Chapter 45. Title pending.

 
 
The smoke was just starting to clear from the tunnel when we heard a commotion at the entrance to the private dock. As we were all in the entrance to the tunnel, we couldn't see who it was. I could see Yun taking stock of all the ways they could leave without being noticed, and suggesting some of them.
“Hey, I'm just going to change form, and take off, you all have fun.” They said, turning to leave.
“Now wait a minute!” Marda cried, “You can't just leave us here like that Again!” I was a little puzzled. Again? When had they done it the fir- oh yeah. The sewers in Laketown. Now I guess in Laketown they had gone to find Max to help us, but Max was already here. And Post... was here. Where did Post go?
“-I suppose going invisible would be an option, we could just leave Druss here. Everyone loves him.” Yun was continuing.
“We don't have to leave him anywhere, we can all just go down this tunnel and see where that leads.” Marda was arguing. “I'm sure there are more fuckers to kill!” While Marda was no longer screaming at the top of her lungs, she was still a bit blood thirsty it seemed.
“I don't see a problem with that.” Geno chimed in. He was once again atop Ricky, just like the first time we saw him, Or, Didn't see him. Whatever.
While I didn't really have a problem with staying here, I certainly didn't want to leave them before what could be more fighting, So when Max came over, I turned to him, hooked a thumb over my shoulder and said “You stay here and deal with the guards, we are going to go down this random tunnel.”
My oldest friend thought about this for just the briefest moment, and looked directly at me, with annoyed disappointment in his eyes. “Do you know how much paperwork is going to be involved with all this? Oh no. No. I hate paperwork. You are going to stay here and deal with all this just like I am. You can't just break the law, and run away. You have two daughters now that you need to set an example for.” He had come closer to now put a massive hand on my left shoulder, very effectively pinning me in place. “You will have to face the consequences to what you do here. You do realize now that the Legion are in town, most of the guards are going to be made up of them for the time being?”
The look on my face must have my incredulity. Did Max really think I was in charge of this Cadre of Chaos? I didn't have to even look behind me to know Yun was already thinking of just leaving us again, like they first said. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone behind me had turned into a whale, or Fire Elementals, or something equally ridiculous. “And how should I explain the large balls of fire?” I asked. Or the Whale I continued in my head. Or the Lighting bolt our cleric was Definitely not powerful enough to have cast , the Flower petals on the back of the ship, the explosions on the ship, and The Pieces Of PeoPLE THE SPECTERE LEAVES BEHIND! It would do no good to shout at him, so I simply started thinking.
“You could blame the sinking ship on the large fish creature who had been swimming so close to it.” Max countered. “They seemed to have been employing bombs or something of the like. But either way, You can do the explaining.”
I didn't have long. While a good portion of the incoming people appeared to be Legion, three people were coming over to me now, two of which were in the Legion. Judging from the make shift insignia, they were in the Swords. The oldest Sword stepped up, and with a commanding voice asked “Who are you, Why are you here, Who do you work for?”
If this Muppet had bothered to open his eyes, He probably would have know exactly who Max and I were. As far as I know Everyone in the whole Legion knew who Max was, and my own story, while not as well known, would have been floating out there anytime heavy drink was involved. It was a great drinking story: the idiot who wouldn't give up on the weapons he made. Not to mention the Giant black mace Max was leaning on, Or the black bladed axe I had on my back. Or the standard issue green vested tabard that I was wearing. So if they didn't have any idea who we were that was kinda on them.
As to why we were here, they could have been told by Any of the Recently Saved Civilians currently being questioned and healed, The little boy, who may have been traumatized by Max and myself, Or I dunno.. That twat waffle Ragnus WHO I COULD SEE standing right over there in the middle of a bunch of officers! I would think that if he came, he would have told the guard that he had Approved of an operation on the docks. Unless of course Max had not in fact told him and just taken four rangers a cleric and a druid to have some fun.
As to who we were working for, that I have already covered, Vest, Ragnus, etc. Anyone who had been more than a year in the Legion should know the basic identifiers, and anyone who had joined in the last two months would know Max, who had been yelling at each of them for the last two of three days. But none of that would have been really helpful, and I really just wanted to go eat something. It was possible that Ragnus was a little upset with me at not signing up again with the Legion. It may have been good for morale I suppose. Either way, I should come up with an answer that would benefit everyone possible...
