Sevin began to explain Mortis’s guidance in frantic terms. “He’s a god of carnage and violence. Killing his followers is every bit as good as killing us. I have no doubt he means to feast on our souls, but if we slaughter everything and everyone, we’re just tap-dancing on Ghastos’s palm.”
I will not surrender Eve, Nurav said.
“What does he gain from all this? A surge of power, and he’s still Forgotten. No priests,” Kaden said.
“Even forgotten gods can act with enough power,” Sevin said. “And if he were to explode from the mountain and demolish a small town, many would flee. But among Adventurers, there are always those who look at the dragon and see opportunity. Imagine one hungry Adventurer willing to dual-class as a [Priest]. That would be all it takes for Ghastos to return.”
“Mortis said that Ghastos was on the edge of extinction when he built this temple, sacrificing thousands to power it. But that those who moved on to Mortis’s court sang of his confidence. Of his promise, that the death-blow would not be to Ghastos.” Sevin’s brow furrowed. “This was built as a trap, not for us, but for the god of war, Zurok. His warrior-priests hunted Ghastos’s followers everywhere, and carried Zurok’s vicars with them.”
Ah! Nurav’s mental voice made Kaden wince. I see it. No wonder Ghastos is so constrained. He anticipated the arrival of centurion class [Zealots], carrying vicars of Zurok. He built a trap for them. Fate turned against him, and his last [Priest] was slain, his temple forgotten.
“But the trap remained. And a level fifteen Adventurer set it off instead of a group of Centurions.” It felt right. Not quite right, but righter than any other theory. “So six second-tier Adventurers and the viccar of a blood goddess who’s on the verge of being Forgotten herself.”
With understanding, we can plan better. I will not abandon Eve. And there is a flaw in Ghastos’s temple. One he placed when he intervened after you slew the First Follower. You are flesh. You require food and water and sleep, regretfully. I require the freedom to operate against this temple without the illusions I maintain for you.
“I’m not tired.”
I think you’ll find you are. The dragon in your soul is nearly reformed and is sapping mana from you. Eat and rest. Plotting downfalls is what I do. The Necromancer is used to visions from beyond the mortal coil and he will sleep when he is dead.
Kaden took a meal from Inventory and devoured it, then unrolled his bedroll. Vip came and curled up against him, and a moment later, Trinity sank to the floor on the other side, pushing her bulk up against his back. He closed his eyes, thinking of Trella.
She’d hate being rescued. She liked to be the one rescuing, but gods had a way of destroying desires. And there would be plenty of time for her to rescue him. He wasn’t sleepy, but his eyes grew heavier, his limbs more lifeless. And sleep took him.
###
Sevin was laughing. Sevin was joking, and had kindled a fire made from wooden statues, cooking meat on a spear while he spoke. “They really are squeamish. Of course, [Necromancers] can’t be like that. Removing the flesh is the first step in any proper animation. And we’ve always struggled to find ways to dispose of the blood.”
Kaden sat up, rubbing his eyes. “You and Our Lady of Clots are getting along well.”
“Commonality of purpose.” Sevin offered him a plate. “Eat, we’ve got a lot to do. We’re going to get Sara—and Eve—back. The other two, as well.”
That sounded like confidence. “What did Nurav discover?”
More what the [Necromancer] asked. What I should have asked. I didn’t expect it of you, don’t feel bad.
“What makes this a temple to Ghastos if Nurav were to hold all the altars? I asked what makes the pedastal Eve has a temple,” Sevin said. He offered a hunk of meat to his guardian, who declined. Then the undead donkey. Then Skully, who chewed it, ignoring the way the bites fell through the bottom of his jaws. “And it turns out, there’s an answer.”
The sneaky genius must have hidden an altar behind decorations or false walls.
Once again the vision bloomed across Kaden’s sight, highlighting dozens of ‘rooms’ red in the map. “Wouldn’t it be obvious to you?”
Ghastos was able to conceal an icon from me, he may have found a way to hide it. I’ve been searching ever since. I’ve found several living sacrifices, dozens of lost treasures, also, I found your lover.
That last bit was what mattered. “Where? Where is Trella?”
Swear to me that you will not abandon Eve.
Kaden had no problem with that. “I swear I won’t abandon any of them.”
