Chapter 65: Not Broken |
A day after Hiral completed the Fallen Reach project, he—and Seeyela—completed a second revolutionary venture: teleportation arches.
Taking it one step further than they had connecting Genesis to Terminus—or maybe one step adjacent would be more accurate—they had expanded the arches beyond merely connecting to one other. Their versions could be dialed in to offer travelers any destination connected to the network of arches. For now, that was only the four islands, the Hanging Garden, the arch just outside the Cradle of Tomorrow, and Trevallen.
More locations would be added as Seeyela and Hiral traveled the globe, but it was an important step that had allowed the Eidolons to reach their new home. It would also vastly improve trade and communication between the cities, and allow people to easily access the growth opportunities found within the Cradle.
Yes, there was the slight issue of coordinating who would take the portals and when, but that was something Hiral would happily leave to the Academics. Much like the original portal he’d created with Seeyela, the cost for the transportation would be paid for by the traveler in solar energy, so it wouldn’t even strain the energy of the islands.
“I can’t believe we managed it,” Seeyela said, seated on the other side of Seena as the two sisters—and Hiral—munched on one of the sandwiches Nivian had left behind before leading his group off to find an A- or S-Rank zone. The sooner they dealt with Drahn’s growing Hunger, the sooner everybody would feel a bit safer.
“I never doubted,” Seena said between mouthfuls. “Except for that one time when it seemed like it was all going to explode right at the beginning.”
“What are you worried about?” Seeyela said. “Can you even die anymore? That whole eternal thing is a little OP.”
“While my Mistress has gained a quality similar to my own—with any sun acting as her home point—death would still be very uncomfortable for her,” Li’l Ur said.
“Uncomfortable? That’s it?”
“Oh no, not a pinch,” Seeyela said, throwing her hands up dramatically in the air… and almost losing her sandwich in the process. A quick portal—yes, she used Insatiable to return the sandwich to her hands—and she was calm again.
“We didn’t take into account the fact that the portals were all in the same universe and time at the beginning,” Hiral said with a smile as he explained the near miss. “Once we got that sorted out…” He trailed off at the flat look from the two women. “Ah, joking. Got it.”
“I’m sure Gauto will be very interested to hear all about why it almost didn’t work,” Seena said, patting him on the leg with a free hand. “I’m just glad we didn’t all blow up.”
“Colos is getting the Eidolons all set up and moved in?” Seeyela asked.
“He’s getting them onto their new island,” Hiral said. “They’ll need to build their own city, though both the Makers and Growers have started helping with that.”
“Root houses for everybody, for a while,” Seena said.
“And they’re fine with that,” Hiral said. “Excited, even. It’ll be a lot of work, but they’ve gotten not only a new lease on life, but a new home to go with it. Compared to an unending eternity of pain and suffering, things are looking up.”
“Unless somebody starts pinching them,” Seeyela said, reaching over to do exactly that to her younger sister.
Seena, understandably, yelped and tried to squirm away. That didn’t work so well with how wedged in she was between Seeyela and Hiral. “Why… aren’t… you… saving me?” she said to Hiral as she tried to ineffectually defend herself against Seeyela. Considering the Daughter of the Last Sentinel could stick her hand through portals that appeared anywhere, Seena wasn’t having much luck.
“It’s up to the party leader to keep her party in line,” Hiral said.
“I shall defend you, Mistress!” Li’l Ur stated, leaping off Seena’s shoulder… and straight into a small portal. Exiting from the first portal, the small lich fell straight into a second portal, which somehow dropped him back out of the first portal again. Over and over and over, Li’l Ur endlessly fell in a foot of space.
“When did you learn how to do that?” Hiral asked.
“Right now?” Seeyela said.
“That’s enough, Seeyela,” Seena said, one hand in front of her mouth as she struggled not to laugh at the lich’s flight. Er, plight?
“Catch him,” Seeyela said, just before the bottom portal vanished.
With a yelp, Li’l Ur dropped until Seena caught him in her free hand.
“Y’okay, Ur?” Seena said at the same time she took a bite out of her sandwich.
“Yes… Mistress,” Li’l Ur said, floating at a wobbly angle like he was a bit dizzy. “I’m sorry I could… not defend your honor…”
“That’s okay; Seeyela cheats,” Seena said.
“Damn right I do,” Seeyela said, eating her own sandwich. “Back to the party leader thing from earlier…” She pointed at Hiral. “When is Nivian supposed to be back? Those Eidolons are going to be looking for him soon enough.”
