Chapter 22: Stone and Iron

Blake's mind raced. He'd dealt with witches before, and under normal circumstances they would've been more than a match for the one staring them down- their thrown splash potions were only dangerous at short to medium range, making a bow one's weapon of choice. All of their bows may have been stowed in Celia's shulker box, but that hardly mattered given she had a Genesis Core which let her throw fireballs. The problem was their enemy also wielded one, and the Stone Core (he assumed the Usurpation would call it that) allowed the witch to attack from much further away than he'd have liked. None of them had equipped their armor yet, either.

"'It'll draw too much attention, she said,'" he thought, remembering a brief discussion from that morning. "'We don't want to risk damaging the armor before even finding the Usurpation, she said.' If something gets broken by one of those stones, I'm NEVER going to let her hear the end of it."

"I'm telling you, stay back!" shouted the witch. "You'll regret it if you come too close!"

"I don't think we should pick this fight, Lady Celia," he heard Felix say.

At his side, the Countess looked as uneasy as Blake felt, but she wasn't backing away. She just stood there, watching their enemy with a hesitant frown.

"Can we just pass up the opportunity to get another Genesis Core?" Blake wondered. "This is pretty dangerous… but if we don't take her on, the Usurpation might find her next. But if we DO, and if we can't find a way to hide other Cores, they could be all over US! And how would we even begin to fight her? Rush down and hope we can avoid the stones?"

"Hold on! You there, in the middle! I recognize you… didn't we meet in Luxmouth?"

Celia gasped, followed by both of them. Blake had never heard of mobs bearing personal grudges, perhaps excluding Illagers and their Bad Omens. Yet here the witch was, pointing and shouting at his companion like they were old acquaintances.

"You… could you be the same witch who helped me during the raid?!"

He didn't think it was possible, but Celia's response surprised him even more. She'd lowered her sword and taken a few steps down the hill, despite Felix's nervous protests.

"Yes, that's me! Leave me alone and we can call it even, okay? I don't want any trouble."

"What's she talking about?" Blake asked.

"Before we reunited outside the inner wall, I had to fight through a few Illagers alone. I prevailed, but they managed to injure me in the process… though I don't like to admit it, I was helpless. She found me wounded and, instead of finishing me off, gave me a healing potion and left me alone."

The witch raised a stone block in warning, and Celia stopped. She put away her blade, holding up her hands. Their gazes fell on the dead Illagers.

"You say you don't wish to fight? Did you do all this?"

"That's what I said! I'm just trying to get home, and I found this bunch of stragglers on the way. They tried to attack me for deserting the raid, but… look, I didn't hurt anyone in the city, I swear. Just let me go, will you?"

Blake had seen skeletons provoked into fighting each other before, but he'd never heard of Illagers or witches doing the same. He'd also never heard of a raider abandoning the attack on a village; they were well-known for fighting to the bitter end, no matter the casualties. Was this witch a special case due to her Genesis Core?

"Lower your stones, and we'll stand down as well," Celia proposed. "We're not here for you."

Hesitantly, the witch complied. The blocks settled around her, and she put away the potion she held with a relieved sigh. Following Celia's lead, Blake and Felix slowly put away their own weapons.

"Although… there were many casualties from the raid. Innocent citizens, innocent people were hurt and killed by the Illagers. If we're to trust you, then tell us: why did you participate in the attack at all?"

Her tone had chilled, and as Blake followed Celia down the hill he noticed her fists were clenched.

"I didn't have a choice," came a sullen reply. "Illagers force people like me to join their raids and provide support. Most witches don't have a problem with it, but I've… never been like the rest. An outcast among outcasts, if you will. I have always hated the Illagers- violent, savage brutes, all of them. And I'm sorry for what happened to the city."

"I don't trust her at all," Blake whispered. "She could be trying to lure us into a trap."

"After killing these Illagers, even though she didn't think anyone would see it?" Celia said back. "I'm not getting the sense she did this to make herself look good for us."

"Still, lingering around mobs is bad news. If you really don't want to fight her, we don't have to- but what about the Core?"

