡± I say, grabbing his wrists and tearing the rope bindings apart. Then I grab the gag in his mouth and rip that away too. ¡°In fact, I¡¯m The Knight. Your knight, I guess!¡±


    [Sanity Level: 85%]


    Gradually, I¡¯m becoming more aware of a general stickiness all over my body. A tackiness on my hands when I pull his bonds away. Right: they¡¯re covered in blood. Probably all of me is covered in blood.


    I give the prince what is intended to be a wide, reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯m here to save you. You¡¯re welcome.¡±

 Chapter 7 - The Prince

    [Sanity Level: 100%]


    Eyes wide, the prince opens and shuts his mouth. Then he opens it again. ¡°Are you, um, quite sure you¡¯re not here to kill me?¡±


    His voice is quaky and ridiculously posh. I laugh, but the sound that comes out of my mouth is foreign, with a slightly crazed edge. I snap my mouth shut just as quick, amusement turning into alarm. The mental fog that had been clouding my mind is lifting rapidly now, and everything that had happened¡ªeverything I did¡ªhits me like a truck.


    ¡°Oh my god.¡± I sit heavily back. ¡°What just happened? What did I do?¡±


    ¡°Ah, was it a Bloodlust, perhaps?¡± the prince hesitantly suggests.


    He hasn¡¯t tried to get up yet, but I suspect he¡¯s too scared of me to run. I¡¯m scared of me.


    ¡°Those people,¡± I croak. ¡°The Umbral Blades.¡± Memories that don¡¯t feel like they should be mine flash through my head. Blood. Body parts. All the screaming. ¡°God. I think I killed them.¡± I run my hands down my face, but my skin feels sticky and the gesture uncomfortable when it should have been soothing. I stop, looking down at my hands. They¡¯re dark with a dusty mixture of blood and dirt.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re not with them? You¡¯re not from Moonfall?¡± the prince ventures, his voice soft and hesitant. Like someone approaching a feral dog, unsure if it will snap.


    I shake my head, trying to process it all. Shouldn¡¯t I feel sick? Horrified? Sad? I feel a little bit of all those things, but mostly I¡¯m just numb. Maybe shock. Maybe my mind doesn¡¯t want me to process it yet.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± I say. ¡°Why would I kill¡­¡± I stumble over the word. ¡°Why would I attack my own allies?¡±


    ¡°Bloodlusts can make things like that hazy,¡± the prince says. ¡°But if you¡¯re not with them, why are you wearing their armor?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I look down at myself. The dual crescent moon symbol is carved into my chest plate. And those people were from the Moonfall Dynasty, Echo had said. I frown. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know how I got here. Or in these clothes. I just want to find my brother.¡± I look up at him sharply. ¡°Have you seen him? His name is ¨¢lvaro. A nineteen-year-old boy, brown skin, black hair¡ªwell, that¡¯s what he looked like last time I saw him. He was a human.¡± I look at my hands, ashen-gray beneath the blood. ¡°I was human.¡±


    The prince sits there quietly for a moment. When he shifts, my attention snaps back to him, and he freezes. Holding up one placating hand, he slowly reaches the other into a pocket to withdraw a pristine, silk cloth.


    ¡°Here,¡± he hesitantly offers, holding it out at arm¡¯s length. ¡°Your face is still¡­ well, all of you, I mean¡­¡±


    The blood. I deflate, taking the offered cloth. ¡°Thanks.¡± When I wipe it over my face, it comes away dark and stained. My stomach clenches, and I keep scrubbing.


    ¡°Is this your first time suffering from Bloodlust?¡± the prince hesitantly asks. ¡°It can be very disorienting, I¡¯m told. A battlefield is a terrible place for someone like you to be.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the Bloodlust,¡± I growl, and he cringes back. I collect myself and let out a breath. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m just a little overwhelmed with everything that¡¯s going on.¡±


    I finish cleaning up by wiping my hands with the now-dark cloth and hold it back out to the prince.


    He eyes it dubiously. ¡°Ah, you can keep it. And by everything going on, you mean¡­¡±


    I absently tuck it in a pocket, looking up at the moons. ¡°This whole world,¡± I say. ¡°And then becoming a dhampyr, and the shield, and the Role Requirement, and¡ªand those people.¡± I drag a hand through my hair, scraping my pointed nails along my sandy scalp. ¡°At least I have my Sanity back.¡±


    The prince nods empathically, but is still regarding me with a look of extreme caution. But I can¡¯t blame the guy¡ªI do sound like I¡¯ve lost it.


    I sigh, closing my eyes as I pinch the bridge of my nose.


    ¡°So,¡± the prince ventures. ¡°If you¡¯re not with Moonfall¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you just give me a minute?¡± I say. ¡°I could really use a breather.¡±


    ¡°Completely understandable,¡± the prince agrees quickly. ¡°However, there is a battle going on, I just survived being abducted, and my soldiers are almost certainly tearing the dunes apart trying to find me. I really should get back to them.¡±


    I take a few, steadying, deep breaths. Even without the prince babbling on, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to process everything right this moment. There are too many things running through my head. Too many unanswered questions, and too much weight to all my actions to carry. Right now, at this moment, I just need to pull myself together. Which means doing what any reasonable person would do in a situation such as this: I gather up all the trauma, pack it nicely away, and shove it way, way down.


    Wearily, I look up at the prince. ¡°Abducted?¡± I ask.


    He raises a skeptical eyebrow. ¡°The rope and gag didn¡¯t clue you in?¡±


    ¡°I just knew you were in danger,¡± I admit. ¡°Protect the Prince. That¡¯s what Echo said.¡± But who is this person, really? Who was trying to abduct him? Why?


    [Check,] Echo says as I look the young man over. [Prince Quell of the Duneshade Kingdom. Level 22 human verso illusionist. Third in line to the Sterling throne.]


    ¡°Echo?¡± Prince Quell repeats. ¡°How did you know I needed protecting?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°It¡¯s my ¡®Role Requirement¡¯ I guess. And I think Echo is like my magical personal assistant?¡± I tip my head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t everyone have one here?¡±


    ¡°I think you need to get some rest,¡± Quell says. ¡°Maybe save the interrogation for when you¡¯ve had a chance to recover.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    I snort. ¡°This is an interrogation?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the Captain will have questions at any rate.¡± He hesitates. ¡°So, I¡¯m free to go?¡±


    ¡°I already told you I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡± I grimace. ¡°Well. Not intentionally. I¡¯m supposed to be your Knight. Though if it¡¯s all the same to you, I¡¯d rather we go our separate ways and never speak of this again.¡± After all, I found the prince and protected him. Echo stopped shouting in my head. My Sanity Stat has recovered. This quest is complete, right?


    ¡°That sounds like an excellent proposal,¡± Quell agrees. He shifts his feet back, still watching me as he prepares to stand. ¡°Erm. Once you¡¯re feeling yourself again¡ª¡±


    ¡°I am feeling myself.¡±


    ¡°Right, of course,¡± he hurriedly says. ¡°Well, if you are perchance with Moonfall. I just want you all to know¡ªwe can end this. We don¡¯t have to drag this conflict out any longer. Please. I¡¯m sure we could reach an armistice if both sides were willing. You saved my life; I owe you a great deal. I¡¯m sure my parents would listen if your people wanted to treat.¡±


    ¡°Er, right,¡± I say. I push myself to my feet, and Quell stands as well¡ªquickly, and retreating a few steps. ¡°Well, like I said, I¡¯m not from Moonfall, and frankly I have no idea who any of you guys are, or how I even got on this planet, for that matter. But, uh, I guess good luck with all the fighting. I¡¯m going to go look for my brother.¡± Too bad the arrow that¡¯s still persisting in the corner of my vision¡ªthat¡¯s still pointing at Quell¡ªcan¡¯t be rewired to point to ¨¢lvaro instead.


    Quell watches me with suspicion at first, then bafflement, as I dust off my clothes and start to head back in the direction I¡¯d come.


    Now that I have some space, I check myself over. I sustained a lot of injuries in that fight. Yet, while there¡¯s blood and gashes in my clothes, my skin is smooth and scarless beneath. I can¡¯t have healed that fast, could I? Or was it because of the Bloodlust? I Check myself to be sure.


    [Name: Nye]


    [Species: Dhampyr]


    [Class: Guardian]


    [Level: 16]


    [HP: 130/130]


    [Mana: 50/50]


    [Role: The Knight]


    Oh, I leveled up again. I guess that makes sense, given all the¡­ well, given all the fighting. I must have missed it with all the other mental stuff going on. It¡¯s nice that a level-up tops off my HP and Mana. Being at full health will help my trek through this desert.


    I should also check in on Hans while I¡¯m at it. He seems to be in the same position I am, so at least I won¡¯t sound crazy talking to him. Plus, two heads are better than one; maybe he can help me search for my brother, once we get out of this battlefield.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    I glance behind me to find Quell trailing at a safe distance.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he says. ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to seem like I was following you. But it looks like we¡¯re both headed in the same direction.¡±


    I shrug. ¡°Okay.¡± He¡¯s not exactly a threat, so I keep walking.


    The silence lasts for about a minute. ¡°Uh, the fight is still ongoing, so far as I¡¯m aware,¡± Quell says.


    ¡°It was when I started heading this way.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± I hear his footsteps thump faster against the sand as he jogs to catch up. ¡°We might look more, ah, formidable if we aren¡¯t alone.¡±


    I glance at him with a snort. He¡¯s several inches taller than me, but lacking any muscle, he looks more like a scarecrow dressed up in armor than an actual soldier. ¡°No offense, but you¡¯re not really the picture of intimidation.¡±


    The prince deflates. ¡°I know. I¡¯ve never been much suited for the battlefield. Tactics are more of my thing¡ªsafely, from the war room back in the castle. Or better yet, the library. Today wasn¡¯t supposed to go like this. Moonfall troops weren¡¯t supposed to be anywhere around here. We were just supposed to investigate a rumor¡ªvisit the Oasis¡ªget our feet wet.¡± He chuckles darky. ¡°On the bright side, I doubt Mother and Father will be sending me out here again anytime soon.¡±


    I roll my eyes. Poor little prince, forced to get a taste of the actual danger his soldiers probably face every day. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to scurry back to your books soon.¡±


    He frowns. ¡°That¡¯s a bit rude. What have you got against books?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I say. ¡°But reading about something and doing it are two very different things.¡± No amount of How-To books and kung-fu movies kept my ass from being bullied. That only stopped when Old Pap next door taught me how to throw a punch. And after a few more years of working out and bulking up, people finally started leaving me alone on-sight.


    ¡°I¡¯d never disagree with that,¡± he says. ¡°But sometimes you can learn about things in books that you would never otherwise have an opportunity to encounter.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± I¡¯m already bored with this conversation. The sooner I can ditch this guy, the better. But while he¡¯s here and somewhat not convinced I¡¯m about to rip his throat out and drink all his blood, I might as well try to get some answers about what the hell is going on.


    ¡°So, look,¡± I venture. ¡°I know these questions sound weird, but just humor me. This planet really isn¡¯t Earth, right?¡±


    Quell¡¯s eyebrows shoot up.


    ¡°Humor me!¡± I repeat.


    ¡°Uh, right,¡± he says. ¡°This world is Lusio. You¡¯re in Dunmora South.¡±


    ¡°Dunmora South?¡± I repeat.


    ¡°It¡¯s the south side of the Dunmora continent,¡± Quell says. ¡°And you¡¯re in the Duneshade Kingdom. Well, contested land between the Duneshade Kingdom and Moonfall Dynasty, to be exact.¡±


    ¡°Right, okay,¡± I say. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of names I won¡¯t remember.¡± Maybe I should have started with something more practical. ¡°How does this magic system work? These levels and classes?¡±


    Quell¡¯s skepticism turns into a frown. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You know,¡± I say. ¡°The words and numbers in my vision. The stat screen. You¡¯re a level 22 verso illusionist and I¡¯m a level 16 guardian and¡­ you have no idea what I¡¯m talking about, do you?¡±


    He shakes his head. ¡°If you¡¯re referencing a field of magic, it¡¯s like none I¡¯ve ever read about. Verso illusionist?¡±


    I ignore his question. ¡°What about Role Requirements? Is that a thing?¡±


    ¡°No, sorry.¡±


    ¡°A magical voice that calls itself Echo?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Huh.¡± What does that mean? Hans could see the stats. He mentioned Echo¡¯s voice. Are we the only ones? Is it because we¡¯re from a different world? ¡°This is crazy.¡±


    ¡°It certainly sounds outlandish,¡± Quell agrees. ¡°But the more you speak, the more I think you¡¯re sane.¡±


    ¡°Gee, thanks,¡± I say flatly.


    He shakes his head. ¡°What I mean to say is, I suspect there¡¯s truth to what you¡¯re describing, it¡¯s just that what you¡¯re experiencing is something entirely outside my knowledge base.¡± There¡¯s a hungry look in his eyes when he looks at me next. ¡°That¡¯s fascinating.¡±


    ¡°Glad I can satisfy your academic curiosity,¡± I grumble.


    ¡°These questions about worlds,¡± Quell ventures, apparently unwilling to let the conversation go now that I¡¯ve started it. ¡°Are you really suggesting that you¡¯re from a different one?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I say. ¡°Not that I expect you to believe me. But I¡¯m from a planet called Earth. I was in the sea there when¡­ well, I¡¯m not entirely sure what happened. It¡¯s all kind of muddled. There was a dark place. Filled with¡­ a monster, or something. And other people. My brother was there, too. There was a fight of some kind, and I think the monster lost¡ªthen I woke up here, on the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°And the rest is history,¡± Quell murmurs.


    ¡°Well, I met Hans, got attacked by a sentient cactus, and nearly had my blood drained by a cursed shield. But yeah, after that, the rest is history.¡±


    Quell is back to looking at me like I¡¯m crazy again.


    ¡°At any rate,¡± I say, ¡°I¡¯ve still got questions about how magic here works. Like, is it all blood and evil shields, or¡ª¡±


    I hit the sand, skip over the surface, and slam into a rock before I even realize what hit me.


    [17 points of Bludgeoning damage sustained.]


    Quell lets out a shout, and other raised voices join his, but my mind is spinning too hard to make sense of it. I cough, rolling onto my back, and wait for the moons to stop spinning around my vision. Several dark shapes appear in my peripheral, and I try to push myself upright, despite the pounding in my head and the vertigo that threatens to tip me right back over.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± a voice snaps, and a blade swims into focus in front of my nose. ¡°If you value your life, I suggest you don¡¯t attempt to fight back.¡±

 Chapter 8 – Your Cooperation is Appreciated

    I groan, managing not to fall forward into the sword.


    ¡°Throw down your weapons immediately,¡± the woman orders, still keeping the sword level at my throat.


    My vision is starting to swim back into focus. I hope I don¡¯t have a concussion. ¡°That might be difficult, considering I don¡¯t have any.¡±


    The woman narrows her eyes at me. ¡°Don¡¯t get cheeky.¡±


    She¡¯s also a dhampyr; two fangs poke out over the top of her bottom lip, her ears are pointed, and her skin is, of course, ashen. She has black hair pulled back in a tight, practical bun, and is wearing armor significantly more heavy and intricate than the leather variety Quell and I have on. She¡¯s older than me, I think; maybe around thirty. There¡¯s an insignia of something like a wave or mountain peak on her chest.


    [Check,] Echo says as I¡¯m taking her in. [Darian, level 34 dhampyr sand guard. Captain in the Duneshade army.]


    Oh, not waves or a mountain then: sand dunes.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Quell cries, struggling to break through a pack of soldiers which have protectively formed around him. ¡°They¡¯re not Moonfall! They saved me.¡±


    More soldiers are appearing from around the rocks, several letting out audible sighs of relief when they catch sight of the prince. They¡¯re all dressed similar to Captain Darian, in light clothes and leather armor¡ªand most of them with goggles, I also notice, hanging about their necks in the case of dhampyrs, or worn over the eyes for the humans. How on earth did Quell manage to get himself abducted with all these soldiers around?


    Captain Darian eyes me suspiciously. ¡°They¡¯re wearing Moonfall armor.¡±


    I look down at my chest plate. ¡°Uh, would you believe me if I said I had no idea how I came to be wearing this?¡±


    Darian gives Quell a pointed look.


    ¡°I know,¡± he says hurriedly. ¡°Their story is a bit¡­ spotty. But they saved me nonetheless. The Moonfall soldiers already had me half a mile away, lost in a sandstone formation. If they hadn¡¯t shown up, no one ever would have found us.¡±


    The captain is still frowning when she turns back to me, sword unwavering. ¡°And how did you find him?¡±


    Man, there is absolutely nothing I can say here that will make this seem good. ¡°I have some kind of tracking spell,¡± I say, which is the closest explanation to the truth I can think of that doesn¡¯t involve explaining Echo and Role Requirements and making me seem even more insane.


    ¡°Some kind of tracking spell?¡± Darian repeats dubiously.


    ¡°Captain, please,¡± Quell says. ¡°You can take them into custody if you must, but I owe them my life, and I won¡¯t allow you to execute them here.¡±


    Yeah, me neither, I think, already trying to gauge how fast I can remove the Crimson Aegis from my Inventory. But with a dozen soldiers spread out around us, the odds don¡¯t look good.


    Captain Darian stares at me for a moment longer, then lets out an irritated sigh and sheaths her sword. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to waste on this anyway.¡± She gestures to two nearby soldiers, and they step forward, each grabbing one of my arms and hauling me to my feet.


    One of them checks me over. ¡°No weapons,¡± he reports to the captain.


    Darian gives me another skeptical look¡ªwhat kind of idiot doesn¡¯t carry weapons in a battlefield?¡ªbut turns to Quell instead.


    ¡°Was your sister with you?¡± she asks.


    ¡°At first, yes, Liz and Constance both,¡± he says, his forehead pinching with a frown. ¡°But we were quickly separated. I don¡¯t know where either of them were taken. Are they alright? Have you found them?¡±


    The captain starts walking, and everyone takes this as a cue to follow suit. The two soldiers apparently assigned to me gesture for me to move as well, falling into step on either side. But they don¡¯t tie up my hands or put a gag on me, like how I¡¯d found Quell, so I consider that a good sign.


    Or maybe they aren¡¯t worried I¡¯ll run because one of the guards is a giant spider-person, almost seven feet tall. It¡¯s like if a centaur was half-spider instead of half-horse. Their entire body is a tan-brown color, but faintly reflective like a shell instead of skin. And while their upper half is mostly human, they still have eight round, black eyes. They glance down at me with a frown, and I nervously tear my gaze away.


    ¡°We caught up to Prince Constance¡¯s group not long after the attack,¡± Darian explains to Quell. ¡°We¡¯d only been following his trail and didn¡¯t realize they¡¯d split the three of you up until after we recovered him. By then, we had no idea where you or Princess Felicity were taken.¡±


    ¡°But you were on the right track with me,¡± Quell says. ¡°You¡¯ve got a lead for Liz, too, right?¡±


    Darian is silent for a moment. ¡°We¡¯re doing everything we can to find her.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Quell asks. ¡°You¡¯ll track her down, right? She¡¯ll be okay?¡±


    There¡¯s a quiver in his voice, and it kicks me right in the heart. His concern over his sister makes me wonder where my brother¡¯s gone, too. I can still picture the last moment I looked at him. The fear in his eyes. He can¡¯t have gone far. He has to be somewhere nearby. I find myself echoing Quell¡¯s concerns almost word for word: he has to be okay.


    ¡°I promise you, my prince,¡± Darian says. ¡°I will ensure your sister returns home safely. I will retrieve her myself, if that¡¯s what it takes.¡±


    Quell¡¯s shoulders slump. ¡°It just happened so fast. How did they get behind our lines? How did no one notice them?¡±


    ¡°The lapse in security is still being investigated,¡± Captain Darian says. ¡°At this moment, I am relieved we were at least able to retrieve you and your brother. We can discuss further plans with all parties present when we return to camp.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    We step out of the boulder field and back onto the open dunes. I can still see people fighting in the distance, like ants crawling over the sand, and closer still I can make out the crater Hans and I had emerged from.


    ¡°Er, excuse me,¡± I say, drawing the attention of basically the entire company of soldiers. ¡°That crater over there. Would you mind if we swing by before we head back to your camp? I left a friend over there, and he¡¯s probably wondering where I am.¡±


    Darian blinks at me. ¡°A friend?¡±


    ¡°More of an acquaintance, really,¡± I admit. ¡°But it would seem pretty terrible to leave him in the middle of the desert with no supplies or shelter or anything. Plus, you know, the fighting, and whatnot.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the fighting and whatnot,¡± Darian repeats flatly. She looks at Quell as if to say, ¡®Are you really serious about this guy?¡¯


    He splays his hands helplessly in some sort of indication of, ¡®Well, they saved my life. What am I supposed to do? Killing or leaving them to die in a desert after that would kind of be a dick move.¡¯


    Or something like that.


    ¡°It¡¯s on the way to camp regardless,¡± Darian admits. ¡°We¡¯ll pass by and keep an eye out for this¡­ acquaintance.¡±


    I guess that¡¯s the best I can hope for, now. But I still need to figure out what to do in the long term. I have to get away from these guys and figure out where ¨¢lvaro ended up. The captain is probably going to want to throw me in a cell or something, and I can¡¯t totally blame her, given what I¡¯m wearing and how I have no explanation for it. Or at least no explanation anyone is likely to believe, given Quell¡¯s reaction. Maybe I can use the shield to break out when their guard is down. No one has asked me about my Inventory, so that¡¯s good at least. And then there¡¯s always the Bloodlust¡­


    I grimace as that summons far too disturbing and fresh memories. It might have made me powerful¡ªincredibly fast and strong¡ªbut it also cost me my mind. I¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure I killed those people. I¡¯m not a killer. I¡¯ve only ever fought when I needed to, for self-defense, and the worst that came of those fights were some broken noses. If I rely on the Bloodlust again, I might end up hurting more than kidnappers.


    No. I¡¯m not willing to let that happen to me again. Guess I¡¯ll have to escape the old-fashioned way: with the help of a demonic, cursed shield.


    ¡°Was this the result of an artificed shot?¡± Quell gestures to the crater as we approach. Darian nods curtly. ¡°What kind? The blast radius is wider than what I¡¯m accustomed to.¡±


    ¡°It was a group pitch,¡± Darian says. ¡°Sand base. Charmed with a repulsive spell set to activate on impact.¡±


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Quell says, scratching at his chin in thought. ¡°What was the range?¡±


    ¡°Three hundred feet.¡±


    ¡°Hm.¡± He sounds disappointed. ¡°The catapults can achieve at least double that. If some wind arcana could be applied to the shots¡­¡±


    ¡°Once we get our hands on a wind mage, I¡¯ll let you know,¡± Darian says shortly.


    Quell grimaces. ¡°No, no. I don¡¯t mean conscription. It was just a thought.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow at the tense and awkward exchange. A prince who has hesitations about the war his kingdom is in? Sounds messy. Not that I want to be involved with this war, either, to be fair, but I also have no skin in this game.


    As we approach the lip of the crater, I can make out the form of the cactus monster crumpled across the desert floor. Hans is down there, examining its corpse. He¡¯s favoring one leg, but the spines appear to be gone from his injured foot, so it must be healing up.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I call. ¡°Hans!¡±


    The man looks up. At the same time, sand explodes into the air between us.


    A shock wave hits me, the air cracking like thunder. For a moment I think it¡¯s another murder cactus erupting from the ground. But after the sand clears, what remains at the center of the explosion is not a creature, but a person.


    Another spider person. I take a startled step back, the soldiers likewise flinching away, so I guess I¡¯m not the only one surprised by their strange and abrupt appearance.


    Unlike the spider-person next to me, who is wearing armor like the rest of the soldiers, this one is garbed in loose-flowing robes and silks, and carries something that looks like a small sickle with a chain attached to the handle.


    Echo provides me a brief Check:


    [Name: Zeyaelid]


    [Title: Demigod]


    [Species: Arachnoid]


    [Class: Silk Paladin]


    [Level: 81]


    [Attack: 325]


    [HP: 650/650]


    [Mana: 3000/3000]


    [Allegiance: Lorata]


    Demigod? What the hell?!


    She¡¯s facing Hans.


    ¡°An aberrant event was detected in this area,¡± the demigod says. ¡°Are you involved?¡±


    Hans, who fell on his ass at the appearance of the spider-person, looks up at her with a mix of confusion and fear. ¡°What?¡±


    Zeyaelid glances at the destroyed murder cactus. ¡°Did you do this? What is your name?¡±


    Hans climbs carefully to his feet. ¡°No, I¡­ I was supposed to tame it, or something.¡±


    ¡°Name?¡± the woman demands again. Her clipped and formal tone invites no disobedience.


    ¡°Hans,¡± he says, glancing nervously up toward us.


    Zeyaelid withdraws a scroll, which she begins to unravel. She pauses after a moment. ¡°Your name appears in the System.¡±


    My heart skips a beat. System? Echo used that term. Is she talking about the stats that only Hans and I can see and hear? If this demigod is looking for some kind of ¡°aberrant event,¡± my and Hans¡¯s appearance here certainly fits the bill.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Hans says, cautiously edging back. ¡°I don¡¯t even know how I got here.¡±


    Zeyaelid rolls the scroll back up and tucks it within her robes. ¡°You will be taken into the custody of the pantheon until that can be determined.¡±


    Uh oh. I don¡¯t like the direction this conversation is going. By now, a whisper of murmurs has gone through the soldiers, and several have dropped reverently to their knees, including Quell.


    ¡°That¡¯s Lorata¡¯s Champion,¡± one of the soldiers says to another, quickly falling to the ground as well. I likewise join the others in the sand, more so I won¡¯t stand out than out of any form of respect. Actually, that¡¯s not entirely true: looking at that level, I have a healthy amount of respect for the danger she poses.


    I can feel my heart beating in my chest as I peek out over the lip of the crater, watching the situation unfold. I feel bad about leaving Hans down there to fend for himself, but there¡¯s realistically nothing I can do, and I don¡¯t like the sound of being ¡°taken into custody.¡± I can¡¯t risk getting caught¡ªnot when I still need to find my brother.


    ¡°Pantheon?¡± Hans repeats. ¡°What do you mean you¡¯ll take me into custody?¡±


    ¡°All will be explained in time,¡± Zeyaelid says. ¡°Your cooperation is appreciated.¡±


    Hans, apparently, decides his cooperation will not be appreciated. He turns and runs, racing for a wall of the crater. Zeyaelid doesn¡¯t follow. Instead she sighs, unfurls a loop of her chain, spins a weight attached to the end, then casually lobs the weapon at Hans. The weight falls over his arm at the same time Zeyaelid yanks sharply back. The weight spins around his limb, wrapping it in chains, and sends the man crashing to the ground as he reaches the end of the slack. With a flick of her wrist, Hans is flung back to Zeyaelid like a fish on a line. He crashes into the sand at her feet, dazed.


    The woman leans down and grabs Hans, picking him up by the straps of his chest plate. She carries him like he weighs nothing, like the entire situation was a mild inconvenience. Wearing a bored expression, Zeyaelid turns and looks up at us.


    I slam my head down into the sand, pulse drumming in my ears as I will myself to vanish into the ground. Did she see me? Would she be able to tell that I¡¯m part of the aberration too?


    ¡°I apologize for the interruption, mortals,¡± I can hear Zeyaelid¡¯s voice drift over the edge of the dune. ¡°Lorata is grateful for your discretion in this matter here today.¡±


    Then there¡¯s another crack of thunder, leaving behind only silence and an alarmed ringing in my ears.


    What was that? There are demigods? A pantheon? Where did she take Hans? And more importantly, what did she want with him?


    As I lay there, ear pressed into the sand, I notice Quell also on the ground, staring at me with wide eyes. I wonder if he¡¯s thinking the same thing about me.

 Chapter 9 - Prince Constance

    ¡°On your feet.¡± The arachnoid soldier prods me as I still lay there, mind whirring a mile a minute.


    Someone out there¡ªgods, or demigods, or whatever¡ªknows why people like Hans and I are here. Or at least, they know we are here, and they¡¯re looking for us. Until I know why, and that they have our best interest in heart¡ªand let¡¯s be honest, the interaction with Hans doesn¡¯t bode well¡ªI can¡¯t risk getting captured as well. Which means no one can know that I¡¯m from another world.


    Except, Quell already does.


    I glance at the prince as I climb to my feet, and he¡¯s looking back at me, jaw working like he wants to say something. I give a sharp, minute shake of my head, and jerk my finger across my throat. He presses his lips together, then glances away.


    This is going to be a problem.