“He doesn’t know,” Hiral said. “However long it takes Drahn to get control of things. Could be days or much, much longer. Dad says the Growers and Makers are going to help with getting the Eidolons settled as well, and I’ll keep Colos out as much as I can. He seems to be building a pretty good rapport with them.”
“Nivian going to be taking on Enemies?” Seena asked. “How many of them are even left?”
Hiral tilted his head back as he swallowed the last piece of his sandwich to consider the question. “The thing I did…”
“Lighting the entire world on fire,” Seeyela said flatly.
“Yeah, that one.” Hiral side-eyed the woman. “It killed seventy-five to eighty percent of the squids, I think. There are still a lot left, but they are going to be harder to find.”
“And stronger, I’m guessing?”
“Most of them, yes,” Hiral said.
“Not that Nivian really needs to worry about that,” Seena said.
“No, he doesn’t,” Hiral agreed. “It’s also not like it’s just Stumpy and other S-Rank squids left, either. A lot of C- through A-Rank Enemies are still around.”
“How?” Seeyela said. “Wouldn’t you have barbequed them if they were that weak?”
“They were close to the S-Ranks when it happened,” Hiral said. “That, or a group of A-Ranks managed to get away with injuries instead of deaths.”
“Either way, it means they’ll need hunting,” Seena said.
“Good thing we know somebody with a nose for tracking them down,” Seeyela said, then looked past Hiral. “And speak of the devil… Hey, Yan.”
“Hey yourself,” Yanily said, coming over and sitting beside Hiral. “Are those Nivian sandwiches I’m seeing in your hands?”
“They are,” Hiral said. “Want one?”
“I’d love one,” Yanily said. “I didn’t see them in the Shared Storage.”
“Because they’re in my ring,” Hiral said. “Nivian suggested we keep them somewhere safe from you and Right. I didn’t disagree.”
“Keeping them out of Right’s hands makes sense,” Yanily said. “That guy’s a menace.”
“Says the key perpetrator in the great cake heist,” Seena said. “Pretty sure Milly is still planning her revenge on you.”
“You better pray she gets it soon,” Hiral said at the same time he pulled a sandwich from his Interspatial Ring. “Here.”
“Thanks,” Yan said, unwrapping the paper it was in. “And why should I hope she gets the revenge soon?”
“Because you don’t want her doing it when she’s S-Rank,” Hiral said simply, and the sandwich paused just an inch in front of Yanily’s open mouth.
“Good point,” the spearman finally said before taking a bite.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
“What have you been up to, Yan?” Seena said. “Haven’t seen you much since Hiral here put on a show with the islands.”
“Ah, you know,” Yanily said, talking and chewing at the same time. “Since we were back, I figured I’d check in on Ish. See how he’s doing. Make sure Dad isn’t around giving him problems.”
“How’s your brother doing?” Seeyela asked.
“Good, I think,” Yanily said.
“You think?” Hiral said.
“Didn’t talk to him,” Yanily said matter-of-factly. “Just watched him a bit. Chatted with our aunt. Left some gear I’d picked up along the way when she told me he was planning to join a group soon.”
“Why didn’t you talk to him, Yan?” Seena said. “I’m sure he’d love to see you. Hear all about what you’ve been doing. He has to know you were part of, you know, saving the world.”
“Nah. Once I was sure Dad hadn’t been around, I figured it was best if Ish had a clean break from us. He’s not broken like we are.”
“You’re not broken, Yan,” Seeyela said. “You’re nothing like that asshole father of yours.”
Yanily leaned back to lie on the ground and look up at the sky before he answered, half a sandwich still in one hand. “That’s what I always told myself. But when push came to shove back against the Raze, you know what I did? Same thing he does. I got angry and lashed out. It’s the whole reason I got one of my advanced classes. It’s all about being angry. That’s him in me.”
“There’s a big difference between fighting giant crystal constructs trying to destroy our world and everybody we love,” Hiral said, “and a father hitting his children.”
“Doesn’t feel like such a big difference, looking back on it,” Yanily said. “I saw red. I wasn’t thinking. So what if it was the Raze that time? Who knows who it will be next time?”
“Somebody or something that deserves it,” Seeyela said.
“And who’s to judge who deserves it?” Yanily countered. “I’m not defending my father here, just to be clear. What he did was wrong. The scary part is… I worry I could turn out the same way. I know I could turn out the same way.”
“No, you couldn’t,” Seena said softly. “You may be your father’s son, but you’re not your father. And, no, don’t you dare interrupt me.” She held up a finger as the spearman’s mouth opened. “I’ve known you my whole life, Yan—grown up with you—and we’ve been through some stuff together.