She was quiet for a moment, then inspiration seemed to strike. "A proposal, if you will! We know about the source of your control over stone: a spherical, glassy artifact with immense power called a Genesis Core. Certain enemies of ours are on the hunt for such things, and we need to keep them out of their hands."

The witch scowled, stepping back. "What're you saying, that I should just give this up? I've had it for years, and it's kept me safe from hunters. Why should you have it?"

Blake took the tracker from Felix and pointed at it. "We can track their locations from nearby. The people we're fighting- the Usurpation- can do it from even further away. You'll be their next target if they find out you have a Genesis Core, and believe us, they're persistent."

"…yes… I've heard a bit about them from the Illagers in the past." Her furrowed brow hadn't softened, but she looked less hostile. "Here's my proposal! I live in a swamp, south-southwest of here. Now that I've escaped the raid, I'm going to head back and live out the rest of my days in peace and quiet. If you escort me home safely, you can have the stone artifact."

Blake hadn't even finished processing the offer before Celia accepted. "Very well. You may accompany us at least as far as the mountains over Tenebyss- we have business there, but we cannot afford detours. Does that work for you?"

"Are you serious?" he gasped. "Her, traveling with us?"

"You said yourself the Genesis Core will fall into the Usurpation's hands if we don't take it first. And we have no reason to fight… this is the best option. Besides, we're heading south ourselves."

"That's a good point," Felix said. He didn't quite look like he believed it himself but Blake knew he wouldn't argue with her, leaving him outvoted.

"So be it, to Tenebyss it is. Come along, then! We should be going immediately- you don't want to waste sunlight, do you?"

Their newfound travel partner approached. Celia climbed onto her horse, gesturing for the witch to get on behind her. Blake didn't think he'd been less confident about anything in his life, and every instinct he had was warning him against this. But she was the boss, so she had the final say- as he'd begrudgingly come to accept since meeting her.

"Oh, my name is Celia. My companions are Felix and Blake. Forgive me for not properly introducing myself sooner."

"I'm Varris. I expect to make it home safely under your watch."

"Well… I wanted to meet new people when I left the village, didn't I? But I didn't exactly have this in mind…"

Blake could only sigh as he followed along.

The Commandant was a red and gray blur, leaving a growing trail of bodies in his wake.

Ray's feet ached within the golden boots he'd worn for the last few hours. They were heavy and uncomfortable, but they'd kept him safe from attack so far, so he wasn't going to complain. The most he could do was watch in awe as his superior dealt killing blow after killing blow, iron blades whirling all around him.

He and the survivors of the Bonemeal Core detachment had only been allowed a short rest at Fornax Outpost before Commandant Red announced it was time to leave. The encampment was dismantled and their supplies gathered as was protocol, but the Usurpers weren't going to leave by sea or land- no, their leader had a much different route in mind: a rectangular frame of black stones, filled by a strange purple mass which emitted a bone-chilling hiss.

As the Commandant explained, the structure was known to the Inlanders as a Nether portal, through which one could travel great distances in a short amount of time. It turned out at least one more among them was familiar with it: Ruby-13 had refused to go anywhere near the thing until directly ordered and given a similar pair of shining boots. Nearly all of them had been handed golden pieces of armor by the Commandant's troops, for use within the Nether. As it turned out, the horrific pig-creatures matching Ruby-13's description showed no interest in attacking any outsiders wearing gold. Ray could see how Sir Merric had met his end at their hands- they looked strong enough to break bones with their bare hands, and they were everywhere.

But the pigs weren't a match for Commandant Red, the sole member of the party who'd opted not to wear any golden equipment. He traveled far ahead of them, brazenly attracting the attention of the horde and cutting down monster after monster every step of the way. No swords or axes were necessary for him, for the blades and spikes he covered his armor with were more than enough. His light Iron Core was put to good use, wreaking havoc with a deadly storm of metal that prevented any of the pigs from even getting near him. Even Ray, no stranger to violence by then, found the brutal display a bit unsettling.

