Chapter One-Hundred Ten

Chapter One-Hundred Ten

Ok, well that went a lot better than I thought. Not only does Freddie seem to be on a path to understanding what a paladin actually does, but Rhonda helped Thing to get a breakthrough with the lifedrinking problem! Im a little nervous about her getting hints about the deeper ways things work, but I dont think shell be making any disasters with it.

But now she and Freddie have finished their second challenge, its time for the third and final one. Its going to be a bit of a practical exam, if you will. I give Teemo the TL;DR and he heads off to go tell the kids.

The kids, Larx, and Thing are all relaxing a bit now, everyone taking a bit of a break. Freddie and Rhonda both have a lot to think about now, and the ratkin and hand can take a moment to bask in a job well done. Everyone sits up a bit as Teemo exits a shortcut, and as he seems to have everyones attention, he goes ahead and speaks up.

Youve completed Thedeims second challenge. All that remains is the third, which youll find in Rockys Arena. He and Aranya will give you your last task. Thedeim says youll need to apply what youve learned to succeed. He also says making a few more potions might not be the worst idea, heh. So speaks the Voice of Thedeim.

Whats the last challenge? asks Rhonda, the little goblin hoping to get some information so she can decide what potions to make.

I let Teemo give them a hint, and he takes a few moments to phrase it how he wants. Its not quite a combat challenge but its also not not a combat challenge.

Freddie smiles as he speaks. Did you take the whole not mysterious thing personally? he asks, earning a laugh from Rhonda and Teemo.

Nah, not really. You two are just lucky in getting to see me trying it out some. I like to be direct, but sometimes its not the best option, says my Voice with a shrug. Larx looks intrigued, but doesnt press right now. I bet hell be chewing Teemos ear about it later, though.

Oh, and Thing? Great job with the lifedrinking! The Boss had practically given up on there being a good solution, but you got one! Thing frantically starts signing, and Teemo laughs it off. He knows its still rough, but you can actually work on refining it now. Well, not right now. Hed still like you to work on the pickups first. Thing gives a thumbs-up as the kids stand and gather their spiders.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

Is Rockys arena fully finished? asks Freddie with interest, and Teemo shakes his head.

Its all dug out, and some stuff is done, but the Boss wants a fancy ring for it to be completely done. Itll still have plenty of room for your challenge, though, so dont worry about that.

Larx makes his exit as Rhonda gets to work on a few potions. They still have a few leftover from chasing Vernew, and Rhonda adds to their stockpile with what she explains are strength and durability potions. Thing lets her use some of his reagents for them, probably as thanks for her help with the lifedrinking. Before too long, she has several potions to add to what they already have.

With that, the kids make their exit and head through the catacombs to find the arena. At the moment, it looks a lot like an underground gladiatorial arena which it kinda is, really. Its a place for fights to happen and for people to be able to watch. Maybe I can do some exhibition matches in here even without the ring? I know Rocky would be up for it. I should ask my other scions to see if anyone would be interested.

On the way there, I can see the kids doing things a little differently, too. Rhondas spellwork seems a little less stable, which I think means shes trying to do things differently, or maybe trying to get a better feel for her magic. Freddie is also being a bit more attentive in his actions, too. Hes not just getting in the way and holding various undead at bay, but also trying to knock them off balance and being a bit more offensive with his shield.

It takes them a little longer than I might have expected, but they are experimenting a bit with applying some of what theyve learned today, so its not too surprising. When they finally get there, Aranya is relaxing on one of the benches while Rocky shadowboxes. My kobold isnt the only one on a bench, though. Looks like most of the ratkin and spiderkin enclaves are here to see the show. She raises her voice as the kids enter, so everyone can hear her.

Ah, youve made it. Welcome to Lord Thedeims final challenge. In concept, its pretty simple. But like with a lot of what He does, it wont be so simple to do. Its a bit of a game of tag. Tag me, and you win.

The kids look a little nervous as they wait for the other shoe to drop, or about the people watching, and my High Preistess smiles at that. The catch is that Rocky will be trying to stop you. And, of course, Im not going to just sit around the whole time, either. Poes Uplifting Wings! she speaks and hops from the stands, and translucent wings sprout from her back, letting her land gracefully on the floor of the arena, before they fade away.

Rocky takes up his position in front of her, slamming his gloved hands together and causing a swirl of fire and ice to envelop them, before fire settles on one hand, and ice the other.