“Have you seen my turtle?” It came from Melfina, behind me, and it definitely diffused the whole situation. Before anyone could respond, I decided to give my answer.
“We are a covert detachment sent by the legion to save the enslaved civilians that were being held against their will.” I said in a bored tone.
“Why is the ship sinking?!” The younger Legion member asked.
Because it has water in the bottom of it you silly noodle. “See that shiny boy over there?” I point to the cleric that was with us. “He is one with the tempest. Did you hear Thunder a few minutes ago? Yeah, that was him, calling down a lightning bolt to hit some slavers on the ship.” To'Li could have called more lightning that that cleric. “It must have hit some of that explosive powder. Blown a hole in the ship.
“Why would the slavers have explosive powder in the hold with their slaves?” I was asked. So I responded, “Well, everyone else in this city had guns to wave around. Why not them? And why hasn't this technology been shared with the rest of the continent?” Honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted that to be spread around. But again, it kept these two from fully thinking about it.
I started looking around to see what Drax was up to, frantically thinking up excuses for him too, only to find that he was leaving. Not a single person had even tried to stop him. I guess that means they were sane anyway. Types like his were prone to damaging others when annoyed. If someone had tried to keep him for silly questions fingers at least would have been broken. Plus it would have taken about five guys to hold him in place.
It was several hours until we were released to be on our way. We had to repeat everything that happened. Six times. Ragnus was laughing at the end of the day. We all trudged back to the inn, hungry and tired. We had been on the dock since early in the morning, had a light breakfast, and had no lunch while we waited for the ship to empty. I was looking forward to easting anything I could from the menu, not caring at all about where the grease came from.
Entering in the front door of the Dog's Breakfast, we see both Post and Drax siting in booths. Drax had a large keg of ale he was drinking directly from out of the tap. Post is laying in one of the booths, their arm dangling down to the floor, the other one wrapped around the top of their diminutive head, blocking light from getting in their eyes. A Mug of something steaming and an empty plate on the table prove that something was consumed before the nap started. Drax was clearly drinking his meal.
Getting our order in, we were lucky that Suzan was still here to help us out. Melfina was excited to see something called Blood sausage on the menu today, and she sat and tried to figure out what it was while we waited for our food. When it arrived she was only somewhat disappointed in the fact that it was cooked Inside the sausage, and not dripping with it. I don't want to say it out loud, but I think she may have been putting on a bit of an act with that.
“I”m sure there would be a problem with serving food in fresh blood Mel.” Marda said around a large mouthful of burger. Washing it down with a gulp of beer she continued. “Most civilized people like things to be cooked.”
I for one know that I Would rather stick with my stack of flapjacks than touch anything called blood sausage. Geno seems to agree with us, as he makes some sort of sound in the affirmative around the large breakfast burrito in his mouth. If he wasn't careful he may drown in it. I saw the bottle of the stuff disappear into his food before he re-wrapped it. I don't mind spicy food as the heat wouldn't overly bother me, but that's a bit much. Yun simply chuckled. They had ordered only a cup of herbal tea, and I'm not sure how they weren't ravenously eating something.
“We need to figure out what we are going to do about the stone,” Melfina says. She was just mopping up the last of the sausage and potatoes. “I was thinking of talking to Dani, seeing if she had heard anything more since we talked.”
It was a good idea, and we decided it would best be done in our room, so we cleaned our plates and went upstairs. Melfina wiped the blood across her lips and spoke into the air, “Have stone. It's dangerous. Need another. Have you heard anything new? Need help, Dog's Breakfast.” It was a shame she has to cast it that way, as she just got all the blood off her face from the battle and the food. And the way she had to word it was always funny. It shouldn't be a long wait before we get something back
“-FFFuck!”Melfina exclaimed. “These things are super rare. I'm not sure where-” She cut off again and her eyes looked over our heads. Someone must have sent something more. “I will tell everyone. Thank you.” She looked to us again. “There are rumors circulating around the Hells. We should be on our guards.” She didn't elaborate on what the rumors were, as the spell probably hadn't lasted long enough to tell us.
“Maybe the sanctum would have one?” I threw out the idea, mostly thinking out loud.
