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Book 2 Chapter 49: Hel, Hell, and Hades

  Oskar’s eyes tried their best to bore through the back of Myelome’s head- the original Myelome since it was apparently a title and not a name- as they walked toward the actual direction of the Kobold survivor’s base of operations. The midday suns bore down on the back of his neck. The shemagh, which had been with him his entire journey, had come untucked from the neck of his shirt, and since he was too angry to focus on keeping his Resonant Ward going, the back of his neck was finally burning badly enough that even Wayspring water was going to take a while to heal completely.

  She left us. She didn’t even try to help, she just left.

  It wasn’t like Oskar expected I to fight to the death for a group of people they barely knew, even if he was dumb enough to do it or, like in this case, they’d saved you previously… but to be honest, it was the “You’re welcome” that was eating him up. It was her little way of bragging about having done nothing and having done it in such a way that it looked like she’d gone for help.

  Help we didn’t even damn need by that point.

  Making a concentrated effort to unclench his jaw, Oskar fumed, watching her scrawny form walk ahead of him without so much as a glance backward.

  And that’s the problem. She led us astray all morning, at least, and she’ll claim she just got turned around. She abandoned us in a fight after doing nothing to help… and she’ll claim she went for help.

  Oskar watched the much taller form of Benedictus walking in front, thinking.

  Also,

  // Wait, are you talking to me, or just thinking so hard it’s bleeding through? //

  Meh… a little of both. It’s just that we’re going to be in that weird structure, and I’m nervous. It’s not like I enjoy being in this hot ass desert, but I’m used to it, now. I’m used to the open air. The mesa tunnel wasn’t awful, but we had two ways out. The glass cave felt a little claustrophobic until we were in Bastet’s… room, I guess…but we felt her presence and affection the entire time. And to be honest, I’m not getting much affection from these Kobolds.

  // You’ve got to see it from their point of view, though. Hope is scary for these people. Hope is another opportunity to be hurt. They’ve been on the edge of survival and extinction for decades, and this isn’t even close to the first time the Kobolds have faced this. Kobold culture might breed a little better, morality-wise, people than most of the other power-hungrier races, but they haven’t lived this long by being trusting and vulnerable. //

  So, you think I should relax a little? Give them some grace?

  // Oh, no way, dude. Head on a swivel. I was just bored. If I made a good point, it was by accident. //

  Oskar doubted that, but kept his opinion to himself, anyway. He looked over at the Kobold Chief, Benedictus, who’d said very little after acknowledging Fox and Touwon- and nodding to Oskar and Erik. His brother had mostly ignored the exchange, staring tiredly into the distance. The Kobold leader simply said, “Follow me,” and headed back in the general direction they’d come. The entire group was nervously looking around and eager to leave, obviously just as nervous to be outside their base as Oskar was going to be inside it. They all took off after the staff carrying Kobold without seeing if anyone was following. Oskar made sure Erik drank some water, and then offered his spear to Erik as a walking stick. Erik took it without complaint, and the Dorn Collective followed the Kobolds and their leader.

  Benedictus was tall for a Kobold. His robe was well-maintained and seemed to be made from the same high-quality fabric as Erik’s. The staff, as tall as Oskar’s spear and topped with what looked like a mix of quartz and onyx, was rare quality, according to his PUB’s scan.

  He’d seemed warm towards Fox, and she’d glowed at his attention.

  It was strange to see, but what do I know. I’m a human in a world not made for humans, so maybe I’m overthinking it.

  So many questions, and never enough answers.

  He watched Erik walking ahead of him for some time, trying not to only death glare the shady ass Myelome. Erik, unfortunately, looked like the constant was any indication. He trudged along as always, though, one foot moving steadily in front of the other, spear thumping into the sand in front of him.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Erik needs actual rest, like a week of downtime. When he told me Valla was still killing him somehow, he meant it. If anything, he downplayed it. Every time he uses his magic, it uses his body like Capacity. Rest might not even be enough anymore. He’s got me worried.

  Ahead, Fox was fidgeting, and Touwon wasn’t fiddling with anything as he walked. Knowing they were as anxious as he was no comfort, but it all went to the back of his mind when ol’ Bene, who looked like he was preparing to walk straight up the massive dune ahead, instead walked through it instead.

  The who looked as if they were slinking instead of walking, even when they were in plain sight, did the same and disappeared into the sand. The other Kobolds, loosely strung out ahead, filed up and walked through as well.

  Okay, when I was in the maze trial, there was that section of the floor that seemed to just… disappear. I thought it was some trick of the light or mirrors, but this is straight up magic. Pulling up Rakiyu, I can see the lines and weaves of color, kind of like seeing ultraviolet light through a lens… and now I’m wondering how many times I’ve been around this light magic without even knowing it.