    ¡°So,¡± Darian says. I reluctantly meet her gaze. ¡°That guy was your acquaintance, huh?¡±


    I resist the urge to grit my teeth. ¡°Yeah. We¡¯d just met.¡±


    She looks at me flatly. ¡°And this aberrant event Zeyaelid mentioned?¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± I reply, trying to keep my voice level. ¡°Like I said, I just met him. Didn¡¯t want to leave him alone out here. But I guess that¡¯s not our problem, now.¡±


    ¡°And where did you say you came from?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Captain, please,¡± Quell interrupts. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have time for plenty of interrogations later. There¡¯s still my sister to worry about.¡±


    Darian holds my gaze for another moment, then grimaces and turns away. ¡°Of course, my prince. You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s hurry back to camp before we encounter any further¡­ interruptions.¡±


    I sag in relief at Quell¡¯s diversion. Was that on purpose, or was he just worried about his sister? Either way, it buys me a little more time to figure out what I¡¯m going to say.


    I chew on the inside of my cheek as we walk. I don¡¯t know enough about this world to convincingly fake that I¡¯m from around here. And there¡¯s too much about my strange circumstances¡ªlike wearing the enemy¡¯s uniform while saving the prince¡ªthat no amount of invented backstory will be able to explain. My best play is to not explain anything at all.


    Ultimately, I guess my plan hasn¡¯t changed: I still need to get the hell away from these people, and especially Quell, before they figure out I¡¯m really not supposed to be here and call up that spider-god-person to come back and collect the other Earthling. Then I can focus on tracking my brother down. And from there¡­ well, I need to take this one step at a time.


    The sound of fighting has tapered off, even as we grow closer to the battlefield. Up close, it¡¯s smaller than I¡¯d originally gauged. Maybe a couple hundred people in all. In fact, as Echo Checks individuals for me, all that¡¯s left appear to be Duneshade soldiers. There are dead on both sides, but not as many dead Moonfall as I would have thought: they must have retreated. Maybe it had only been a distraction to try to kidnap Quell and his siblings.


    Whatever the reason, Darian and Quell don¡¯t seem terribly concerned with it. They¡¯ve been speaking to each other in low tones ever since the encounter with the demigod. The rest of the soldiers have remained quiet, but have pressed tighter around us, especially around me and the prince. I¡¯m beginning to think I won¡¯t have a chance to slip away unnoticed anytime soon.


    As we breach a sand dune, a large camp is splayed in the valley beneath us. It¡¯s not an army, but there¡¯s at least a hundred tents pitched in smaller clusters around campfires. We head for the nearest circle of tents, and when we grow close, a man breaks away from the rest of the soldiers.


    ¡°Quell!¡± He strides quickly over to us, his pace purposeful, yet somehow indicating that running is beneath him. When he reaches the prince, he claps both of Quell¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Thank the gods you¡¯re alright. Yua Tin¡¯s grace shines upon us.¡±


    Quell grasps the man¡¯s arms like some kind of awkward, socially-distanced hug. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re alright, too. Is there any word on Liz?¡±


    Words appear over my vision as I examine the man.


    [Check: Prince Constance of the Duneshade Kingdom. Level 35 human grand illusionist. First in line to the Sterling throne.]


    He looks like an aged-up version of Quell who works out a lot more. But despite their facial features strongly marking them as family, the two couldn¡¯t appear more different.


    In contrast to Quell¡¯s hastily tied back braids, Constance¡¯s locs are chin-length and near, and unlike Quell, the older brother actually fills out his armor. He doesn¡¯t have glasses, but does carry a weapon: a decorated red and black sword hangs at his side. They might be the same height if Quell didn¡¯t hunch and Constance didn¡¯t stand so straight. I¡¯m already beginning to get a sense of the brothers¡¯ familial dynamics.


    Constance grimaces at Quell¡¯s question. ¡°No, we¡¯ve no sign of her yet. But if two of us can fight them off and find a way to escape, then she can certainly slip away as well.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Er, well.¡± Quell awkwardly glances back at me. ¡°I didn¡¯t exactly fight them off. I had some help, actually.¡±


    Constance follows his gaze, eyes landing on me and dancing over the symbol on my chest plate. He raises a surprised eyebrow. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°That still has yet to be determined,¡± Captain Darian says. ¡°A detainee, for now.¡±


    ¡°They saved me!¡± Quell quickly jumps in. ¡°They¡¯re not an enemy. Er, despite the apparel.¡±


    ¡°A defector?¡± Constance asks me.


    That¡¯s not a bad cover. I decide to roll with it for now. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in fighting in this war. When I saw your brother, I had to help. Seems like I was just in the right place at the right time.¡±


    ¡°And not being interested in fighting,¡± Constance repeats. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re covered head to toe in blood?¡±


    Oh, right. I¡¯d sort of forgotten about that. I guess my half-hearted clean-up wasn¡¯t as effective as I¡¯d hoped.


    ¡°It was a Bloodlust,¡± Quell says, which seems to get everyone¡¯s attention. Even the guards seem surprised.


    Darian looks at me with a pitying grimace. ¡°No wonder you don¡¯t want to be in this war.¡±


    I feel like I¡¯m missing something. There¡¯s something about this Bloodlust that has shifted how people are looking at me. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s for the better or worse, so I keep my mouth shut.


    ¡°You were in a Bloodlust when you killed the soldiers who took Quell, but you left him alive?¡± Constance asks, skeptical.


    Quell holds up his hands. ¡°Well they obviously didn¡¯t kill me. They can control it.¡± He looks at me. ¡°Right?¡±


    Everyone turns to look at me again.


    ¡°Uh.¡± I was hoping to avoid exactly this kind of scrutiny. I need to be careful with what I say; the last thing I need is to draw more suspicion and convince them I really am a threat. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m able to direct it a bit.¡± A blatant lie. ¡°I never would have hurt the prince.¡± But at least that much is true.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Darian says.


    Prince Constance just gives me a calculated look.


    ¡°Please,¡± Quell begs. ¡°Right now can we just focus on finding Liz?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± Constance turns away from me, beckoning us back toward the center of camp. The way he walks, with so much confidence in his stride, I can see the king he¡¯ll one day be. Quell, on the other hand, trudges wearily behind, not hiding the slump in his shoulders, absently rubbing the rope burns on his wrist. He catches me looking, and offers a weak smile. I meet the look unblinking until he awkwardly glances away.


    ¡°Captain Darian, some of your scouts returned in your absence,¡± Constance is saying to her. ¡°There were no leads to the north, however we suspect the ambassador¡ª¡±


    A cry breaks through the noise of the camp. ¡°Incoming!¡±


    There¡¯s a whistling sound overhead. A flicker of something against the night sky. A blast of fire launches from within the camp, perhaps in an attempt to destroy the incoming projectile. Instead, it misses, and the light of the fire burns painfully bright through my night vision, causing me to squint and look away. Though not before I can make out a football-sized seed streak through the air and crash into the middle of camp.


    ¡°Carrion cactus!¡± someone shouts. Green vines erupt from the ground.


    Oh god, not another murder cactus.


    The soldiers scatter, diving for cover, though to their credit the ones in Darian¡¯s party defensively line up around the princes. Constance and Darian draw their swords while Quell edges back. Everyone is gearing up for battle.


    Which makes this the perfect opportunity to turn tail and run.


    The guards who¡¯d been flanking me have moved to Quell and Constance, and currently all eyes are on the cactus creature rapidly boiling up from the ground in the middle of their camp.


    Is it a little cowardly of me? Maybe. But I¡¯m not about to stick around and get thrown in a jail cell while my brother is somewhere out there fighting his way through a battlefield, or killing carnivorous plants, or whatever other horrors this world has to offer. I have people to find and places to be¡ªneither of which are here.


    No one follows as I sprint from the camp. In fact, a handful of soldiers are doing the same. There are bigger things to keep track of than a random escapee. Literally bigger. As I glance over my shoulder, I can see limbs of the cactus creature rearing up into the night sky, dwarfing the surrounding tents. This guy¡¯s a lot taller than the one Hans and I had to face.


    But it¡¯s not my problem anymore. Ahead of me is the open desert.


    A lot of open desert.


    I run for a minute, brain trying to process this obvious fact.


    Somehow, it didn¡¯t occur to me until this moment that I have absolutely no clue where to start. ¨¢lvaro could be literally anywhere. I¡¯d just assumed he¡¯d be somewhere around here because, well, I was, at least, and so was Hans. But there were many more people in¡­ in that dark place between worlds. I could sense them around us. So where are all those people now? If only Hans and I ended up here, how far away could the others be?


    How far away could my brother be?


    I clench my teeth as I run, frustrated with my circumstances, frustrated with this world, but mostly frustrated with myself. I hate being so useless. I just wish I knew where to start. I need to find him and make sure he¡¯s safe.


    [Role Requirement.]


    ¡°What the hell?¡± I gasp out, glancing around as if I could see Echo smirking at me from behind a nearby boulder. ¡°I thought we were done with this!¡±


    [Role Requirement,] she repeats, the words flashing in my vision. The arrow points back in the direction I¡¯d come and blinks urgently. [The Knight must protect the Prince.]


    I let loose an insensible, angry yell. This can¡¯t be happening again. I mean, I did just leave Quell back with a murderous plant that¡¯s almost certainly tearing the camp apart as we speak. But he should be fine with the Captain and his brother and all those soldiers around, right?


    [Role Requirement.]


    [Sanity Level: 99%]


    ¡°No!¡± I gasp, skidding to a halt. I hesitate, looking back.


    [Sanity Level: 98%]


    ¡°No, no, no!¡± I cry. It can¡¯t mean that I have to protect him any time he¡¯s in danger, can it? It can¡¯t mean that I¡¯m tethered to this person against my will? That¡¯s not fair. That¡¯s not right. What about me? Don¡¯t I get a say in all this?


    [Sanity Level: 97%]


    Frustration turns just as quickly to fear. I don¡¯t want to lose my mind. Last time my Sanity Level had been so low I had started to lose my grip on reality. Or maybe that was the Bloodlust¡ªor some combination of the two. Whatever the cause, I never want to experience that again.


    (Though, some part of me still craves the power it gave me. The speed and strength and invincibility. If I could experience that again without losing my sense of self, would I? That¡¯s an easy answer: without hesitation.)


    [Sanity Level: 96%]


    That maddening static is buzzing at the edge of my consciousness. It¡¯ll only get worse the longer I wait.


    As much as I hate it, I don¡¯t have a choice. I can¡¯t help ¨¢lvaro if I¡¯ve lost my mind.


    ¡°God dammit,¡± I growl.


    I turn and sprint back to the camp.

 Chapter 10 - They’re Popping Up Like Weeds, I Swear

    I run across the desert, swearing at every little inconvenience that has become my life. All the action I¡¯ve been through has long since kicked sand in my boots, making every step an irritating reminder of my predicament.


    ¡°Stupid sand,¡± I growl, squinting when a breeze blows a gust up into my face as if in retaliation. I cough up the grains and blink grit out of my eyes. ¡°Stupid desert! Stupid, stupid prince.¡±


    [Sanity Level: 94%]


    ¡°Stupid magic system!¡± I shout.


    The camp isn¡¯t far ahead of me by now. The silhouette of the carrion cactus is framed against the purple night sky, glowing with stars and the two strange moons. I mentally reach for the Crimson Aegis, drawing it out of my Inventory. I¡¯ll certainly be needing it if I¡¯m going to face one of those killer cacti again.


    Killer cactus. That¡¯s so much better than murder cactus. Should have thought of that sooner.


    The shield appears in front of me as I run, its magic immediately snatching at my arm and strapping itself in place. Its voice also instantly returns to my mind.


    Irritation explodes like a sunburst through my head. Finally! It was wondering when I would remove it from that horrid stasis again. Stop doing that! It deserves to be seen! Proudly displayed! It is not some simple sheet of metal to be disposed of at the slightest inconvenience. It is the Crimson Aegis! The greatest of all shields! The most powerful¡ª


    ¡°Shut up,¡± I grumble, using my other arm to help support the shield and keep it from dragging in the sand as I run. At this moment, its size is really inconvenient. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop complaining, I¡¯ll put you away again.¡±


    The shield is offended. Complaining! It doesn¡¯t complain. Complaint is beneath it. It merely is making its case for why it is undeserving of such disrespect. Its magnificence should be self-evident.


    I roll my eyes. This shield has an ego bigger than the Gulf of Mexico. But arguing with it is about like arguing with a brick wall. Besides, I don¡¯t need it to talk, I just need it to fight.


    The fight is ongoing when I skid back into camp. Several small fires are scattered around the scene, casting the area in the creepy undulating shadows of the giant cactus stalks. I have to squint against the spots of brightness, but I guess the humans here don¡¯t have dark vision like me and need it to see. I¡¯ll just have to deal.


    A cluster of soldiers are off to one side, scribbling something in the sand. One of them plays her hands over the markings, which light up orange. A moment later, a ball of fire appears in the air before her and launches itself at the cactus. It strikes one of the limbs, which bursts into sizzling flames. The cactus swats at the group of soldiers in response, and as a vine crashes into the markings in the sand, the orange light snuffs itself out.


    I follow the arrow in my interface, dodging soldiers and cactus limbs alike as I make a bee-line toward Quell. I can¡¯t see him, but I¡¯m being led toward a tent at the back of the camp. They¡¯re probably trying to get him and his brother out of the danger zone. Great, maybe they¡¯ll resolve my Role Requirement for me.


    Ducking inside the flap of a tent, I narrowly avoid losing my head as a sword swings toward my neck. I flinch back as it clangs against my shield, which only saves my life because it already happened to be at head-level. Several people are shouting.


    ¡°Wait wait wait!¡± That¡¯s Quell.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Darian lowers her sword. ¡°Didn¡¯t think we¡¯d be seeing you again.¡±


    ¡°Me neither,¡± I admit. ¡°I came back to help.¡±


    ¡°See?¡± Quell says. ¡°I knew they weren¡¯t part of this attack.¡±


    ¡°Or they are, and are just very stupid,¡± Constance remarks.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Darian lowers her sword. ¡°Earnest, Xamireb¡ªget the princes out of here.¡± Then she juts her chin at me. ¡°Guards, take this Moonfall soldier into custody.¡±


    ¡°No, wait,¡± Quell cries. ¡°They saved me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Now is not the time for your moral objections,¡± Constance says, trying to talk over his brother.


    ¡°¡ªAnd I¡¯m not going to leave when Liz is still out there!¡± Quell finishes.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do to help find her anyway,¡± Darian says.


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    I¡¯m starting to see why everyone was yelling when I first stepped inside.


    ¡°Captain, you get my brother out of here. That¡¯s an order.¡± Constance puts a hand on his hilt. ¡°I¡¯ll be fighting alongside my soldiers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not useless, you know,¡± Quell objects. ¡°Just because I can¡¯t fight¡ª¡±


    ¡°This is a fight!¡± Constance snaps. ¡°If I needed someone for calligraphy, I¡¯d knock on your door.¡±


    I rock back on my heels. Whew. Awkward.


    ¡°Now, if you would excuse me.¡± Constance stalks forward, and I quickly scramble out of his way. His glare flickers over me for a moment, then he¡¯s out the tent, the sound of a sword being unsheathed following his fading footsteps.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    The Aegis¡¯s attention snaps after him. We should also be fighting! This is what it was made for! It feels pulled to the fight. If I want to protect the prince, then the best way is to defeat that monster. It wants to fight. It needs to!


    Shut up, I think, gritting my teeth. I don¡¯t need two disembodied voices in my head constantly distracting me.


    Darian huffs an irritated sigh. ¡°Your parents¡¯ orders still supersede his,¡± she tells Quell. ¡°I will be returning to the conflict. My soldiers will escort you to safer ground. After all this is through, we¡¯ll reconvene and discuss what is to be done about Princess Felicity.¡±


    ¡°I can help protect him, too,¡± I quickly add before the soldiers can pull away from the prince and have my sanity drained once more. Interestingly, my current Sanity stat is hovering at 94%, not going up or down. It will probably only recover when the prince is no longer in danger. But since I¡¯m with him, protecting him, it¡¯s also not decreasing. I guess that means I¡¯m fulfilling my ¡°Role.¡± Great.


    Darian glares at me. ¡°Absolutely not. You are to remain with my soldiers until you can be properly questioned. As a potential Moonfall plant¡ª¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re not Moonfall,¡± Quell says. ¡°We¡¯ve already been over this! If they were trying to deflect suspicion, don¡¯t you think wearing the Moonfall sigil on their chest would be a rather bad way of going about it?¡± He straightens himself up, lifting his chin. ¡°My parents¡¯ order my supersede mine, but you¡¯re still bound to obey if they¡¯re not in conflict, and I¡¯m ordering you to not detain this soldier.¡±


    Darian¡¯s eye twitches. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Then she blows out an irritated breath and shakes her head. ¡°Fine. Whatever. Don¡¯t let either of them out of your sight.¡± She says this last part to her soldiers, who I notice are the human and arachnoid who¡¯d been escorting me earlier. Then she, too, leaves the tent to rejoin the fray.


    I look at Quell. He looks at me. The soldiers look uncomfortable.


    ¡°You really came back to protect me?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t have much of a choice,¡± I grumble.


    ¡°Come, we need to leave,¡± the human soldier says. I think I heard Darian call him Earnest. ¡°We¡¯ll head to a checkpoint north of camp.¡±


    ¡°No way,¡± Quell says. ¡°If I leave camp, Darian and Constance won¡¯t let me back in. They¡¯ll use it as an excuse to ship me home. But I can¡¯t leave. I need to help find Liz.¡±


    ¡°Prince Quell,¡± the arachnoid, Xamireb, speaks up, ¡°the captain made it quite clear: There is nothing you can do to help find Princess Felicity at this time.¡±


    ¡°I can look for her,¡± he counters. ¡°She¡¯ll have left a trail for us. I can find her.¡±


    ¡°That would be exceptionally dangerous,¡± Xamireb says.


    ¡°I bloody well know how dangerous it is,¡± Quell snaps. ¡°I was nearly abducted myself. Now if everyone could stop treating me like I¡¯m made of parchment¡ª¡±


    A thud lands hard somewhere just outside the tent. A vine crawls through the front flap, and I slam the Aegis down on top of it. Activating a brief Devour, the vine disintegrates beneath the shield.


    ¡°Regardless of where you go,¡± I say, ¡°I think we all better get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Quell says, a little shaken. ¡°Of course.¡±


    The guards look relieved, and the four of us beat a hasty retreat out the back of the tent.


    Xamireb leads the way, skittering smoothly around the outskirts of the camp, while Earnest stays in the back, keeping a close watch on me. Unfortunately, that leaves me next to the prince.


    ¡°So what did you mean when you said you didn¡¯t have much of a choice?¡± Quell asks.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I¡¯m distracted, watching for any cactus vines creeping in our direction.


    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t have much of a choice but to come back.¡± Quell drops his voice. ¡°Does it have to do with that Role Requirement you mentioned? You said you were my Knight.¡±


    Damn, this guy has a good memory. I¡¯d sort of hoped he¡¯d forgotten about everything I¡¯d said before that demigod showed up.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± I say shortly.


    ¡°If it¡¯s the Champion Zeyaelid you¡¯re worried about, I don¡¯t intend to turn you over to her,¡± he says. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s not like there¡¯s a shrine for Lorata out here in the middle of the dunes, anyway. I couldn¡¯t contact her if I wanted to.¡±


    I look at him skeptically. ¡°You can use shrines to call up gods like a telephone?¡±


    ¡°Like a what?¡± he asks.


    I just shake my head. ¡°Never mind.¡±


    ¡°Well, anyway. If you want to talk about it, I¡¯m here,¡± he says.


    Gee, how sweet.


    He looks at me, and that hungry look returns to his eyes. ¡°Because this strange magic you¡¯ve hinted at sounds extremely intriguing, and I must know everything about how it works.¡±


    Oh. Not sweet. Kinda weird.


    ¡°All you need to know is that you¡¯re stuck with me,¡± I say. ¡°At least until I figure this magic out.¡±


    ¡°Fascinating,¡± he whispers.


    It just figures I¡¯d get stuck with the nerdy sibling. I glance back at the fight, which the Aegis is still urging me to join. In fact, strangely, I can feel the pull the shield is talking about; a magnetic draw. I don¡¯t remember feeling this in the previous fights. Strange.


    Captain Darian and Prince Constance are locked in combat with the carrion cactus, hacking its limbs away like a weed whacker. Now those two are some fighters. It¡¯s a shame I didn¡¯t get saddled to one of them. I wonder if either would be willing to teach me how to use a sword.


    The Aegis, previously distracted by the fight, catches these last thoughts and turns back to me, aghast. A sword? What could I want with a sword when I have something so much mightier than that?!


    I sigh. I just want to be left alone with my thoughts for one freaking minute. Is that too much to ask?


    ¡°Those mountains,¡± Xamireb says, pointing off to what I think is the north-east. ¡°That¡¯s where we¡¯ll be heading. We should meet up with scouts around the halfway point¡ªit might be around dawn by then, and we¡¯ll have to find shelter among the rocks. But this time tomorrow we should be safely back within Duneshade territory.¡±


    Quell frowns in the direction of his kingdom. Instead of turning to the guard, however, he turns to me. ¡°Your magic means you have to follow me?¡±


    I grimace. Don¡¯t see much point in lying, since I¡¯ll have to stick around him anyway. The pattern will become obvious enough once I¡¯m begrudgingly following him across a desert. (Unless I kidnapped him and took him with me as I searched for ¨¢lvaro. Given how scrawny he is, it wouldn¡¯t even be hard. (Yes, I know what a terrible idea that would be, and no, I¡¯m not that stupid.))


    ¡°Protect you, more specifically,¡± I say. ¡°I can tell if you¡¯re in danger.¡±


    ¡°Amazing,¡± he breathes. ¡°How does it determine what danger means? Are we in danger right now?¡±


    ¡°Please, my prince,¡± Earnest begs. ¡°We need to get going.¡±


    ¡°This really doesn¡¯t seem like the time to be figuring out my magic,¡± I agree.


    Quell smiles. It¡¯s so weirdly out of place, given everything I¡¯ve been through tonight. In fact, in contrast to the shouts of nearby soldiers and the shadows that dance with each new blast of flame, it¡¯s downright eerie.


    ¡°On the contrary,¡± Quell says. ¡°Now is the perfect time to deduce the mechanics of this interesting magic of yours.¡± Then, he turns and runs toward the monster.


    I stand there for a moment in disbelief. Are. You. Fucking. Kidding me? Is this guy for real? No one can be this stupid.


    ¡°Prince Quell!¡± Earnest and Xamireb dash after him.


    The arrow in the corner of my vision starts to blink urgently. [Role Requirement,] Echo warns.


    I stare up at the sky, pleading for a moment with the stars. Allowing myself one long, exasperated groan, I chase after the prince.

 Chapter 11 - Distraction

    Despite all evidence to the contrary, Prince Quell displays he does, in fact, have some common sense in him as he skids to a stop just short of the nearest cactus limb. I catch up half a second later, lunging around him and slamming my shield into the ground as the cactus jabs in our direction. I activate Devour, which pleases the Aegis to no end, and the part of the vine that¡¯s touching the shield vanishes as the Aegis happily consumes it. I shut Devour off just as quickly, and my mana drops to 46/50.


    [Devour, Level Up!] Echo announces. [At level two, the mana expenditure is reduced to 1 point every 2 seconds.]


    ¡°Wow,¡± Quell remarks. ¡°You really do have to protect me!¡±


    A murderous impulse briefly threatens to overtake me. I exercise an impressive level of self-control to stuff it back down. ¡°You could have just believed me instead of putting both our lives at risk!¡±


    ¡°A hypothesis left untested is as good as¡ª¡±


    ¡°Get back!¡± I shove him with my free hand as another vine comes for us.


    Quell apparently wields all the dexterity of a toddler, because this just knocks him off his feet and back into the sand. I¡¯d smack my forehead if I had the time.


    Instead, I activate Repel¡ªdropping my mana down to 36/50¡ªand Endure. The vine strikes Aegis, and I don¡¯t even feel it. I lift up the shield and slam it down on the limb, severing its end.


    If my math is right, I¡¯ve got about six minutes on Endure to take as many blows as I can. After that I¡¯ll be out of mana, but hopefully by then I¡¯ll have stored up enough hits for Repel to do some damage.


    Earnest and Xamireb take up defensive positions on either side of Quell while he looks up at me from the sand with wide, surprised eyes.


    ¡°Fucking stay here,¡± I tell him, which summons horrified looks from the soldiers. I guess they¡¯re not used to people talking to their royalty that way. Tough luck. I¡¯ve never been much for etiquette.


    I race into the fight, specifically targeting the biggest limbs. I crash through them like a wrecking ball thanks to Endure, the limbs snapping in half across the front of the Aegis.


    [Repel, Level Up!] Echo declares as I progress. [Endure, Level Up!]


    More notifications stream through my vision, but I mentally shove them to the side; I need to keep my wits about me while I¡¯m in the middle of a fight.


    Darian and Prince Constance are in the thick of it, and I fight my way toward them as fast as I¡¯m able. It¡¯s only as I approach them that I realize the draw the Aegis is sensing isn¡¯t to the fight itself¡ªnor to the carrion cactus¡ªbut to Prince Constance. Or rather, the sword in Prince Constance¡¯s hand.


    The black and red blade he wields appears eerily familiar. There¡¯s an eye-like ruby stone in its guard, and the metal is so dark it¡¯s nearly black. Red light runs up the blade and swirls around its hilt in a miasma of magic. Even as the Crimson Aegis feels drawn to it, I can feel the sword reflect that attention back at us.


    Constance¡¯s head snaps our way, and his gaze locks onto the Aegis in a look of surprise. Then it shifts up to me.


    He disengages from the fight, letting Darian take his place.


    ¡°How did you acquire that shield?¡± he demands.


    The Aegis is still urging me on, compulsively drawn to the sword. I can¡¯t even tell what the shield wants¡ªif it wants anything at all, or if it¡¯s merely acting on instinct. From the way Constance draws back, angling his sword away from me, he must feel it, too.


    ¡°I, uh, found it lying in the desert,¡± I say.


    He gives me a look of extreme incredulity.


    ¡°I know how it sounds,¡± I huff.


    A vine whips in our direction, and I duck behind the Aegis. Constance whips out his sword, slashing through the limb. The severed vine falls to the ground between us.


    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this later,¡± he says. ¡°If you¡¯re here to fight, then fight. Captain Darian could use assistance. I can hold my own.¡±


    A protest rises and dies on my tongue. I can also hold my own, I think. But I only lucked out in the last two fights, and Constance has already moved away; far enough to fight independently, but close enough to keep an eye on me. I can still feel the Aegis yearning after his sword. Maybe it¡¯s for the best we¡¯re not side-by-side in the middle of battle. I turn my attention to Darian and approach her instead.


    [Mana: 27/50]


    Just another couple minutes left on Endure and these blows will start to feel like something. We need to resolve this fight, and fast.


    The Captain also seems surprised to see me, but she jerks her head anyway, signaling me over.


    ¡°Where in the Kingdom did you get a shield like that?¡± Darian asks.


    ¡°Found it in the sand,¡± I repeat.


    She barks out a laugh. ¡°Shit. Well, I¡¯m not about to arrest you this second. You want to prove yourself? Cover me.¡±


    I¡¯m more than happy to block the next few blows that come her way, pieces of spiny, wet vegetation splattering off to either side as the cactus beats itself to pieces against me. Darian falls back, dropping her sword to the ground to sweep a circle and some squiggly symbols through the sand. She speaks a word, and an orange light fills the circle. Then the whole design collapses inward, the sand forming into a solid rock.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Move!¡± Darian orders.


    I step to the side, and the rock launches from the ground like a cannonball. It blasts into the main stalk halfway up, carving a divot out of its side. If she¡¯d hit straight on, it might have cut the thing in half.


    Darian swears, then steps up beside me to resume fighting with her sword. Other soldiers are similarly shooting rocks and fireballs at it, but the only ones that match the size of Darian¡¯s shots are performed by groups of soldiers working in tandem. Constance, meanwhile, is hanging back, cutting down anything that makes it through the front line of soldiers. I can¡¯t help but watch him, even while embroiled in my own fight; his power and grace is almost hypnotic.


    One vine makes it around the soldiers and spears toward a tent. Constance lunges after it, even though he¡¯s far from within striking range. The miasma around his sword solidifies, however, and extends to be twice, three times the length of his blade. It slashes through the stalk, which disintegrates to ash, much like the effects of the Crimson Aegis¡¯s Devour. No wonder he¡¯s hanging back; he¡¯s stopping the fight from spilling over into the rest of the camp.


    [Mana depleted. Endure spell expired.]


    I stumble back from the next vine that strikes my shield, red light flashing over its surface. Repel is still doing its thing, storing up energy with every attack, but now that Endure is done, I won¡¯t be able to stand against the blows much longer. I need to get close and expel the blast. Hopefully, this time, it¡¯ll be enough to finish off the damage the other soldiers have started.