“But do we have time to get there?” Melfina asks
“Less time than you think little girl”. The voice was Noxious and slimy. It had come from Marda, but it clearly wasn't her that had uttered those words. Her shoulders had slumped. Arms loose at her side, head bowed slightly.
“You will never have me back!” Melfina spat. She looked ready to pounce, or lash out should anything appear
Marda looked up at her. Geno, Yun and I had subconsciously stepped away, and I could no longer see Marda's full face but a wide smile had stretched across it, darkness around her eyes. “I Already Have You.” the voice purrs.
Enraged, a wild cry emanates from Melfina and I see that six wings have sprouted from her back. Two large ones, then two more smaller on top, and below then. Feathers grow from the base near her back, brown with black streaks in them. Her face have become more angular, Fey like almost.
“Don't be like that,” Marda/Asmodeus oozes out, “You were always meant to fight.”
Melfina begins to glow, and I am forced to look away before I go bind. Holding my hands in front of my eyes, I hear a Hellish Growl forced from Marda. “Choose stronger friends next time” The voice was forced now, straining with effort. “At least I have a vessel now! I'll be back!”
Marda collapsed in placed, but Melfina caught her before she hit the floor. Melfina's wings folded around her little friend. The three of us were able to get back over to them before the wings opened up, and when they did we saw Marda had come back with some side effects. Her eyes were streaming blood, and darker than they were before. Seeing this, Melfina instantly speaks a commanding prayer, and a fine red mist surrounds the both of them, not the angry scarlet of blood, but a soothing sunset crimson. The mist settled on Marda and as it cleared we could see that blood was no longer flowing. Melfina's Wings had grown more feathers are the casting of this healing spell. All of the wings had those brown and black feathers.
Now that we knew she wasn't in trouble, we all seemed to notice that she had somehow summoned a few things. A wicked looking crown had appeared, spines spreading into her scalp with ink black ooze falling from the crown. The stark difference showed Marda to still be pale. A Framed scroll in one hand, and a small rapier in the other, neither of which I had ever seen before. The Hand clutching the rapier was blackened, and wherever they had been made it didn't seem to be a good place. “I was in a cave like room, on a throne.” Marda started mumbling to us. “ This creature of some sort was there, and approaching me.” Her voice slowly gets better as she talks. “I saw various items around the room, weapons to one side, and a book case to the other. I had time enough to grab both of these things, Then I was back here. I don't know what they are.” Ripping the Crown off her head, the thorns on the bottom proved painful to remove, but it was off none the less.
The scroll obviously had writing on it, and we all looked at each other trying to figure out if it was worth reading. We were all guessing that it had come from some nasty origin, and it could be dangerous. No one else could recognize the script of the scroll, but I could figure out the meaning of the scroll. As we talked, Melfina's wings reduced and dissipated, the feathers falling away and shriveling to nothing, save for one that remained. Picking it up, she looked to me, “ We must take the risk.
What scrawl was in place was not one I would know, but the meaning simply came to me, and I could understand what was written. When I did read it, I made sure not to say it out loud, or touch it. That way I couldn't accidentally cast something, From what I can see, and telling the others what I am looking at, the scroll is a spell for Binding a soul to an object. We might be able to cast it, and target a soul to bind, but It would be Way above what I could do, and it seems rather vague.
As I am looking at it, we notice that some sort of petrification is happening to the floor around it. Not sure what the side effects could be with such a potentially powerful artifact, We need to figure out something to do quick. Yun, acting quickly, conjures up a magical hand to pick it up. Grabbing the heavy metal box that contained the wand and the platinum, we shove the scroll in there and shut it, closing off any magical effect that may continue the spread. The magical hand, appearding as long elbow length purple glove, was partially blacked, but is slowly turning back to normal, or whatever works as normal for it.
Bending down, Yun goes to pick up the crown with their own hand, and on contact, a single vicious thorn grows out from it in a flash, as if it was defending itself. Grabbing the Rapier with the magical glove, Yun brings it close to examine. Finding nothing interesting about itthe glove moves to put it back when Geno asks for it. Without a second thought, and a flick of the hand from Geno, the magical floating glove throws the sword to Geno, who instinctively catches it. A black aura immediately starts to from from contact with the handle of the sword, and he quickly drops it, the blacked state staying in place.