Heard and acknowledged. Kaden Birch will not stop his ill-chosen rescue attempt in any case.
The System could keep its opinions to itself, he thought.
Each of them represented a threat to Ghastos. The [Polymage] used Void mana, the [Summoner’s] Horror devours, and Eve is of course, my high priestess. But your lover could not be forced to wear a sacrifice belt. It is like putting sand in a net. She is sealed in a prison crystal in a part of the temple we should not have had to enter. Now you will. But to slaughter your way there is to give Ghastos everything he desires. Carnage. Death. Power.
“[Stealth Aura],” Kaden answered. “Are these followers capable of detecting it?”
Only the First Follower was empowered.
“Stay here,” Kaden said to Sevin. “All of you stay here. I’m going to cross the temple and get Trella. We’ll need every blade and spell to survive.” Survival wasn’t the reason he was going. “I need to know where it is.”
I anticipated your reaction and have a route that requires patience. For once, Nurav’s tone wasn’t filled with disdain. Perhaps she understood that no matter what, he’d go there first. What she wouldn’t understand was this: There were no ‘acceptable losses.’
This is true. I would abandon you to save Eve in a heartbeat. I cannot lie about this, my devotion is to the woman who accepted her duty to me. You are a means to an end. Also, she truly loves that dog of yours.
In most ways, Kaden respected the honesty. [Advanced Leadership] chimed in, allies often had different aims, the key was knowing where they aligned and where trust would end. “Show me the path.”
The chapel originally had three entrances. One was the side where Kaden had entered. The double doors at the other end led out and onward. But now, locked door on the opposite side unlocked.
Do not lead them here. I have opened a door for you.
Kaden pulled Vip into his soul—as a dragon burst out of him, landing atop a broken pew. No question, it was larger. Also no question, the stubby wings on its back were new too. Kaden reached out to brush them. Thin membranes spread as it preened, arching its back and stretching. “You want to fly. I don’t blame you.”
The dragon thrilled with pride. It was returnal and the one who had harmed it was dead, as should be. And of course it wanted to fly. Trinity’s armored head swung down to look at the dragon, then gave a deep groan that [Beast Soul] translated as your jaw’s writing checks your tail can’t cash.
Kaden dropped the two corpses of Ghastos’s followers. “Who wants bones? And blood? And probably some gross flesh?”
Sevin rubbed his hands together. “Oh, new toys. They won’t do against a god, but against his followers, I can make weapons.
There was no time to waste. Kaden engaged [Stealth Aura] and slunk through the chapel side entrance, which led down a short hall to what resembled a sparring hall, except that the followers in their rings weren’t sparing, they were warring. Blows drew actual blood, slivers of flesh carved off from blades, and still they battled.
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Kaden’s gaze followed the blood trails, and he thought, Can you use that?
No. It was not shed by you or in the presence of Eve. Random bloodshed is acceptable, but in this place, it is directed to Ghastos. See the runes?
Each of the sparring rings was raised up on stone blocks, and deep blue runes glowed in the corners. The din of battle, cries of pain and triumph filled the hall as Ghastos’ devotees spent their eternity serving him through continual carnage. And these were the only followers without bomb-belts Kaden had seen.
Kaden contemplated sabotage. The [Levicon Blade] could mar the runes and let Nurav collect the power, but eventually the followers would die. Their deaths would only speed Ghastos’s return. He chose a path down the center of the hallway, ducking between battle rings to make his way through the hall.
Beyond it waited a circular room filled with sleeping alcoves. Devotees with full armor and weapons snored in the coves, ready for their god’s battle cry. Kaden left them to their slumber, moving deeper and deeper through the temple.
He clung to the ceiling to cross a hall filled with kneeling devotees, and, most painstakingly, marched in time with a room of followers who had gouged their own eyes out and now drove a giant wheel with spars. What did they grind? Kaden had no idea, but a slow stream of glittering nothingness collected in a trough at the base of the wheel.
Time. They make powder of time, a weapon for gods and goddesses to battle with. Foolish battles that serve no purpose, Nurav said. I’m going to pre-emptively warn you that touching powdered time will age you to the point of death before you even know it’s happened. Because I have a feeling it’s something you would do. Don’t lick it. I really miss Eve. I wouldn’t need to tell her not to lick the powdered time.