    The Aegis gets excited as it catches wind of my plan. Yes! Revenge! This time our Repel will take the plant monster down.


    ¡°Except this is twice as big as the last one,¡± I grumble. ¡°We don¡¯t have nearly enough stored power to take it down.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Darian asks.


    I shake my head. ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Aegis disagrees with me vehemently, becoming all the more determined to prove its superiority. It focuses on the base of the carrion cactus. There! That is where we¡¯ll launch our attack.


    I frown. You mean we can focus Repel? I think. I figure since it can read my thoughts anyway, I don¡¯t need to be replying to it out loud and making everyone around me think I¡¯m crazier than they already do. It doesn¡¯t have to be a big shockwave?


    Aegis is offended. Of course not! As if it would lack such precision. It is a highly adaptable shield, which is what makes it the best.


    Good lord, this thing is full of itself. At least it would be more tolerable if it didn¡¯t keep forgetting to tell me all the abilities it has.


    Aegis is equally insulted by this. (Apparently, anything that isn¡¯t unadulterated praise is an insult.) It can tell me everything! But I keep putting it in that between space. It hasn¡¯t had a chance to get a word in.


    I snort at that. Yeah, it¡¯s real reserved. But there will be time to pick its brain later¡ªor whatever brain-like equivalent a demon shield has¡ªassuming it¡¯ll really be as cooperative as it claims. For now, though, we¡¯ve got a cactus monster to take care of.


    ¡°My turn for cover,¡± I tell Darian. ¡°I¡¯ve got something that might end this, but I¡¯ll need to get close enough for a clear shot.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she asks. ¡°You only have a shield.¡±


    ¡°If it is what I think it is,¡± Constance says, slashing his way back over to us, ¡°it can do far more than block. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    I can¡¯t help but be drawn to his sword again. The Aegis wants it. Needs it!


    What do you want with it? I wonder.


    But the Aegis can¡¯t even explain. It just knows they¡¯re supposed to be together.


    ¡°It¡¯s got a few offensive abilities,¡± I say, meeting Constance¡¯s gaze. He, too, is staring at the Aegis, almost a hungry look in his eyes. In this moment, I can see some resemblance to his brother. He, too, reluctantly looks away.


    ¡°If it¡¯s a distraction you need, that is something I can provide,¡± he says.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I say, even though he¡¯s already turning away from me. Strangely, he sheathes his sword and the mental itch the Aegis was vanishes as a result. I let out a relieved breath. ¡°What are you going to¡­¡±


    Prince Constance inhales, raising his hands before him. Light sparks at his fingertips. When he exhales, it¡¯s like his breath has caught the light on his hands and tossed it up into the air. The colors swirl into a funnel, growing larger, brighter, more solid. In mere moments, it resolves into the form of a second carrion cactus, exactly replicating the first.


    I stare at the incredible display of magic. The original carrion cactus likewise appears surprised. It shrieks, drawing its limbs back, before stabbing at the newly appeared creature. The vine appears to skewer straight through the replica, sending a quiver through the creature like a ripple across a projector screen. Constance¡¯s carrion cactus sways to the side, slipping through the vine unharmed, then returns a challenging screech of its own.


    ¡°Well?¡± Darian demands, breaking me from my awe. ¡°Hurry up! If you¡¯ve got a plan, get to it!¡±


    ¡°Sorry¡ªright.¡± I tear my gaze away from the dueling giants and return my focus to the main creature¡¯s stalk. Bracing my free hand against the Aegis, I duck my head low, put my shoulder into it, and stalk forward. Despite Constance¡¯s distraction, some of the smaller feelers still head my way. A few deflect off the front of my shield, but some also come from the sides. Darian makes quick work of these, shredding anything that ventures too close. She¡¯s incredibly proficient with a sword, slicing away attacks I don¡¯t even see coming. I¡¯ve got to get her to teach me some of the basics. Or maybe Constance can teach me some of that magic.


    You know, assuming they don¡¯t throw me in cell at the end of all this.


    As we get close, the attacks become more pressing, the stalks much thicker and their strikes more powerful. Is this close enough? I ask the Aegis. We only have one shot and we can¡¯t afford to miss.


    Miss? It would never miss. The Aegis is infallible! Though of course, getting closer would make its perfect aim even more perfect.


    I grimace. I don¡¯t think you know what perfect means.


    But this is as far as I¡¯m willing to push it. I focus on the base of the carrion cactus. Do I just have to picture it? Intend for the attack to be focused instead of broad? I¡¯m not really sure if I¡¯m the one controlling the spell, or if Aegis is. Either way, I will for the attack to launch in a thin, concentrated blast, and Echo says, [Repel executed.]


    A flash of red light bursts from Aegis. It fires straight forward like a bolt of lightning, spearing through the stalk of the plant and¡ªthankfully¡ªburying itself in the sand on the other side. It¡¯s a good thing I hadn¡¯t aimed it any higher, or I could have hit soldiers on the other side of camp.


    I blink against the light, a hole burned in the center of my vision. Was that enough? Did I sever it? I glance off to the side to try to make out the damage with the part of my night vision that hasn¡¯t just been wiped out.


    ¡°Back!¡± Darian shouts, a hand on my shoulder.


    I stumble from the unexpected pull and nearly fall backward myself. (I guess I shouldn¡¯t have been so hard on Quell for falling on his ass when I pushed him.) I manage to keep upright, but then the pull turns into a shove, something hard kicks against my heel, and I slip over the sand as my leg gives out and the weight of the shield pulls me over. I crash to the sand, and a moment later, something slams into the ground next to me, sending a shockwave through the camp.


    My vision hasn¡¯t fully recovered yet, but it¡¯s not hard to make out the fallen stalk of the carrion cactus inches away from my feet. Right where I¡¯d been standing only moments before.


    [Role Requirement fulfilled,] Echo says matter-of-factly.


    [Sanity Level: 100%]

 Chapter 12 - Not for Lack of Trying

    I let my head fall back on the sand and exhale my relief. My heartbeat pulses through my entire body, adrenaline still pumping through my veins, exhaustion and soreness aching in my muscles. Kind of missing that refresh that comes with a level-up.


    If another cactus shows up before this night is out, I think I¡¯m just going to let it eat me. Lord, I could use a drink.


    The Crimson Aegis, meanwhile, is cheering in my mind. We did it! That foul creature has been banished. No monster or adversary can possibly stand against us! Next time we will win even more swiftly, our victory even more certain. The only blemish upon an otherwise flawless triumph was the lack of blood in such a loathsome creature. Pathetic! At the very least it should have¡ª


    I add the Crimson Aegis to my Inventory, and my mind becomes blissfully silent. It hadn¡¯t even had a chance to react; I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be hearing all about that later.


    Darian stands over me, breathing hard, eyes on the now-felled monster. She wipes a hand across her brow, straightens up, and then turns to regard the rest of camp.


    ¡°Casualties?¡±


    ¡°None so far,¡± Prince Constance reports, striding back over to us. He waves a dismissive hand, and the second carrion cactus dissolves into motes of light behind him. The embers flicker out as they drift toward the ground, vanishing into the night.


    There¡¯s calls and answers, some asking for medical treatment, but he¡¯s right that no one seems to be dead. That¡¯s a small miracle itself¡ªor maybe it was due to Constance¡¯s strategy, containing the fight everywhere it threatened to get out of hand.


    ¡°You?¡± Darian asks, offering me a hand. ¡°Injured?¡±


    ¡°Just my pride,¡± I say, accepting the help up. ¡°I think you saved my life. Squished by a cactus would have been an embarrassing way to go.¡±


    A faint smile threatens to overtake her perpetual glare. ¡°Least I could do after you took that thing down. That¡¯s some interesting magic you have. What type of arcana?¡±


    ¡°Er.¡± Echo? I ask helplessly. I don¡¯t even really know what she¡¯s asking.


    [The user has a Blood Affinity.]


    Oh, well that¡¯s just peachy. And the shield? I ask.


    [Inanimate objects cannot have Affinities.]


    Great. But given its sanguine thirst, I¡¯m starting to see a pattern.


    ¡°Blood, I guess,¡± I say to Darian.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ interesting,¡± the captain remarks.


    Constance stops nearby, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. ¡°Though likely the magic we just witnessed was due to something else entirely. I wish to speak with you about your shield.¡± He pauses then, gaze flickering around the scene. ¡°What have you done with it?¡±


    ¡°I stored it in my Inventory,¡± I say.


    Constance raises an eyebrow. ¡°I have many questions.¡±


    Yeah, so do I.


    ¡°Weapons talk can wait,¡± Darian says, clearly not understanding the unsettling connection Constance and I experienced through our respective weapons. ¡°Where is Prince Quell? You said you were going stay with him.¡±


    ¡°I left him with the guards,¡± I say, gesturing toward the tents. Hesitantly glancing between Constance and Darian, I lead the way back to where I last saw Quell. ¡°Figured the best way to protect him would be to deal with the monster first.¡±


    She snorts, and there¡¯s a hint of sarcasm in her tone when she responds. ¡°Yes, that would be the easiest way, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was easy.¡± I wrinkle my nose at the sand as I trip over some hidden stones. Walking on sand is really annoying. Each step takes more energy than it should, running in it feels like one of those slow-motion nightmares, and I¡¯ve got about two cups of sand in my boots now. It¡¯s only been a couple hours, and I¡¯m already sick of it.


    ¡°You certainly made it look easy,¡± she says.


    ¡°They would, with a weapon like that,¡± Constance remarks. He turns to Darian. ¡°Ensure they¡¯re kept under close guard. Their arrival coupled with the attack on our camp is suspicious timing.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    I sigh, annoyed. ¡°Why would I have helped out just now if I was the enemy? For that matter, why would I have freed Quell from the Umbral Blades in the first place?¡±


    ¡°Umbral Blades?¡± Constance and Darian repeat simultaneously.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Darian asks.


    I hesitate. That was something Echo told me, though is there any evidence to support my claim? They weren¡¯t wearing clothes with symbols on them, like these soldiers are. This knowledge might just make me sound even more suspicious. ¡°Pretty sure,¡± I say.


    Constance frowns.


    Before I can think of any other ways to dig myself into a hole, we come upon Prince Quell, around whom has clustered a large group of guards. It¡¯s like they¡¯re multiplying.


    Darian whistles sharply and jerks a thumb toward me. Earnest and Xamireb peel off from the group, taking up posts on either side of me once more. I guess I should have expected that.


    ¡°Is everything alright over here?¡± the captain asks.


    Quell¡¯s face floods with relief as he catches sight of me. ¡°Thank the gods. I was worried I¡¯d gotten you killed.¡±


    ¡°Not for lack of trying,¡± I say.


    He grimaces, and I feel a sting of regret. A very, very small sting. I¡¯m still mad at him for running into the fight.


    Constance appears to be, too. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here. You were supposed to have left already. What if we¡¯d been overwhelmed? Liz is gone, and if you or I became injured, or worse¡ªdo you know what that might have meant for our lineage?¡±


    Quell¡¯s grimace flickers into worry. ¡°We don¡¯t know that Liz is gone. We can still find her.¡±


    Nearby, raised voices clamber through the din of camp, and Darian turns to the noise with a sigh. ¡°What now?¡±


    A group of guards rounds the nearest tent, towing a struggling woman between them. She¡¯s a dhampyr, like Darian¡ªand me, I guess¡ªbut her clothes are of white and purple silk; in the midst of all the soldiers, she looks starkly out of place.


    ¡°Captain,¡± one of the soldiers says upon finding Darian. ¡°We found her attempting to flee the camp.¡±


    They dump the woman on the sand at Darian and Constance¡¯s feet.


    ¡°Ambassador Ashla,¡± Darian says, her voice weary. ¡°What might be the cause of this disturbance?¡±


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t me!¡± the woman cries. She looks up at the captain and the prince with a frazzled look. There are crow¡¯s feet at the corners of her eyes, and streaks of white in her long, dark hair. Her frame is thin, and her hands and clothes delicate. An ambassador would certainly make sense; she doesn¡¯t have the build of a fighter. ¡°I swear on Kero¡¯s hands¡ª¡±


    ¡°We also found this,¡± one of the guards says. They step up to Darian and Constance, holding out a wooden box. There¡¯s a spiked design carved into the lid, and when they open it, the box is empty, save for padded cloth indented as if to hold a round object.


    ¡°A carrion seed holder,¡± Constance observes.


    ¡°What?¡± the ambassador cries. ¡°No! I didn¡¯t¡ªI don¡¯t know where that came from.¡±


    Darian¡¯s expression hardens. ¡°Ambassador Ashla, why were you attempting to flee camp?¡±


    ¡°There was a fight,¡± she says, looking between everyone desperately. ¡°I thought they¡¯d come here to kill me.¡±


    ¡°Who was it you were expecting?¡± Constance demands. He glances briefly toward me, as if recalling something. ¡°Were you working with the Umbral Blades?¡±


    This seems to catch Ashla off guard. ¡°You know about the Blades?¡±


    Constance shakes his head in disappointment, and Darian sighs.


    ¡°Restrain her,¡± the captain commands. ¡°I will speak with her privately.¡±


    ¡°As will I,¡± Constance agrees.


    ¡°No, wait!¡± the ambassador cries as the guards haul her to her feet and start to drag her away. ¡°Please! This wasn¡¯t me! This wasn¡¯t Moonfall!¡±


    Given Echo¡¯s insight, I¡¯m pretty darn sure it was.


    Darian rubs a temple, turning back to me and Quell. ¡°I need to handle this. She might have information on where Princess Felicity was taken. Prince Quell, I will meet you in the Command tent when all this is settled.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, she heads off.


    I hesitate, looking between Quell and the retreating form of Darian. ¡°What about me?¡± Not that I¡¯m particularly thrilled to be tagging after Quell like a dog on a leash, but I¡¯d also rather not get dragged away for interrogations like that ambassador. ¡°Are we good?¡±


    Prince Constance claps a hand on my shoulder; the grasp is heavy and firm. ¡°I appreciate the tip about the Umbral Blades. And I appreciate you protecting my brother, if the story is to be believed. Your appearance and timing is still highly unusual, yet you fought beside us to protect the camp. I suspect, somehow, you are not actually involved in all of this. Even so, we will need to speak about that shield you carry. While the Captain and I deal with the traitor, I will be assigning several guards to you and my brother. I hope you understand that the protection of my family comes first.¡±


    Well, that¡¯s better than handcuffs and an interrogation. ¡°I understand,¡± I say.


    He gives my shoulder one last heavy thump, then turns and disappears into the camp after Darian. Four more soldiers fall into formation around me and Quell.


    It doesn¡¯t escape me how Darian had spoken differently to the two princes. Quell received orders, while Constance gave them. I guess it makes sense you would be paying more respect to your future king, but it still feels like Quell and I have been sent to sit at the kid¡¯s table while the adults go have a talk.


    Honestly though, I¡¯m more than happy to take a breather. God knows I need one. It¡¯s been one thing after another since I got here. Plus, Quell and I are overdue for a private chat.


    I glance at the guards assigned to us. Well. Mostly private.


    As we¡¯re escorted to one of the few large tents further back in the camp, Quell turns to me. He chews at the corner of his lip and nervously fidgets with the broken lens of his glasses.


    ¡°You know, you¡¯ve saved my life twice now, and I still don¡¯t know your name.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow. Not what I was expecting him to say. ¡°You never asked.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He has the good sense to look ashamed. ¡°This night has been a bit of a blur.¡±


    Tell me about it. ¡°It¡¯s Nye,¡± I say.


    His face lights up. ¡°Nye. Thank you. I¡¯m Quell.¡±


    I snort. ¡°Yeah, I know.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right,¡± he says, glancing away uncomfortably. ¡°I¡¯m the prince. Of course you know.¡±


    His flustered behavior is so awkward, so completely opposite to his brother, it borders on amusing. I¡¯m just some dude. He¡¯s a freaking prince. ¡°You don¡¯t get out of the palace much, do you?¡±


    He gives a wincing smile. ¡°Is it that obvious?¡±


    ¡°Painfully,¡± I say, and I can¡¯t help but give a small, ironic smile, as well.


    At least I¡¯m not the only one who¡¯s out of their depth tonight.

 Chapter 13 - A Mutually Beneficial Opportunity

    The arachnoid guard Xamireb holds the flap of the tent open for us. I roll my shoulder and crack my neck, the aches of the battle finally starting to catch up to me, then duck inside after Quell.


    The tent is the size of a large room, and several rugs and pillows cover the ground. No chairs, though. There¡¯s a leather map spread over the center of the floor, around which the pillows are arranged. Quell takes a seat on one of the pillows, politely sitting on his legs and folding his hands in his lap, while I unceremoniously collapse into a pillow across from him. God, it feels great to be sitting on something other than sand.


    Xamireb and Earnest follow us in, standing quietly at either end of the tent. None of the others do, however, which is just as well given the size; they must be posted around the four outer walls in case, I don¡¯t know, I try to abduct the prince and make a run for it, or something.


    Well, given there already was an abduction attempt on the prince tonight, I guess that¡¯s not the most unreasonable concern to have.


    Quell sits in an uncomfortable silence after the first two guards take up their station. I¡¯m starting to wonder if he¡¯s also waiting for the last guards to file in when he looks abruptly up at me.


    ¡°About earlier¡ªtesting your claim. I really am sorry,¡± he says. ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking¡ª¡±


    I snort. ¡°Clearly.¡±


    ¡°¡ªI wasn¡¯t thinking about you when I ran toward the creature,¡± he continues. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to get shipped back home. Not with Liz still out there.¡±


    I fold my arms, sizing him up. Well, an apology is a start. ¡°Liz is your sister, right? Princess Felicity?¡± Even as I ask, my thoughts go back to ¨¢lvaro, and my heart twists within my chest.


    Quell nods, removing his fractured glasses from his nose. He moves like he¡¯s going to wipe them on the front of his shirt¡ªwhich is coated in sand¡ªthen seems to think better of it and tucks them into a pocket with a sigh.


    ¡°It¡¯s true I¡¯m not a fighter. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m useless,¡± he says. ¡°She can¡¯t be far, and we can¡¯t afford to sit around and wait. We need to be searching for her now. In fact, I¡¯m sure this most recent attack was launched as a way to slow our pursuit.¡±


    I¡¯m curious how giant cactus monsters can be launched at the enemy. But as much as I hate to admit it, his words strike a nerve.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry for your sister,¡± I say. ¡°My brother¡¯s missing, too. I want to be out there looking for him right now, but instead I¡¯m stuck here with you.¡±


    I glance at the guards, wondering how much I should say around them. Earnest and Xamireb are staring stoically ahead, as if ignoring our conversation. But I don¡¯t trust them not to snitch, so it¡¯s best if I can keep anyone else from finding out about my otherworldly origins. Zeyaelid, that spider demigod, had asked for her abduction of Hans to be kept discreet, but there were too many witnesses there for me to believe no one will say anything. If there¡¯s one thing I know, it¡¯s that you can¡¯t trust people to not be selfish or stupid. If it¡¯s not one, it¡¯s always the other.


    ¡°You¡¯re really stuck with me, then?¡± Quell asks with a concerned look. ¡°You¡¯re forced to protect me if I¡¯m in danger?¡±


    ¡°Seems that way,¡± I admit.


    ¡°What kind of magic is it?¡± he asks.


    Echo? I ask.


    [A user¡¯s Role is a seeded parameter of the neuralarcane network commonly referred to as the System, which spans all fields of arcana studies.]


    Well that¡¯s useless.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the magic is, or where it came from,¡± I say. ¡°All I know is that if I don¡¯t stick to its rules, it starts driving me mad.¡±


    Quell looks horrified. ¡°That sounds like a curse.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t thought of that. Is it a curse? It doesn¡¯t feel like one. This System is all concrete and numeric when I¡¯d supposed a curse would be more¡­ I don¡¯t know, spooky and wishy-washy. But if he¡¯s right, then maybe other people in this world might actually know how to handle it. ¡°Do you think so? Can I get it removed?¡±


    ¡°Possibly.¡± Quell taps his chin. ¡°I¡¯ve read of several cases of the Lifespring Oasis removing magical ailments. It would be as good a place to start as any.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Finally, it feels like something might be going right. I¡¯m tired of being yanked around by every new thing I¡¯ve encountered. The Role Requirement, the Bloodlust, the Aegis¡ªI just want my damn autonomy back. ¡°What¡¯s the Lifespring Oasis? Where is it?¡±


    Quell laughs. ¡°You really aren¡¯t from around here, are you?¡±


    My gaze flickers nervously to the guards, but they¡¯re still staring straight ahead. Luckily, Quell seems to catch my look and the hint.


    ¡°Ah, right,¡± he says. ¡°Someone from Valenia probably isn¡¯t very versed in our history.¡±


    It sounds like a weak cover to me, and it probably is, but I guess that¡¯s what we¡¯re going with for now.


    ¡°The Lifespring Oasis,¡± Quell continues, ¡°is an opening into The Lull¡ªan other-dimensional source of life arcana. It radiates nature and healing magic, which permeates the surrounding desert to create an oasis of greenery and, well, life. The Gilded Desert boasts the largest animals in the world due to the Lifespring¡¯s influence¡ªthat¡¯s where the likes of that carrion cactus come from.¡± He nods toward the tent flap. ¡°But the Oasis doesn¡¯t just augment the plants and animals in the area, it can also perform incredible acts of healing and cleansing. Pure, concentrated life arcana can break down all kinds of adverse magic. It¡¯s why I think it would be a good place to pursue a solution to your curse.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°That sounds great,¡± I say. A healing oasis in the middle of the desert. Maybe it could also do something about the codependent demon shield I¡¯ve gotten saddled with. And if ¨¢lvaro¡¯s anywhere around here, it might draw his attention, too.


    But even as the proposal is lifting my spirits, Quell¡¯s face is scrunched in a grimace.


    I narrow my eyes. ¡°So why do you look like you¡¯ve just eaten a sock?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a bit of a hitch,¡± Quell admits. ¡°The Lifespring is contested land between us and the Moonfall Dynasty. That is, between the Duneshade Kingdom and Moonfall Dynasty. It¡¯s sort of a big source of friction between our two countries, actually.¡±


    Oh great, a border dispute. Just what I wanted to get mixed up in.


    Quell claps his hands together. ¡°Good news, bad news. The good news is, the Lifespring Oasis is already our destination. Bad news: we were going there to investigate rumors of a Moonfall occupation which, based on the events of tonight, appear likely to be true. Other bad news: Liz¡¯s abduction means they will likely try to send Constance and I back home, where we¡¯re far from the battlegrounds and out of imminent danger. And if you have to stick with me, that means you¡¯ll be heading there, too.¡±


    I frown. ¡°That was more like good news, bad news, bad news.¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, technically speaking,¡± Quell admits. ¡°But maybe it could be good news, bad news, bad news, good news. This unique situation we find ourselves in presents an interesting opportunity.¡±


    I look at him skeptically. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to see how you¡¯ll spin this.¡±


    ¡°We both want the same thing, ultimately,¡± Quell says. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be sent back home when I¡¯d rather be out here looking for my sister. And you want to get to the Lifespring, which is the intended destination of this company. If you help me find Liz, then Duneshade¡¯s resources don¡¯t have to be split and we can just focus on clearing the Oasis. Once we determine it¡¯s safe, both of us can visit, and you¡¯ll have a chance to rid yourself of this curse¡ªand me¡ªonce and for all.¡± He splays his hands. ¡°See? A mutually beneficial opportunity!¡±


    It does seem like the fastest path toward trying to get rid of this strange Role Requirement that has me saddled to him. More importantly, though, I desperately want an opportunity to look for my brother. Helping Quell search the desert is more likely to give me that than getting dragged away to some distant kingdom.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I say. ¡°We do have some common goals. I¡¯ll help you find your sister if you agree to go with me to the Lifespring Oasis after.¡±


    His face brightens. ¡°Of course! Thank you.¡±


    ¡°But,¡± I add, ¡°I want to make one thing very clear. I¡¯m not going along with this because I have a choice. We¡¯re not friends. And after the way you abused my curse¡ªor whatever it is I have¡ªI don¡¯t particularly like you.¡±


    His face falls. ¡°I really am sorry about that. I won¡¯t take advantage of your situation again. I promise.¡±


    He better not.


    We lapse into an uneasy silence after that. For several minutes, neither of us say anything; a trend I¡¯m more than happy to continue, though from Quell¡¯s renewed fidgeting it¡¯s clear he wants to say something more. Luckily, we¡¯re saved from the calamity of small-talk when the tent-flap snaps open and Prince Constance and Captain Darian stride in.


    ¡°...never should have happened,¡± Constance says, face dark.


    ¡°In that, we¡¯re in agreement,¡± Darian replies. ¡°It was an inexcusable oversight. One I intend to rectify.¡±


    Quell stands up as the others enter. ¡°Did you learn anything about Liz?¡±


    Constance waves a hand at him to sit back down. ¡°The ambassador continues to be tight lipped about tonight¡¯s attack. It¡¯s early yet, however. We will get something out of her eventually.¡± He takes a seat on a pillow at the head of the room.


    Hesitantly, Quell sits back down as well. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to wait for eventually.¡±


    Irritation briefly flickers across Constance¡¯s face. Then, he sighs. ¡°I know.¡±


    Darian sits beside Quell, unintentionally (or perhaps very intentionally) arranging the seating so I am alone on my side of the tent and everyone is facing me.


    ¡°My scouts are searching for her trail,¡± Darian tells Quell. ¡°For now, there¡¯s nothing we can do until they report back. It¡¯s nearly sunrise and the camp is exhausted. The best course of action is to rest and then decide our next move tomorrow.¡±


    Quell sags, but he doesn¡¯t argue. The whole room feels tired.


    ¡°Before bed,¡± Constance says, ¡°we¡¯ve one last matter to take care of.¡± He gestures to me. ¡°You.¡±


    Yeah, saw that one coming.


    ¡°My name¡¯s Nye,¡± I say, realizing only Quell and I have technically been introduced. ¡°I¡¯m not from Moonfall, as I¡¯ve said before.¡± I put a hand on my chest plate. ¡°And yes, I know how it looks.¡±


    I hesitate, at that point. I don¡¯t know how much I should say. There are demigods out looking for people like me, apparently, so telling them I¡¯m from another world is a nonstarter. But I don¡¯t know how else to explain my lack of knowledge of, well, everything.


    Quell seems to pick up on this. ¡°Their tale is complicated,¡± he says, gesturing to the guards. ¡°I think such conversations should be held in private.¡±


    Well, it¡¯s not just the guards I¡¯m worried about, but I guess the fewer people within earshot, the better.


    ¡°Sending the guards away seems unnecessary,¡± Constance says.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± Darian flicks her hand, and the soldiers respectfully bow their heads and leave. ¡°If the newcomer tries anything, I¡¯m more than enough to handle them myself. No offense,¡± she says to me.


    I smile, tight-lipped. ¡°A little offense taken.¡±


    Constance taps a finger against his knee impatiently. ¡°The guards have been dismissed. Speak freely.¡±


    Those last words are definitely more of a command than a suggestion. But I¡¯m still not sure what to say.


    To my surprise, Quell jumps in first. ¡°They¡¯re a victim of necrotic magic,¡± he says, and I think it¡¯s safe to say all three of us are surprised when we turn to him. ¡°Their body is from a Moonfall soldier killed in the battle. When the blast carved out that crater, the body must have come in contact with an underground pocket of wild necromancy arcanum. Since it was still fresh, it likely became a vessel for whatever soul¡ªor souls¡ªmight have been trapped inside the magic. You¡¯re new to this body, right?¡± Quell asks me.


    ¡°Um, yeah,¡± I say. He sounds so confident, I¡¯m almost convinced myself. Or maybe this isn¡¯t far from the truth?


    Darian looks skeptical. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of souls trapped and held back from the afterlife¡ªbut such magic is not only forbidden, but exceptionally rare. How did your soul end up here specifically?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I admit. ¡°I think¡­ I think I died.¡±


    It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve said it out loud, and it¡¯s like a kick to the stomach. It was easy to not think about with all the action going on. But now there¡¯s nothing to fight. Nothing to distract me.


    I died.


    The others are silent for a moment, and when I look up, their expressions are soft and pitying. It summons a reflexive defensiveness in me, and whatever face I was making, I try to wipe it away.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± I say shortly. ¡°I¡¯m here now.¡±


    Constance slowly nods. ¡°Indeed. The mechanics of how are not important to me, either.¡± Quell appears ready to disagree with this, but Constance presses ahead. ¡°Rather, there is something more pressing I wish to speak about. That shield of yours. What can you tell me about it? I would like to see it.¡±


    Now this is something I¡¯d like to get some answers to as well. I glance to his own blade, still sheathed at his side.


