Hello! Before starting the story, I would like to answer questions from Rammer DarkSun and WatermelonLife.
Rammer DarkSun – Now that you mentioned, yes it was weird having the sorcerer next to the knight, I believe that was due to my mindset when writing the chapter, I wanted to do something similar to demon's souls where the fat minister in Boletaria is running away from you, but I was so focused on it that I didn't realize how weird it got.
WatermelonLife – I believe the answer is similar to the one above, the mindset I was in ended up getting in the way, but about Alden screaming, I wanted to show that he was angry due to the sorcerer using his equipment and about the stealth, I know the stealth is important, but only in a moment of the chapter Alden had the opportunity to use it since the sorcerer was always waiting for Alden.
Now that the questions have been answered, let's move on to the chapter.
Chapter 14 — The Moon Above the Abyss
Alden's POV
"Godwyn, pull yourself together!" I yelled at Godwyn as I dodged a book thrown at my head by one of the children, normally a book wouldn't do much more than bother me, but the speed of the book was such that it ended up blowing a hole in one of the bookshelves in the library.
Godwyn did not respond to my call, I hope he recovers as I am in the middle of a fight and this is not the place to be distracted.
Looking to the right, I saw one of the children approaching, she placed the candlestick in front of her face and blew it, a jet of fire came towards me, I rolled back, letting the fire pass.
Then I ran behind a bookshelf as books were thrown at me, I leaned against the bookshelf, poked my head out and watched the situation in the library, the children were crawling across the floor towards me and Rennala kept floating.
I'll try something, I came out of my cover and casted a Dark Orb, the orb was stopped by the yellow barrier that surrounded Rennala. Maybe if I try something stronger? I equipped my chime and casted Sunlight Spear, the spear lit up the library and flew towards Rennala, there was an explosion of lightning when the spear hit the barrier, but the barrier was still standing.
"Alden! What are you doing?" Godwyn screamed.
"Trying not to die!" I replied.
I saw a globe flying towards me; I rolled to the side, letting the globe hit the wall and went back behind the shelf.
"I thought we agreed that you would talk to Rennala?!" Godwyn yelled beside me.
"Godwyn, I don't know if you noticed, but I hurled an orb of pure darkness and a spear made of sunlight at her, and Rennala didn't even react. I don't know what Rennala was like before, but right now this is not the woman you knew. She's not quite right in the head." I replied.
I poked my head out of the bookshelf; there must be some way to break through that barrier. But how? I went back behind the bookshelf when a book almost hit my head.
"Godwyn, Rennala is a sorceress, isn't she?"
"Yes, the mightiest of all the Lands Between."
I think it's best to equip some rings just in case.
"So what these rings do?" Godwyn asked.
"Magic Quartz Ring (+3) to increase my defense against magic, Ring of Yorgh to reflect spells occasionally."
"Occasionally? What good is a ring that reflects spells occasionally?"
"Better than nothing, the ring's enchantment has lost most of its power."
Now, how do I break down that barrier?
"You're thinking about how to bring down the barrier, aren't you?"
"Yes, Godwyn, listen, I know you don't like this, but we need to defeat Rennala somehow."
"I know, just try not to hurt her too much."
"I will try."
As I was getting ready to step out from behind the bookcase, I saw a circle of small flames forming at my feet, then I heard something metallic crack.
"Alden above you!" Godwyn shouted as he pointed upward.
Looking up I saw a chandelier falling towards me, I rolled away letting the chandelier hit the ground, but it caused me to come out of my cover, and the kids threw things at me.
I ran through the library dodging books and globes, I would have fought back, but I didn't want to hurt the kids, as I ran, I heard a different noise. Was anyone singing?
Looking around, I saw that one of the children was away from the others, the child was singing while a yellow energy came out of her mouth, I think I found a clue, I ran until I approached the child. Now, how do I stop her singing without hurting her? I looked at my sword, and then my staff, hitting them with the butt of my weapons is not a good idea.
I know! With my chime I conjured Force, a small shock wave was created, enough to stun the child and stop her without hurting her.
When the child stopped singing, I heard a sound similar to breaking glass, looking towards Rennala, I saw that her barrier had cracked, so that's it, the children's singing maintains the barrier.
Sharpening my hearing, I could hear the singing coming from another part of the library, once again I ran across the library, books, and globes were thrown, but I managed to dodge them all, as I approached the child I conjured Force once more, the child stopped singing and the barrier broke even more.
I quickly found the next child, while crossing the center of the library, one of the children breathed fire at me, I didn't have time to dodge, and I was hit on the left side, it wasn't worrying, my defense against fire is high and that doesn't even compare to the fire of the Iron Keep.
