Chapter 21:

We'd spent all day in those sewers, so we went back to the tavern, grabbing a meal. Once I was full, I excused myself, going up to my room. I washed myself best I could, feeling like the poison was still clinging to me for some reason- I couldn't get it out of my head.

Ifan walked in, eyeing me. When he spoke, it was something I wasn't expecting.

"I'm walking away from the Lone Wolves."

I blinked at him, dropping the washcloth. "What?" Very eloquent.

"That's just not the kind of business I'm interested in anymore..." He paused, and I waited, not wanting to interrupt him. "After the Deathfog, i truly thought there was no point to anything anymore. But now, after all we've been through together... after everything with you... My way of thinking has changed." A shake of his head, eyes leaving me, an expression I couldn't make out flitting across his face. "I want to stop divinity."

I tilted my head, mulling over his words, before slowly asking. "How do you plan to do that?"

"By spreading its powers to the people. It can't make things worse, at any rate." His gaze flicked back to me. "I still want you to be the one to ascend. Whatever you decide, I will stick with you."

"I... really like that idea." I smiled softly. "I'd rather not be Divine, and it would help Rivellon be able to defend herself against the voidwoken."

He strode toward me, his hands going to my waist as he leaned down to kiss me. "I knew you'd see it this way."

"It's far better than the alternatives, in my opinion." I murmured, reaching up and toying with his beard. "I'm glad you came to me with this. I really didn't want to be Divine, but I didn't think that that might be an option. You're so smart."

He grinned, looking down at me in amusement. "I have my moments."

I swatted his chest. "Don't give me that. You're smart. I never tell a lie, remember?" Raising my chin.

A chuckle left him, and he leaned in, nuzzling my neck. I tilted my head to give him more room- and because his beard was tickling my skin. The next moment, I felt him bite me, and I jumped, caught off-guard. His laugh was muffled against my neck. I began to feel warm all over and shifted from foot to foot, unsure why this kept happening.

His grip tightened, holding me in place, as he bit me again. I shivered.

"What... What is this?" I asked breathlessly.

"What is what?"

"I feel funny. Around you. Like... I get all warm, and I feel... anxious isn't the right word, but it's the only one that comes to mind at the moment."

I felt him grin against my skin. "I excite you."

It was getting hard to think, so it took me far longer than it should have for me to grasp the meaning of his words.

Oh.

"Let me take care of you." He said, amused.

Slowly, he guided me backward, pushing me down onto the bed when my legs hit the side of it.

...

We stood in front of the consulate, horror on all of our faces. Everyone who had been inside was presumed dead, and with good reason. It was in ruins, cursed fire blazing inside, threatening to devour everything.

Going through the building was a nightmare. Lizards made of darkness appeared the moment we reached the top floor, and they were able to use the cursed fire to regenerate. We didn't figure that out easily- it took a few times, before the pieces of the puzzle fit together. So, it was my job to summon rain and bless it- and keep it up, because when the lizards died, they left the fire in their place.

Without any fire to use, the black swirling circles they became when they "died" dissipated. Much to our intense relief. When it was over, I mass healed our group, a sigh of relief leaving me. I could hear it from the others, too.

In the back garden of the consulate, there was a portal. I could see it, but the others couldn't.

"Trust me." I said, holding out a hand.

Hands were grasped, and I stepped through it, bringing everyone with me.

After a fight against twisted versions of Alexandar, Malady, and a woman named Wendigo- who the others knew from the ship that had taken them to Fort Joy- where we had to break the mirrors, or else they would regenerate, we finally reached the Dreamers. A brief conversation followed, and we were let past, to another portal.

Which took us to Sadha.

Where the Red Prince hatched the baby dragon. Honestly, a sight to behold. The little thing was so beautiful. A soul bond was formed between the two, and the dragon took off into the sky, but the prince would be able to summon him, should he choose to.

It made me wonder what it would take to hatch the phoenix egg. Fire hadn't seemed to do the trick, so far.

Next on the agenda, we went to the doctor's clinic... mansion... building. Malady was waiting for us outside, speaking quietly with Lohse, before they both turned to us. They would be going into the demon's space, in an attempt to take it down. I immediately volunteered to go with the two of them. The others weren't far behind.

But Malady said I wasn't allowed, which made me wonder what they were planning on doing. Several of the others offered to stay back with me, but I shook my head. I could wait patiently for them to return.

When they came back, they were somber. I asked what had happened, but none of them would give me a straight answer. Just "we took care of it", which wasn't comforting, surprisingly. Between those words and how they were acting, I knew it had to have been something bad.

Lohse fixed a fake smile on her face, saying it was time to deal with the doctor, so we continued to the building.

The inside was beyond creepy. Like, horror movie creepy. The nurses were all dead, their spirits roaming the halls. And I hated it. I wanted to leave. This was not a place for me.

"What's wrong?" Ifan asked quietly as we walked through to the doctor's office.

"I want to leave." It came out as a whimper.