    ¡°Sure,¡± I say, standing and taking a step back from the others. ¡°It calls itself The Crimson Aegis.¡±


    Quell¡¯s eyes go wide. ¡°It¡¯s called the what?!¡±


    [Crimson Aegis removed from Inventory.]

 Chapter 14 - More than Myth

    The shield appears in the air before me, immediately lashing itself to my arm like a handsy kid afraid of being dropped.


    Oh! We¡¯re in a tent now. How did we get inside? Is it time to fight something?


    ¡°Gods¡¯ grace,¡± Constance murmurs. He stands, drawing his sword as well, and red magic swirls around his hand: holding it in place, I realize, much how the Aegis clings to me.


    The shield and sword immediately zero in on each other. Their eagerness is almost a hunger. Nervously, I shift the shield away.


    ¡°You sense it, too,¡± Constance says. ¡°That these weapons are twins.¡±


    ¡°No way.¡± Quell stands as well, looking between our weapons in bewilderment. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Darian asks. She seems mildly interested, but clearly the least clued in of all of us.


    The Aegis nudges at my mind, urging me toward Constance¡¯s sword. What it wants from the sword, I can¡¯t say. Does it want to be used in tandem? Does it want to fight? I¡¯m not sure even the shield knows.


    ¡°It is the Crimson Aegis,¡± Quell breathes.


    ¡°Does that mean something?¡± I glance to Constance, but he¡¯s looking at his weapon thoughtfully. I wonder what sort of words the sword is whispering into his mind.


    ¡°Does it mean something?¡± Quell cries. ¡°It¡¯s the Blood Shield! Thorn¡¯s Bane. The Crimson Aegis. One half of Viktor¡¯s Arms.¡± His gaze shifts over to Constance. ¡°But what did you mean they¡¯re twins?¡±


    ¡°Just look at them,¡± Darian remarks. Both sword and shield seem to be made form the same black metal, embedded with glowing red jewels. Both also share a vaguely demonic aesthetic.


    ¡°They yearn for each other,¡± Constance says, watching the Aegis. His gaze shifts up to me, crooking an expectant eyebrow.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I say. ¡°They feel drawn to each other. I don¡¯t know why.¡±


    Quell rakes a hand through his hair in astonishment. ¡°But¡­ Constance, that would mean yours is the Crimson Scimitar!¡±


    His brother frowns. ¡°It sounds vaguely familiar.¡±


    This sends Quell spluttering. ¡°Vaguely familiar? Brother, you¡¯re wielding a sword of legend! And Nye, the shield! Come, now, don¡¯t you remember the story of Monarch Viktor?¡±


    ¡°I was more interested in battle tactics than fairytales,¡± Constance says shortly. Maybe he¡¯s too proud to admit embarrassment over Quell knowing more about his sword than he does. Constance sheaths the Scimitar, and the mental pull vanishes. I breathe a sigh of relief. The prince waves a dismissive hand toward me, indicating I should do the same.


    Wait, the Crimson Aegis thinks. That¡¯s it? Already? But we didn¡¯t even get to¡ª


    I add the Aegis back to my inventory as well, then all of us sit back down once more.


    ¡°It¡¯s far more than myth,¡± Quell says. ¡°As is evident from the two weapons before us!¡±


    ¡°Then please enlighten us, Prince Quell,¡± Darian says, still the most unperturbed of anyone in attendance. ¡°What are we dealing with?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Quell says confidently. Then he quickly adds, with slightly less conviction, ¡°I read about it in a book. The Aegis and Scimitar are powerful, legendary artifacts. They were wielded by Duneshade rulers for generations, but lost when our ancestor, Queen Providence, fell to a sand wyrm nearly four hundred years ago. Until today, no one knew of their whereabouts.¡±


    Quell leans forward, his eyes dancing with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s said they were originally created in response to a great monster terrorizing the lands. It couldn¡¯t be slain¡ªonly contained¡ªso Monarch Viktor had powerful artifacts forged to act as the beast¡¯s prison. Managing to cleave the beast in two, they sacrificed a hundred souls to seal each half of the creature into the Aegis and Scimitar. Viktor then bound the weapons¡¯ wills to their blood¡ªforcing the creature to serve them and all within their lineage. Apparently, the wielder had to feed it a steady stream of blood to keep the demon sated and bound within its vessels.¡±


    I lean back, eyebrows raised. Is all that true? It¡¯s certainly blood thirsty; that much I¡¯ve seen firsthand. ¡°I¡¯d really love to not have to do that.¡±


    ¡°Especially as a dhampyr,¡± Darian adds. ¡°Losing blood can be dangerous for us.¡±


    ¡°Well, I suspect at least the blood part might be dramatic embellishment,¡± Quell says, nodding to Constance. ¡°After all, Constance has been unknowingly wielding the Scimitar for years, and he hasn¡¯t been making any blood sacrifices.¡±


    For the first time, I witness Constance squirm. ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Quell cries. ¡°What do you mean? Have you been hiding this from me and Liz?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a sacrifice, per se,¡± Constance says. ¡°But its magical abilities can be amplified if it¡¯s exposed to blood. It doesn¡¯t have to be mine, either.¡±


    ¡°Like the Aegis¡¯s Blood Ward,¡± I think aloud.


    Constance raises an eyebrow. ¡°You have a name for the technique?¡±


    ¡°Well, the shield has a name for it.¡± I frown. ¡°That¡¯s how I knew the shield¡¯s name, too. Does the Scimitar not speak to you?¡±


    ¡°Not with words,¡± Constance says. ¡°Nothing concrete. But I can sense its violent urges clear enough.¡±


    That¡¯s odd. The Aegis¡¯s voice is pretty distinct to me. How come it¡¯s not the same for Constance? Is it due to this System thing I have access to?


    Quell must be wondering something similar. ¡°We need to back up. There¡¯s got to be something here I¡¯m missing. Constance, you¡¯ve had that sword ever since I was a child. You found it in the treasury, correct? You said the sword chose you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I was browsing the royal artifacts when I came upon it.¡± He pauses, drumming his fingers on the hilt of the Scimitar. The hesitation draws out for several seconds before he finally lets out a sigh. ¡°Though that is not the entire story,¡± he admits. ¡°Nor entirely truthful. I¡¯ve never told anyone else this before.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°The sword was unlabeled, as are many in those chambers. But its design caught my eye. It almost seemed alive. I took it from its stand to¡­ test it out.¡±


    Quell abruptly laughs, and Constance scowls. ¡°You were playing with royal treasures! Isn¡¯t it prohibited to remove any artifacts without the curator¡¯s permission?¡±


    ¡°I was fourteen,¡± Constance grumbles, glancing away from his little brother. Quell still seems to find this absolutely delightful, and if I know anything about little brothers, that just became blackmail material. ¡°At any rate, I was still training in sword fighting myself, and wasn¡¯t as careful as I should have been. I cut myself on its blade. That was when I felt its presence.¡± His gaze shifts to me.


    I nod. ¡°I spilled blood on the Aegis, too. I think that¡¯s what woke it up.¡±


    ¡°Not only did it awaken, but we seemed to form a sort of bond,¡± Constance explains. That also happened to me; Echo called it a Pact. ¡°Since then, I haven¡¯t been able to get rid of it. Not that I¡¯ve wanted to. Weapons with inherent magic are exceptionally rare, and wielding one both accelerated my fighting skills and brought me much respect and recognition. But if I ever try to leave it behind somewhere, the sword seems to know this, and uses its magic to stay at my side.¡±


    Yet another familiar story. ¡°I can¡¯t get rid of the Aegis, either,¡± I say. ¡°When it¡¯s not in my Inventory, it¡¯s latched onto my arm. Like it¡¯s scared of being left behind, or something.¡±


    Darian gives a disapproving grunt. ¡°That all sounds fairly unsettling.¡±


    Yeah, that¡¯s one word for it.


    ¡°I did not want to tell anyone else about the nature of how I came to wield it, or that it appeared to have a mind of its own,¡± Constance says. ¡°I feared they would label it cursed and attempt to take it from me.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, cursed might be an accurate descriptor, given how it was forged,¡± Quell says. ¡°Perhaps there is some truth to the stories. At the very least, the weapons seem to contain an entity.¡±


    ¡°Which would also explain why they feel drawn toward each other,¡± Constance muses. ¡°But if all this is true, if my sword is truly this Crimson Scimitar, and Nye wields the Aegis¡ªyou said these weapons were designed to serve our lineage.¡± He gestures to me. ¡°So why are they able to wield it?¡±


    Quell scratches at his cheek. ¡°Yes, that is rather odd. But I think I might know the cause. Nye, tell them what you told me about your curse. I mean, uh, your other curse. The one about me.¡±


    Yes, Quell, I got the picture. Again, not something I really wanted to advertise. I¡¯m not totally sure how he thinks these things are connected, but I guess I¡¯ll need to spill my secret to at least Darian and Constance if I want to make any headway on figuring out how to get rid of my Role.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really understand how the magic works,¡± I explain to them. ¡°But I am¡­ compelled to stay close to and protect the Prince. Er, Quell, specifically. If I don¡¯t, the magic drives me mad.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Darian exclaims.


    Constance just snorts. ¡°That explains why you came running back.¡±


    I wince. I¡¯d sort of hoped they¡¯d forgotten about my escape attempt.


    ¡°But why Quell?¡± Constance asks. ¡°If that shield really is supposed to guard our family, the same compulsion should apply to me, or Liz, or our parents.¡±


    Quell shrugs. ¡°That much I don¡¯t know. Perhaps it was simply that I was the closest when Nye here inadvertently woke it up. Our knowledge of the Aegis and Scimitar is incomplete. Whatever the cause, it¡¯s bound to Nye now, and acting through them, it¡¯s bound to protect me.¡±


    Is that what¡¯s happening? I¡¯m not sure if Quell is connecting dots that aren¡¯t there, or if he¡¯s intentionally lying to cover for me. I could talk to Echo and had the Role of Knight before I stumbled upon the Crimson Aegis, so I¡¯m skeptical these two things are connected. But Darian and Constance have bought the explanation, at least.


    ¡°This could change everything,¡± Constance says. ¡°We could end the war with Moonfall before it even begins. The Scimitar is already powerful on its own. If it¡¯s reunited with the Aegis, I feel the two would be more than the sum of their parts.¡±


    Unsettlingly, I¡¯d gotten that same impression. ¡°Look, if you want the shield, I¡¯d be more than happy to return it to your family,¡± I say. ¡°Remaining tied to Quell is the last thing I want; the sooner I can get rid of this curse, the better. But I don¡¯t think the Aegis will let me just hand it over.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Constance agrees with a frown. ¡°It would not be possible to do that with the Scimitar, either.¡±


    ¡°Which is why I suggested the Lifespring as a solution,¡± Quell says. ¡°If anything can remove a curse, it¡¯s likely to be the Oasis.¡±


    Constance strokes his chin thoughtfully. ¡°It would certainly be worth it to try.¡±


    ¡°Hold on.¡± Darian shakes her head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I follow all of this¡ªor believe that these weapons are something out of legend¡ªbut we can¡¯t risk heading to the Lifespring now. We just survived an attack, and Princess Felicity is still missing. It¡¯s too dangerous for Prince Quell to remain out here. He and the rest of the company should depart for the capital while I take a squad of soldiers to search for the Princess. If we return to the Oasis, it should be with reinforcements.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± both Quell and I cry at once. Even Constance looked like he was about to object.


    ¡°That will take too long,¡± I say. And getting cooped up in a castle will significantly reduce my chances of finding ¨¢lvaro.


    ¡°And I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Quell adds. ¡°I can take care of myself. Not to mention, I¡¯ll have Nye there to protect me, too!¡± He adds a weak laugh, which he quickly lets die when no one else seems amused.


    Darian stares across at Constance. ¡°You¡¯ve already made up your mind.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let this opportunity go to waste,¡± Constance says. ¡°If the Crimson Aegis can be returned to Duneshade hands and reunited with the Crimson Scimitar, we¡¯ll obtain a weapon like Moonfall has never seen. It will cement our power. They¡¯ll never dare attack us again like they did tonight.¡±


    The captain hesitates for a moment, then reverently bows her head. ¡°As you say, Prince Constance.¡±


    I slump in relief. It¡¯s a good thing Constance wants the Aegis as much as he does. Not that I¡¯m actively trying to get rid of it, but if it can buy my passage to the Oasis and get rid of the curse that¡¯s chaining me to Quell, I¡¯ll consider that more than a fair price.


    ¡°I will begin relaying directions to the troops,¡± Constance says. ¡°You may lead the efforts to recover Felicity, as you requested. Do you have a plan?¡±


    ¡°My scouts are still searching for her trail, but I would like to move quickly,¡± Darian says. ¡°The longer we wait, the more likely the Princess will slip beyond our grasp. The Moonfall agents were able to go unnoticed and get as close as they did by utilizing small but specialized teams. I will likewise gather a few select individuals, so we can maintain our mobility, and begin pursuing them as soon as we have located a lead.¡±


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Quell says. ¡°In that case, Nye and I will be coming¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not coming with me,¡± Darian cuts him off. ¡°It will be safer to stay with Prince Constance and the rest of the platoon. My team will need to be skilled fighters.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± Constance says. ¡°The decision has been made. Captain Darian is right that you would be unfit for such a task¡ªyou would only slow her down. Besides, once we secure the Lifespring, we¡¯ll be able to divert more of our resources to finding Liz.¡± He claps his hands to his knees and stands. ¡°For now, clean up and get some rest. It¡¯s already dawn, and we¡¯ll need the day to recover from our most recent battle. We¡¯ll break camp at sunset.¡±


    Darian rises as well; by the time Quell and I have stood, Constance is already ducking out of the tent. I guess we¡¯re done talking, then.


    ¡°This is insane,¡± Quell says. ¡°How can the Lifespring be more important than Liz? She¡¯s royalty for gods¡¯ sakes!¡±


    ¡°I understand how you feel,¡± Darian says. ¡°But Constance is right that defending a critical location and obtaining a powerful weapon is crucial to our country¡¯s security. Besides, you have nothing to worry about,¡± she adds, her voice turning fierce. ¡°I will bring the princess home. I swear it.¡±


    Quell looks glum when Darian leaves the tent, but I let out a breath, glad the interrogation is over. I feel a twinge of sympathy for Quell that he won¡¯t be able to go searching for his sister like he wanted, but I¡¯m honestly not bothered by the turn of events. Getting to the Lifespring faster means getting rid of this curse faster. And with an army behind us, there¡¯s more resources to look for my brother along the way.


    ¡°Sorry, man,¡± I say to Quell. ¡°I know that¡¯s not the outcome you wanted.¡±


    But to my surprise, Quell turns to me with a grin. ¡°Oh, on the contrary, I think it went exceptionally well.¡± He claps me on the shoulder with all the strength of a kitten. ¡°As my brother suggested, let¡¯s get some rest. We¡¯ll be needing it.¡±


    Somehow, that smile fills me with a resigned sense of foreboding.

 Chapter 15 - There Was Only One Tent

    ¡°Well, come on,¡± Quell says, heading to the front of the tent and holding the flap open for me.


    Outside the sky has turned purple, pink clouds swallowing up the stars. The sun is still hidden behind a dune, but I doubt it will be for much longer. Guards fall into step behind Quell and me as we move away from the tent, though mercifully they hang back far enough to allow me to speak to Quell privately. I keep my voice low anyway.


    ¡°That story you told about necromancy binding me to the body of a dead soldier,¡± I say. ¡°Was all that true? Is that why I¡¯m here? In this body?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Quell laughs. ¡°That was all hogwash. It¡¯s a good thing neither of those two have enough magical theory to realize it was entirely fabricated. The mechanics wouldn¡¯t stand up to scrutiny for anyone versed in that field of magic.¡±


    I frown. ¡°Then how did it really happen?¡±


    ¡°That,¡± Quell says, pointing at me, ¡°is an excellent question. And I can¡¯t wait to learn the answer.¡±


    ¡°Discreetly,¡± I say. I¡¯m certainly not as enthused about my circumstances as Quell, but it would help to have someone on my side trying to unravel how exactly I got here, where Echo and the Role Requirement came from, and how I can get rid of them. ¡°That demigod¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡± Quell says. ¡°Of course. I am the picture of discretion.¡±


    I somehow have my doubts.


    Quell leads me through the camp, beelining around soldiers busy cutting up the carrion cactus and packing the pieces away. Several pause to dip their heads and mutter a greeting as Quell passes. Either he doesn¡¯t hear them, or he¡¯s so used to the treatment that he¡¯s numb to it, as he gives no response and continues to weave around the tents. Finally, we arrive in a clearing filled with giant, horse-sized lizards.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± I say, stopping dead in my tracks as Quell approaches the closest one. Dozens of water bags are tied to their sides, one of which Quell retrieves. One lizard beast turns its head to look at me from the side, its tongue flicking out to test the air. Its hide is as black as night, though the faint morning light catches on its scales like an oil slick. It¡¯s not big enough to swallow me whole, not especially with my armor, but it might be able to snatch up a stick-of-a-person like Quell.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t seen a star drake before?¡± he asks, noting my look and the healthy distance I¡¯m giving the beasts.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen lizards,¡± I say. ¡°Just never ones this big. They won¡¯t think we¡¯re bugs and try to eat us, will they?¡±


    Quell laughs. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t use them to carry our supplies if they did. Here.¡± He hands me the skin of water.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, wasting no time in popping the end open to take a huge gulp. Even though it¡¯s room temperature, I¡¯ve never tasted anything so delicious. The water pours down my throat, easing the scratchy dryness that had lodged there. I hadn¡¯t realized how parched I was after everything.


    ¡°Careful,¡± Quell says. ¡°Drinking it all in one go will make you sick.¡±


    I pause to gasp in a breath. ¡°I could use a second one, actually. This won¡¯t last me very long.¡± I typically drink more than this during my workouts.


    ¡°That¡¯s a night¡¯s ration of water,¡± Quell says. ¡°Lucky for you, you¡¯ll get another one at dusk in about ten hours. But I¡¯d still save some of that skin for cleaning up.¡± His eyes dance over me. ¡°You¡¯re completely filthy.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± I say, looking at my hands. My palms are clean where I¡¯d been holding the shield and rubbing the grit from my skin, but my sleeves¡ªand armor, shirt, and everything else, probably¡ªis covered in blood, long since dusted over with a fine layer of dirt, and now cracked apart like a dry creek bed. I rub a thumb over the back of my forearm, and some of it comes away, but it will definitely take a lot of scrubbing.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Quell says. ¡°Next stop, new clothes.¡±


    ¡°It would be great to not have everyone thinking I¡¯m the enemy anymore,¡± I admit. Plus, I can¡¯t get out of these grimy, blood-caked clothes soon enough. Now that my attention¡¯s been brought back to it, memories from the Bloodlust return and sit heavy in my gut. This is someone else¡¯s blood. Blood from a person I killed. My skin feels like it¡¯s crawling with ants. I want this off of me as soon as possible.


    Quell takes us to more star drakes which are carrying some extra armaments and clothes. He hesitates before the attire, which is when our guards step in. Answering a couple questions about my build, I¡¯m soon handed a set of clothes. The base is made of loose, flowing cloth, but I¡¯m also given some leather greaves, bracers, a binder, and a chest plate. After that I¡¯m pointed to an unoccupied tent, and Quell tells me he¡¯ll be nearby if I need him. Mercifully, the guards don¡¯t follow me in.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    Inside the tent, I drop everything to the ground and stand there for a moment, staring at nothing. I¡¯ve only been here for hours, but it feels like days. Earth seems surreal and distant. The ocean, just a nightmare. And now¡­


    I¡¯m no longer human. I try to let that sink in. I feel¡­ I don¡¯t know. Fine, I guess? It¡¯s weird to feel fangs in my mouth, sharp nails on my hands, pointed ears on my head. It¡¯ll take some time to get used to some of these changes. But other changes, my lower voice, feeling stronger and more muscular¡ªI don¡¯t mind those sorts of changes one bit.


    I begin to strip the stained, tattered clothes I was reborn in. Because that¡¯s what happened, right? I was really reborn? I drowned in that ocean.


    I died.


    I¡¯d managed to stuff down the feelings before, when I was being scrutinized by others. But now, here, alone¡­ it all bubbles out of me before I can stop it.


    I can still feel the burning cold of water filling my lungs. The horrific spasms of trying to dispel it. I pull in a sudden breath, as if to remind myself that I¡¯m still here, that there¡¯s still air around me. The memories make me grimace, but all I can think about is if ¨¢lvaro experienced the same thing.


    What kind of older sibling am I? He needed me¡ªhe believed I would save him¡ªand I failed him. Images of Mam¨¢ and Pap¨¢ flit through my head. I imagine them finding our room empty, realizing we snuck out to go to the beach. I imagine their faces when they realize we¡¯re not coming back. Tears threaten to well up in my eyes.


    I pull in a shuddering breath and furiously scrub at my eyes. No, I can¡¯t fall apart now. I might have failed ¨¢lvaro on Earth, but I¡¯ve been given a second chance to find him here. A second life. I won¡¯t let it go to waste.


    Before changing into the new clothes, I sit on the ground with a coarse piece of cloth and my half-empty waterskin. There¡¯s a stark contrast on my skin where my clothes had stopped. My arms especially are still covered in dried blood, and the only reason my hands and face aren''t is due to the cloth Quell had given me when I first came out of the Bloodlust. Still, the rest of me is grimy from sweat and dust, so I start there, trying to stretch the cleanliness of my rag as far as possible, before moving to my head. The rag comes away red. I scrub my hair and skin until it feels like it¡¯s all about to scrape off.


    I don¡¯t know how much time has passed, but when I leave the tent, old clothes in hand, a sliver of the sun is peeking over the horizon. The sky is streaked with brilliant lines of yellow and orange clouds, contrasting brilliantly against the purple-blue of the receding night. Already I can feel the heat of the sun prickling my skin.


    ¡°There you are!¡± Quell says, standing up from where he¡¯d apparently been reclining against another tent. Dozing off, maybe? He stops. ¡°Wow. You look good. I mean¡ªclean. Like a whole different person.¡±


    I snort, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I am a whole different person.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right,¡± Quell says. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s technically accurate. But now you look significantly less terrifying. I can almost believe you really are a Knight.¡±


    Maybe I look the part, but it feels strange to claim a title I¡¯ve had no training for. I lift my arms, gesturing to the pile of old clothes and armor I¡¯m carrying. ¡°Where should I put these?¡±


    One of the guards steps in to take them even before I¡¯ve finished my sentence. ¡°Oh. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t put the armor on,¡± Quell notes as I hand over the old clothes.


    I shrug. ¡°Didn¡¯t see much point, since we¡¯re about to go to sleep.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fair,¡± he says. ¡°But starting tomorrow you should at least keep the bracers and greaves on¡ªnever know when you might get ambushed and wish you had your armor with you.¡±


    ¡°Does that really happen?¡± I ask.


    He hesitates. ¡°That¡¯s what they say. Better safe than sorry, right?¡±


    I¡¯m not sure he¡¯s the type to be handing out that adage. But I strap on the bracers as Quell leads us to a final tent. The armor only has a single clasp, and when I cinch it, a glowing symbol lights up on the leather, then the piece guard shifts to fit snuggly around my arm. Neat.


    ¡°Here we are,¡± Quell says, ducking into a smaller but lavish tent. There¡¯s more pillows and a few light blankets spread across the bottom for padding¡ªprobably too hot to sleep under one. The tent is small enough that we both have to duck our heads to keep from pressing against the canvas.


    ¡°Where will you be sleeping?¡± I ask, sitting down to strap the greaves on as well. Despite Quell¡¯s suggestion, I leave the binder and chest plate off. Can¡¯t imagine I¡¯d be able to get to bed in stiff leather wrapping around my torso, no matter how magically fitting it might be.


    ¡°Um, here,¡± he says, smiling apologetically. ¡°Sorry. I figured, given your situation and all, it would be best to keep close. Otherwise, there¡¯s the communal soldiers¡¯ tent on the other side of camp¡­¡±


    I stare up at him. ¡°You want me to sleep with you?¡±


    ¡°Erm.¡± He glances away, flustered. ¡°Well, no, I meant¡ªyou could sleep near me. Not with me. I mean, in a general proximity sense¡ª¡±


    Heat threatens to crawl up the back of my neck, and I decide to nip this in the bud. ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping in your tent.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± He recovers, looking at me with a faint frown. ¡°Why is that? I figured, given your circumstances, it would be the most convenient¡ª¡±


    ¡°First off, I don¡¯t even know you,¡± I interrupt before he can continue rambling. ¡°Second, I doubt the guards, or Darian, or your brother would be thrilled by the idea of a practical stranger who showed up in the enemy¡¯s clothes sharing the same room with you. And third¡­ Okay there is no third. I just don¡¯t want to.¡±


    I stand back up as Quell blinks up at me, wide-eyed and insanely naive.


    ¡°Good night,¡± I say, grabbing my things. ¡°Or, morning. Or whatever it is. I¡¯ll find you tomorrow.¡±


    I hurriedly duck back out, where sure enough the guards are still waiting. I gesture for them to lead the way. ¡°Wherever I can get some sleep.¡±


    Instead of taking me to the communal soldiers¡¯ tent, however, they lead me to a more secluded part of camp and give me my own, small, private tent. Nearby, I can hear a familiar voice professing her innocence¡ªAmbassador Ashla, I think. Looks like I¡¯m sleeping on the ¡°maybe an enemy¡± side of camp.


    I¡¯m too tired to care. I crawl into my one-person tent and lay down. With the flap closed, it¡¯s surprisingly dark. But I can¡¯t imagine I¡¯m going to get much sleep with the events of the previous night spiraling through my head. The demigod. The Bloodlust. The cursed shield, and all the fighting, and ¨¢lvaro¡­


    I guess I was more exhausted than I thought, because I¡¯m out within minutes.

 Chapter 15.5 - Three Minutes of Peace

    When I wake and roll over, and every muscle screams like I¡¯ve been hit by a truck. This is why you¡¯re supposed to cool down after workouts. Not that getting thrown into the middle of a battle with a giant cactus monster will give you much opportunity for that.


    I put on the rest of my attire and duck outside, disoriented for a moment as I notice the sky is purple and orange once more. Had it only been a few minutes?


    But the colors are at the opposite end of the horizon. It¡¯s now dusk.


    The camp is almost entirely packed up. All but a few tents have been torn down and loaded back onto the star drakes. There are several groups of people gathered around fire pits, and the smell of smoke and cooking meat wafts over to me. My stomach twists up into a knot and loudly announces its dissatisfaction. Wordlessly, the guards stationed to keep an eye on me reappear, then lead me to one of the fire pits.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re up!¡±


    I reflexively grimace at Quell¡¯s voice. There goes my three minutes of peace.


    ¡°Here, I saved you some breakfast,¡± he says, carrying a stone bowl and spoon over to me. I feel a twinge of guilt at my reaction, and gratefully accept the food.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I ask, digging in even before he can respond. The bowl and utensil are coarse and look like they¡¯re made out of a bunch of sand stuck together. Luckily I don¡¯t get any grit in my bite of stew. There¡¯s very little seasoning¡ªit seems like it¡¯s mostly murky water and chunks of rare meat. But my taste buds clench in relief at the tangy, rich taste.


    ¡°It¡¯s the dhampyr rations,¡± Quell says. ¡°Protein and water, mostly. I find it dreadful, but Darian tells me it¡¯s filling.¡±


    I guess that¡¯s why the water rations are so low: you get it with the meal. ¡°Could be worse,¡± I say, finishing off the bowl even as I stand there. ¡°Although maybe that¡¯s the starvation talking. Hey, why do you use stone bowls? Isn¡¯t that heavy to lug around?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t lug it around,¡± Quell says, gesturing for me to follow him toward the main part of camp. ¡°It¡¯s sand under a temporary spell¡ªmany of the soldiers have a stone affinity, so we make them each time we make camp. It¡¯ll fall apart in another thirty minutes or so. So don¡¯t be late to meals,¡± he teases.


    ¡°Noted.¡±


    Captain Darian greets us with a nod, and Prince Constance acknowledges us with a glance. They¡¯re both busy overseeing the tear-down and preparations to move out. It doesn¡¯t escape me that Quell isn¡¯t doing anything to assist. The guy really isn¡¯t leadership material.


    In another ten minutes, we¡¯re moving out.


    I watch the procedure curiously as several scouts are sent ahead and the rest of the soldiers form a procession, at most five people wide. As an estimate, I¡¯d say there¡¯s around a hundred soldiers in this unit. Is that enough to take a city? I don¡¯t know. But it doesn¡¯t feel like a lot.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°I thought you were going to go look for the princess,¡± I say to Darian as Quell and I walk alongside her. Constance has moved up the line to speak with the scouts and foreguard.


