Chapter 43: The Worst Kind of Surprise

Chapter 43: The Worst Kind of Surprise

It seemed to Nathan that hed barely fallen asleep before Sarah woke him for his watch. He shook his head blearily as she gave him a silent salute and went to her own bedroll.

It was a pretty busy day. Multiple armies of constructs destroyed. I went from level 88 to 117 over four fights - any one of which could have been deadly. Five if you count that thing with Kozar. It did give me a level, so it probably should count.

Nathan hefted his blanket as he climbed up one of the rocks that surrounded their camp. He sat down atop the smooth pillar of stone, arranging the warm fabric around him and appreciating the view. The extra height let him look out across the desolate landscape. There were no clouds to hide the world above, and a blue-green glow illuminated the cracked and sere wasteland that the Heirs were camping in. The rough landscape smoothed out into a series of low dunes to the south, while the mountains to the west stuck into the sky like jagged splinters.

Beautiful. I feel like Im on one of those backpacking trips I did in college, taking a few days off from the academic grind to head out into the wilderness for some peace.

Nathan snorted. It sure wasnt peace he was finding out here, but in moments like these it sure felt like it. He looked down at the campsite, noting Stellas prone form.

We found the next limit to her spellcasting - mana burn. Turns out its pretty mentally exhausting to channel enough magic to destroy an army. I hope her new Talent Development helps with that. I bet that little event will lead to some future Developments that help specialize in grand battle magic like that - next class-up? Not too far off at this rate.

He ran his eyes over the rest of the Heirs - his teammates - and thought of the incredible potential in each of them. Theyd avoided death over many close fights, and been rewarded with levels and power. They were well on their way to becoming elite Adventurers, able to stand on their own.

At which point Nathan would leave them - to pursue his crusade against Giantsrest. If he didn't do it even sooner.

We just need to avoid notice for a bit longer. At this rate it really wont be long before I stop worrying about being hunted, and start doing the hunting.

Nathan furrowed his brow. He could have sworn hed just heard something. From up? He looked up, scanning the world overhead. After a moment, he caught sight of a small haze that partially obscured one of the continents.

Tilting his head back and forth, Nathan observed the blurry spot. It wasnt moving, but it was getting bigger.

As if its getting closer.

Nathan concentrated on the haze, trying to pierce through any illusion magic to see what was hiding. Earlier today hed seen that his antimagic, when combined with [Notice], would let him see through illusions. If this was an illusion - or invisibility spell - he could pierce it.

The first trace that it was working were sounds reaching his ears. ... just lazy. You call upon me to do your work. This is not how one advances as an archmage. Then Nathan saw double, the image of two robed men superimposed on a blank night sky. He couldnt see details, but one of the silhouettes was plump enough to be Taeol.

Shit shit shit. What do I do? Be smart.

Nathan spent a moment calculating angles. He might be able to jump up and catch the flying mages, who clearly thought they were hidden by their spells. But while the rest of the Heirs weren't specialized to fight mages like he was, they were powerful.

Especially recently. Trust your team, Nathan.

"Wake up! Mages coming in!" That was as far as Nathan got before the second mage - a gaunt man whose robes hung without adornment - started casting.

[Zone of Silence]

[Soporific Bubble]

[Mass Levitate]N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

He cast quickly, efficiently. The first spell covered the Heirs even as Nathan was speaking. He saw Khachi roll over, but that was all as the soporific gas took effect. The Heirs rose smoothly into the air, until they were suspended just behind the two mages floating thirty feet in the air.

He just grabbed them. So fast. Shit. I can jump fifteen feet vertically, then glide nearly horizontally as long as Im spending Stamina, but I can't reach them unless they come lower.

The gaunt mage turned attention towards Nathan, staring directly at him with huge eyes that glowed with a galaxy of multicolored light. The second mage also looked over, his own eyes casting an orange glow.

Those are Taeols eyes. Well this is fucked.

Nathans supposition was confirmed a moment later as Taeols voice sounded loudly across the darkness. Wont you capture him too?

The other figure snorted derisively. And deliver a giants meal to you? Bad enough you requested my aid with this, and I accepted. You will only master magic through seeking its limits, and this man he pointed a bony finger at Nathan is a limit of magic. You will overcome him, or you will die. I have aided you since he ran and hid, but you have burnt my generosity to a stub. Now clench your fist around the prize and make something worthy of an archmage of Giantsrest.

Shit shit shit. With the way that other mage is talking theyre probably the Questor. Or just a more powerful archmage. I dont know what to do.