Half of the Commandant's troopers had departed with Jade Squad to take another path to Incursia through the Nether. Those remaining with him brought up the rear, leaving Ray and his small band in the middle. Dame Esme and Ruby-13 (who'd opted to stay with them) were right behind him, and a bit further back trailed Tara, stripped of both her Genesis Core and her rank. In fact, citing his performance in the Luxmouth infiltration, Commandant Red had given Ray leadership over all three of them for the moment- in a sense, a temporary new Lime Squad.

He didn't think he deserved it. But he wasn't going to argue with someone at the very top of the Usurpation.

"How's everyone holding up?" he asked, stepping over one of many dead pig beasts. "Let me know if you need a rest, I'll see if the Commandant's willing to stop."

"I'm fine," said Esme. They'd removed their hoods and masks in the stifling air, but sweat still coated their foreheads. "He's incredible… he still has his full armor on, and I don't think he's even winded from the fighting."

"A little thirsty, but I'll manage," admitted Ruby-13.

Ray waited for the latter to catch up, handing him a bottle of water he'd gotten from the camp. While he was at it, he gave Esme one as well. Tara didn't accept a bottle, just staring in every direction other than at any of them- not that he really minded, he was in no hurry to speak with her.

Ruby-13 took a tiny sip of water. "Thanks, Sir Ray. You know, this place reminds me of the wastes more than I'd like. Inhospitable, full of bloodthirsty creatures- doesn't it feel just like home?"

"And to think it's still better here than out there," Esme remarked. "At least there aren't any quakes or twisters- even the WORST part of the Inlands is an improvement."

Ray had to agree. He had no plans of staying in the Nether any longer than was necessary, but anything was preferable to the wastes. Ever since he'd entered the Inlands, a recurring nightmare of his was being forced out like his ancestors had, at the mercy of a world with some unknowable loathing for humanity.

He couldn't go back. He just couldn't.

"What's your name?" Ray asked Ruby-13. "Sorry if that seems a bit random- I just figured I should know you better, as long as we're working together."

The trooper seemed taken aback by his question, clearing his throat. "Sir Merric and the others called me Samuel. I don't remember where it came from… but it was what they used even before I was Ruby-13."

"So you were together before joining the Usurpation?" asked Esme. "Your whole squad?"

"Yes. We'd traveled in the wastes for years, trying to find somewhere safe to live. Eventually ran into bigger group: a recruitment team, they called themselves. They took us in, and told us about the growing movement to storm the Inlands. Merric decided to join them, so we stuck with him- just like that, we became part of the Expansion Division."

"I'm glad you all had each other. I was just a scavenger before I got picked up by Overseer Fornax," Ray said. "She even gave me my name- come to think of it, I don't really know the meaning of it either."

To maintain organization among their ranks, the Usurpation's leaders had instated various classifications for soldiers and groups. Expansion Division troopers made up the bulk of their army, categorized under different subdivisions led by marshals and knights. The Industrial Division's Genesis Core recovery squads, such as Ray's, were identified by shades of green. Owing to the much larger size of his division, Commandant Red had implemented the system for his own scouting teams.

Though not mandatory, lower-ranking Usurpers were encouraged to refer to each other by their codes in the field for better efficiency. A color and a number were easier to remember when addressing someone in a large squad than a name, ensuring little miscommunication was possible. But Ray feared he'd taken the protocol too far- he couldn't recall the names of anyone in Lime Squad. The brave agents he'd fought alongside wouldn't be remembered by anything more than numbers, and in that sense he'd failed them twice over.

"That looks like the last of them!"

Commandant Red rejoined the party, wiping off his innumerable blades with a chuckle. What few pigs hadn't been killed had wisely chosen to flee, hopefully to tell the rest of their kind not to approach the Usurpation. Esme was right; he didn't seem at all tired despite wearing full armor in the sweltering heat. "I see the gold equipment kept you all safe. Good to know it isn't completely useless… now then, let's get a move on! We still have a ways to go."

They picked up the pace as ordered. Ray took note of the varied environments all around: between the endless red caves were valleys of dark brown sand, treacherous spires of black rocks, and bubbling lava seas they were forced to build over using any random materials the Commandant's squad happened to bring. The terrain was rarely in their favor, with winding caverns and treacherous footing drastically slowing them down.

"Don't tell the Commandant I said this, but I think we could have made the journey faster if we'd just stayed in the Overworld."