  // I wish I had an answer for you. It seems like it has elements of Sora, Talau, and Rakiyu, but like your Resonant Ward, light magic is a product that doesn’t always feel quite like the sum of its parts. //

  Well, when we get some time, I’m gonna need you to explain that using more words and fewer syllables. I’m too tired, sunburned, and angry to think through this right now.

  Ahead, Fox halted and was reaching absentmindedly for Touwon’s arm, who stopped beside her, allowing her to draw closer to him. Sara halfheartedly pawed at Fox’s purple, dangling ear from her place atop Touwon’s pack, but was not willing to put forth the effort it would take to scoot closer and make contact. Penny disappeared into the sand nearby, initially unwilling to go into an enclosed space, but Oskar thought she might give in after they all went inside.

  The decision was made when Erik shambled past both Kobolds, halfheartedly lifted his lead foot higher to climb the dune and consequently fell forward through the illusion when his foot met no resistance.

  Oskar ran past the two Kobolds just as they started forward. Sara had jumped up on her feet, but was off balance and hopped off Touwon’s bag. She darted between the Kobolds legs and hit the illusion the same time Oskar did.

  ***

  Erik

  ***

  He’d walked as long as he could. Unwilling to slow the group and knowing that rest was ahead, Erik pushed himself farther than he should have. A lot further, truth be told. He’d zoned out and walked until his vision narrowed dangerously.

  And so, by the time they’d finally reached their destination, his PUB had been fussing at him to stop, sit down, and drink water for close to two hours. The PUB was proved correct and Erik was forced to belatedly concede the point, when he’d stumbled through the illusion and fell to his knees on the other side without an inkling of what happened.

  Oss’ spear…

  Erik tried to hold himself up as he reached for the weapon, which had dropped when he fell and was now rolling away from him. His arm slipped when it hit the smooth floor, though, and Erik went the rest of the way down with a grunt.

  A cold nose, relative to the heat at least, gently nudged his face and then he felt the strong hands of his brother gently rolling him onto his back.

  I hope that was Sara’s nose, otherwise this just got weird. And good God, either Oss is three times as strong as I remember, or I’m three times smaller.

  [[ Don’t give him that much credit. ]]

  Bad time. Shut up.

  [[ It wouldn’t be a bad time if you weren’t acting even dumber than Hopper. ]]

  Seriously, stop calling him that.

  [[ You called him that, and he laughed. ]]

  That wasn’t a ‘I love that name!’ laugh. It was a “Oh, what a prick, but that was funny!” laugh.

  [[ Well, he’s still an abomination to my people. ]]

  Erik was unwilling to have the “you don’t have a people” conversation with his PUB again, partially because if felt like a mean thing to say, even to a PUB who literally didn’t have a people, and partially because Erik was currently being carried like a sleeping toddler who was being toted in the house from the car after a long drive.

  I must be seriously delirious from overexerting myself and using too much life energy though, because I swear I feel… air conditioning?

  The gargantuan task of opening his eyes was rewarded with, of all things, artificial lighting. And, of course, Oskar, standing above him, his silhouette looking down in what Erik assumed was probably more concern than was strictly necessary. Erik closed his eyes to the bright light above, and a shiver went down his spine from the cool air. Knowing Oskar was there, though, much of his stress evaporated and Erik let out a long breath.

  What a big brother I’m turning out to be. I was just sitting there beside Gramm on that damn Point… giving up and waiting to die. And then… my little brother’s crazy ass comes walking up, Touwon and Fox at his side. I knew then, beyond the shadow of a doubt… Oss would follow me into Hel, Hell, and Hades before he let anything else happen to me. I don’t feel much like a big brother anymore.

  The solid comfort of that thought finally helped Erik loosen his grip on consciousness.

  [[ No! Wait, No! Don’t leave me alone with that poser, please! You can heal up later! ]]

  Nope, you were begging me to rest earlier. Time for sleep.

  Erik felt Sara’s fuzzy warmth in the chilly air, nuzzling into the space between his only arm and right side, likely seeking warmth in the cooler air of the room that he could see so little of. She got settled, the purring started, and Erik smiled, feeling that, despite Myelome being as shady as she could manage, he was in good hands. And so he closed his eyes, drifting.

  The suns will come out… tomorrow. Bet your bottled water that… tomorrow…

  [[ We’ll all die. ]]

  Shut up.

  https://www.patreon.com/JoJoWhoa

  Anyone plan on attending one of these conventions this year? I will at least be at JordanCon and DragonCon.

  


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