Its just like the grenade somehow making ice and empowering a separate spell. But that makes no sense! Fiona motions to move, and Rhonda runs without a second thought, escaping the arced ice sheet just before Rockys fist shatters the fortification.

Windblast! She orders Lucas as she launches her own spell: Black Ice! Rocky raises his fists in the classic boxing block as a sheet of ice forms under his feet and extends behind him. Lucas invokes the rune for windblast, and though Rocky clearly isnt harmed by the attack, the combined efforts send him sliding along the ice. He doesnt see much way to stop himself until the end, and so launches a smaller fist of ice at the goblin.

Fiona, however, isnt just about throwing webs. She holds up a stronger web between her forelegs like a shield and catches the ice, and Rhonda sags slightly with relief for a moment, before trying to get back on her mental track.

How can ice empower other spells? Thats the biggest question, and she has no idea how to answer it. Its clear it can empower other magic, but the secret eludes her. She doesnt get much chance to think, though, as Rocky reaches the end of the ice patch. Instead of getting off it, though, he seems to get an idea. He kinetically punches behind himself, sending him shooting back down the ice towards her this time. Whats more, he starts creating more ice on the floor.. right towards Rhonda! All the while, the conflagration on his other fist grows further and further in intensity.

How can he create heat and cold so effortlessly?!

Rhondas eyes widen as it suddenly clicks. In magic, theyre two different affinities. In normal life theyre temperatures. A word, a concept seems to whisper into her ear: Thermodynamics. Her magic doesnt add ice, it removes fire! Lucas, Stabilize! she shouts as she digs deeper into her magic than ever before. Its amazing what kind of motivation a charging elemental boxer can provide.

There, his control! Just like with over the ice, she can feel him moving the fire around, draining it from the floor to make ice, and imbuing it into his fist. She needs to fight that. At first, it seems impossible, like lifting a boulder the size of Freddie. But she can feel it shes doing it! Lucas helps stabilize her gains, letting her accelerate her efforts to redirect Rockys control.

She and Rocky are both surprised when his control suddenly shatters. The flame around his hand vanishes, as does the ice hes sliding on, and he doesnt even have the time to put his guard back up before hes forced forward by simple momentum to slam face-first into the floor.

Freddie

Freddie doesnt like the idea of leaving Rhonda to tackle Rocky on her own, but he knows why she has to. He can feel the same need to be the one to face Aranya. Theres something fundamental he can learn, he knows it.

Just like he knows he needed to leave Fiona to help protect Rhonda. With her help, his friend will never lack for a shield. He trusts in his friend to overcome the odds and defeat Rocky, somehow, just as she trusts him to tag Aranya and complete the challenge for them both.

He focuses his attention on the fleeing kobold, sending a silent prayer to grant him speed. Even with the potion helping him, Aranya is still very fast. He smiles as a gentle warmth seems to wash over his legs, and the distance starts to close.

Jellos Grip! she shouts, and reality seems to thicken somehow around Freddie, slowing his movements significantly. He struggles to get through it as he tries to apply some of the lessons of the day to capturing Aranya. Why capture her? To get his class, duh. Why cant he capture her? She has Thedeim.

That doesnt feel quite right, but hes out of the whatever it was, and the chase resumes. Hes gaining. With the Shields blessing, hes faster now! Just a little

Things Grasp! Ethereal orange hands suddenly grip Freddie and hold him fast, and he has to fight his anger and frustration. Its not just that she has Thedeims help, its like she has all his scions, too! How can he fight that?!

He struggles against the hands, though he stops for a moment as he can almost hear Larx in his head. How can he fight that? He refuses to believe that any dungeon less than a year old, even one as special as Thedeim seems to be, can be mightier than the Crystal Shield. Thedeim has allies, then so does Aranya, that makes sense.

But so does he. He first wanted to join the Shield because of the simple fact he wouldnt be alone. But the Shield has allies, then so too should Freddie! The hands finally fail and fade, and Freddie stands unopposed for a moment. A word comes to Freddie, foreign and strange, but perfect for him. A concept of togetherness and support in more than just battle.

His shield glows a soft blue, and several more ethereal versions materialize. Phalanx Charge! The shields work as one, moving and hemming Aranya in as Freddie rushes forward and grabs her arm.