Ray didn't recognize the voice for a moment. It was Tara, without her forced monotone. She stood beside him while they worked on building yet another bridge, and he realized the only reason she'd dared to speak was their superior being out of earshot.

"There wouldn't be as many delays on the flatter ground, you're right. But if we're going through here, we won't risk being spotted by any Inlanders. Maybe he considers it an acceptable trade-off," he guessed.

"I certainly hope it is… wait. Are we having a conversation right now, Tara?"

She wasn't looking at him, just focused on putting down dirt block after dirt block over the lava. "I'm assigned under you. It wouldn't make much sense not to communicate, would it? Or would you prefer uncomfortable silence again?"

His eyes narrowed. "Unless it's an emergency, I'll let you decide that. Just try not to kill me too, got it?"

That effectively ended the talk, just in time to reach the opposite bank of dark sand and keep moving.

No pig-men attacked them, but many other hostile creatures were attracted to their presence, from the floating white monstrosities which spat fire to bow-wielding skeletons patrolling the caverns. Not that it mattered much. There wasn't a single enemy that proved more than a temporary nuisance for Commandant Red, who only continued demonstrating his proficiency with the Iron Core. Ray had always thought he had impressive control over grass, but there was no denying his leader was on a different level altogether.

"I wonder if the other two are as skilled…"

Commandant Green led the Industrial Division, and as such rarely fought on the front lines. Her purpose was the development of new tools, weapons, transportation, and enchantments- everything a budding civilization would need. She possessed a Genesis Core of her own, but unlike Red's the nature of hers was a mystery to Ray. He wasn't quite high enough in the chain of command to be privy to such details.

What he did know was she- and their branch of the Usurpation as a whole- collaborated the most with each of the other two. The invasion would not last forever, and afterwards their focus would need to be on the budding civilization brought in from the wastes. That was where the Reestablishment Division would shine.

Led by Commandant Blue, about a third of the army was dedicated to the construction and maintenance of new settlements in the conquered territory, leading civilians from the wastes to safety. Ray had never personally interacted with the Reestablishment Division much, operating so far from the border, but he had nothing but respect for them. He only hoped they were doing well in their efforts to rescue those wandering outside the Inlands.

Several hours of walking later, Red ordered the group to stop. They had reached a bizarre sight for the Nether: a forest of red, overgrown trees and weed-like fungus. Ray wasn't sure he considered the odd plant life around him grass, but his Genesis Core suggested otherwise; a short test revealed he could manipulate the fungal growths. The sense of levity the Grass Core gave him, now that he was surrounded by compatible matter, was his only reprieve after the walk- he struggled not to immediately collapse against one of the trees.

"We'll return to the Overworld here," the Commandant announced as one of his troopers began to construct a new portal. He opened a black book, inspected one of the later pages, and snapped it shut. "As long as we can keep up our current pace, we should reach Tenebyss in another day's march. Sir Ray, how is your team?"

Esme and Samuel were lagging behind, both looking as exhausted as he felt but dutifully following nonetheless. Tara had kept better pace with him, though even her icy visage had long since melted away- more than anything, she looked frustrated.

"My companions are tired, sir. We don't want to slow you down, but a few hours to rest is all I ask for them," he said. Ray felt a chill go down his spine despite the heat. It wasn't easy to tell what the Commandant was thinking, but he suddenly felt very small under his masked stare.

"…hm. I'd hoped we could get through this with minimal delay. This is war, after all, and our mission in particular demands as few setbacks as possible. Still… I suppose you won't be of much use if you can't even stay on your feet when we arrive at Tenebyss. So be it, we'll set up a campsite for you."

"That wasn't what he wanted to hear… but we're going to collapse if we try to press onward without getting any sleep. I'll make it up to him when we find the Diamond Core."

The Red Squad soldier lit the obsidian frame, and they all began to file out of the Nether.

"Thanks," Esme whispered to him with a yawn once the Commandant had left. "I can tell that wasn't easy for you."

Ray didn't have a response. He was the last to exit through the portal, unable to shake the nagging suspicion his superior somehow didn't care for their well-being.