I casted Force on the third child and the barrier broke, Rennala fell to the ground while grabbing the amber egg. Now for the part that will make me feel bad.
I ran towards Rennala and slashed her with my sword.
"AAAHHH!" Rennala screamed in pain with each blow that landed.
I could see Godwyn flinch at the sound of Rennala's screams.
"Alden, try to hit her less hard, please!" Godwyn said.
"I am trying!" With one last blow, Rennala was surrounded by yellow energy, a blast of magic threw me back and the barrier was up again.
I saw another chandelier falling towards me, I rolled back and kept running, while dodging the books, I found the child singing, I conjured the miracle and stunned the child, I repeated the process with two others, the barrier broke and Rennala fell to the ground.
So I continued my attack.
"AAAHHH!" Rennala screamed.
After a few hits, I saw that the barrier was about to reform, I walked away from Rennala and prepared myself to find the next child, and I found her, as I crossed the library I dodged the fire jets and head-butt's that the children threw in my direction, approaching the child I casted Force, then circled the library, dodging attacks until I stunned the last child and Rennala fell into the center of the library, her amber egg rolling away.
I ran towards Rennala and landed more blows.
"Alden, that's enough! She is already defeated!" Godwyn screamed.
I stopped with my sword raised in the air when I heard Godwyn's screams, I looked at Rennala, and she was covered in cuts from my attacks, now she ignored me and dragged herself along the ground towards the amber egg.
"Ahh, my beloved… Have no fear, I will hold thee. Patience. Ye will be countless born, forever and ever." Rennala said as she dragged herself.
I lowered my sword, I think that's enough.
"It's over, Alden, just grab the great rune and let's go." Godwyn said beside me.
Responding to Godwyn's request, I approached the amber egg., suddenly, dark smoke came out of the egg and rose in the air until it formed a ball.
"What is that?" I asked as I pointed my staff towards the smoke ball.
"I have no idea." Godwyn answered.
"Upon my name as Ranni the Witch." A voice came out from within the smoke ball.
"RANNI! Listen here,you damn traitor, come out from where you are and face me!" Godwyn yelled angrily, a look of rage on his face.
Smoke from the ball filled the library, and Rennala was enveloped in blue light.
"Mother's rich slumber shall not be disturbed by thee."
As Rennala was enveloped in the blue light, something came out of the light, it was a second Rennala, standing and walking towards me.
"Listen, the fight is over! Just let us take the great rune and let's go without a hitch!" I screamed, but the voice continued, it seems that it is a message recorded by a spell, there is no point in trying to dialogue.
"Foul trespasser. Send word far and wide."
Wasting no time, I casted a Dark Orb at the approaching Rennala, she swung her staff, slamming into my spell, dispelling it. This will be harder than it looks.
Smoke enveloped the entire library, and the new Rennala stopped glowing blue and took on the appearance of the original Rennala.
"Of the last Queen of Caria, Rennala of Full Moon…"
Apparently, I'll have to fight seriously, Rennala is the most powerful sorceress in the Lands Between, even if the person in front of me isn't her, I can't take this lightly. I equipped a series of rings in addition to the ones already on my fingers.
Dispelling Ring (+1) to increase my defense against fire, lightning, darkness and magic, Ring of Knowledge to increase my intelligence, Prayer Ring to increase my faith, and Dragon Crest Ring (+2) to increase the duration of my spells, now I had a ring on every finger on my hand.
"And the majesty of the night, she conjureth." Rennala pointed her staff at me, at the same time a large full moon appeared behind her as the ground turned into the surface of a lake.
"I don't know if you can understand me, but as a sorcerer to a sorcerer, it's an honor to face you." I said, as I did, a dueling bow forward.
Rennala's answer was to raise her staff, accumulate magic in it and fire a beam of magic in my direction, I rolled to the left, letting the beam pass through me and casted Dark Orb, Rennala used a spinning weapon, the staff spinning in the air in front of her and dissipating the orb.
I ran towards Rennala and casted Affinity, the masses of darkness loomed above me, Rennala swung her staff and Glinstone stars surged through the air, held still for a second and then darted towards me.
I ran to the left without moving away from Rennala, as I ran, I got close enough for the Affinities to fire, the masses of darkness hit Rennala, forcing her to jump back, away from me, meanwhile I ran away from the stars, I ran, and I rolled among the stars until they stopped chasing me.
Rennala summoned a line of crystals and shot them towards me, I ran towards the crystals and rolled out of the way when they got close, as I approached, and I pointed my staff at Rennala and cast Dark Hail, projectiles of darkness hit Rennala at great speed.