“And let me tell you what I’ve seen through all that. It wasn’t an abusive bully who picked on people weaker or smaller than him. It was a friend who stood up for those people who were weak. Who put himself in front of others so they wouldn’t get hurt, no matter what it cost.
“You did it for your brother when you were younger. You did it for us in the Rise of Fallen Reach dungeon, among other times. You weren’t the spear leading the storm because you were angry at what was in front of you. You did it to protect the things and people behind you. You fight so others don’t have to, not because you want to.”
“I kind of want to,” Yanily admitted.
“And you’re very good at it,” Hiral said. “Annoyingly good, sometimes… but Seena is right. You got angry, yeah. We all got angry. Especially after what happened to Yully and Dole. I was angry too. It’s all about what you do with that anger. Do you channel it into something useful, or do you just lash out?
“From what I saw, you channeled it into a pair of advanced classes—at the same time, I might add—so you could protect everybody else. You’re not your father, Yan. And you’re certainly not broken.”
The four of them sat or lay there in silence after Hiral finished, until Yanily spoke almost a minute later.
“You really think so?” he asked quietly. “You think it would be… okay… if I talked to Ish?”
“Yan,” Seena said, “he’s your little brother. He’s always, always looked up to you. He’d be thrilled to see you.”
“And to hear your stories,” Seeyela said. “Besides, if he’s going to join a group, it couldn’t hurt to get some pointers from his hero big brother.”
“That’d be kind of nice,” Yanily admitted.
“If you want, Yan,” Hiral said, “one of us can come with you. I don’t think you need it or anything, just… we’re here if you need us. Any time. No matter what.”
“Would you get in front of Milly when she comes for her revenge?”
“Anything… but that,” Hiral amended. “No way I’m standing in the way of either of my sisters. You’re on your own.”
“Probably fair,” Yanily said. “Thanks, guys. I guess… maybe… I’ll go talk to Ish later.”
“Good for you, Yan,” Seena said, reaching behind Hiral to pat the spearman on the shoulder. “What about your father? Any word or sign of him?”
“Nothing,” Yanily said. “My aunt hasn’t heard a peep from him since he went down to the Cradle.”
“Probably for the best,” Hiral said.
“Definitely for the best,” Seeyela corrected.
“In other news,” Yanily said, clearly looking to change the subject. Nobody objected. “With what Hiral did… Let me correct that. With all the crazy stuff Hiral did between burning the sky and lifting new islands into the sky, Grandfather doesn’t need the Spear of Cloudsto keep the storm at bay anymore. It’s just sitting inside the tree right now.”
Hiral’s eyes widened at the statement, and he looked down at Yanily. “Are you going to…?”
“Nah,” Yanily said. “Don’t need it. I have Tempest Roar, and she’s a jealous mistress.”
“I know the feeling,” Li’l Ur said, nodding sagely.
“Hey,” Seena grumbled.
“If not you, Yan,” Hiral said, “who gets the spear?”
“Whoever the spear chooses,” Yanily said. “It was never meant for me. It was just on loan. It knew that, which is why it gave me the Splinter of the Storm before. Now, if I had to guess, it’s waiting for the next hero who needs it.”
“You think that’ll be Ish?” Seena said.
Yanily shrugged. “Could be. We’ll just have to wait and see. So, what were you guys talking about when I came over? Something about squids?”
“Just that we’ll have to go out and track down the survivors soon,” Seena said. “Could use somebody who can sense their dirty storms.”
“Oh, you know I’m always up for getting rid of some Enemies,” Yanily said. “Stumpy on the list?”
“Number one most wanted,” Hiral said.
“Count me in,” Yanily said. “When are we leaving? Did you two get your dog yet?”
“Somebody has been too busy to go puppy hunting,” Seena said, her elbow playfully digging into Hiral’s side as she spoke. “A girl might start to think he’s having second thoughts.”
“No way,” Hiral said, and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his Interspatial Ring.
“What’s that?” Seena asked, looking at what was in his hand.
“A list of the top five breeders on Fallen Reach, the top five among the Growers, and even some suggestions from the Hanging Garden,” Hiral explained. “Romin and Wallop helped me with that last one. Not all the animals there become companions, but they tend to all be exceptionally intelligent, and comfortable around magic. He even mentioned this particular pack of silver-furred wolves that is very compatible with magic, and…”
“Hold on,” Seena said. “Why would they need to be compatible with magic?”
“So we can take them with us wherever we go,” Hiral said. “A few runes and tweaks, and we’ll have a companion who will be with us for a long time. Might even be able to figure out a PIM for them, if the PIMP will help out.”