I tried paying attention to the conversation between the mage and the doctor, but I was too busy keeping myself in check. I really did just want to run out of here.

Before I knew it, we were fighting the doctor. After he fell, the demon revealed itself. This fight was a bit harder, because the nurses joined in, but the others took care of them without much injury on our side. Which I healed.

The others went to the basement, while I stayed behind with Lohse, who was staring blankly at the spot the demon had been.

"Are you alright?" I asked, touching her arm.

She jumped, before looking at me with wide eyes. "He's dead. He's really dead." Her lips trembled. Her whole body trembled. "My head... it's so quiet. He's really gone."

"I'm so glad for you!" I squealed, clasping her hands and jumping up and down.

She chuckled at my reaction, joining me for a few moments. Just long enough for the others to come up and see us, Jahan trailing behind them. He'd been caught by the demon and locked away in a cell in the basement.

...

While wandering around the magister barracks- because why wouldn't the others want to do that- Beast and the Red Prince overheard a conversation about Lord Arhu going missing. Naturally, they all wanted to investigate Arhu's quarters. After it was clear they wouldn't be dissuaded, I offered to shield us from sight, and Sebille jumped from the balcony we were on to Arhu's. We teleported to her.

Lohse found something in the chest near the bed, while Fane picked up a paper from the floor by the desk. All signs pointed to Lord Kemm. Sebille got us out of there, just as Lord Kemm and several paladins rushed into the room. We left the barracks altogether, going to the alley by the tavern before I uncloaked us.

Once we were upstairs in one of the bedrooms we were renting, I spoke up.

"I know Lord Kemm."

"If you're saying he couldn't have done this, then-"

"I didn't say that." I said, interrupting Lohse. "I know him. Meaning, while you all search his home to find this vault of his, I can keep him distracted. That will buy you more time."

"I don't like that idea." Sebille frowned. "There's so much that might go wrong."

"What if he finds out you're a distraction, lass?"

"Then... I'll get away. I have the pyramid, after all." A shrug. "I'll be okay."

There were a few more things to discuss, such as what to do once they reached the vault. Which, admittedly, wasn't a lot to talk about, because no one knew what to expect.

For now, it was decided we would turn in and get started early tomorrow morning. After Kemm had left for the barracks.

...

"Lord Kemm, you have a visitor." The paladin who had met me before I could go to his office announced.

"See them in." The lord said with a heavy sigh.

I was ushered into the room, and I smiled as Kemm's eyes met mine.

"You wanted me to make time for you." I reminded him.

His eyes lit up. "Ah, yes. I'm glad you came." A motion to the chairs in front of him. "Sit."

I did as I was told, looking about the room with wonder. There were so many books.

"Have you read all of these?" I asked.

"Yes, I have."

I turned my attention back to him, feeling his eyes watching my every movement. "You look as if you have something to say."

"I was told you disappeared in the middle of the night one day." He leaned forward, elbows on desk, chin on hands. "What happened?"

"Well..." My cheeks pinked. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Of course."

"I hope you won't arrest me." I looked down. "The magisters found out I'm a Sourcerer, and they broke into my home, arrested me, and sent me to Fort Joy."

He was quiet for so long, that I glanced up.

"You've been a great help to me and my men, with your potions. You can trust that I won't arrest you."

I relaxed, my smile back. "Thank you." A thought occurred to me, and I dug around in my pack. "Here. I have a few potions left. You can have them."

I placed them on his desk, my eyes going back to his.

"Thank you." He surveyed them, seven in total. "They will be a great help."

"I'm glad. When I get settled in Driftwood again, you should come see me for more."

A woman brought in a tray with tea, setting it down on the edge of his desk, curtseying before retreating.

"Here. Have tea with me." He smiled, setting about making his own cup.

We chatted for a while, mostly random things that came to us. Some about the books he'd read, which he said I could borrow if I wanted. I appreciated that. A few tales of his triumphs, something that had always been a crowd pleaser with me. He also wanted to hear about my journey here. I obliged, telling him of a lot that had happened, but not all. I left out the dragon part, of course. Along with others.

Eventually, as the sun lowered over the horizon, a paladin rushed in, whispering to Kemm.

"Ah. It appears our visit must be cut short."

"Did something happen?"

He stood, coming around to me and helping me to my feet. As I took a step away from him, he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me against him, his sword against my throat.

"Yes. Your friends have broken into my vault. Which I'm sure you already knew." His voice was calm, cold. Deadly. "I am disappointed that your visit here was merely a distraction. What do you say to going to see your friends?"

I went to grab my pyramid, but the paladin snatched my bag from me. I swallowed hard as he held up the pyramid.

"Ah. That's how they were going to get out, should anything happen?" The blade pressed harder, and I felt the sting of it cutting my skin a little. "Interesting. What do you say we use it?"

He ordered the paladin to round up ten more people and report back to us. We stood silently together until they arrived. Gripping my shoulder tighter, he must've given a signal of some kind, because the next moment, we were in the vault with the others.