Kaden had only briefly thought of licking it before deciding that it might lead to instant death, a conclusion he had definitely reached on his own, not because a goddess warned him.
Looting Ghastos’s armory seemed ideal.
Triggering the guard runes that surrounded the racks of weapons seemed less ideal, so Kaden skipped the entire armory. That is, until he spotted the bow cast off to the side. Made of silver and bone, the edges of the bow arms focused down to blades, like the bow itself would cut. Any archer who was that close was better off using an actual sword.
But his eyes itched each time he glanced at it, until he was close enough to activate [Identify].
[Marrow Seeker]
The Marrow Seeker is the blood right of Ghastos’s First Follower, a weapon which is enchanted to fire [Bone Cracker] arrows. These arrows cause no damage to flesh, but will splinter bones as a [Brutal Blow].
You meet the following requirements for this bow: (Inheritor, First Follower).
You do not meet the requirements for this bow: (Follower, Ghastos).
Kaden studied it over and over. “Nurav, is this a trap?”
Not that I can detect. And while it is impressive, consider the limitations. The First Follower did not carry it because of them. And you do not intend to worship Ghastos.
He stored the bow. “I know an [Artificer] who changes equipment. Failing that, the Sisters have a smith who reworks weapons. Ghastos will regret willing this into existence.”
Nurav said nothing, but he would have sworn she was taking pleasure from that.
From here, every path led lower, down stairs, once down a literal pit with iron spikes jutting from the walls. And at last, Kaden reached a well of darkness so deep he couldn’t pierce it. He pulled on the soul-bound, dragging the solar dragon into existence before him. It struggled in his grip, then relaxed, enjoying the masssage.
“I need your help,” Kaden said. “Trella’s somewhere in there.”
It is a [Miasma.] A living darkness from cataclysms past that is not compatible with your iteration of the System. No doubt, chosen to kill your lover if she managed to escape. Eve would love a [Miasma] of her own. I should get her one.
Kaden put a hand on the solar dragon. In response to his need, it began to glow. The [Miasma] steamed and recoiled. Kaden would have wept as it recoiled, for it revealed a wall of pure crystal. Light sank into it and revealed it went on for ages. Shadows flitted from edge to edge, trapped just inside.
With the [Levicon Blade], Kaden grasped an outcropping closest one and sliced. The blade skittered off the edge, throwing sparks but not cutting. This time, he poured his will into it.
The edge shattered, and a shadow dripped out, rising to become on of Trella’s Deceptions. “Here,” it said, pointing to a node just above the ground tall. “Hurry, it is not good for her to take our shape so long. There will be conseqences.”
This time, Kaden forced the blade to carve, scoring cracks into the short crystal and two others. Two more Deceptions stood beside Kaden. They looked at each other and nodded. “We will fetch her.”
The Deceptions dropped into darkness. Seconds later, a single shape surged up. The shadows surrounding it drained away, leaving a pale Trella with wild eyes and sweat covering her skin. “I’ll kill you!”
Kaden caught her as she stabbed, pulling him to her. “It’s ok. You’re free.”
He demanded a Portal into existence, stepping straight to the top of the well and carrying her with him. “You’re not trapped. And if you decide you’re going to kill me, that’s how it is.”
Trella pushed back, looking up with glazed eyes. “Where—how long?”
“I don’t know how long it’s been for you. Listen, we need to get out of here and back to the chapel where Nurav has control if we’re going to be safe.”
“Nurav? Safe?” Her stare matched his feelings on the matter. A drop of drool dripped from her mouth. “No [Shadow Step]. Won’t go back there. Can’t.”
“Stay here. I’ll Portal you back one room at a time. Can you stay here?” Kaden asked.
Her nod was all it took for him to begin the process of crossing to a safe space and opening a Portal back. Slowly, steadily, he moved Trella. As hours passed, she stopped shaking, though she didn’t stop staring blankly.
It was a good sign when he returned to find her gripping the [Ink Blades]. Less good when she turned on him, snarling. Then slowly put them away. “I need Eve to check me.”
“We’ll see. One more hop.” Kaden left her cradling the solar dragon, then began the long climb. When he carried her through and down the hall, it was to a warm fire and a fresh set of skeletons stumbling against the wall. Sevin stood near them, ordering them.