“You’re going to try and make your pet S-Rank, aren’t you?” Seeyela said.
“You bet I am,” Hiral said, “after some dungeon runs for experience. Seena and I are both going to live a long time. If we’re going to have a dog, I’d like it to be something that can keep up with us.”
“What if we…” Seena started quietly. “You know, down the road, what if we want something more than just a dog?”
“Then we have another friend who can help us take care of our family,” Hiral said, wrapping an arm around the woman beside him.
“Sounds like somebody has things all planned out,” Seeyela said. “Think you can give Trev some lessons?”
“From what I hear, we should exchange notes,” Hiral said.
“Trev’s a good guy,” Yanily said, “but nobody answered my other question. When are we leaving to go squid hunting? We still aren’t level twenty, after all.”
“And there’s the experience junkie we all know and love, everybody,” Seeyela laughed.
“Not before the Bastion of Tomorrow returns,” Hiral said. “It’s on its way—leisurely—from Trevallen. They’re going to drop Milich and his party off in the Cradle, since they’re getting close to B-Rank. Ebidi and his folks are staying with Trevallen until they have a little more strength of their own to protect themselves from the Cinder-Blokes, or until we send some others there to take their spot.”
“I’m sure Romin would be happy to see Polis again,” Seena said.
“If we can, I’d like to take Ebidi’s group with us,” Hiral said. “They’re the group most likely to hit A-Rank next. Wouldn’t mind helping them get there.”
“So, what you’re saying,” Yanily said, “is that we have a few more days here at home before we’re off again.”
“Pretty much,” Hiral said. “Unless… I guess we aren’t a raid group anymore, so I’m not the one who should be making the choices…”
“Can we set up a portal arch on the Bastion?” Seeyela asked.
“With some alterations, I think we should be able to,” Hiral said. “Since it’s constantly moving, though—and not in a predictable line that allows for calculations, like Fallen Reach—I think we’d be better off not connecting it to the usual network. We can make a separate arch just for it. Close to one of the other arches, so we can come back and visit easily enough.”
“Why not bring Favela and Trev with us?” Seena suggested. “The Bastion is pretty much strong enough to protect itself, assuming the crew is coming with us again.”
“I don’t think Redd or the support group, as everybody calls them, are interested in leaving the Bastion,” Hiral said. “We could see about filling out a few more spots. There is space. And if we’ve got the portal working, Favela could come back here for school easily enough…”
“You really think that would be okay?” Seeyela said, sitting up a little straighter at the thought.
“We could make it okay, if that’s what you want,” Hiral said.
“Let me… talk about it with Trev. It would be amazing to explore the world with my little girl beside me. The things we could see…”
“What about your sisters, Hiral?” Seena said. “Would they be interested?”
“Only to visit, I think,” Hiral said. “They’re at the point where they are pretty focused on leveling. Then there is Sera and Dad’s new school.”
“Even though we ‘saved the world,’” Yanily said, complete with air quotes. “People are still training and getting stronger like crazy.”
“They all know the world isn’t ‘safe,’” Seena said. “Not yet. Still plenty of things out there that would happily eat us. Not to mention the day the Raze come back.”
“If we don’t go looking for them first,” Hiral reminded everybody.
Almost surprisingly, the simple proclamation brought a smile to the faces of the three beside him. The battle against the Raze had been a brutal, costly affair, but they had won. And, really, it wasn’t just Yanily who was the experience or battle junkie. The group would be ready for round two, if and when it ever happened.
Not to mention the universe they would get to explore when they went looking for those crystal bastards.
Dog. Seeing more of Genesis. Exploring the universe…? There was a lot to look forward to.
And along the way, something both he and Yanily would be looking forward to.
Getting stronger.
Yeah, I guess I am an adrenaline junkie at this point…
Hiral’s unprompted chuckle had the other three—and a little lich—looking at him… until they smiled too. He wasn’t the only one thinking it. They’d be going as a party, after all.
Considering where Hiral had started—the Everfail—he’d basically hit the jackpot with friends like these. He squeezed Seena’s hand in his. Having saved Genesis, this chapter of his life was coming to an end, but the next one was right around the corner.
Leaning back so he was lying on the ground beside Yanily—Seena and Seeyela followed suit a second later—the four of them looked up at the sun high above. In his mind, however, he saw the vastness of space Tomorrow had shown them.
“This is going to be fun,” he said quietly.
“Yes, it is,” Seena said, her own hand tightening in his. “Yes, it is.”