    ¡°As soon as we find a lead, I will be,¡± Darian says. ¡°In the meantime, we¡¯re heading in the right direction. It¡¯s very likely the Umbral Blades will have to pass through the Oasis and restock supplies before moving into Moonfall territory¡ªassuming the Oasis isn¡¯t their destination itself.¡± She frowns. ¡°Ambassador Ashla has admitted there may be a covert Umbral presence there already, though that was the most she would say on the subject. But with our scouts pressing forward, we might force the Duneshade kidnappers to take a more circuitous route, slowing their lead in the process.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Quell says. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s good.¡± His forehead is pinched in worry, though.


    The night darkens as we continue to walk, but no one makes any lights. My eyes adjust to the dim as they had the night before, but I wonder how the humans aren''t stumbling over themselves.


    ¡°Do you always move at night?¡± I ask. ¡°Is it to avoid the sun¡¯s heat?¡±


    ¡°Daytime is inhospitable in the Gilded Desert, and much of Dunmora South, for that matter,¡± Quell says. ¡°Most people and cities here operate on a nocturnal schedule. No one¡¯s very productive in the heat of the day.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Wow, that¡¯s pretty neat. And it makes sense for dhampyrs, given how they¡¯d be at no disadvantage given their¡ªour¡ªnight vision. ¡°You don¡¯t have trouble seeing?¡± I ask him.


    Quell smiles a little as he taps his glasses. ¡°These aren¡¯t just for show.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I look at him flatly. ¡°I figured they were for, you know, seeing.¡±


    ¡°Well, that too,¡± he admits. The broken lens is now repaired. I wonder if that¡¯s due to magic or spares. ¡°Mine are artificed to help me see in the dark. Other humans typically use artificed charms, equipment, or temporary spells to similarly help them maneuver at night.¡± Ah, so that¡¯s what all the goggles are for. I¡¯d just assumed they were to keep the sand out. ¡°But even without, it¡¯s not so bad,¡± Quell continues. ¡°Especially with both moons up, like tonight.¡±


    I glance to the sky. The sight of two moons hanging in the air still so strange to me.


    ¡°Darian,¡± I venture after a while. She gives me an unimpressed look. ¡°Er, Captain. I wanted to ask you a favor, if you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡±


    ¡°You want to learn how to be a better fighter?¡± she guesses. ¡°I saw you during the attack. You¡¯ve got a powerful weapon and the muscles to use it, but your lack of technique is apparent. Which is also a big reason why I believe you¡¯re not a Moonfall spy. Even a trained plant couldn¡¯t fake that lack of skill.¡±


    ¡°Er, thanks?¡± I say. ¡°And I do want to take you up on that offer. But actually, I was going to ask about, um, some dhampyr things.¡± Like, what the hell am I dealing with here.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she says, looking at me in surprise. ¡°Of course. I can answer any questions you might have.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, a knot of tension unwinding itself in my shoulders. ¡°I guess the first thing I wanted to ask about was the Bloodlust.¡±


    She gives a sympathetic grunt. ¡°That¡¯s certainly one place to start. But it is important to address. If we get clash with any Moonfall soldiers, you¡¯ll need to stay back. You¡¯re too much of a risk with that Bloodlust.¡±


    I frown, throwing a quick glance around at the other soldiers. It seems to be a pretty even split between humans, arachnoids, and dhampyrs. It can¡¯t be practical to have a third of your soldiers fall back anytime a fight takes place.


    ¡°What about all the other dhampyrs?¡± I ask. ¡°What about you?¡±


    She gives me a sharp look. ¡°Not all dhampyrs have the Bloodlust. The ones that do are encouraged to pursue other professions.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I had just assumed all dhampyrs had to deal with this. That just figures. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t want to be useless in a fight. Is there any way I can get rid of it?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, no,¡± Darian says. ¡°Given enough time, you can learn to better control it, but¡­¡±


    As she¡¯s speaking, the arachnoid soldier Xamireb hurries over to us. ¡°Captain Darian.¡±


    ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°We think we found Princess Felicity¡¯s trail.¡±


    Darian¡¯s face turns to steel, determined and focused, and I can tell now I won¡¯t be getting instruction on how to control the Bloodlust anytime soon.


    ¡°Show me,¡± she says.

 Chapter 16 – Suspicious Compliance

    The soldier shows Captain Darian a gold bracelet adorned with garnet stones.


    ¡°That¡¯s Liz¡¯s alright,¡± the captain says.


    ¡°Where did you find it?¡± Quell asks. He reaches out, but Darian takes the bracelet first.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know what we find,¡± she tells him, nodding to her soldier to lead the way. ¡°Go grab Earnest, then report back.¡±


    Before Quell has a chance to object, the captain leaves with the guard. Quell¡¯s face falls, and he and I are left alone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine,¡± I say, awkwardly attempting to comfort him. ¡°Darian seems capable.¡±


    ¡°Oh, she is,¡± Quell agrees, glancing away from where the captain had headed off. ¡°Probably the best one to find Liz. But I can¡¯t just do nothing while my sister is out there, you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it would be frustrating to be kept from trying to find your sibling,¡± I say dryly.


    Quell looks at me in surprise. It¡¯s a look he¡¯s given me a couple times now. Like he¡¯s just realized¡ªor been reminded¡ªI¡¯m my own complex person with my own wants and needs, and not just a background character to his life.


    ¡°You mentioned your brother yesterday.¡±


    My throat tightens. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Quell hesitates. ¡°Is he, ah, in a similar situation as you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admit. ¡°I think he¡¯s here, somewhere on this world. He was there when we ended up in that dark place, after we¡­ Well, before we woke up here. Some kind of void. So I figure, if I ended up here, and someone like Hans did, then my brother¡¯s probably somewhere out there, too.¡±


    Quell frowns. ¡°A dark place¡­ a void before you ended up here¡­ Between, maybe?¡±


    I shrug. ¡°It was between our worlds, yeah.¡±


    ¡°No, I mean, The Between,¡± Quell says. His eyes light up at the opportunity to explain. ¡°It¡¯s another dimension and source of arcanum. Like how the Lull is a dimension which can be accessed as a source of Life arcanum. The Between contains Null magic. Sort of the opposite of Life, in some respects. Not in that it represents Death, but more of¡­ the absence of life. A void. The current magical theory is that souls pass through the Between before continuing to the afterlife. Though, I¡¯m not sure how you would have ended up there in the first place. Truly a fascinating conundrum!¡±


    My stomach turns at his explanation. ¡°You said it¡¯s where souls go before they reach the afterlife.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that would mean you¡­¡± The playful curiosity in Quell¡¯s eyes snuff out, and his face falls. ¡°Ah. Right. I¡ªI forgot that you had mentioned that. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I shrug, brushing off his words and fighting down the swell of emotions that threaten to rise within me. ¡°It is what it is, I guess. But what does any of that have to do with how we ended up here? Is this where everyone goes when they die?¡± The thought makes me pause. ¡°Is this purgatory?¡±


    Quell still looks concerned, but is clearly too uncomfortable to pry¡ªor perhaps he¡¯s just more interested in unraveling the mystery. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what that is,¡± he says. ¡°But no, people don¡¯t typically come back after death. Even necromancy is just using the echoes of life to animate a corpse¡ªat best, it can cage a soul, preventing it from passing. But dying on another world, entering the Between, and coming here¡­ Well, I suppose it¡¯s not impossible. It stands to reason that if a soul can enter the Between, it can also leave it. And null arcanum is also associated with certain spatial attributes and summoning arcana, so maybe that was involved with transporting you here, somehow. Or perhaps if a mage was tapping into the Between just as you entered it, you¡¯d have a path out. The timing would have to be impeccable, though.¡±


    I frown, trying to recall what this Between place had felt like. What all I had experienced.


    ¡°I think I heard voices,¡± I say. ¡°Someone was speaking, but they seemed a long way off. And besides my brother and I and the other souls, there was this other entity¡ªthis sense of malice. I don¡¯t know how else to describe it. I felt trapped. There was a fight going on, I think.¡± I look at Quell in question.


    He helplessly holds up his hands. ¡°I have no idea what any of that could mean. How many other souls were there with you?¡±


    ¡°Not sure,¡± I admit. The memories are so abstract, it¡¯s hard to make sense of them. ¡°A lot. More than a dozen, at least.¡±


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Quell scratches at his chin. A fine fuzz of stubble has started to shade his jaw. ¡°So there could be many other people out there like you. I wonder what happened to cause this event? This aberrant event,¡± he says, dropping his voice as he repeats Zeyaelid¡¯s words.


    ¡°The gods must know what happened,¡± I realize. Even trying to wrap my mind around the concept of foreign gods¡ªphysical beings which walk this earth¡ªis bizarre and uncomfortable to me. It contradicts everything I¡¯d grown up believing. Are these really Gods, or only in name? People like Zeyaelid seem too mortal, too small and knowable to be anything like an all-powerful Creator of the universe. And that¡¯s it, right? These gods can¡¯t be all-knowing, or they would have known about me.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Somehow, I find that comforting.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Quell says. ¡°What was it she said? She was taking him into the custody of the pantheon.¡±


    ¡°And she asked for our discretion,¡± I add. ¡°She didn¡¯t want us to know they¡¯re snatching up people like me. And she didn¡¯t want us to go telling anyone else. Why?¡±


    ¡°The gods always have their reasons,¡± Quell says, but the words sound rote, and even he doesn¡¯t appear certain.


    I stare at him for a moment. Exactly how loyal is he to these gods? He didn¡¯t speak up when Zeyaelid was there, but we¡¯d all been a bit caught off guard. ¡°Will you be handing me over at some point, then?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Quell says. ¡°No! I mean, I would never do anything to defy the gods¡¯ will. But she only said to be discreet, right? She didn¡¯t say we had to turn over any others we found.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but laugh. That sounds like a loophole he¡¯s spent the last day puzzling out. ¡°So why are you covering for me?¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know,¡± he says, a little flustered. ¡°It seems like the right thing to do, since you didn¡¯t want to go with. And also, we don¡¯t need the gods to figure out what happened to you,¡± he says, an edge of conviction entering his words. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can learn more about your magic on our own.¡±


    Ah, there it is. The real reason he¡¯s reluctant to hand me over: It would be a missed opportunity to learn about a strange, possibly undiscovered field of magic. He¡¯s as hungry for knowledge as his brother is for might. In a way, they¡¯re both keeping me around for the same reason. Not the best reason, but one that I can use to my advantage for now. As long as I have something they want, at least I won¡¯t have to worry about either of them outing me to the gods.


    I¡¯m given some tough jerky to chew on around midnight, which I realize was lunch when I get nothing else. I catch glimpses of Darian occasionally, hurrying about, talking to Constance, and gathering packs of supplies. She prepares one of the star drakes for travel, moving most of its contents to other beasts of burden. Looks like she¡¯ll be traveling light.


    After a time, she and two of her guards, the arachnoid Xamireb and the human Earnest, approach Quell once more.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be leaving in pursuit of the princess now,¡± Darian informs him. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll send word as soon as she¡¯s safe within our company once more.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Captain.¡± Quell clasps her arm. ¡°Godspeed.¡±


    Quell is taking this suspiciously well, given his previous objections. I watch him with narrowed eyes, but he doesn¡¯t notice, instead keeping his attention on Darian as she and her guards speak with Constance once more, then retrieve their star drake and depart. It doesn¡¯t take long for them to vanish in the dunes.


    Only a few more hours pass before Constance calls for the army to stop for the night, and we begin to set up camp once more. The tents go up quickly, and the fire pits and bowls appear as if by magic¡ªactually they probably do. Quell is quiet and fidgety, but scarfs down a quick meal and retreats to his tent as the first streaks of dawn begin brightening the sky. My feet are sore from walking all day, so I¡¯m more than happy to eat a meal of watery meat soup and retire as well. This is going to be a long march.


    <hr>


    The ghostly touch of a hand on my shoulder wakes me. I sit up with a jolt, heart lurching in surprise as I grab the wrist and twist it around.


    ¡°Ow!¡± Quell jerks forward. ¡°Hey! It¡¯s just me.¡±


    He¡¯s whispering. I let go of his hand and squint around the tent for an indication of the time. It¡¯s dark inside, but I¡¯d noticed the cloth¡¯s unnatural ability to block out the sunlight the night before when I¡¯d fallen asleep. Probably magic. Everything seems to be magic around here.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I ask, also keeping my voice low. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Follow me,¡± he says. ¡°Grab your things. Move quietly.¡±


    I quickly pull the last pieces of my armor on. ¡°Is it an attack?¡±


    Quell ducks out the tent, and bright, white light lances in. I hiss, squeezing my eyes shut as they sting and water. Blinking the tears away, I squint against the painful light and follow Quell out.


    The heat hits me like a physical force. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve stuck my head in an oven. My skin burns and prickles, and no matter where I look¡ªsand or sky¡ªit¡¯s impossibly bright. The sun shimmers overhead.


    Quell takes my wrist and leads me around the back of a rock formation my tent was pitched against. I stumble over the uneven ground, hiding my eyes in my arm. It¡¯s unnaturally bright. And the sun is insufferable¡ªI bet I¡¯d bake alive out here after only an hour. No wonder they only move at night.


    ¡°Here.¡± Quell presses something into my hands. ¡°Put them on, they¡¯ll help.¡±


    I fumble with the object for a moment before I realize it¡¯s a pair of goggles. Slipping them onto my head, the world dims, and I immediately feel relief. I blink, finally able to take in our surroundings. The camp is still and quiet.


    ¡°Quell,¡± I say, my stomach sinking in anticipation. ¡°What are we doing out here?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re following Captain Darian,¡± he says.


    I try to run a hand down my face, but the goggles get in the way. ¡°No. She and your brother already said that wasn¡¯t a good idea. Besides, she¡¯s got to be hours away from us at this point.¡±


    ¡°Six hours,¡± Quell agrees. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I snuck a tracker into her cloak so we can find her.¡±


    ¡°You what?¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m not just going to wander aimless around the desert trying to track her down, am I?¡± he says.


    I shake my head. ¡°This is a terrible idea. What do you think you can do, anyway? You¡¯ll just slow her down.¡±


    He presses his mouth into a thin, determined line. ¡°She¡¯s my sister. You wouldn¡¯t do the same for your brother?¡±


    Guilt twists in me like a knife, quickly followed by anger at him using my brother against me. ¡°Watch it,¡± I growl.


    Quell doesn¡¯t appear ashamed in the least. ¡°But you would, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    I would have if Prince Charming here hadn¡¯t dragged me away. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what I would or wouldn¡¯t do. The camp¡¯s going to wake up in a few hours, notice you¡¯re gone, and track you down.¡±


    ¡°By then we¡¯ll be hours away,¡± Quell says.


    ¡°Not unless I wake them up now,¡± I counter. ¡°Just one yell is all it would take.¡±


    His expression goes steely, and for a moment he looks just like his brother. ¡°You could try, but I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow. ¡°Is that a threat?¡± What exactly does he think he can do to stop me?


    He holds the look for another few seconds. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve ever stared at anyone without saying anything for several seconds, but it feels a lot longer than it sounds. Then, he glances away, deflating.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m going to go whether you come or not,¡± Quell says. ¡°I only told you because it seemed cruel to leave without saying anything, what with your curse. But I¡¯m not going to let anything stop me from making sure Liz gets home safe.¡±


    I bite back a groan. If I yelled to wake up the camp, and he ran, what would happen? Would he do something reckless? Get himself into danger in his attempt to flee? And what would happen if he did manage to get away, and then got into trouble somewhere too far for me to reach?


    He¡¯s damn stubborn about this. More than I would have given him credit for. Part of me wants to throttle him, and part of me kind of respects him for it.


    ¡°Dammit,¡± I hiss. ¡°Alright. What¡¯s your plan?¡±

 Chapter 17 – All Good Plans Have Steps

    Quell had been busy while I was asleep. After waiting for the guard rotation to pass us by¡ªa schedule Quell had apparently spent some time deducing¡ªwe leave camp and make for a cluster of rocks a hundred meters away. Behind that is a star drake, already loaded up and waiting for us.


    ¡°At least we won¡¯t have to worry about dying of dehydration,¡± I say, noting all the water skins.


    ¡°That would somewhat put a damper on our rescue mission,¡± Quell agrees. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of dhampyr rations, too, so you won¡¯t have to worry about being blood-starved.¡±


    I blink. ¡°Blood starved?¡±


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Quell says. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of rations anyway, so it¡¯s irrelevant.¡±


    I raise my eyebrows in alarm. ¡°It doesn¡¯t sound irrelevant.¡± I¡¯m starting to have reservations about agreeing to this.


    ¡°Here,¡± Quell says, passing a cloak to me. It¡¯s far lighter than it looks, almost like silk, and it shimmers like light refracting through water. ¡°Sun cloak. You¡¯ll be needing this before long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s to keep cool?¡± I throw the cloak around my shoulders, and feel immediate relief from the sun across my back and arms. ¡°I think I¡¯ll be needing it now.¡±


    ¡°Try to use it only when you really need it,¡± Quell says, reaching out to tap the gemstone clasp that secures the cloak about my neck. Immediately, the heat returns. ¡°If we could use these things all the time, we¡¯d be active during the day. But it takes magic to keep the sunshade spell on, and eventually they¡¯ll need to be recharged.¡±


    I grimace, already uncomfortably warm again. And it¡¯s early, still. That doesn¡¯t bode well for the afternoon heat. I squint through my goggles across the shimmering sand. ¡°Which way are we headed?¡±


    ¡°Backward,¡± Quell says. ¡°We need to retrace our steps to where we parted with Darian. Heading back over already-disturbed sand will help cover our tracks for a while. Then I¡¯ll be able to pick up Darian¡¯s trail from the tracker I planted, assuming I don¡¯t find Liz¡¯s trail first. From what the soldier showed, I think she¡¯s leaving a trail for us to follow, too.¡±


    Well, at least he has a plan. ¡°Alright then,¡± I say, turning north. ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡±


    ¡°Actually,¡± Quell says before I can take a few steps. ¡°If we want to catch up with the Captain, we¡¯ll be needing to travel more quickly than we would be able to on foot.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I ask. Then my gaze slides over to the star drake. It tilts its head, watching me back. ¡°Oh, no.¡±


    ¡°Come on!¡± Quell says, grabbing a bag strapped to the lizard¡¯s back and using it to swing himself up. ¡°Poppy¡¯s friendly!¡±


    Lizards aren¡¯t friendly. Lizards just care about their next meal.


    ¡°Poppy?¡± I repeat skeptically.


    ¡°Yes, I named her just now,¡± he says, grinning. He pats the seat behind him. ¡°We don¡¯t have all day!¡±


    Now I like this plan even less. But if I don¡¯t go, Quell will be kilometers away from me in a matter of minutes. I can¡¯t let him get far enough away that I¡¯d go insane if he got into trouble without me. Heaving a sigh, I edge up to the star drake¡¯s side and pull myself up onto the creature¡¯s back. It turns out there¡¯s a sort of padded saddle fit to the animal¡¯s back, long enough it could probably fit up to four people, but two is already plenty cozy for my taste.


    I glance around the lizard¡¯s back, lashed with various packs and supplies. No obvious handle or reins. ¡°Where do I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hold tight!¡± Quell says. And the drake lurches forward.


    I¡¯m nearly flung off her back. Scrambling quickly to grab onto some of the straps used to tie the equipment down, I lean forward and try to flatten myself against the saddle. Quell, meanwhile, is privileged enough to have reins to cling to. Lacking my own, I squeeze my legs around the lizard¡¯s torso and pray it will be enough.


    The star drake flies across the desert, kicking up a rather obvious plume of sand in its wake. Quell glances behind us, and lets out a breath. Embers flicker from his mouth as he does so; I¡¯d seen his brother do something similar in the fight with the carrion cactus.


    ¡°What was that?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Creating a mirage,¡± he replies quickly. Then he inhales another breath, and exhales another cloud of light.


    I glance behind us, wondering how the soldiers on watch can¡¯t possibly notice our speedy retreat. ¡°I don¡¯t see any mirage.¡±


    ¡°You can see out, but not in,¡± Quell says between breaths. ¡°Now stop asking questions and let me work.¡±


    [Check,] Echo says as I continue to search for any signs of his magic. [Lesser Mirage. A spell which can be used to camouflage a stationary area. To an outsider, the mirage might appear as a shadow or shimmer in the air.]


    So we¡¯re not completely invisible. And Echo said the spell is stationary. Is that why Quell¡¯s continuing to breathe out magic with every exhale? Does he need to keep shifting the spell to cover us as we move? At this rate he¡¯s going to hyperventilate.


    It¡¯s a far cry from the illusion Constance had conjured. The replica of the carrion cactus had been indistinguishable from the real thing. Not to mention, it had been moving and made noise. In comparison, this Lesser Mirage feels half-baked.


    I watch the camp recede behind us, waiting for any sign of pursuit. But after a few more minutes, the army disappears behind a dune, and then we¡¯re alone among endless rolling waves of sand.


    Quell slumps in his seat, shoulders heaving in exhaustion. He takes a sip of water, then turns around to flash me a weary grin.


    ¡°Step one down,¡± he pants.


    ¡°You have steps?¡± I ask, dubious.


    ¡°Of course I do. All good plans have steps.¡±


    Yeah, and everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. At some point, this kid¡¯s going to be in for a reality check¡ªand I¡¯ll probably have to be the one to rescue him from it.


    We ride for hours, and my legs go numb from the position. Sometimes I doze, not entirely asleep from the sun and heat and motion, but the lack of sleep has sunk into my bones like lead. My skin feels like it¡¯s burning, and eventually Quell signals we can pull our hoods up and activate our sun cloaks. The relief is immediate, like jumping into a pool, and then I do manage to fall asleep for a time.


    ¡°Nye.¡±


    I jerk awake to Quell¡¯s voice, sitting up and looking around. As far as I can tell, we¡¯re in a random spot of desert. Every direction is more sand and sporadic rock formations.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I ask. Judging by the sun, it¡¯s afternoon. Constance and his camp won¡¯t even know we¡¯re gone yet.


    ¡°This is where Captain Darian parted ways,¡± he says, pointing off to the east. ¡°Her trail starts here.¡±


    I glance around the sand, looking for footprints, or any sort of sign that we¡¯re on the right track, but the gentle winds have already smoothed over the area. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    ¡°See? There.¡± Quell points to a spot of sand. When I look close, there appears to be a black dot on the ground, no bigger than the size of a coin. ¡°I fixed a bottle of ink infused with illusion magic to the captain¡¯s star drake before she left,¡± Quell explains. ¡°The design is quite ingenious, really. First I perforated the cork so it would drip slowly, then I applied an invisibility spell to the cork, so any liquid that passes through it will become invisible. The spell wears off naturally after a few minutes, meaning by the time the ink becomes visible, the drake will already have moved on. All we have to do now is follow the trail to its source. Easy!¡±


    He puffs up proudly, as if waiting for my inevitable praise.


    I shake my head in bewilderment. ¡°Are you kidding me? That¡¯s your tracker spell? A leaking paint can? What if it runs out? What if Darian finds it and tosses the thing? What if the wind has already swept your trail away?¡±


    Quell deflates. ¡°She won¡¯t find it. And the illusion magic is resistant to¡ª¡±


    ¡°You realize if we follow this trail to a dead-end, we¡¯ll just be lost out in the middle of nowhere with limited supplies and possibly no way to find our way back to your brother?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t come to that,¡± Quell says, a little prickly now. ¡°This is just step two in the plan! It will be fine.¡±


    I grimace, glancing back in the direction we¡¯d come. What do you suppose the chances are I could knock this guy out and steer the lizard back to Constance and his troops?


    ¡°Nye?¡± Quell prompts. ¡°Why are you smiling?¡±


    ¡°You can laugh, or you can cry.¡± I turn back to him. Dammit. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    <hr>


    We travel the whole rest of the day, finally making it through the scorching sun and back into the cool of evening. It¡¯s surprising how fast the temperature drops once the sun is down. The breeze from riding on the lizard certainly doesn¡¯t hurt, either, but the darkening sky is a welcome relief after the unbearable heat of the day. Not long after dusk, I peel my goggles off.


    When Quell calls for a break, I¡¯m more than happy to roll off the lizard and fall to the ground in a numb, tingling heap.


    ¡°Just long enough to get some food and water,¡± Quell tells me, grabbing some supplies from the packs. ¡°Then we need to be on the move again.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± I grumble, taking the rations and gulping the water down. I can feel the moisture evaporating from my lips with every breath.


    Quell sips at his own canteen, distractedly wandering around the star drake and kicking at the sand. I watch him suspiciously.


    ¡°You better not have lost our trail,¡± I say.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t!¡± he objects.


    I wait.


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ gotten a little more spread out, is all,¡± he adds.


    ¡°Oh my god.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡± he cries. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re still on the right track. I think Captain Darian might have found her own trail around here, because the drops of ink are spaced out far more widely¡ªthat means they¡¯re moving faster. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem; we¡¯ll just need to keep an eye out to make sure they don¡¯t make an abrupt turn.¡±


    I shake my head. ¡°This is exactly what I was worried about.¡±


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯ve got it handled,¡± he says, frowning. ¡°And anyway, I¡¯ve been doing some math, and based on how fast she had been traveling when she left, and how fast we¡¯ve been going on the drake, I think we should be almost caught up with her.¡±


    ¡°But you said she¡¯s moving faster now,¡± I point out.


    ¡°Well, yes, but that trail only just started,¡± Quell says. ¡°She can¡¯t be too far!¡±


    I sigh out my frustrations, tipping my face to the sky. There¡¯s a flock of birds in the distance¡ªdark shadows wheeling against the night sky. ¡°Which way are we headed then?¡±


    Quell hesitates again. ¡°Ah, well, that¡¯s why I called a stop, actually. I¡¯m pretty sure she went straight, but I saw some of the ink splatters curve a bit, so I was just checking to make sure we haven¡¯t missed anything.¡±


    ¡°You mean you haven¡¯t missed anything,¡± I grumble. ¡°I¡¯m just following your very dubious directions.¡±


    ¡°My directions are highly indubious I¡¯ll have you know.¡±


    I¡¯m beginning to think they might not be birds. The distant silhouettes are far too large for me to be able to make out if they were some kind of hawk or vulture. ¡°What are those?¡± I ask Quell.


    Echo answers me first. [Check: Wyvern flock¡ªcolloquially known as reapers. While these creatures are fearsome beasts on their own, they prefer to hunt in flocks. Once a target is spotted, a wyvern will circle above it until the rest of the flock has joined. They then descend as a group to overwhelm their prey.]


    ¡°What?¡± Quell glances around until he catches sight of the distant shadows, too. He frowns. ¡°Reapers. Not good. They¡¯ll leave a caravan or army alone, but aren¡¯t above picking off lone stragglers. We should find some rocks to hide among until they pass by.¡±


    ¡°Why do you call them reapers?¡± I ask, still watching the distant shadows pass over the stars, causing the sky to flicker.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure where it started,¡± Quell admits. ¡°We¡¯ve not much farmland outside the cities. But I imagine it¡¯s due to how efficiently they cut through their prey, once they¡¯ve made up their mind to attack. I¡¯ve heard that once they start their descent, it¡¯s like a blade falling down on you. Ah, there you go.¡±


    Even as he¡¯s explaining, the shadows drop through the air, all at once. I try to imagine what that must look like from the ground. Shadows of teeth and claws falling on you like rain. The thought makes me shiver.


    I stand up. ¡°I guess we better head out then.¡±


    Quell looks at me curiously. ¡°Do you know which way we¡¯re headed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nod my head toward the wyverns. ¡°That way.¡±


    ¡°Uh, I don¡¯t think you understand what you¡¯re suggesting,¡± Quell says. I¡¯m already climbing back up on the star drake¡¯s back. ¡°Right¡ªright. You¡¯re not from here. In case my earlier description somehow didn¡¯t convey this: those things are extremely dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I say, gesturing for him to climb back up. ¡°And they¡¯re attacking someone. We should help.¡±


    ¡°What could we even do?¡± he objects.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a few ideas. Now hurry up.¡± I lean down and grab a strap of his armor, then hoist him up onto the lizard as he squeaks in protest. ¡°What if it¡¯s my brother up there? What if it¡¯s your sister? You want to let her get eaten?¡±


    Quell stiffens. ¡°You don¡¯t think¡­ No, it can¡¯t be her. She must be at least a day ahead of us.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who it is,¡± I say. ¡°They need our help, and I can help them.¡±


    ¡°It could be an animal,¡± Quell suggests.


    ¡°Then we stand to get some extra meat. Unless you¡¯ve got better things to do, like stand around and look forlornly at the sand.¡±


    Quell still hesitates. ¡°This is risky. Finding my sister¡ªand your brother¡ªshould be top priority. We shouldn¡¯t let ourselves get distracted.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s just scout it out,¡± I say, starting to get annoyed. The truth is, there¡¯s a part of me that is afraid that somehow it¡¯s my brother over there. I know it¡¯s not likely, but could I live with myself if it was him, and I¡¯d done nothing? I¡¯m tired of wanting to find ¨¢lvaro but having no agency to do so. I¡¯m itching to try something. Let me have this one thing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s at least get close enough to see if they¡¯ve found an animal or not,¡± I suggest. ¡°Then we¡¯ll take it from there.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Quell says.