Moving closer, I call upon the power granted to me by Daja. It was an odd relationship, but then all of my relationships were a bit abnormal. With her power I had been able to summon the Tool which could create or destroy. I had also been able to heal with that power, the wounds closing with heat, as if heat welding two sides of a piece together. Now, I felt as if I was trying to unbend something, or restore it back to the way it should have been. I knew I would not have been able to undo a huge change to someone, but I felt I could remove some of this blight. Or at least I had hoped.
It worked well enough on Geno, and I felt I could still have some power left over, some heat left in the coals, so I went and tried with Marda. Her whole arm had been blackened, and while it hadn't withered, it wasn't natural. While I could feel the spell take hold, it didn't remove everything. Her hand was still black from touching the blade.
Geno had decided that he didn't want to touch it again, and had pulled out some overly large leather gloves. Going down to the elbow, they were probably as thick as my own hide. Don't think about that. Melfina too is getting ready to examine these items. Candles and blood come out of her pouch. As the two of them settle down to examine the items brought back, I make sure Marda and Yun don't need healing, and Make sure that no one is eavesdropping at the door or window. Several minutes later, Geno is ready to give us some information.
“The sword is made entirely of Humanoid parts, mostly bones. The blade is somehow made of hardened sinew, and the grip is knuckle joints, probably from the same person as they vary in size, like fingers getting smaller across the hand. There is a needle in the pommel to administer poison with a pommel bash, and a thorny point near the top of the grip, made so the user could prick one's finger, although we don't yet know why. The blade itself is unnaturally cold, and would probably transfer that to a victim.” He gave the description like a bored scholar. Monotone. IT was disrupted by Melfina inside her candle circle.
“It is called Soylent Sword. It is Human parts, from the same human in fact. The cold or necrotic powers can be added to an attack, at a price it seems.” She points to the framed scroll. The chest is open, although the aura no longer spreads for now. “This scroll will give more information upon a donation of life force. The more life put into it, the more spell will be shown. But the surface is spelled. The surface will hold whoever touches it. So trying to give a small amount may grant a giver death if not careful.” She reaches out to close the lid over the scroll. “the scroll is made from the skin of an infant.” The lid closes with a click.
“Asmodeus' Crown was made around the beguiling of another Devil. It will protect itself from non-chosen wearers, thus the spikes that struck Yun. What we will need is Something that both the Celestial and Demonic planes fear. The Elemental Essence of the Physical Plane. I'm not sure where to find that.”
“Oh! Dragons are chalk full of that stuff,” Geno nonchalantly throws out.
Oh yeah. That will be easy. Now we just need to find a dragon and ask them nicely if we can have some of their... essence. Not even mentioning how impossible that will be. It'll be great. Maybe we should be reaching out to someone else. Drax wouldn't know this stuff, but now that we have a circle here...
“You know, we could ask Garnet if she knows of any soulstones. She may even know more of this essence we apparently need. Do you have enough energy to contact her Melfina”
“Yes of course Druss.” We took a few minutes to compose a message, and she soon spoke into the air. “Asmodeus is using Marda to come, she is in danger. Soulstone dangerous. Dragon Island could help, can You help us?” She waited for the usual response, thought for just a few moments, then recast her spell. “We are at the Dog's Breakfast. The Soulstone will complete a ritual. Pure Chaos worked defeating Asmodeus in the past” A small look of confusion came over Melfina, “ The only response was 'K'”
Oh. Crap. We never moved the rug. I scrambled to stand up from the floor where I had sunk during all of this. Tumbling out the door, and nearly falling down the stairs, I raced through the dinning room. Getting to the top of the basement stairs, I nearly collided with the diminutive figure of Garnet the Tone Deaf, leader the the Bards guild.
They stood, craning their neck up at me, and I took a step back (not that it helped their neck). “You should have been faster.” A small layer of dust covers them from the rug that was over the circle. I'm not sure what happened down there, and I will probably never find out if I am lucky. That was all they said before they dodged around my legs and continued up.
Pausing in the Dinning room, they gave a small smile to a sleeping Drax, before waiting for me to take the lead. They did not know what room we were in after all. When we reached the second floor and we stood in front of the proper door I went to reach for it, but never got my hand on the handle. The old gnome simple kicked the door open and walked in like they owned the place, which they sort of did thinking about it.