Taeol clasped his hands together before his chest in a ritual gesture and bowed over them. I am but a finger in your hand. This humble student thanks Master Badud for his aid.

Yup. The Questor. Not good.

Badud waved his hand at Taoel dismissively. Waking the Fortress Foundry to flush them out was clever. If the old mage-killer hadnt been around you could have collected the whole bunch. But even after he departed you insisted upon my aid. Pathetic. An archmage must be superior to all others.

Then he turned and addressed Nathan. Well, do you have a voice, boy? I find myself disappointed in my students on my return to Giantsrest. Will I also be disappointed in my enemies?

The majority of Nathans thoughts spun through ways to attack the two mages floating overhead, but he reached for something to say. Who are you?

The faint overhead light illuminated a slight smirk. I am Badud. A founder of Giantsrest, and a Questor. Other titles I clasp by the handful, but those are the titles of today. And you are Nathan Lark, from another world. Earth, or so Taeol tells me. He wants your secrets, but I find myself uncaring.

Badud shrugged languidly. If such secrets will help him master his magic, he should take them. It seems they might - he has told me of the young mages actions against the constructs. An impressive spell for one so young. He tilted his head, gauging Nathans reaction. She will serve Giantsrest well.

Nathans Rage activated of its own accord, and he wracked his brain for a way to get toBadud and tear him limb from limb. He looked around for a loose rock before dismissing the thought.

Throwing a normal, nonmagical rock at an archmage is not going to work. It would make me feel better, but that's about it.

Going back to Gemore would take time. A day back to Tarren, in the wrong direction. Probably a few days back to Gemore, then time to coordinate things. Im not that far from Halsmet here. I could just go.

That plan appealed to Nathan. A lot of it was emotional - that was for damn sure. Nathan wanted the best ending, and that was one where Taoel didnt have weeks to carefully worm his way into the Heirs minds. If Nathan could catch the man in a day or two, then he might be able to prevent anything truly horrific from happening to his friends.

I wonder if theyre expecting me to just hate them and work against them slowly? At most, they might expect me to go to Gemore, bring in all of the Guardians and every other Adventurer I can for a rescue mission in a few days. And if I can mobilize the Adventurers against Halsmet, then Giantsrest will know because of the spy Harthi mentioned - who still hasnt been dealt with.

Nathan could feel himself coming to a decision, his breathing quickened with excitement and fear.

I dont think theyll be expecting me to go straight to Halsmet. Or if they do, theyll expect me to be out of my mind with anger - and how could one non-mage, non-elite Adventurer pose a threat to an entire town with multiple archmages? But Im not fighting the town, Im fighting Taeol. Freeing the Heirs is all I care about. If I go in smart, then this might work. And I'll take that.

Nathan stood. He mulled his plan over in his head as he descended the rock. It was barely a plan at this point - and certainly very risky. But it was what Nathan wanted to do. It was motivated by his Rage, by his desire to help his friends. But he wasnt convinced it was a terrible idea - doing the unexpected had its own appeal.

Badud mentioned that his ambitions werent just about me - he wants to reconquer Gemore. Drawing out the elite Adventurers would be a big part of that. It might be Taoels plan to draw me to Halsmet and capture me, but I dont think its Baduds.

Nathan inventoried the camp while he thought. The problem was that his options were simple, but all of those options were bad. The only way to act outside of the expectations of his foes was to demonstrate some unknown capability, some method that was outside of their plan.

Its too late to Develop something new. I need to think of some capability I have that they dont know about. [Magic Absorption] doesn't count. [Airwalking] would, but I dont know how Ill get two more ranks in a high-tier Talent quickly. I cant just find cliffs to jump off of, that wont be enough. Id need to find cliffs to jump off during a fight, and thats risky and would take too long to set up.

Lets prune this back. How can I surprise Taeol?

When Nathan thought it in terms of surprise, an answer suggested itself. It was a mundane kind of answer, but one that might work nonetheless.

If I sprint all the way to Halsmet, how quickly can I get there?

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Magic Absorption 10

Permanent Talent 2: Perfected Body 4

Talent 3: High-tier Slow Fall 8

Class: Implacable Antimage level 117

Stamina: 3717/3810

Antimages Impassivity

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Implacable Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Improved Antimagic

Strenuous Agility

Hand-to-hand Expertise

Utility skills:

Battle Meditation 5

High-tier Earnestness 9

Mid-tier Sprinting 10

High-tier Spellsense 9

High-tier Notice 4

High-tier Identify 4

High-tier Dodging Footwork 5

High-tier Enhanced Memory 7

Mid-tier Lecturing 8

High-tier Tumbling 2