Rennala conjured a mass of crystal in the air, this mass of crystal exploded and shot fragments towards me, and I was pierced in different parts of my body, chest, arms, and legs.
I moved away from Rennala while pulling out some crystals that were stuck in my body, then Rennala threw her staff towards me, the staff made an arc in the air and hit me in the side of the head, taking off my helmet.
When pulling the last crystal from my body, I ran towards Rennala, it could be my impression, but for a moment I saw Rennala's eyes widen and the lake where we were disappeared, revealing the library.
I swung my sword towards Rennala, she blocked my blow with her staff, with my free hand, I conjured a Great Dark Sword with my staff, slashing Rennala and causing an explosion of darkness.
Rennala swung her staff in front of her, forcing me away; Rennala took a huge leap back as she fired a spell in my direction.
When Rennala landed, she knelt on the ground, a circle of magic formed at her feet, as she casted her spell, the surroundings alternated between the full moon and the library.
When the spell ended, three wolves came running towards me, I waited for the wolves to approach, when they got close enough, I equipped my chime and casted Dark Storm, a tornado of darkness erupted around me, hitting the wolves and making them disappear, but before I could concentrate on Rennala I was hit by a powerful bolt of magic.
I was thrown away by the attack and when I got up I saw the glinstone stars coming towards me, I rolled across the floor, running away from the stars simultaneously Rennala curled up in the air, turning into a full moon, the moon remained still for a few seconds before coming my way.
I ran faster, running away from the stars and when the moon got closer to me, I made a big leap forward, I managed to escape the attack, but I still felt the powerful magic behind it.
I drank from my flask of crimson tears, then casted Dark Weapon, covering my sword in darkness, and ran towards Rennala, who was recovering from her attack.
I landed several blows, the darkness in my weapon dealing additional damage, Rennala swung her staff in front of me again, but this time I was prepared, I jumped back dodging the attack, unfortunately that gave Rennala time to back away.
"C-come, oath-sworn d-dragon!" Rennala stuttered as she knelt and a circle of magic appeared at her feet again, the spot where we were fighting shifted.
I casted Whispers of Despair towards Rennala, a transparent sphere hit Rennala, causing no damage but covering her with a dark aura, lowering her defense. Simultaneously, a spirit of a dragon appeared above Rennala, the dragon landed in the lake and spit fire in my direction in an arc.
I lit my pyromantic flame and conjured Sweat, I sweated profusely reducing the damage I received from the fire and ran towards the flames, when the fire approached I made a big leap forward using my arms to protect my face, when I crossed the flames I watched the spirit of a Bloodhound Knight leaping towards me.
Our swords collided in midair, and Rennala created another mass of crystals, as the crystals shot towards me, they were reflected away, Yorgh's ring shielded me. I pointed my staff at the Bloodhound and used the ash of war; my staff spun and hit the Hound repeatedly, making him back away.
When the knight walked away, I ran towards him and conjured Dark Hail at his face, when hit the knight disappeared.
"C-come o-oath-sworn Troll!" Rennala screamed.
A circle of magic surged above me and something towards me, I jumped back but was pushed back by the shock wave from the Troll's strike as it hit the ground.
My feet skidded across the surface of the lake, but I stayed on my feet, seeing me, the Troll let out a mighty roar and rushed at me, I pointed my staff at the Troll's head and casted Dark Fog, I doubted it would be poisoned, but my spell was enough to blind him.
I ran under the Troll's legs towards Rennala, I heard a roar and the sound of heavy footsteps behind me, the Troll chasing me.
I realized that Rennala was conjuring another ray of magic, when the ray came towards me, I crouched down as much as I could without lying on the ground, letting the ray pass over my head, I pointed my sword upwards.
With darkness enveloping my sword and Rennala's defense being reduced, I pierced her through the heart with ease, dealing extreme damage.
I came face to face with Rennala, her staff fell from her hands and she stared at me with a distant gaze, Rennala lifted both hands and placed them on the sides of my face, simultaneously, the environment quickly alternated between the full moon and the library.
"Dear?" Rennala asked.
There was a strong white light that blinded me, when the light disappeared, I was lying on the floor, back in the library, in front of me was the great rune and remembrance of Rennala.
I kept both in my bag as I got up, I realized that my helmet was beside me, I took it, but before I could put it on I heard footsteps coming towards me, looking forward, I was face to face with a blue robe, looking up I saw Rennala staring at me. How tall is she?
Rennala stared at me silently, this was getting weird, and so I decided to break the silence.
"Hello." I said with a smile and a wave.
Immediately, a big smile appeared on Rennala's face, she reached down, putting her arms around me and lifted me off the ground with a hug.