“You are pure chaos” they said matter-of-factually. Before we could figure out what they meant, they said, “Fill me in on what you goofballs have been doing.”
It took some time, but we filled them in on the slavers and the curse put on Marda, and finding a Soulstone, which we couldn't use. Once we had finished, they waved their hand dismissively. “Marda can't be taken by Asmodeus. She is Blessed by the earth.” We all looked rather taken aback by that fact. I hadn't known Marda knew any natural magics. At least, I thought that is what.. whatever Garnet had said meant. The Gnome continued, going around the group. Pointing to Melfina they said She would be a good host.
“You,” Garnet said, pointing at me “Are also blessed by the earth so again, you would be a terrible host.”
“Well, I know my natural magics can help me, but I didn't think they would be that helpful.” I start, about to ask Marda when she had learned whatever abilities she had not shown.
“No silly boy.” Garnet chided. “ 'Blessed by the Earth doesn't mean that you know anything about Nature. Dragonborn, halflings and Humans are all blessed of the earth because Those are the original races to this Plane. All others were created with influence from other planes. You are connected too much to this one to be a good host for anything trying to come over. That one however, would be a great target, and has probably been tempted several times. Haven't you Dear?”
“My sister still serves him as I once did,” Melfina says. “ I was reborn to save Solvene, and have served her loyally since, although temptations to return to my old master occur frequently.”
“Your sister gave me a necklace to subdue the influence of Asmodeus so is she playing both sides?” Marda asks.
With no answers, Garnet mulls this over in Silence before clearing their throat. “Ahm. Well. I would like to see the Soulstone please.”
Looking at each other, I realize that I still had it, wrapped in a slightly used handkerchief, still in my pocket. Asking Garnet if they were sure, upon insistence I handed it over. Still holding it in the handkerchief, Garnet examined it for sometime even going to the extent of Licking it. I was worried that they would get sucked into the stone, or collapse a soulless husk. Nothing happened. Asking Who grabbed it in the first place, I responded that I had. “Did you see infinite realities all at once being forged into a single thin sheet upon itself too?”
“Yes, I saw that all at once, and was nearly overwhelmed by it,” I respond.
“Mmhm. It tasted like a blue cricket's chip. This is indeed a bad Soul stone, and if I am not mistaken, it has what smells like a Planetar in here? One of the celestials?” Melfina nodded, but I had no idea what that even was. While I look to the others for information, Garnet pockets the Soulstone, and pulls out a new handkerchief. “Here. You can use this one in the meantime. I may be able to remove some of the souls from this one, so we may yet use it. Although I would suggest trying to find a new one. If you are to be traveling I will need something that will connect me to you, should you need me in an emergency. May I have some of your Blood Melfina? I think that would be the strongest catalyst as you already use it for powerful magics.”
Melfina agreed to it, and soon handed over a vial of her own blood. “Good,” Garnet continued. “For this all to work, you must stay by Marda. Without her, I can't do anything if I travel to you Melfina.”
“I will not be leaving her side.” We all knew it when Melfina said it, and there was no hesitation, nor did any of us expect it.
“Good.” Garnet said “Let me know when you arrive at dragon Island. Unitl then, I will be busy. I think I will visit Drax for a short time first” And she left the room, heading back down to find the sleeping giant.
Something had been bothering me. “Do we have time to find Dragon Island?I thought Asmodeus said we didn't have a lot of time, I'm just worried about Marda, I finished, looking over to her.”
“You forget Druss,” Melfina starts. “Asmodeus is the Bringer of Lies. You can't trust what he says. We will have time.”
Well. I had forgotten. With everything else going on, I had simply let it slip my mind. Feeling a little foolish, I decided to work on problem solving. How were we going to get to Dragon Island. Asking the group, Geno said it would of course take a boat to get there, as we didn't have any sort of teleportation wizard anymore. But while we didn't have a regular boat to get there, we did have an Airship. Suggesting that I go down to talk with the captain, Yun decides to go with me.
We find Garnet alone for a moment while Drax had gone to fetch some drinks. Seeing me in the Breastplate Drax gave me, a slightly saddened look is painted on Their face.