A man- Lord Arhu, judging from the portraits- stood with them. They were all clearly surprised to see us. I gave them an apologetic look.

"Drop your weapons." Kemm ordered. "Unless you want her to die."

"Don't!" I shouted, wincing as the sword pressed even harder.

"Quiet!" He hissed.

I had no doubt that if I went limp and let myself fall to the ground, that he would just jerk me back up. I wouldn't get away like that. Taking a breath, a calm washing over me, I watched as everyone lowered their weapons, dropping them to the floor. Flooding my body with healing magic, I moved my head and neck forward, before snapping my head back against Kemm. I hit him low in the throat, so it wouldn't have really hurt, but it was enough of a surprise for his grasp to slacken. Just enough for me to rush forward, the blade slicing my throat as I fled him. The wound healed quickly, thanks to the magic. Everyone snatched up their weapons, and the fight began.

When it was over, Ifan rushed me, gathering me up in his arms.

"I'm okay." I reassured him. "I'm okay."

"What happened?" He growled, pulling back to look at me.

"A paladin came in and said something to him. I think there was an alarm spell or something that triggered when you reached this room."

"Ah, the chief is fine." Lohse waved off his concern. "Relax."

"We need to help Lord Arhu out of here." Fane brought us back around to the present situation.

I stepped out of the Wolf's hold, healing Arhu of his injuries and fatigue, smiling as he thanked me.

...

We stood in front of Lucian's Blood Path. Someone ran inside, the doors slamming shut behind them. There was silence for a few moments, but then a great rumble came from the building, before the doors opened again. Their body was on the floor inside.

"It's suicide." Sebille hissed. "Why would anyone volunteer to go through that?"

I walked away from the group, asking one of the priests if he knew how to pass the trial. I went back to the others.

"I'm going to try."

"You are not." Lohse argued.

Everyone seemed to be of the same mind as her.

"I can do this. I promise." I wasn't going to back down.

It wasn't like there was another way in, after all.

Without waiting for them to argue further, I shook my head. "Wait ten minutes. Then, use the pyramids to reach me. I'll be inside the tomb by then."

Turning on my heel, I quickly walked away, entering the building.

"THOU SHALT ANSWER FOUR QUESTIONS. ART THOU READY?"

I flinched at how loud the statue was, but I nodded. "Yes."

"DOST THOU STEAL?"

"No."

"THOU SPEAKETH THE TRUTH. DOST THOU KILL?"

"No."

"THOU SPEAKETH THE TRUTH. DOST THOU SERVE THE VOID?"

"No."

"THOU SPEAKETH THE TRUTH. DOST THOU RESPECT THE SOUL?"

"Yes." I'd never killed... devoured... whatever a spirit, either.

"THOU ART TRUE. THOU ART PURE. THOU HAST PASSED THE PATH OF BLOOD. HAIL TO THY GRAVE UPON THY RETURN... MY MAKER."

There was a click behind me, and I moved toward the rail, realizing my feet weren't touching the ground. I had wings. And around my head was glowing, as if I had a halo. Shaking myself, I hurried to the hatch I saw, quickly climbing down, the door snapping shut above me. I found myself in a large room that held Lucian's coffin.

The others appeared around me, and I smiled at them.

"See? I told you I could do it."

"What happened?" Lohse asked, eyes wide.

They were all looking at me like that.

"Yeah, I'm not sure. After I passed the test, this just... kind of happened." I glanced back at my wings. "I hope it's not permanent."

"Try accessing the magic linked to it." Fane instructed. "You may be able to hide them, if you can manipulate it."

I closed my eyes, trying to do as he said. When I found it, I took a moment to feel it, to understand it. With that knowledge, I was able to pull the magic back into myself, the wings disappearing.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Thanks, Fane."

The next trial was a puzzle. Getting three blessed elements from one side of the room to the other. No one else seemed to have the patience for it, everyone getting frustrated within a few minutes each time. So, it fell on me. Carefully, I moved each piece, watching as the picture as a whole came into view. On the last piece, everything clicked, and the flows were uninterrupted.

I was praised, making me happy, because they hadn't been able to put up with it.

We went across a long bridge, coming to a door that told us only death was beyond it. That it was assured we would die.

And we very nearly all did, before Sebille- having jumped away from the group- called out for me to make her invisible. Trusting her, I did it without question. She was out of sight, as it was. I'd tried that with all of us, but they just attacked where they thought we were. Which ended up being correct, to our surprise.

The dome around us visibly seemed to be failing. Because I was running out of energy. And I'd given the rest of my potions to Kemm, including the mana ones. Just as the puppets closed in, surrounding us, they suddenly stiffened and exploded. That was the final straw for the dome- it shattered into fragments that dissipated. Sebille walked back to us. Arhu had told them that when they came upon the room of levers, "power" was the word they needed to spell. That's what she'd done, saving all of us.

We stayed in the room for a bit, waiting for us all to gather energy back before continuing on. Since we didn't know what awaited us.