“Back, back! I said back! What is wrong with these undead?” He saw Trella. The look on his face told Kaden everything he needed to know. “Good to see you, Trella. Kaden said he’d be back with you.”
“Nurav, can you seal that door?”
It will be done. Have the [Shadow Blade] cut her hand and run a drop on my altar. I can purge the [Emptiness of Eternity] inflicted. The damage it has done will remain.
He slowly led Trella to the altar. “This will help. Remember how Eve’s skills are blood based? Just a little knick.”
More of a prick, really, as he squeezed a drop from her palm and put it upside down on the altar.
Trella’s body locked up, stiff as a board, and she would have screamed if her jaws would move. Instead she groaned and ground her teeth, then kneeled down, weeping. “Someone is going to die. I’m going to kill every follower in this temple.”
“That could make things worse,” Kaden said. “I need you to eat, get some sleep, and get ready. We’re going to retrieve Sara, Ashi and Eve, and we’re going to do it without unleashing Ghastos.”
Trella’s Deceptions sprang forth, grabbing her arms to lift her up. She still shook, but the hard set of her jaw said she’d made up her mind. “I know what made him trigger [Eternal Hold], and I want to do it again. Everywhere. We’re going to cleanse this dungeon and rob Ghastos of all his power.”
It is a Temple. Gods are not like Dungeon Cores. Nurav’s protest rang hollow.
“Mortis will assist.” Sevin said warmly. “Sending his followers to Mortis is the end of them and any power they might offer.”
“Sure, that, too,” Trella said. Her eyes turned yellow and cat-like, a sure sign she’d drawn Eclipse into her soul. “But we were doing just fine before a literal god stepped in. He’s a god of violence and carnage. And I was using [Eversleep].”
Kaden’s breath caught. Eversleep was a tier three toxin he’d tried to buy at alchemy shops known for being near impossible to resist. “You said you didn’t have any.”
“Tell me you didn’t plan on poisoning yourself to try and increase your resistances.” Trella waited patiently. “I lied. The Sisters gave me six doses as a last-ditch, emergency only measure. There won’t be more until I account for how I used those six. And I used them to put his followers to sleep with absolutely no violence. Ashi’s Void Mana…that was violence, but the Void consumed it.”
I like everything about this plan. Ghastos was a god of violence and carnage. This robs him of most power. Poison his followers and pass them on to Mortis. If a few were to bleed from concise, careful cuts made without malice, so much the better.
Kaden relayed Nurav’s input. “I have a better poison. In fact, I have a source of it.”
He drew the teaspoon of blood from the [Sphynox]. “Sevin. You can make bone shards. Can we dip them in this?”
“Oh, gods.” Trella whispered. Her Deception approached and reached out. An inch from the spoon of sludgy substance, it popped like a blister, draining shadows away. “That will kill me.”
Sevin already worked on the floor, splintering bones into arrow-head shaped shards. Kaden still had void arrow heads and held them in reserve in case Ghastos himself decided to make an appearance. “Stay back, it’s been a few years since I needed this spell.”
One by one, the shards rose and zipped to touch the spoon. Then dipped, becoming tar-black.
“I wish I had [Bone Invention]. Many Necromancers do and it lets us make actual items beyond clubs or blades or spines. I have no choice but to fully envelop them. Let’s run a few tests before we improve.” Sevin stood and motioned. A swarm of shards rose up like angry hornets. “We need a smaller set to experiment with. If this doesn’t work, I want to ensure we don’t fully empower Ghastos.”
Through the main doors, up the stairs. Ghastos enshrined a trio of philosophers.
Kaden relayed the location. “I’ll be right beside you. If something goes wrong, Skully and the others can deal with them.”
“A mage on the front lines,” Sevin said softly. “Anything is possible when desperation sets the pace. Let’s go.”
The main doors to the chapel unlocked as Kaden approached and swung open easily. They smelled of linseed oil and candle smoke. Beyond the chappel lay a spiral stair that descended to the right and ascended to the left. Kaden looked up. “This would block the stained glass windows inside the chapel. It can’t actually go up.”
I have worked hard to ensure you understand the basic layout. Please do not complain about such minor inconsistencies.
“If you knew what this actually looked like, you’d be laying in a puddle,” Sevin said, pushing past Kaden. He began to climb. “The faster we test this poison, the sooner Sara and the others are free.”