“I appreciate the gift Drax gave me,” I say. “He said it belonged to a friend.”
They look at the Armor for a moment longer, and say, “It suits you.” Then they go back to waiting for their drink. I move on, tired as I am, we need to get to the dock. It is already late, I want to make it there before the captain goes to bed.
It was several hours past sunset when we left the tavern, and upon arriving at the ship I am somewhat shocked to find Max and Leona playing with To'Li on the deck. He was Throwing her up into the air, and spinning her around after he caught her. I would think it was a bit late to be doing this.
“Max!” I started in on him “What are you doing?! It is way past her bed time!”
“ I wanted to play with our daughters!” He retorts. “This is the only chance I've had for days thanks to you!
“Thanks to Me?! You didn't Have to stay in that camp!” I riposte.
“I have been dealing with those children for days now, I should be dealing with my own, At home like any Sane Guardian!” He had handed To'Li to Leona, who stood off to the side. I couldn't see her expression.
“You are the one who wanted to come with me! You could have stayed at the shop!”
“And who is minding the shop by the way? All of our work has probably been stolen, and all our tools rusted away!”
“Cellia is watching the shop, and you liked the fact that she knew what she was doing!!”I finished.
He had nothing more, and simply Glared at me. I was glaring right back, and realized I had gotten in his face, or as much as possible anyway. We stood that way for a few heartbeats before I said in a small voice, “ I missed you buddy.”
Grabbing me in a massive embrace, he said over my head, “I missed you too.” Leona had grabbed onto one side, clutching us both, squeezing To'Li in the middle of all of us. To'Li was positively vibrating with glee.
“Daddy here!” came the small slightly muffled voice of my youngest daughter. My heart broke. I had been too busy to spend time with my family. I needed to spend time with them. I knew then that I would stay here tonight, instead of going back to the tavern. I had left the tent there, so I would have to find a bunk somewhere.
“Max, if we were to go somewhere else, would you protect my family?” I asked. I wasn't sure if Bellia would want to go home, or if Max were wanting that.
“Well, I do worry about the shop, and we aren't really making any money out here doing what we are doing.” he stated. “On the other hand, You know that I would go with you, and Protect our Family.” Leona nodded as well, Holding To'Li again who was wriggling around her big sisters arms.
“Well, I may have come into some money, so we may not have that problem so much.” I admitted.” I need to see what Bellia wants, and see if the captain is cool with it as well.”
Max decided that it was in fact time for bed, and after a short time of preparation, To'Li was ready to be tucked in. Taking her into the cabin that Bellia had used, I found it was still in use by her. My Love was sound asleep in her bunk, a fine mess of blankets pilled into a heap. A similar smaller pile awaited To'Li, and I lay her down into it, where she curled up and pretended to sleep. I knew she would be awake as long as she could stand it. I always had.
A small voice in my head told me to stay the night with Bellia, and I wanted to curl up around her, but uncertainty stopped me. We had not really spoken for some time, nor spent much time together. She was working on the voyage here, and I just wasn't sure where our relationship was. I didn't mind that she worked, I just wasn't sure how she felt. I needed to talk with the captain anyway. Leaving the cabin, I closed the hatch as quietly as I could, and headed off to find the captain.
Captain Gale was reading a book when I found them in their cabin. I had thought about what I was going to say on the way over. “Captain. I was wondering what your plans were for the ship, and was wondering about that writ that Holden had 'prepared' for us.”
“Yes of course Druss,” The captain replied, sticking a slender finger in the book, keeping their place.
“Well captain, Holden was so very good to give a writ using the ship as we see fit until our return, I was wondering if it would be possible to return... by way of Dragon Island?”
“Dragon Island you say? Well, I think that would be possible. It would be nice to see a proper Airship again, although I am particularly proud of this one mind you. It should be a fine trip.”
With that settled, I still want to ask Bellia. She may not have counted being gone this long, and I wanted her input, or just to see her smile really. Going down into the crew quarters, I find a couple of Hammocks and String them up together, one right under the other. I don't want to break anything on the ship. Climbing into them was another story entirely, but once I was covered up by a couple blankets, and curled up, I lay there listening to the Cacophonous Hammering of the metal of infinite reality. Then Nothing else.