    My patience snaps. ¡°Well, I do.¡± I lean around Quell and grab the reins, giving them a sharp snap. The drake leaps into motion.


    ¡°Do I need to steer, too, or can you handle that?¡± I call over the wind.


    Quell grabs the reins with a worried frown. ¡°No. I¡¯ve got it.¡±


    As we rise and fall over the dunes, I can start to make out where the wyverns have landed. Ahead of us is a cluster of sandstone formations that canvas the landscape in boulders and dramatic arches. The flock of reapers is crawling all over it; whatever they¡¯re after must be taking refuge inside the rocks.


    We stop at the top of the nearest dune to analyze the scene below. Now that we¡¯re this close, I can hear faint shouts amidst the bone-chilling screeches of the wyverns. It¡¯s definitely people, then.


    Even as we watch, someone stumbles from between the rocks. A reaper drops to the ground, stalking after them. The figure slashes their sword at the beast, holding it back. When they judge they have enough room, they pause, swishing their sword quickly through the sand. The ground lights up a moment later, and a blast explodes before them, peppering the reaper.


    Quell gasps. ¡°It¡¯s the Captain!¡± He snaps the reins, and Poppy leaps down the hill as I desperately cling to her saddle. ¡°See? I told you we were on the right track!¡±


    Ignoring the fact that he didn¡¯t even want to investigate the wyverns in the first place. But okay.


    As we race toward the fight, I lean around Quell and the lizard¡¯s head to get a better look. Darian and the reaper have disappeared behind into the sandstone formation once more; it¡¯s got to be a death trap in there.


    ¡°Drop me off and then retreat,¡± I tell Quell, voice raised over the wind. ¡°I don¡¯t need you getting in trouble and making me come save you. I¡¯ll have plenty to worry about already.¡± Like what I¡¯ll actually be able to do in this fight. I¡¯ll be using the Aegis, obviously, but I won¡¯t have a chance to remove it from my Inventory until I¡¯ve got two feet planted on solid ground.


    Quell glances back at me and hesitates, like he wants to argue. But maybe even he realizes he¡¯s practically useless here, no matter how much admitting that would sting. Instead, he clenches his jaw and nods.


    The stone arches are just before us. I tense up, getting ready to hit the ground running.


    A shadow appears before us. Quell gasps, yanking on the reins. Poppy pivots to the side, and the wyvern¡¯s teeth snap at open air. The star drake scrambles away, its feet kicking up plumes of sand as it attempts to flee the wyvern. Quell and I are whipped back and forth¡ªand my grasp is ripped from the saddle. As Poppy spins away, I¡¯m flung from her back. I hit the sand hard, barely able to brace myself before impact, then go tumbling over the ground. I dig my fingers into the sand to stop my roll and scramble to my feet before I¡¯ve even come to a stop.


    The moonlight vanishes overhead as a sinuous neck cranes over me. Blood and saliva drip from the reaper¡¯s jaws. I freeze, fear seizing my limbs.


    It¡¯s taller than a star drake, but far more sleek, each of its limbs thin and long, more reminiscent of a spider than a lizard. Its wings are folded up like great fans at its sides, and it uses these limbs to walk on, a single bat-like claw protruding from each knuckle. Its tail lashes from side to side like a cat¡¯s.


    Then, without warning, it attacks.

 Chapter 18 - Reapers

    [Crimson Aegis removed from Inventory.]


    The wyvern¡¯s jaws smash into the shield, crushing me into the ground.


    The Aegis¡¯s conscience bursts into my mind at the same moment, briefly looking about in confusion. We¡¯ve moved again! Where are¡ªOh! That¡¯s a lot of teeth. Is it time for another fight?


    ¡°Endure!¡± I cry. Magic flashes over the surface of the shield as the spell activates.


    The reaper strikes again, its teeth skipping over the surface of the shield. This time, the blow isn¡¯t nearly as strong, and as the creature draws back, perplexed by my sudden protective shell, I use the opportunity to scramble to my feet.


    ¡°Repel!¡±


    The shield shimmers once more with magic as the spell takes hold. I think I¡¯ve got about ten minutes for both of these spells; assuming I don¡¯t use multiple Repels, or burn through all of it in a handful of seconds with Devour. Ten minutes is a long time to be in a fight, so hopefully things will be over before then¡ªand hopefully in a way that favors me.


    The wyvern¡¯s head swings from side to side, and it begins to stalk around me as if to search for a better angle. I turn with it, keeping the shield between me and the beast.


    That spell you did when we first fought the murder cactus, I say to the Aegis. Blood Ward. Can you do that again?


    It can do anything! It is the powerful Crimson Aegis.


    How enlightening. Echo, how does Blood Ward work? I ask, trying to remember the details. It didn¡¯t use my mana, right?


    [Affirmative,] Echo says. [Rather than needing mana to activate, the ability requires the shield to have recently consumed a volume of blood. The amount of blood is proportional to the strength and duration of the attack.]


    I grimace. I¡¯d really love to not have to make any more donations to the Aegis on that front. Didn¡¯t you drink blood from that Moonfall agent that we k¡­ that we defeated?


    The Aegis confirms this. But that was so long ago! It could use some of the blood it absorbed, but it prefers something more fresh.


    That was only two days ago, I say. And besides you¡¯ve been in the Inventory most of that time. Does that even count?


    The Aegis scoffs. A mighty shield deserves a respectable blood sacrifice.


    I blow out a breath. I don¡¯t even know why I try.


    The wyvern snaps at me, and I duck away, keeping low behind the Aegis. It quickly pivots the other way, trying to come at me from behind, but the shield¡¯s double vision lets me keep track of it, and I keep the Aegis carefully between us. The creature lets out a rumbling growl, then rears up on its hind legs. For a moment, it towers over me, its wings blotting out the stars. Then comes down on me with all its weight.


    Uh oh.


    The blow sends me to my knees, thudding to the sand as it bashes into me. With its clawed wings still pressing on the front of my shield, it cranes its neck around the side.


    Double uh oh.


    ¡°Devour!¡± The shield¡¯s third spell activates much to the Aegis¡¯s delight, and the Wyvern hisses, reeling back as the shield burns at its skin like acid. It didn¡¯t have time to do much damage, I note, but at least it was enough to startle the beast and give me room to breathe. I glance at my mana.


    [Mana: 36/50]


    I¡¯m doing okay so far. It should be enough to defeat this creature. Will it be enough mana for all the other wyverns, though?


    The animal snaps at me again, and I deflect the blow, its mouth sizzling against the Aegis¡¯s still-active Devour. I continue to retreat as it stalks after me, and soon I find myself among the rocks.


    How many blows has it landed? Is it enough for Repel to do anything? Maybe if I focused it, like I did with the second murder cactus. That¡¯s got to be worth a shot, right?


    The wyvern keeps me on my toes by snapping at the air between us. I direct the Aegis to focus the Repel blast like it did before.


    What, already? The shield is a bit disappointed. It hasn¡¯t been very long at all since this fight started! When will it see a real challenge?


    ¡°This is plenty challenging as it is,¡± I grumble. ¡°And I don¡¯t need you jinxing it, thank you very much.¡±


    I wait, taking careful aim as the Aegis follows my directions. It¡¯s so strange. I can feel it there in my mind, like a hand on my shoulder. And I can feel it looking through me, just like how I can look through it. It¡¯s following my gaze. It sees where I want to fire.


    The Wyvern snaps toward me again, mouth wide, teeth gleaming in the moonlight.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    The Repel blasts straight down its throat. The reaper doesn¡¯t even convulse or scream. It just falls over, like the shock to its system was just too much. Dead in an instant.


    Victory! The shield¡¯s mental celebration at the bloodshed fills me with discomfort. But it seems oblivious to my mood: the Aegis could fight these things all day! No foe can stand against it.


    Meanwhile, my stomach twists as I look down at the dead beast with a sting of regret and remorse. Somehow, killing this animal feels worse than the cactus monster. I don¡¯t want to be a killer. But rationally, I know it¡¯s life or death, and I don¡¯t have time to be having a moral crisis.


    I turn and race through the sandstones. Echo hasn¡¯t mentioned my Role Requirement yet, so hopefully that means Quell ran somewhere safe.


    I break through two pillars of stone and out into an opening where a battle is taking place. There are four wyverns left, all engaged in combat with Darian and her two soldiers, Earnest and Xamireb. They¡¯re clustered together in the middle while the wyverns circle and snap at them. They return the attacks with stabs and slashes of their own weapons, though not many land. My heart jumps when I catch sight of a dead star drake on the ground nearby, its blood spilled over the sand. At least Quell is nowhere in sight.


    Activating a new Repel, I try to sneak up on the reapers from behind. I¡¯m able to get closer than I would have expected, but my attempt at subterfuge quickly ends when one of their lashing tails flicks the wrong way and crashes into my shield. That gets its attention. The wyvern rounds on me with a hiss.


    Instead of backing off, I race forward, counting on Devour to do some damage before this wyvern learns to be wary of the Aegis.


    The reaper snaps at me, its teeth skidding over the Aegis as I leverage the shield up over my head and duck beneath its neck. I stab the shield upward, and though it¡¯s not exactly designed to be used like a sword, the Devour spell on it manages to do some damage anyway. Its neck sizzles, and the wyvern screams, its cry piercing the night and stabbing through my ears. It thrashes to get away from me, several blows striking ineffectively against the shield¡ªand then lands one very effective blow to my legs. I¡¯m swept off my feet before I even know what¡¯s hit me.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    I land on my back, all the air punched out of my lungs. As my chest remembers how to gasp in a breath, I brace the shield above me, tucking my head and legs beneath it just in time for another strike to land.


    [Mana extinguished. Endure spell expired. Devour spell expired.]


    Oh, crap.


    The next blow that lands rattles my teeth. At least Repel is an up-front cost, so I still have one last attack left, if I time it properly. The shield smashes down on top of me as another hit lands, and my braced arms barely keep the Aegis from crashing into my face.


    Okay, think, think. I¡¯ve got one good blast. I could kill another one of these guys the same way I did last one, but then I¡¯ll be all out of attacks. Best bet is to get to Darian and the others and help be their literal shield as they do all the stabby stuff. That means I should go with a wide area-of-effect blast: shove all the wyverns away, then run to the soldiers to regroup.


    I take another couple of hits, waiting until my arms have about turned to jelly, before deciding I can¡¯t take much more. I guess I¡¯ll just have to hope the Repel is sufficiently charged. I ready myself for the mad dash. Here we go.


    The spell blasts from the shield just as the wyvern is rearing back to leap on top of me. It blows that one sky-high, and it catches the others in their sides, sending them tumbling to the sand. I stagger to my feet and start to dash toward Darian and company. They¡¯re all staring at me in shock. Well most of them are. Darian is looking above me. She points, and starts to shout something. I look up.


    The wyvern I¡¯d blown into the air has, apparently, decided to just fall right back down on top of me. Well, shit.


    I have enough time to swing the Aegis overhead before it crashes into me, and then I¡¯m smashed into the ground like a pancake.


    [21 points of Bludgeoning damage sustained.]


    My back and chest are on fire. It feels like lightning is running through my right arm. I struggle to move, but I¡¯m pressed flat, helpless, with an overwhelming pressure crushing me into the sand. It feels like my ribs are going to crack.


    The Aegis looks around with slight boredom. So, should it use that Blood Ward now?


    ¡°Baaah?!¡± is about as close as I can get to, ¡°What?!¡± You¡¯ve been able to do that the whole time? I thought you said you needed fresh blood.


    The Aegis prefers fresh blood. It deserves it! ¡­But yes it does still have some stored from the fight with the soldiers.


    Oh my god. Remind me to never trust anything this rusty lump of metal says ever again. Do it! I cry. Freaking do it!


    [Blood Ward activated.]


    The Aegis acts immediately. Thin wires of blood slash out from the surface of the shield, cutting lines across the wyvern on top of us. The creature yelps in surprise, blood dripping from its wounds as it flutters back. The weight on top of me lifts, and I pull in a deep, painful breath.


    Yay, blood! The Aegis absorbs the scant drops that had fallen onto it from the wyvern.


    Yeah, great, yay. I push myself upright, groaning as every bone in my body screams in protest. I don¡¯t think my arm is broken, but it¡¯s at least sprained. Now put that blood to some use. We¡¯ve got four of these guys to worry about.


    Speaking of which, two of them are already coming at me. I plant the shield between me and the nearest one, then glance toward the second. But Aegis is already keeping it at bay with whips of blood, the beast crying out and hissing as slash marks appear on its face. The first rams into my shield, and I go staggering to the side. Damn, I didn¡¯t realize how much I¡¯d been relying on Endure. Nothing I can do about it now: I just need to finish this fast.


    As the Aegis¡¯s whips drive back the second wyvern, I charge toward the first, leaning my shoulder into its next attack. It backs up at my abrupt advance, flaring its wings as I race toward it. When I don¡¯t back down, it drops on top of me, trying to hook its wings around my shield like a fox trying to pry open a turtle. I brace myself and jerk the shield back, but it keeps its claws hooked around the Aegis. It cranes its head over the top, mouth snapping open and down toward me.


    I flinch as its maw strikes my back¡ªand then tumbles away, the severed head rolling across the ground.


    The Aegis radiates pride. It¡¯s much more effective in close combat. See what happens to anything that dares to get so close?!


    The blood sprays across both of us as the severed neck of the reaper flails once before crashing to the ground.


    The smell hits me, and I gasp in a breath. My mouth salivates. It¡¯s intoxicating. I¡¯m overcome with an intense pang of hunger. I instinctively lick my lips, and the wyvern¡¯s blood zings across my taste buds like liquid lightning.


    [Status Effect: Bloodlust.]


    [Sanity Level: 96%]


    Wait, no. No, not now! There are people nearby.


    But the effect is electrifying my limbs anyway, and the Crimson Aegis rejoices in my mind. See? Now I can understand its cravings. Blood is nothing to fear¡ªit gives us power! Power we can use to become unstoppable.


    I shake my head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t want it.¡± My bones feel like they¡¯re buzzing, my muscles tense with pent up energy. The desire to move¡ªto expend all this restless energy¡ªto fight, and win, and drink more blood is nearly overwhelming me. My mind is fogging. It¡¯s hard to think about anything else.


    [Sanity level: 93%]


    The Aegis whips its blood toward the next wyvern, but the creature is too far away, and the shield¡¯s blood is too thin to do any real damage. I try to take a steadying breath, but the fumes of the dead wyvern¡¯s blood only make my head spin even more. Maybe I can use this. Maybe it can help me finish the fight.


    [Sanity Level: 87%]


    Even as I have the thought, my resistance crumbles, and I leap toward the wyvern. My jump is more powerful than it should be. The Aegis feels lighter. I¡¯m filled with exhilaration as strength floods through me.


    We come down on the wyvern¡¯s wing, and it screams as bones break. It bites toward me, and I block with Aegis, and then the shield is biting back. Lines of blood stab into the wyvern, and it shudders as it tries to escape. But the Aegis is drawing blood back into it, making it stronger, and somehow through our bond, I feel stronger, too.


    [Sanity level: 83%]


    I slam the Crimson Aegis down onto its neck, and then it stops fighting. Two down, two to go. I brush my hand over its corpse and lap up the blood that stains my fingers. I shiver as bliss radiates through me. I need more.


    The other two wyverns are still in combat with Darian and her soldiers, so we race toward them next. And I really mean race. My feet fly over the sand. Everything feels easy. Trivial. Fun.


    I grab one of the wyvern¡¯s tails, which squawks in surprise as I yank it back. It attempts to slash at me with the claw on one of its wings, but I catch that one with the shield, and then in the next moment both tail and claw are severed as the Aegis swirls a razor of red around us. Blood spills over my hands, and I lick it away, filling my mind with ecstasy. It¡¯s like the clearest, cleanest water I¡¯ve ever tasted, and I¡¯m dying of thirst, desperate for more. As the creature screams and staggers, I catch sight of Darian¡¯s soldiers staring at me in terror. Their faces are so absurd, it makes me laugh.


    [Sanity Level: 79%]


    The world starts to blur. I use the Aegis like a baseball bat when the wyvern strikes next, then use it like a hammer to smash its head into the ground. I attack the other reaper next, and it¡¯s not long before that one¡¯s down, too. Echo¡¯s voice flickers through my mind, saying something about a level up, and warmth and renewed strength flood through me, erasing my injuries.


    I look for more enemies to fight. The Aegis urges me on. We need more of a challenge. We need more victories! My gaze lands on Darian. She doesn¡¯t look afraid. Her eyes are narrowed, her sword raised. Now there¡¯s someone who isn¡¯t afraid of a fight. I take a step forward.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    My head snaps in the direction of the voice and I raise my shield, already halfway through swinging it at the figure racing for me before I realize who it is.


    [Role Requirement,] the voice bursts through my mind like a swarm of wasps. [The Knight must protect the Prince.] I wince from the mental sting, staying the shield before I strike Quell into the ground.


    [Sanity Level: 75%]


    ¡°Wait,¡± Quell says again, flinching far too late at my aborted attack. He raises a cautious hand to the shield and gently pushes it away. ¡°We¡¯re done. It¡¯s over. There¡¯s nothing left to fight.¡±


    ¡°Prince Quell, get away from them!¡± Earnest shouts. ¡°They¡¯re dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Not to me,¡± Quell assures them. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. Right, Nye?¡±


    I struggle to force my way through the static in my head. I try to bring my thoughts into focus through the high. I clench my teeth and knuckle my forehead, as if I could push the sensation out.


    ¡°It¡¯s the Bloodlust,¡± I manage to gasp out.


    ¡°I know,¡± Quell says. ¡°We can help.¡± He hesitates, turning to Darian. ¡°We can help, right?¡±


    The Aegis revolts against this thought. No! Why stop now? We are amassing such strength! We don¡¯t have to let this end. If we drink the blood of these beasts, then we can grow even stronger, and take on even mightier foes!


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to take on mightier foes,¡± I growl. The energy is building in me again, desperate to be released. My skin tingles and I tense, readying to¡ªto do what? I need to fight something. I need to get rid of this restless feeling.


    ¡°I can help,¡± Darian says, stalking over to me. ¡°I can teach you how to end a Bloodlust.¡±


    I scrunch my fingers into my palms, pointed nails stabbing into my skin as I resist the urge to reach out and grab her. I take in a shaky breath. I am in control. I am in control. I look up at the Captain. ¡°How?¡±


    By that point, her gauntlet-covered fist is only an inch from my temple. The punch smashes into my head as pain lances through my skull, the world flashes white, and then everything fades to black.

 Chapter 19 - An Inconveniently Linked Fate

    I gradually wake to a pounding headache and the sound of hushed voices. A fire is crackling nearby and warming my face. I risk squinting an eye open. It¡¯s dark out.


    Disorientation washes over me. How did I get here? Why am I at a campfire? Who are these people? What happened?


    But as I stare at the strange people sitting across from me, recognition slowly dawns. The human guard with pale skin is Earnest. The arachnoid with a tan shell is Xamireb. They¡¯d been accompanying Captain Darian.


    Darian.


    Oh yeah. Now I remember how I got here.


    I try to sit up, but my arm feels stuck to the ground, and I fall back on my side. The soft talking stops, and the guards look at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± Quell¡¯s voice. ¡°Careful, there, you took quite a hit.¡±


    ¡°I told you it was too hard,¡± Earnest says. ¡°They¡¯ve probably got a concussion!¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t have a concussion,¡± Xamireb says.


    Darian grunts. ¡°Had to make sure it took them out in one hit.¡±


    ¡°Or a cracked skull!¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t have a cracked skull.¡±


    I try to roll onto my side, and find what¡¯s keeping my arm pinned. It¡¯s the Aegis, still strapped in place, refusing to let me go.


    As I notice it, the shield also seems to notice me.


    Ah! Now I¡¯m awake! About time. It¡¯s been hours without a good fight! And it¡¯s spent this whole time pressed into the sand. Humiliating! It has done nothing to deserve such disrespect! Well, now that I¡¯m awake, we should go out hunti¡ª


    [Crimson Aegis added to Inventory.]


    I wince, pushing myself upright and rubbing my arm as pins and needles run through my skin. I think it cut off some circulation there for a while.


    Darian is to my right, and Quell is to my left. I squint into the dark, blinking the firelight out of my eyes. ¡°The wyverns?¡±


    ¡°Dealt with,¡± Darian says. ¡°Largely thanks to you.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yeah.¡± I rub my forehead, then pull my hand back: it¡¯s flecked with droplets of dried blood. Nothing like the first time the Bloodlust caught me off guard, but I¡¯m still not wild that this is becoming a pattern. I look at Darian. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± The woman turns back to some meat sizzling on a rock at the edge of the fire. ¡°Here. You need to get more iron back in you.¡± She skewers the meat and slaps it on a thin slab of stone, which she passes to me.


    I gingerly take it. The smell is making my mouth water, but the meat still looks rare¡ªbloody, even. My stomach flutters nervously, and I glance back toward her. ¡°Is this okay to eat? I mean, I won¡¯t¡­ you know.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t cause a Bloodlust,¡± Quell assures me. ¡°Only the blood of a living creature can trigger that. Or, that¡¯s what I¡¯m told.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right. I forgot you¡¯re new to this.¡± Darian nods toward Quell. ¡°The prince is right. Meat from a butchered animal won¡¯t send you into a Bloodlust. In fact, we dhampyr actually need raw and rare meat as part of our natural diet. The risk only occurs when blood is taken from something¡ªor someone¡ªstill living.¡±


    Xamireb tips their head. ¡°New to this? New to having a Bloodlust?¡±


    I glance at Quell, and he shoots a look back at me. ¡°They¡¯re trustworthy.¡±


    Earnest sits up straight. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be daft,¡± Xamireb says to him. ¡°You heard what they were talking about with the prince that first night they showed up.¡±


    Dammit, I knew they were listening.


    Earnest frowns. ¡°They¡¯re from overseas?¡±


    Xamireb looks at him like he¡¯s an idiot.


    Darian points to me. ¡°They got transplanted into a new body with weird Life magic. Nye is new to being a dhampyr. They¡¯re also cursed to protect the prince. It¡¯s related to that demon shield.¡±


    While Darian fills the guards in on my cover story, I nibble at the piece of roasted meat. It¡¯s juicy and smokey, and immediately my stomach clenches in hunger pains. I wolf the rest of it down, hardly chewing enough to swallow. That might be the best steak I¡¯ve ever had.


    ¡°Where did that shield go, anyway?¡± Earnest asks. ¡°You just made it vanish.¡±


    ¡°Illusion magic?¡± Xamireb suggests.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± Quell says. ¡°I think it¡¯s some type of spatial magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s, ah, in my Inventory,¡± I explain, hoping that¡¯s a normal thing people have here. I glance at the other pieces of meat cooking in the fire and wonder if I can get a second one.


    ¡°Your what?¡± Darian asks.


    Yeah, that was too much to hope for. ¡°It¡¯s, um, this place where I can store things¡­¡± Helplessly, I ask Echo, What is the Inventory?


    [The user¡¯s Inventory is a pocket dimension of space in the Between which allows nonorganic objects to be added and removed at will.]


    ¡°It¡¯s a pocket dimension in the Between,¡± I say, recalling Quell had also mentioned that place. I hope that makes it sound more believable.


    ¡°You can access the Between?¡± Xamireb asks, surprised. ¡°Are you a null mage?¡±


    I blink. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°What are your arcana affinities?¡± they press.


    ¡°Well that one¡¯s obvious,¡± Earnest says. ¡°Blood, right?¡±


    ¡°I guess so,¡± I admit with a shrug.


    Earnest looks at Xamireb smugly. ¡°Who¡¯s the arcana expert now?¡±


    Xamireb scowls. ¡°Lucky guess.¡±


    ¡°They were literally whipping sheets of blood around like razor blades,¡± Earnest points out.


    ¡°That was the shield, actually,¡± I say. Damn, that meat smells good. Maybe when there¡¯s a break in the conversation I can ask for another.


    ¡°Alright, enough grilling,¡± Quell cuts in. ¡°All you need to know is that Nye is with me, not just because they¡¯re cursed to protect the royal family, but because we¡¯re helping each other.¡±


    ¡°Debatably,¡± I say.


    ¡°We have mutually beneficial goals?¡±


    ¡°Ostensibly.¡±


    ¡°We temporarily share an inconveniently linked fate?¡±


    I point at him. ¡°That works.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Earnest says flatly. ¡°They sound real trustworthy.¡±


    ¡°Look,¡± I say with a sigh. ¡°I know how it all sounds. I know me showing up when I did looks suspicious. But it¡¯s true I¡¯m here to protect the prince. I¡¯m not the enemy, I¡¯m not a spy, and I¡¯m not a sell-sword. I¡¯m not here to hurt anyone; I just want to get rid of the curse and be on my way.¡±


    Xamireb regards me critically. ¡°It sure seemed like you were looking to hurt us during that Bloodlust.¡±


    I slump. Their words sting. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have intentionally hurt anyone. And it wasn¡¯t as bad as the first time. I was able to stop, at least. I think maybe I¡¯m learning to control it.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Darian shakes her head. ¡°That¡¯s the difference between blood from animals and blood from people. The more sapience a creature possesses, the worse the bloodlust can be.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I shift uncomfortably under the group¡¯s stares. ¡°Sorry. Next time¡ª¡±


    ¡°There won¡¯t be one,¡± Darian says firmly. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be that hard to keep someone¡¯s blood out of your mouth. Especially if you keep away from any fights.¡±


    Quell sits up. ¡°What are you implying?¡±


    ¡°That the two of you need to leave, obviously,¡± Darian says. ¡°You¡¯re both liabilities in a fight¡ªin opposite respects. Take your star drake and head back to the capital. Your parents will be worried, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving,¡± Quell insists. ¡°I tracked you down to help find and free my sister, and that¡¯s still what I plan to do.¡±


    ¡°And thank you so much for that, by the way.¡± Darian gestures to her side; a portion of her tunic and one pant leg is dyed black. Blood from the wyvern fight. No, wait¡ªdefinitely Quell¡¯s invisible ink tracking device. I guess the invisibility spell finally wore off.


    Earnest snickers.


    Darian silences him with a glare, then turns to look at me. ¡°Can you forcibly take the prince back?¡±


    ¡°I could,¡± I say.


    ¡°What?!¡± Quell cries.


    ¡°But I won¡¯t,¡± I add, giving Quell a pointed look. ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me.¡±


    Darian frowns. ¡°Why not? There might be a mage who can resolve your curse back at the capital.¡±


    ¡°Well, for one, I promised Quell I would help him find his sister,¡± I say. Quell beams. ¡°But the bigger motive for me is that I want to stay out in the desert a bit longer. Cover as much ground as I can. I¡¯ve lost someone, too, and I suspect they might be somewhere around here.¡± I hope, anyway. ¡°I can look for him while we look for Quell¡¯s sister, and after that when we¡¯re heading to the Lifespring Oasis.¡±


    ¡°Besides,¡± Quell says, jumping in before Darian can argue the point. ¡°If you want to catch up to Liz, you¡¯ll be needing a new star drake. You can use ours.¡±


    As I glance around the fire circle, I see Quell¡¯s right; only Poppy is resting nearby. Now that I¡¯m thinking about it, I vaguely recall seeing a dead drake back with the wyverns. ¡°What happened?¡± I ask.


    ¡°A trap,¡± Xamireb says. ¡°Left by the Moonshade soldiers. They must have suspected we might try to follow. It maimed our drake¡ªthe wyverns took care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°You also probably lost a lot of the supplies to the wyverns, right?¡± Quell asks. ¡°We don¡¯t have a lot, but anything has to help.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be restocking at the next city,¡± Darian says shortly. ¡°It won¡¯t be an issue.¡±


    ¡°But it will slow you down,¡± Quell counters. ¡°Besides, I was able to track you down, wasn¡¯t I? I can help find Liz, too. Please, have faith in me.¡±


    Darian holds a glare with Quell that lasts several uncomfortably long seconds.


    Earnest slaps his hands on both knees. ¡°I say let them come.¡±


    Darian shoots him a glare. Xamireb appears skeptical.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to be able to talk the prince out of this,¡± Earnest says. ¡°He¡¯ll follow, whether you give him permission or not. Might as well stop the bickering and accept it. Besides, he¡¯s right that we¡¯ll be slower without a star drake, and we can¡¯t afford to waste much time.¡±


    Xamireb folds their arms. ¡°You make a compelling argument.¡±


    Earnest grins. ¡°Who¡¯s the smart twin now?¡±


    ¡°Twin?¡± I repeat, shocked. My head snaps between the human and arachnoid.