"Radagon, I knew you would come back to me!" Rennala yelled as she spun me around the room.
"RADAGON/RADAGON!" Godwyn and I screamed at the same time.
"Godwyn, where have you been?!" I asked as Rennala spun me around.
"I ask you, after that cloud of smoke swallowed everything, you and Rennala were staring at each other and letting out screams of pain, in a moment you threw your helmet away!" Godwyn answered.
"So we were in some sort of illusion?"
"Probably." Godwyn said.
Rennala stopped spinning me, held me in front of her face.
"I knew you wouldn't be with Marika, that harlot." Rennala said.
"Hey! It's my mother you're talking about!" Godwyn screamed.
"But never mind, the important thing is that you're here! Let me show you how much I missed you!" Rennala said as she brought me closer to her face.
"Wait Miss Rennala! What are you doing?" Then Rennala covered my face with kisses.
"HAHAHA! Just wait until Radagon hears about this!" Godwyn fell to the ground as he chuckled and pointed at me.
"This is not funny! Miss Rennala, please stop!" I begged.
"What's wrong dear? You don't have to be so formal with me. Did something happen?" Rennala asked.
"Could you put me down?" I asked.
"Oh! Of course! I'm sorry; I was touched by your return, just wait until Ranni, Rykard and Radhan hear about it. We will have a great celebration." Rennala said as she put me down.
Godwyn and I cringed at the names of the other demigods. Rennala's broken mind blocked out a lot.
"A problem?" Rennala asked as she smiled.
"No, nothing!" I replied.
"I am happy about that, we have a lot to talk about, and we must announce your return to everyone. I almost forgot about the gift you gave me." Rennala said as she walked to the center of the library and picked up the amber egg.
I saw that on the other side of the library there were two chests, maybe the crown was in one of them, approaching one of the chests I could not open it in any way, so I decided to try the other one and when I opened the chest I found a note.
"If you seek the crown, come to my tower".
— Renna
Renna? The ghost that inhabited the doll body I found in Limgrave? I need to find that tower right away.
"Godwyn come on! We have to find a tower!" I said as I walked towards the library door.
"A tower?" Godwyn asked. I showed him the note.
"This could be a trap." Godwyn said.
"I know, but it's the only lead I have at the moment as to the whereabouts of the crown."
"Oh! Are you already leaving? I will accompany you, everyone in Liurnia must know of your return." Rennala said as she held the amber egg under her left arm and held my left hand. I took a quick look at the amber egg and saw bright bugs coming out of it, a sign that there was a memory to be accessed.
Not this time, I've made enough changes in time; maybe I'll visit memory later when I'm ready.
"You will accompany me?" I asked hesitantly, walking around with Liurnia's ruler will draw a lot of attention.
"Of course! We have a lot to talk about, and now that you're back, I won't let you go ever again." Rennala said as she smiled at me.
I looked at Godwyn with a pleading look, but Godwyn shrugged, not knowing what to do.
With a sigh, I put on my helm and let Rennala follow me.
But suddenly the library shook.
"Honey, what is this?" Rennala asked.
"I don't know." I replied.
The chandeliers shook, books fell from the shelves, the library ceiling cracked, something heavy went through the ceiling and fell to the floor, the impact ended up creating a cloud of dust, I saw a red light shining in the cloud, with the swing of a sword, the cloud of dust dissipated revealing The Pursuer.
"Him again?!" Godwyn exclaimed.
"YOU DON'T GET TIRED OF CHASING ME?!" I yelled at the Pursuer as I released Rennala's hand and readied my weapons.
"Friend of yours, dear?" Rennala asked as she smiled at me.
END OF THE CHAPTER
Well, now Rennala has joined Alden's party, I wonder what will happen from now on. And Pursuer is back, I hope he has some new trick, otherwise the result will be the same as the previous fight.
I would also like to point out that when a ring/equipment is (+3) or something like that, Alden isn't saying that, I put the numbers in to give the reader an idea of the equipment level. For Alden, he just has better versions of the same ring and his weapon is being reinforced with forging materials. I'm trying to get as far away from Gameplay as possible, so I've removed the 4 ring limitation.
But those 4 rings will always be equipped unless I say otherwise.
Ring 1: Chlorantium Ring + 2 (25% stamina recovery).
Ring 2: Clear Blue Stone Ring +2 (Reduces casting time by 55%).
Ring 3: Seal of the Abyss (Increases the power of Hexes by 7.5% at the cost of 30 HP).
Ring 4: Third Dragon Ring (Bonus 7.5% HP, 12.5% stamina, 12.5% maximum weight charge).
That's it for now.
Leave your comments about the story, suggestions, and criticisms are welcome.
Until the next chapter!