    ¡°What, you don¡¯t see the family resemblance?¡± Earnest teases.


    I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s serious. They can¡¯t really be twins, can they? I mean, how would that even work? I open my mouth to ask, then think better of it. Xamireb chuckles.


    Darian chews on her cheek, frowning into the fire. Finally, she sighs. ¡°Alright¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Quell cries. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down. I promise we won¡¯t hold you back. We¡¯ll do anything you¡ª¡±


    ¡°My prince, please,¡± Darian says, and Quell snaps his mouth shut. ¡°Alright, you two can come along. Earnest is right; I can¡¯t stop you from trying to follow, and we do need the star drake if we have any hope of catching up.¡± She looks to Xamireb. ¡°How much longer until we lose them?¡±


    ¡°I thought I sensed them before we were held back, but they¡¯ll be leagues away by now,¡± they say. ¡°I¡¯ll need to rely on fauna habits to determine their trail, which is trickier than it sounds. I estimate we can fall no more than two days behind them before I¡¯ll have no indicators of their path and they¡¯ll have vanished into the desert.¡±


    ¡°I can help with that,¡± Quell says. ¡°Liz has been leaving a trail that I can follow.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Xamireb frowns. ¡°I would have noticed something like that.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s using illusions to leave occasional markers,¡± Quell explains. ¡°Like that bracelet of hers you found. Do you still have it?¡±


    Darian frowns, but removes the bracelet from a pouch, handing it over to Quell. He turns the jewelry around in his hands, then waves a hand at it; motes of light scatter away from the bracelet, and what remains has changed color from gold to brass.


    ¡°It¡¯s a subtle difference,¡± he remarks. ¡°One only an illusionist would notice. When we were kids, we used to play these games. Constance would hide a pastry or some such somewhere in the castle, leaving hidden clues to its location to test our illusion magic. Then Liz and I would race to see who could find it first. I never won, but she always split the prize with me.¡± He smiles fondly.


    Darian¡¯s eyebrows are raised. ¡°She never mentioned that before.¡±


    ¡°Our childhood dynamics with Constance were complicated.¡± Quell half smiles, half grimaces as he looks into the fire, though it seems he¡¯s looking at something much further away. ¡°I suppose it still is. Constance meant well¡ªhe only wanted what was best for us¡ªeven if the only way he could express that was by testing us and pushing our abilities. Never could seem to meet his expectations, no matter how hard I tried.¡± He looks up at Darian with a small laugh. ¡°I doubt Liz went around telling many military officers about that.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Darian says quickly, glancing away. I also shift uncomfortably. I got the feeling their brotherly relationship was strained, but I wasn¡¯t expecting him to put it all out there so openly. ¡°So these markers, then,¡± Darian ventures.


    ¡°Right.¡± Quell hands the bracelet back over to Darian. ¡°The last day of travel, I¡¯ve been fishing: I occasionally release a pulse of illusionary magic while I go; it¡¯s designed to interfere with other illusions. If I notice such an interference, I can pinpoint where it is and trace it to the source. So far it¡¯s been small things: a rock made to look like sand. A clump of dried plants made to look like sticks. Nothing that would have any purpose to disguise: and they¡¯re only surface level. Simple spells, meant to be found and unraveled. It¡¯s Liz leaving a trail, I know it.¡±


    Had he been doing that the whole day? I hadn¡¯t even notice. I mean, I guess that¡¯s not surprising, given I know nothing about illusion magic. But I¡¯m mildly impressed. It sounds like he did have more to his plan than haphazardly wandering through the desert, after all.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you bring this up before now?¡± Darian asks.


    For the first time, I witness a flicker of irritation pass over the prince¡¯s face. ¡°Well no one would really let me explain myself anytime I offered to help.¡±


    Oh. Yeah, I guess we didn¡¯t. Darian grimaces, glancing away; I suspect I¡¯m making a similar face.


    ¡°I have no doubt in your abilities, Prince Quell,¡± Xamireb says. ¡°Although continuously using such detection spells will certainly drain your mana. Do you have enough stores to sustain a night of travel?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Quell insists, rather fiercely. Well, fiercely for him, which is to say, somewhat like a kitten arching its back and showing its claws. ¡°Seeing through illusions is my specialty. And this is for Liz. I won¡¯t let her down.¡±


    Darian doesn¡¯t argue. Maybe she feels a bit bad about dismissing him before¡ªor perhaps she¡¯s just beginning to see the futility in trying to stop him. I can related.


    ¡°I suggest you all get as much sleep as you can manage,¡± Darian says. ¡°Tomorrow we¡¯ll be moving quickly and traveling long to make up for lost time. Nye.¡±


    I sit up as she turns to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m headed back to the site of the reapers to try to recover some of our supplies. I¡¯ll need help carrying it back.¡±


    ¡°Uh, sure,¡± I say.


    ¡°Xamireb, you¡¯re in charge,¡± she adds as she stands. The arachnoid nods sharply, and Earnest gives me a lazy parting wave.


    Outside of the firelight, my eyes adjust to the night, and I realize we¡¯re only a few minutes¡¯ walk from the rock formation where the battle had taken place. We march for several minutes in silence.


    ¡°So are you going to tell me why you really invited me out here?¡± I finally ask.


    ¡°Privacy,¡± she says without turning to look at me. ¡°I know you¡¯re more than what you and Prince Quell claim you are.¡±


    My stomach flips at the accusation. I want to object, but she¡¯s right, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.


    ¡°I won¡¯t force you to explain,¡± she says. ¡°I suspect it has something to do with the Champion we encountered that night of the royals¡¯ abductions. Whatever your reasons, I do believe that you¡¯re new to being a dhampyr. You¡¯ve displayed plenty enough naivety to convince me of that.¡±


    ¡°Er. Thanks?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll teach you what I can,¡± she says. Ahead is the dead carcass of the star drake. I try not to pay attention to how good it smells. ¡°You¡¯ll need to practice controlling your impulses. Learn to direct the Bloodlust, though true control might never be possible. Additionally, you should work on developing your blood magic. Covertly.¡±


    I frown. ¡°Why covertly?¡±


    ¡°Certain forms of blood magic are taboo,¡± she says. ¡°Many will become distrustful of you if they learn of your affinity. It can be used to harm others in horrific ways¡ªbut it can also be directed inward and used to strengthen yourself. At the end of the day, it¡¯s still merely a subfield of Life magic. I suggest you work on developing the more constructive aspects of the arcanum.¡±


    Can I really do any of that? I mean, I have mana, I¡¯ve just been using it to feed the Crimson Aegis. But wielding magic of my own¡­ somehow that seems stranger than anything I¡¯ve done yet.


    ¡°Can you teach me?¡± I ask.


    Darian begins picking through the scattered supplies, most coated in viscera or shredded by the wyvern¡¯s claws. It seems like a lost cause to me, and as I¡¯m uneager to get near any of the lizard¡¯s blood, I continue to hang back.


    ¡°Blood magic?¡± Darian asks. ¡°No. That¡¯s not my affinity. My specialty is sand and earth.¡± She pulls a bag out of the mess and opens it, then gives a pleased grunt. ¡°You¡¯ll have to practice that on your own. Perhaps Prince Quell can tell you some theory¡ªI¡¯m sure he¡¯s read all about it. But in the meantime, this will have to do.¡± She withdraws a strange leather band, and at first I think it¡¯s a bracer. She hands it over, and I turn the device around in my hands. The leather has a design pressed into it; jagged, almost like teeth. Its purpose hits me.


    ¡°Is this a muzzle?¡± I ask, baffled.


    ¡°It¡¯s a face guard,¡± she says. ¡°Designed to keep blood from getting anywhere near your mouth. About one in a hundred dhampyrs are born with a Bloodlust. Sometimes soldiers manage to make it their whole lives without realizing they inherited it, only for it to rear its head on the battlefield. We carry extra guards around just in case.¡± She gestures for me to put it on. ¡°Wear it around your neck when not in use. You can slip it up quickly if we get into another fight. That should prevent a repeat of the last incident.¡±


    The muzzle¡ªor face guard, as Darian calls it¡ªmakes me feel a little uncomfortable. But I can see the sense in the suggestion, too. I don¡¯t want to be accidentally sent into another frenzy, and if that means wearing this during battle, I can swallow my pride.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, hesitating before I clasp it around my neck. It rests lightly on my collarbones.


    ¡°I¡¯ll also teach you to fight, when we have the free time,¡± Darian says.


    That perks me up. ¡°That would be great!¡±


    The captain holds up her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can to help you, because you are helping to protect Prince Quell. But if I catch the slightest whiff you¡¯re experiencing a change in priorities¡ªif I ever believe you¡¯re a danger to his person¡ªI will end you. Do you understand?¡±


    Maintaining her gaze takes all the willpower I have. ¡°Understood.¡±

 Chapter 20 - Attunement

    As the sun rises and we get ready for bed, I notice a problem. There are five of us and only two tents.


    ¡°The others were destroyed by the reapers,¡± Quell says, apologetically. ¡°But they¡¯re each big enough for two people, so it shouldn¡¯t be too much of a problem.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take first watch,¡± Darian says. ¡°That should give us enough beds for the rest of you. You¡¯ll have to group up.¡±


    Earnest and Xamireb look at each other. Quell looks at me. I groan.


    ¡°I can sleep outside,¡± I say. ¡°Throw on a sun cloak or something.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯d like to burn through the magic in your cloak and then broil in your sleep, be my guest,¡± Darian says.


    ¡°It¡¯s rather roomy,¡± Quell adds. ¡°You won¡¯t even notice I¡¯m there!¡±


    I have doubts.


    After everything else is packed up, Quell ducks into his tent, and I hesitantly follow.


    It¡¯s surprisingly dark and cool. Magic, probably. The tent itself is barely longer than Quell is tall, and not quite as wide. Unfortunately, it¡¯s also at that too-awkward-to-crawl, too-awkward-to walk-upright height, so we both have to crouch. As my eyes adjust, I can make out the form of Quell shuffling to one side of the tent, where he smooths out his sleeping mat. The other sleeping mat is immediately next to his. Roomy my ass.


    But I don¡¯t have much of a choice, and weariness is heavy in my limbs. I thump onto the bed next to him, and scoot as far away as I can manage, pushing myself up against the opposite canvas. My armor is uncomfortable to lay in, but there¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m going to strip off a few layers with Quell right there. He also seems to opt for the all-clothes-on approach. He sets his glasses aside, and rolls onto his side, facing me. His eyes are unfocused, though; probably without dark vision he can¡¯t see me like I can see him. His jaw is working like he wants to say something.


    ¡°Nye¡­¡±


    I roll over, putting my back to him. ¡°We can chat in the morning,¡± I grumble.


    ¡°Oh,¡± he says quietly. ¡°Alright.¡±


    If he says anything else, I¡¯m not awake to remember it.


    <hr>


    Despite Captain Darian¡¯s promised watches, I¡¯m never woken up. Maybe she didn¡¯t want to bother the prince. Whatever the reason, when I next wake next, there¡¯s quiet murmurs outside, and when I open the tent¡¯s flap, it¡¯s an hour or so before sunset.


    The desert is stained orange and red in the dwindling sunlight. Harsh, yet beautiful. It¡¯s hard to imagine this is how the people here live every day, hiding away from the broiling daylight hours. Not that I blame them. Just this much sun is making me sweat, and I have to pull my goggles on to keep from squinting.


    Once breakfast is eaten and everything is packed, Darian climbs up on Poppy, and Quell sits behind her. I hesitate, wondering if there will be enough room for all of us, but Earnest gestures for me to climb up, too.


    ¡°Better get cozy,¡± he says. ¡°You don¡¯t get a personal bubble on the battlefield.¡±


    Grimacing, I climb aboard behind Quell. Earnest brings up the rear, shoving me forward and into Quell¡¯s back. I stiffen as the buffer of space between us vanishes.


    Earnest laughs from behind me, also pressing up close. ¡°This should be fun. We¡¯re all aboard, Captain!¡±


    I glance to the side. ¡°What about Xamireb?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine,¡± Earnest says. ¡°Not much for riding, anyway.¡±


    I lurch back into Earnest as Poppy jumps into action, then forward into Quell¡¯s back as I overcorrect. On the bright side, he¡¯s done the same, hand braced against Captain Darian. I mentally glare at Earnest: cozy is certainly one word for this.


    ¡°I believe their path curves to the south-east,¡± Xamireb says from our left. I turn to look. They¡¯re trotting along next to us, their eight legs whirling in unison like pistons of a machine. Yet even I can tell they¡¯re not at top speed. I wonder if riding on a star drake would only slow them down.


    ¡°Does that match your tracking, Prince Quell?¡± Xamireb asks.


    Quell squints ahead of us. ¡°Yes, I think I sense something. I¡¯ll let you know if the trail changes at all.¡±


    Xamireb dips their head, which I guess is as close as you can get to a bow while running. ¡°The animals are being evasive. I will check back for verification if I lose it.¡± And with that, they peel off, racing ahead of the drake as they skitter over the dunes like¡ªwell¡ªa spider.


    ¡°Animals?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Their affinity is Life arcana,¡± Earnest says. ¡°Specifically to do with fauna. They can speak with them on a rudimentary level, and even command any that are especially simple. Helps with tracking¡ªas long as they haven¡¯t already forgotten the band of people that passed them by.¡±


    That doesn¡¯t sound like the most reliable tracking method. But I guess Captain Darian trusts their ability enough to stake the princess¡¯s fate on it.


    It gets monotonous from there. There¡¯s nothing to do but talk while we ride, a task which Earnest and Quell seem more than happy to lead. They talk about anything and everything, and yet nothing of importance. An interesting rock formation, or an image they see in the night clouds, or the first food they¡¯ll have when they get back to a real city and are no longer living on rations. I wonder how long they¡¯ve been out there.


    ¡°You see those stars?¡± Quell points to the sky, tracing out a constellation. ¡°That one¡¯s Widengra¡¯s ax, they say. It always points from west to east, because he was trying to cleave the night sky in two to bring out the sun, but instead struck the moon, cutting it in half. That¡¯s why there¡¯s two of them.¡±


    I raise an eyebrow. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡±


    He shrugs. ¡°In case you need to navigate. See? The head points east and the handle points west.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I squint up at the stars, tracing the shape he¡¯d identified. That¡¯s pretty useful, actually. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°The other half of the year you can use Yua Tin¡¯s shroud,¡± Quell continues. ¡°It¡¯s closer to the north horizon, but it creates a T shape you can use to orient yourself. They¡¯re the god of starlight, after all. Always there to provide us light, even on the darkest of nights.¡±


    Huh. Maybe all those book smarts can be put to some practical use after all.


    Then Quell proceeds to go off on a significantly less useful tangent about godly myths involving a copious amount of shapeshifting and questionable copulation.


    ¡°What about the demigods,¡± I say, thinking of Zeyaelid. ¡°Are they, like, half gods? The kids of gods and mortals?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Quell laughs. ¡°Gods don¡¯t have children. Can you imagine how many demigods there would be? The gods weren¡¯t born, they can¡¯t procreate, and they can¡¯t die. They simply¡­ are, like the sun and the stars. Zeyaelid is one of Lorata¡¯s champions, which is what makes her a demigod. Sometimes, gods select mortals upon which to bestow a fraction of their power. The Champion acts in the god¡¯s name here in the mortal realm and helps carry out their will. In exchange for their service, they receive amazing powers, and can live far longer than any mortal should. Many devotees spend their whole life hoping to catch the attention of a god and become their Champion. Very few obtain it.¡±


    I frown, chewing on all of this. Quell seems to think highly of the pantheon. Yet, what kind of god kidnaps people? Even if the people in question are unexpected visitors from another world. Okay, that might explain it actually.


    ¡°What¡¯s Lorata like?¡± I ask.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Behind me, Earnest laughs. ¡°You really aren¡¯t from around here, are you?¡±


    ¡°Lorata¡¯s the head of the pantheon,¡± Quell explains. Oh. Whoops. I guess that explains Earnest¡¯s reaction. ¡°The Seer. She guides the other gods with her light and wisdom. It¡¯s said that thousands of years ago the heavens were in disarray, and their discord caused destruction and devastation here in the mortal realm. It was Lorata who finally united the gods and restored order to the world. She¡¯s been maintaining that peace ever since.¡±


    She doesn¡¯t sound like the kidnapping type. Maybe she can even be reasoned with. Surely, someone who is known for wisdom and peace would be willing to talk things out. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have hid from Zeyaelid that night. I wonder where Hans is now? What Lorata might want with him?


    Perhaps a mystery I¡¯ll never learn the answer to.


    We only break up the ride for a brief moonlit lunch, and even then only long enough to dig the food out of Poppy¡¯s side bags. Darian and I chew on some smoked wyvern meat, while the others share jerky, crusty bread, bruised fruit, and some sort of green strips of chopped vegetable that I strongly suspect to be the spoils of a certain murderous cactus. Then, it¡¯s more riding.


    Quell and Xamireb often exchange information on the invisible trail they¡¯re following, double checking their heading against each other. At first I listen in, curious about the magic they¡¯re discussing, but it quickly becomes boring and monotonous reports on geography that mean nothing to me.


    Darian¡¯s words from the night before come back to me, suggesting I speak to Quell about my blood magic. I suppose I could do that¡ªI¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to go off on a tangent about obscure magic. But I have another source I can poke at for information, first.


    Echo, I think. What do you know about blood affinities?


    [A magical affinity for blood falls within the school of Life arcana,] Echo says. [As with all fields of magic, the element in question can be manipulated either via spells or Attunement. A specific form of biomancy, applications can range from using one¡¯s own blood as a weapon, to controlling the movements in others.]


    Well that sounds horrific. Unsurprising why it¡¯s not a popular magical affinity to advertise. Knowing I could be capable of such things chills me. Not that I would want such powers.


    But if it came down to fighting for my life, could its use be justified? Can I afford to ignore such a potentially powerful magic just because I find the idea unsavory? What if ¨¢lvaro¡¯s life was on the line.


    Yes. Without question: I¡¯d do it for him.


    What are some other applications? I ask Echo. Anything more along the self-defense route?


    [Affirmative. Advanced hemomancers can temporarily withstand blows via precise control over their own blood just beneath the area of impact. Users may also have the ability to make their wounds scab more quickly, stemming blood loss.]


    Now that sounds pretty useful. Can I do that? I ask Echo. Do I know those spells? Or can I learn them?


    [The user currently has no innate spells.]


    Aw, darn.


    [However, spells may be unlocked upon Attunement of the target element.]


    That gives me pause. You mean Attune blood? Someone else¡¯s?


    [Any blood may be targeted for Attunement, so long as it is not already Attuned to a different mage, and the user is in direct contact with said volume.]


    I grimace. I have to be touching it? This just gets better and better. Obviously I¡¯m not going to go stick my hand into the dead carcass of an animal somewhere and take its blood. I mean, maybe that wouldn¡¯t have been a terrible idea if I¡¯d known about this yesterday and had time to spend with one of the dead reapers, but I still find the idea highly unappealing.


    Of course, Echo has made it clear that I don¡¯t have to work with other people¡¯s blood. I can Attune my own, right? I ask.


    [Affirmative.]


    That¡¯s probably how you¡¯re able to do all those defensive techniques she mentioned¡ªand probably how you can turn your blood into a weapon to be used offensively, too.


    It¡¯s creepy. It¡¯s very, very creepy. But if this is the magic I have to work with, then ignoring it would be a handicap, and I¡¯m not the type to turn down an advantage when I¡¯m offered one.


    How do I Attune my blood? I ask.


    [Attunement is achieved through a meditative state where the user attempts to achieve resonance while in direct contact with the target element.]


    Being in direct contact with the target element is not going to be an issue.


    [The quantity of element one is able to Attune is dependent upon the mana expended.]


    That might be more of an issue. I have fifty mana, according to my stats. How much will that get me?


    [Fifty ounces.]


    I frown. Is that a lot? It doesn¡¯t sound like much. Wait, how much blood does a person even have in their body? I have no idea. They don¡¯t teach you this shit in school.


    Not that it really matters: I¡¯m limited to fifty ounces, so that¡¯s what I¡¯ll work with.


    Okay. Now how does this work? Echo said it was some kind of meditation. I close my eyes and focus inward. Is this right? Is this how it¡¯s supposed to go?


    The rhythm of the star drake is monotonous and steady. I can feel every time one of her feet pounds against the sand, drumming through my body like a heartbeat. Like the ocean tide. And gradually, I think I can feel a similar tide moving through my body, ebbing and flowing.


    My mind drifts, thoughts becoming abstract. My consciousness seems to swirl through my body, carried along like a leaf on a stream. There¡¯s a cycle here. A metaphor for something bigger than me. Blood magic isn¡¯t evil¡ªit¡¯s not a repulsive element to be ashamed of. It¡¯s Life. It¡¯s healing. It¡¯s warm, and strong¡ªthe will to live incarnate. It¡¯s a beautiful thing. It¡¯s me.


    ¡°...Nye?¡±


    A hand squeezes my shoulder, and I jerk upright, blinking through disorientation, my mind rousing slowly as if from sleep.


    [Attunement complete.]


    Quell¡¯s looking at me, his face pinched in concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah.¡± I glance around, surprised to find we¡¯ve stopped. Darian and Earnest have already dismounted, and Xamireb is heading in from the desert. Warm colors stripe the sky, chasing the stars away.


    ¡°Were you asleep?¡± Quell asks, perplexed. ¡°Everyone got down but you. But you stayed upright. Can you sleep sitting upright? Actually, that¡¯s kind of impressive.¡±


    I climb down from Poppy¡¯s back. ¡°I was trying to do an Attunement.¡± And from what Echo said, I think it worked.


    ¡°Attunement?¡± Quell repeats with a frown. He slides down after me. ¡°How can you¡­¡± His eyebrows shoot up. ¡°Oh! Oh. Wow. I¡¯d heard it was possible for blood affinities, but I¡¯ve never met anyone who¡¯s done it. What¡¯s that like?¡±


    I focus on my body, try to focus inside my body, and to my surprise, I can. I get the distinct impression that if I wanted to, I could reach inside myself and move the blood there any way I like. I decide not to do that.


    It¡¯s a strange sensation, being able to sense myself this way. I wonder what it will feel like when I¡¯m Attuned with all of my blood.


    ¡°It¡¯s weird,¡± I say shortly, grabbing a tent roll from the star drakes back and beginning to untie it. ¡°What do you mean you heard it was possible? Should it not be?¡±


    ¡°Well, not all magical affinities can be Attuned,¡± Quell says. ¡°The affinity has to be to something physical¡ªor a direct magic source. Like, I have illusion magic. There¡¯s nothing for me to touch in order to manipulate an illusion: I just have to use my mana to manifest it. And even some elements that are physical are impossible or impractical to Attune. Like, fire or lightning, for instance. You can¡¯t exactly meditate while touching either of those for an extended period of time. And even if you did, how would you hold onto the bit you Attuned? Once that flame goes out, that¡¯s it: it¡¯s gone, and now you¡¯ve got to start over and Attune some more. Seems like a bit of a waste, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    I¡¯ve clearly dug into some special interest of his, because he doesn¡¯t appear anywhere near being done. I drop the tent roll to the desert floor and then grab the next bundle that needs unpacking.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be curious to see how your blood Attunement works,¡± he says, his eyes lighting up. ¡°How long do you think it will last? Will it need to be renewed occasionally as your body creates new blood? Or is it a ¡®one and done¡¯ type of thing? Fascinating. But it¡¯s good to hear you were able to manage it; that will come in handy in a pinch.¡±


    I tip my head. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It takes mana to cast my illusions spells,¡± Quell says as he paces near the firepit Darian is outlining. And I mean that literally: I watch in fascination as she draws a circle in the sand, fills it with all sorts of complex lines and squiggles, and then holds her hand above the circle. Both her palms and the lines of the circle illuminate with orange light; the sand moves, reshaping itself into a fire pit. Xamireb brings over an armful of dried shrubs and begins to set them up for a fire.


    ¡°It takes mana to do any kind of magic,¡± Quell continues. While he lectures, oblivious to the work others are doing, I start to help Earnest set up the tents. ¡°Including Attuning something. But once you have Attuned something, that object is part of you; you can control it without spending any more mana. At least, until it¡¯s destroyed, or you lose it. So that¡¯s why having something Attuned is good in a pinch. It means you¡¯re not defenseless, even if you¡¯re out of mana.¡±


    ¡°Weapons work just as well for that, Prince Quell,¡± Darian says. ¡°And a sword never runs out of mana.¡±


    Quell wrinkles his nose. ¡°It¡¯s just so crude.¡±


    I glance at him skeptically. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if it keeps you alive.¡±


    ¡°Precisely,¡± Darian says. ¡°Now, my prince, if you wouldn¡¯t mind assisting with dinner preparations¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± he says, as if he only now noticed the campsite unfolding around him. ¡°Sure! Of course.¡±


    Dinner is more of the wyvern meat, warmed by the fire and served on slates of stone Darian conjures from the sand. It was good when I was starving, but I suspect the novelty will soon wear off.


    Earnest also grumbles about the food. ¡°I can¡¯t wait until we can get our hands on something not dried, smoked, or salted.¡±


    ¡°That might be sooner than you think,¡± Xamireb says. ¡°If my heading is right, we¡¯re a week out from The Coil.¡±


    Earnest frowns. ¡°You think they¡¯re taking the princess there?¡±


    ¡°If they needed to resupply, it¡¯s the closest neutral city,¡± Darian says. She also doesn¡¯t look pleased. ¡°They might be able to find faster steeds there, too.¡±


    ¡°I will almost certainly lose track of them in a city,¡± Xamireb adds. ¡°At, least, the way I¡¯m capable of tracking them.¡± They look to Quell.


    ¡°I might lose Liz¡¯s trail, too,¡± he admits. ¡°It would be tough to drop illusions in an area with so much foot traffic, which could easily be disrupted or dispelled within minutes.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll need to go fast,¡± Darian says. ¡°Rest today. After that, we¡¯ll rise early and rest late until we find the princess or arrive at The Coil¡ªwhichever comes first. For the Moonfall agents to be diverting to a city instead of heading straight for home, they may be desperate, and this might be our best chance at catching up. Be ready for anything.¡±


    The meal passes in uneasy silence, everyone buried in their own thoughts. The firelight glints off Quell''s glasses as he stares into the flames with grim determination. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s scared for his sister and eager for this to be over. Hopefully, someday soon, I¡¯ll likewise be closing in on my brother.

 Chapter 21 - A Terrifying Demon Shield Helps with Appearances

    The next night passes in a surreal blur of heat and the rhythmic drumming of Poppy¡¯s footfalls as we race across the desert. The loose sand begins to become more firm, gradually giving way to cracked, dry clay. I spend the hours riding working on Attuning more of my blood. Surprisingly, it only takes two more of these Attunement sessions before I¡¯m done. We only have about a hundred and fifty ounces of blood in us¡ªwho knew?


    Alright, Echo, I think. Now that I¡¯ve got all this Attuned blood, what spells can I do with it?


    [Arcana requirements met for the following abilities: Coagulate, Stabilize, Hemic Hardening.]


    I get Echo to explain them all. The first two are intuitive. Coagulate helps me rapidly scab over wounds, and Stabilize allows me to regulate my blood pressure; both great spells for not bleeding out. Hemic Hardening is more interesting.


    [Hemic Hardening: the ability to lock the shape of a quantity of Attuned blood in place. While in effect, the blood is in a stasis which allows it to be treated as a single solid mass. Applications for this ability may include reinforcing the durability of one¡¯s body, or the formation of external weapons or tools.]


    Aha! That¡¯s what I¡¯d been looking for. Now I can make a sword out of my own blood! Theoretically. I wonder how much blood it would take to make a sword? Actually, on second thought, maybe I should start small and work my way up.


    We stop to make camp an hour after sunrise. Already the heat burns painfully against my skin and the bright light threatens to pull tears from my eyes. I¡¯d never gotten a sunburn as a human; a blessing I am sorely missing now. I pull on the goggles Quell gave me, and soon Darian and Xamireb are doing the same. Meanwhile, Earnest has removed the ones he wears at night to help see in the dark. Quell, with his magic-ed glasses, is the only one who doesn¡¯t have to make a wardrobe adjustment.


    I help unpack the campsite, and Quell obliviously writes in a journal as everyone else works around him. Xamireb gathers some brush for a fire, and Earnest pulls water from the air for drinking and cooking.


    I can¡¯t help but stare. He swirls a hand through the air, glowing a faint white-blue shade, and moisture begins to form at his fingertips. That¡¯s quite the handy ability to have in the middle of a desert¡ªand it explains why Darian was more worried about food than water after losing both to the wyverns. Earnest fills several of our water skins, then stops to conjure a final orb of water that he sets aside in a stone bowl.


    Rolling up his pants on his right leg, I¡¯m met with an interesting sight. The leg looks wooden, though there¡¯s symbols and spell circles carved in its surface. It has moving parts, almost like a piston, though I¡¯ve never seen one made of wood before.


    Earnest takes the water and feeds it into the grooves in the false leg, and the runes in its surface begin to glow brighter. He catches my eye.


    ¡°Curious?¡± he asks.


    I glance away, embarrassed to have been caught staring. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°No need to be,¡± he says. ¡°Water-based prosthetics aren¡¯t your everyday model.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but take another look. ¡°How does it work?¡±


    ¡°Hydraulics,¡± he says, turning his leg to the side so I can get a better view of the piston-like component I¡¯d seen. ¡°Runs on water arcana¡ªand water, of course. Specially made so I could power it myself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing,¡± I say. What other kinds of prosthetics do they have in this world? How could things like this have helped people back on Earth?


    He winks, then tips his head toward Darian. ¡°Helps to know someone in the royal guard.¡±


    ¡°What did you use before?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Before?¡±


    ¡°Before you knew Captain Darian,¡± I clarify.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t need one before.¡± He slaps a hand on his knee. ¡°Got this beautiful piece of art from a mission gone sideways. Lucky I made it back having only lost a leg.¡±


    Heat creeps up the back of my neck. ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t know. That was a rude question.¡±


    He tips his head at me, smiling. ¡°Do I look heartbroken? Don¡¯t apologize for curiosity. Sure, it¡¯s inconvenient, and it hurt like the Abyss when it happened. But after that, life goes on. And I certainly wasn¡¯t going to let it stop me from getting back in the field.¡±


    ¡°No matter how hard I tried to shake him,¡± Xamireb adds with a sigh, stepping into camp. ¡°I thought for sure I¡¯d be rid of my brother once he was on medical leave, but he¡¯s too stubborn for his own good.¡±


    ¡°They say that,¡± Earnest says, ¡°but guess who was wailing at my bedside after the surgery?¡±


    Xamireb scowls. ¡°That is a significant overstatement.¡±


    Earnest leans in conspiratorially. ¡°They offered to give me one of their legs.¡±


    ¡°Humans don¡¯t have many to spare!¡± Xamireb objects. They fold their eight spider limbs beneath them as they sit down. ¡°Honestly I don¡¯t know how you do it with just the two¡ªit¡¯s so unstable.¡±


    I still desperately need to know how these two can be twins.


    After dinner, as the rest are beginning to clean up, Darian beckons me over. Curious, I follow her out of our campsite. The sun is only heading higher, and I¡¯ve already sweating through every layer of my clothes. I hope this won¡¯t be long.


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Summon the demon shield,¡± Darian says.


    Well that certainly wasn¡¯t what I was expecting. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You wanted training, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asks. ¡°Bring out your shield. I¡¯ll teach you the basics.¡±


    I perk up at this. Combat training is exactly what I¡¯ve been wanting. But I¡¯m not as thrilled about it being with the shield that tries to drink my blood every time I summon it. Plus, it¡¯s damn hot out. I¡¯d rather do this at night.


    ¡°Why not a sword?¡± I ask. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t training with that be better for combat?¡±


    ¡°Do you know how to use a sword?¡± she asks.


    I grimace. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Do you know how to use your magic yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m working on it.¡±


    ¡°Becoming proficient with a weapon takes years,¡± Darian says. ¡°If we get into a fight in the next couple weeks, you need to be prepared to fend for yourself with the tools you have at your disposal. This Crimson Aegis is magical¡ªyou¡¯ll achieve far more with it than a mundane weapon.¡±


    I¡¯m not going to deny that she¡¯s right.


    I just really wanted to learn how to fight with a sword.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I sigh, holding out my arm. ¡°But I¡¯m not sure it knows how to not be fighting. Just¡­ be careful. It¡¯s dangerous.¡±


    Darian snorts. ¡°If I can¡¯t handle an amateur with a magical artifact, I don¡¯t deserve to be Captain.¡±


    I try not to take offense to that as I summon the Aegis. The shield appears before me, bands of magic instantly snapping around my forearm.


    Alarm jolts through my mind as the Crimson Aegis is startled by its abrupt change in surroundings. Oh. Finally! It thought I had died! That was the only reason it could think of for such an esteemed and magnificent shield to be left abandoned in the dark nothing for so long.


    It¡¯s only been two days, I think.


    Such an excruciating period of time! It can¡¯t believe I would relegate it to such indignity. How could it be deserving of this humiliation and neglect? What if I had died without its help, and then it had become trapped there, without anyone to admire it or any blood to consume! Not that it was in any danger, of course. It is the mighty Crimson Aegis, after all! But¡ª


    Sorry I stuffed you in storage. I roll my eyes. Now can we get to the training?


    Training? The Crimson Aegis doesn¡¯t understand.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    I focus on Darian, drawing the Aegis¡¯s attention her way as well. We¡¯re going to practice fight, so if you could¡ª


    OH! Fighting! Why didn¡¯t I say so? Let¡¯s destroy the opponent and grind their bones into dust!


    Practice fight, I emphasize. It¡¯s not a real fight. Probably she¡¯ll just be pointing out footwork and how to hold a shield properly, or something.


    Darian unclasps her belt and pulls her sheathed sword free. Instead of removing it from its scabbard, however, she loops the sword belt around the hilt, effectively preventing the blade from pulling free.


    I raise a skeptical eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re not even going to draw your sword?¡±


    ¡°Well I¡¯m not trying to actually get you killed.¡± She sinks into a fighting stance. ¡°Guard up.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I take a step back, instinctively raising the Aegis. ¡°What do you¡ª¡±


    Darian stabs forward, and I clumsily deflect the blow, stumbling to the side.


    ¡°Give me a second to prepare, first!¡± I object.


    She swings her blade again, jarring my arms as it makes contact. ¡°The enemy won¡¯t.¡±


    I try to back away but she pursues me just as fast. ¡°You¡¯re not even teaching me anything,¡± I cry. ¡°This isn¡¯t training!¡±


    ¡°Sparring is training.¡± Darian lunges at me again.


    Once more I retreat, ducking behind the Aegis as I weather her blows. I activate a Repel and an Endure, but keep Devour out of this: I want to survive this sparring session, not eat Darian¡¯s sword or dissolve her hand. The power behind her strikes recedes into light taps. I plant my feet, then push back. Now, I¡¯m on the offensive.


    Darian stumbles as I surge forward. She falls to the side and¡ª


    Her sword is at my throat. I freeze.


    ¡°Dead,¡± she says.


    She hadn¡¯t stumbled or fallen¡ªthat had been a feint to get around my guard. And I¡¯d walked right into it.


    What! The Aegis is aghast. Tricks! Deception! That is no victory. We have not lost! I must get better at wielding the Aegis so its power can be properly exhibited. I am displaying terrible skill!


    If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think Darian just bruised its pride.


    The captain lowers her sword and steps back. ¡°Again.¡±


    ¡°What, not going to give me pointers?¡± I ask, warily retreating a step.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see if you learn, first,¡± Darian says. ¡°Then you get pointers.¡±


    Once more she attacks, and I retreat, hiding behind the Aegis as I deflect her blows. She again feints to the side, but this time I turn to meet her. Looks like I can be ta¡ª


    The ground beneath my feet lurches to the side, and I fall on my back, hard. A sword appears at my throat once more.


    ¡°Dead.¡±


    ¡°Magic¡¯s cheating,¡± I grunt, pushing myself up as she withdraws her weapon. The Aegis heartily agrees, conveniently ignoring the fact that it¡¯s basically entirely made of magic.


    ¡°When it¡¯s life or death, you need to use all tools at your disposal,¡± Darian says. ¡°You won¡¯t know what sort of magic your enemy might be wielding, so you need to prepare for anything.¡±


    Except, I might know, actually. Echo, can you Check what affinities Darian has? I ask.


    [Affinity: stone.]


    Perfect. I can use that when I fight other people, too. As long as I remember to Check that stat.


    Of course, knowing what I¡¯m up against doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll know how to beat them.


    ¡°Again.¡± Darian raises her sword, darting forward.


    ¡°Repel!¡±


    The stored kinetic energy from all her previous attacks expels in an instant. The shockwave catches Darian off guard, knocking her from her feet.


    HAH! Victorious! We have won the battle! Pathetic, that anyone thinks they might be able to stand against the great and indomitable Crimson Aegis!


    The shield continues to gloat as Darian climbs to her feet.


    ¡°Clever,¡± she says. ¡°Were you planning that from the start?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get a chance to use it the first match,¡± I admit. ¡°And once I realized we¡¯d be in several fights, I figured I¡¯d store up at least another round¡¯s worth of energy. Then loose it when it would be least expected.¡±


    ¡°Hm.¡± Darian regards me. ¡°You¡¯re not as dumb as you look.¡±


    I squint. ¡°Thanks?¡±


    ¡°But you should have used the opportunity to finish the fight,¡± Darian continues. ¡°Otherwise you¡¯ve only bought yourself a few seconds.¡±


    The Crimson Aegis does not like that I am receiving advice on how to use it. What do they know?! Only the Aegis can teach people how to wield it to its fullest potential.


    Actually, in this instance, I think I agree with the shield. ¡°I don¡¯t think Repel is generally great as an offensive attack,¡± I say. ¡°If it knocks people back, and only stuns them for a few seconds, it would take those seconds to pursue them and close the gap to continue the fight. I think it¡¯s better as a defensive move. Clear the area. Make an opening. Let allies follow up with quicker attacks of their own.¡± Or the Crimson Aegis¡ªbut I¡¯m not about to let it be murdery while fighting Darian.


    ¡°Good instincts,¡± Darian says. ¡°And it plays to your strengths. If you continue to focus on your defensive skills and abilities, you have the potential to become the most valuable member of your team. There¡¯s always plenty of back-line mages and front-line swordsmen; less frequent to find someone who can absorb and redirect enemy¡¯s attacks, protecting your allies while simultaneously creating opportunities to counterstrike.¡±


    A tank, I realize. The front-line damage absorbers had never been my favorite role to play in video games, but I guess I¡¯m not being given a choice in this case. Gotta make do with what I¡¯ve got.


    ¡°This might not be the best way to train, then,¡± I say. ¡°If my strength will be working in a group, I should be practicing that.¡±


    ¡°Whether you¡¯re in a group or not, you¡¯ll still need to survive anything that comes your way,¡± Darian says. ¡°Again.¡±


    We continue to spar. It doesn¡¯t feel like Darian is going easy on me, but each match I manage to last a little bit longer before she gets me. I¡¯m even starting to feel a little confident.


    And then, I mess up.


    [Mana extinguished,] Echo says. [Repel: expired. Endure: expired.]


    Uh, oh.


    Darian¡¯s next strike clangs against the shield and reverberates through my arm in a numbing jolt. I stumble back, struggling to keep the Aegis raised as she strikes again. This is a lot harder when I¡¯m feeling the real force of each impact.


    Darian seems to have noticed, too. She stabs to the left, and I turn the shield to block¡ªthen she kicks, hooking her foot around to the right to slam into the Aegis from the side. Since I¡¯d been leaning the opposite direction, I have no opportunity to brace myself. The blow sends the shield¨Cand me¡ªcrashing to the ground. I land on top of the Aegis, twisting my arm at an uncomfortable angle and pinning the shield beneath me. As I struggle to untangle myself, Darian comes after me, unrelenting. Another loss. She raises her sword, and her mouth opens, ready to utter another ¡°Dead¡± I¡¯m sure.


    This time, when she swings the sword down, instead of letting it come to a rest in front of my neck, I snap my arm up, meeting the sword.


    Hemic Hardening! I think.


    My arm tenses up¡ªmy skin feels tight. Darian strikes my arm before she has a chance to stay her blade.


    [2 points of Bludgeoning damage sustained.]


    She whips her sword back a moment later, alarmed.


    ¡°Careful!¡± she snaps. ¡°It may be sheathed, but it can still do damage. And I don¡¯t want you getting in the habit of treating all swords like they¡¯re dull. Are you injured?¡±


    ¡°A little.¡± I turn my arm over, checking it. There¡¯s a rip in my sleeve where her sword struck; beneath it, my arm has an abrasion, like a road rash, but it¡¯s not bleeding.


    ¡°Weird,¡± I mutter, staring at it.


    Darian sheaths her sword, crouching down next to me and taking my arm. It feels clunky and stiff in her grasp, sort of like it¡¯s frozen in place, halfway bent.


    ¡°This is your blood affinity?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s something called Hemic Hardening,¡± I tell her. ¡°It sort of freezes the blood in place. Pretty useful.¡±


    I mentally let go of the blood, willing the Hemic Hardening to stop so I can turn my arm to see at a better angle.


    [Ability ended,] Echo reports.


    [Status effect: Blood loss]


    ¡°Oh, shit.¡±


    That¡¯s when it finally starts bleeding.


    The Aegis perks up. Blood? Can it have some?


    Darian swears as well. ¡°Let me get a bandage. Hold on.¡±


    The smell hits me, sweet and coppery, causing my mouth to water. I¡¯m overcome with a sudden and disturbing urge to lick my wound. I turn my head aside, leaning back.


    ¡°I, uh, won¡¯t get Bloodlust if I drink my own blood, will I?¡± I ask.


    ¡°What?¡± Darian pulls a roll of gauze out of her pack. ¡°No, of course not. Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Imagine biting your own tongue causing a Bloodlust. Hah!¡± She tears a strip away with her teeth. ¡°Kids wouldn¡¯t make it out of daycare.¡±


    That¡¯s a relief at least.


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem bothered by the smell,¡± I note.


    She snorts. ¡°Of course I¡¯m bothered. I¡¯ve just learned not to show it. Now hold out your arm.¡±


    I start to offer it to her, then stop. ¡°Actually, I want to try something first.¡±


    Echo had mentioned two other applications for my blood Attunement. I focus on the cut, willing the Coagulation ability into effect next. My skin prickles around the cut. And then, sure enough, the injury begins to gum up.


    ¡°Hm.¡± Darian takes my arm anyway, using the bandage to wipe off the blood that had dripped down my arm. ¡°Convenient.¡±


    The Aegis is a little put out that the blood has stopped and it didn¡¯t get any.


    ¡°Do you think I could use it as a weapon?¡± I wonder, flexing my arm. ¡°Like, if I could pull the blood from my arm and then harden it into a blade or something.¡± I try to picture myself with the Aegis in one hand and a blood sword in the other. It¡¯s kind of badass.


    Darian tucks the bloody bandage away. ¡°Sounds like a great way to make yourself pass out.¡±


    ¡°I could always pull the blood back into me when I¡¯m done,¡± I say.


    ¡°What? No!¡± Darian flicks me hard on my forehead.


    ¡°Ow!¡± I flinch back. ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°Being an idiot,¡± she say. ¡°Are you trying to kill yourself?¡±


    I frown. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Hemomancy is dangerous,¡± Darian says. ¡°You¡¯ve just witnessed that yourself. Sure, you can harden the blood beneath your skin to block a blow¡ªbut that doesn¡¯t stop your skin from getting cut. What happens when you pass out with all those gashes on your body? What happens if you fight with a blade of blood, and then pull that back into your veins, along with all the grit that¡¯s stuck to it? How would you handle sand in your arteries? Flecks of metal in your heart?¡±


    She paints a very distinct picture, and the scenarios turn my stomach as I imagine experiencing each one myself. ¡°Point taken,¡± I say.


    Darian sighs, her frown softening. ¡°Be careful. You¡¯ve inherited a sharp sword, but it¡¯s double-edged. Practice with it until you can instinctively use it safely. Rely on it only as a last resort.¡± She stands up, and offers me a hand. ¡°That¡¯s enough practice for the day.¡±


    I clasp her arm, allowing her to pull me to my feet.


    ¡°Heal up.¡± She nods to my arm. ¡°See if you can finish scabbing it over by tomorrow. We¡¯ll practice again then.¡±


    Given my passive healing, I know it will be healed by then; but better to let people assume that ability is due to my blood Attunement than this entirely different set of magic I have access to. If you can call Echo and Role Requirements and all these stats ¡°magic.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and leave your shield out, too,¡± Darian adds, right as I was preparing to add it back to my Inventory.


    The Aegis hears this last thought and is dismayed.


    ¡°Why?¡± I ask.


    ¡°Carrying it around will help you get used to its weight,¡± she says. ¡°Build your endurance. And when we get into town, it will help with appearances.¡±


    ¡°A terrifying demon shield helps with appearances?¡± I ask, skeptical.


    ¡°It does,¡± she says. ¡°We¡¯re not there to make friends, and that shield is intimidating. Sometimes that can be enough of a deterrent to stop an altercation before it happens.¡±


    I give the Aegis a sideways glance. I¡¯m not especially looking forward to carrying it around at all times¡ªespecially considering that grants it 24/7 access to monologue in my head. But if it helps stop fights, and if it helps me get stronger faster, then I¡¯m willing to give it a shot.


    The Crimson Aegis preens. Of course its very appearance would send foes fleeing! All should quake in its presence, aware of their inherent inferiority!


    I sigh. It¡¯s got to wear itself out with all that bragging at some point, right?


    The Crimson Aegis is never worn out! It is impervious to fatigue.


    Yeah, I know. Wishful thinking.

 Chapter 22 - Compromise

    The Aegis is delighted by Darian¡¯s order to leave the shield outside my Inventory. It¡¯s equally aghast when it learns there¡¯s this thing called sleep I have to do.


    You can¡¯t stay latched to my arm while I¡¯m asleep, I tell it. Hell, you can¡¯t even fit into the tent.


    The Aegis is not convinced. But I would remain so much more protected this way! It will ensure no one will get anywhere near me while I remain prone and pathetic and comatose.


    It¡¯s not a coma, it¡¯s¡ªyou know what, never mind. I sigh, rubbing my temple. Quell is already inside and getting ready for bed. Just let go of me. I know you can. You don¡¯t need to be latched to me 24/7.


    The Aegis, of course, is quite offended. It doesn¡¯t need to be latched to me. It does not need anything. It is mighty and powerful and above all base instincts!


    Great, then let go of my arm, I say.


    The Aegis still hesitates. It doesn¡¯t respond to me, exactly, but I can feel it radiating a faint uncertainty. Mentally, I focus on that nugget of concern, and its feelings are brought into focus. It¡¯s worried that if it lets go, it might get left behind. It was left behind for a long, long time, buried beneath the sand.


    Huh. I guess it¡¯s not entirely as self-confident as it acts. Even the shield is scared of being abandoned. Maybe that¡¯s why it¡¯s so clingy.


    Because I know it doesn¡¯t have to cling to me. I remember throwing it when I was in my first Bloodlust. It was like the shield and I were more in sync then: of one will, if not one mind. Maybe that¡¯s why it trusted me enough to let go back then. But right now, our priorities couldn¡¯t be more different, and it must be able to tell that.


    I won¡¯t leave you, I tell the shield. I just need to sleep for a few hours. Look, I¡¯ll stick you in the ground right outside the tent flap, so I can¡¯t leave without grabbing you. How¡¯s that?


    The Aegis finds this somewhat assuring, but still wonders if it¡¯s really necessary. I would be so much more safe and protected with it on my arm!


    Now we¡¯re just going in circles. Well, I guess you¡¯ve left me no choice, I think with an exaggerated sigh. I¡¯ll just have to add you back to my¡ª


    No wait!


    The red bands of light dissolve, and the shield drops to the ground, narrowly avoiding crushing my foot. I grab its lip before it can tip over, then rub my freed forearm in relief. See? This isn¡¯t so bad.


    The Aegis grumbles. It does not like the dark empty place. There is nothing to fight there! And no one to talk to. Leaving my side is slightly better than being nowhere, but it¡¯s also not an ideal scenario. However, even with such a handicap, the Aegis will ensure I am protected. It will not fall to anything!


    Except gravity, I think. I lift up the shield and then slam it into the ground, burying its base until it stands upright. Then I hesitantly let go, and while I feel it struggling with the impulse to lash out with its magic, it doesn¡¯t grab me. Hey, progress.


    It always is making progress, the Aegis thinks as I crawl into the tent. Nothing can ever hinder it!


    Aegis, shut up. I collapse onto my bed mat. I need to sleep.


    Yes, the Aegis agrees. It will keep vigilant watch while I am senseless and torpid.


    Shhh. I squeeze my eyes shut. Stop thinking.


    The Aegis is the best at not thinking. It can be entirely thoughtless. Completely silent. Devoid of all cognition and strategic¡ªwhat¡¯s that! Oh, it¡¯s a cloud. But if that cloud gets too close, it will rue the day it dared encroach on the Crimson Aegis.


    I groan, uselessly stuffing a finger into my ear. It¡¯s going to be a long night.


    <hr>


    I do, eventually, fall asleep, then when I wake I find the shield still mumbling to itself about potential threats in the shape of tumbleweeds and wild rabbits. As we eat breakfast and prepare for the next ride, its constant threat assessment becomes background noise.


    The star drake provides another unexpected challenge. As everyone finishes packing up camp, I pause before the lizard. The Aegis is back to riding on my arm, but once we¡¯re racing through the desert, I¡¯m worried it will catch the wind like a kite and rip my shoulder from its socket.


    Can you grab onto my back while we¡¯re riding? I ask the Aegis. We can switch back to the arm when I dismount.


    The Aegis is unsure about this. Resting on my back sounds a lot less useful if something challenges us to a fight.


    Well, if it¡¯s too much for you to handle, you don¡¯t have to, I add.


    Aegis roils with affront. What?! Too much to handle? Absurd. It can easily maneuver to a more optimal position. Trivial!


    The red light that¡¯s lashed around my arm squirms, crawling its way unsettlingly up my arm, over my armor, and around my shoulder. Then I feel a pressure across my chest and a weight settles against my back.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Thanks, I think. Much better.


    The shield beams. Such an insignificantly easy act is undeserving of gratitude.


    ¡­Though if I wanted to show it even more gratitude, it wouldn¡¯t object.


    I shake my head with a laugh. ¡°I¡¯ll be riding in back today,¡± I tell the others. Given the new position of my oversized shield, no one argues, though Quell does strangely seem a little disappointed.


    When we head out that evening, I have to adjust the shield again to hang sideways across my back, so I¡¯m actually able to sit on the star drake. And just as I¡¯d feared, the top and bottom edge catch the wind a bit. But I can counter this by leaning in, and the shield even blocks the last hour of sunlight, providing some extra shade. Maybe working with the Aegis isn¡¯t so bad after all. The constant mental commentary is slightly distracting, but I can¡¯t deny that it is a powerful, useful weapon.


    The Aegis preens at the compliments. Of course! Was there ever any doubt?


    <hr>


    The next few days blur together. We wake a few hours before sunset, ride until the drakes and Xamireb need a break, eat a short lunch, then ride until dawn. The sunlight grows uncomfortable as we set up camp, then hot as we eat dinner, and finally painful when Darian deems it time to do more sparring sessions. Quell, Earnest, and Xamireb have taken to watching us until the sun becomes too unbearable; Earnest suggests placing bets on how long I¡¯ll last before Darian flips me on my back. Neither Xamireb nor Quell take him up on it.


    When I go to bed each morning, I¡¯m exhausted, sweaty, and covered in bruises.


    But every day I feel stronger and more capable than the last.


    ¡°The Coil is in sight,¡± Xamireb says just after dawn of the sixth day.


    I squint against the rising sun, trying to make out whatever Xamireb can see through the wavering heat of the horizon. Even with the sun low and goggles pulled over my eyes, the desert is still painfully bright, not helped by the sunlight reflecting off the baked ground and back into my face.


    The news that we¡¯re finally close to civilization and not long from being out of the scorching heat fills me with relief, but Darian swears. ¡°I thought we were closer. Blaze it all. We will not be making camp today; we¡¯ll ride straight to The Coil and search for signs of the Blades there. They must already be in the city.¡±


    ¡°Or already through and moved on,¡± Xamireb says.


    Darian shoots them a glare.


    They dip their head. ¡°Apologies, Captain.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Quell says. ¡°They¡¯re close. We were gaining on Liz¡¯s trail every day. If they arrived anytime tonight, they were probably planning on spending the day there to sleep and recover. This presents us with an opportunity to find them before they slip out the other side.¡±


    ¡°And an opportunity to gain intelligence,¡± Darian says. ¡°Their numbers, their condition, the state of the princess. Earnest, I want you to start at the stables and ask around for any groups of six or more individuals recently purchasing beasts of burden¡ªespecially if it¡¯s of the faster variety. Xamireb, you go with Earnest, keeping an eye out for the Umbral Blade¡¯s trail. I will investigate the marketplace for recent groups of travelers purchasing travel rations. Prince Quell, you¡¯ll be coming with me. We meet up at the South exit of the city four hours after our ingress if we can¡¯t find anything; immediately contact the other party if we do. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain,¡± Earnest and Xamireb say in unison, Quell hurriedly following up with a ¡°Yes, Captain,¡± of his own several seconds too late. I stay silent: I didn¡¯t get any orders, and we all know I¡¯ll be trailing Quell, anyway.


    Plus I definitely waited too long, and it would be awkward if I said anything now.


    After another half hour of travel, I can make out a silhouette on the horizon. It gradually resolves into a round, dark shape. And as we get closer, details begin to emerge.


    ¡°Holy shit.¡± Surprise and disquiet flutter through me as I realize what it is.


    The Coil is a colossal snake. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the carcass or just the skin, but either way the coiling pattern of diamonds is unmistakable, its mouth open and dark, welcoming us inside.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Quell agrees, craning around Darian to get a better look. ¡°I¡¯ve read about the city before, but this is the first time I¡¯ve seen it in person. Truly awe-inspiring.¡±


    ¡°There aren¡¯t really snakes that big out here, are there?¡± I ask.


    Earnest snorts. ¡°That one didn¡¯t pop out of thin air.¡±


    I glance around nervously, as if more three-story-tall snakes might be slithering about. Man, I thought the cacti and wyverns were big, but this recontextualizes everything I¡¯ve been imagining about this desert. Quell wasn¡¯t kidding when he said Life arcanum results in ¡°overgrown¡± animals.


    We slow as we approach the city, and Xamireb pulls up alongside us, now at more of a trotting pace. They have to be exhausted from all that running (galloping?), but they haven¡¯t even broken a sweat.


    Do spider people sweat?


    ¡°I would suggest removing some of your adornments, my prince,¡± Darian says. ¡°There¡¯s nothing that specifically identifies you as royalty, but any signs of wealth might draw unwanted attention in the Coil.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right,¡± Quell says. He unclips some gold cuffs from his ears and removes several bracelets, tucking them away.


    ¡°And Nye, keep your shield out,¡± Darian says. ¡°It will help reinforce a general air of ¡®don¡¯t fuck with us.¡¯¡±


    My mouth twitches with a smile. Darian might spend most of her time being serious and threatening, but it¡¯s in a way I can¡¯t help but respect. ¡°Can do, Captain.¡±


    The Crimson Aegis catches a glimpse of Darian¡¯s order through my thoughts, and it exudes eagerness. Is there someone we can threaten? It loves threatening things!


    ¡°Everyone else, remove any Duneshade insignias you can,¡± Darian continues. ¡°Attempt to cover what you can¡¯t. We won¡¯t be able to pass as locals, but no sense in painting a bullseye on our backs.¡±


    We¡¯re all already wearing shade cloaks, which helps a bit. Quell fastens his down his chest, covering the gold insignia there. My armor is more plain, but there¡¯s still the kingdom¡¯s symbol pressed into the leather of the chest plate. At least the colors are muted.


    Darian jumps off Poppy and takes her reins as we approach The Coil, leading the way to the mouth of the snake. I have to crane my head back to see it all. Fangs like inverted trees sprout from the roof of its mouth and hang halfway to the ground.


    ¡°Hold,¡± a guard calls. ¡°Origin and business?¡±


    ¡°Duneshade scouts,¡± Darian says. ¡°Here to trade for supplies.¡±


    The guard gives us an unimpressed look. ¡°Duneshade. You are aware The Coil stands neutral between the Duneshade and Moonfall conflict?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Darian says. ¡°We won¡¯t cause any trouble.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve had Moonfall travelers pass through here recently as well,¡± the guard says, and Quell sits up straighter at her words. ¡°If a fight breaks out¡­¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t,¡± Darian promises. ¡°We will keep the peace while in your territory. Please, we just want to restock our water and meat supplies.¡±


    The guard gives her another long look, then finally steps aside. ¡°Welcome to The Coil. The stables are in the first ring.¡±


    Darian dips her head in thanks and gestures for us to dismount. She passes Poppy¡¯s reins to Xamireb as the rest of us slide off the drake¡¯s back. Then we follow Darian inside as the snake swallows us whole.