Chapter 48: A Foreboding Future

Chapter 48: A Foreboding Future

Nathan stood over Taeols corpse, looking down at the slumped figure. In death, the archmage seemed unthreatening, pathetic. Just a lump of meat replacing a man of ambition and power.

He was also a greedy coward willing to dominate people to get what he wanted.

As Nathans Rage died, his eyes roamed over Taeols rich robes and the many rings on his fingers. He shook himself and hastened back towards Stella.

The Heirs are more important than anything Taeol was carrying. Id break anything valuable anyways. With my new aura I don't even need to touch magic items to break them.

Stella groaned as Nathan approached, eyes slitted against pain as she held her robes to a badly bleeding nose. She squinted up at him, seemingly at a loss for words.

He stared back, also unable to encapsulate everything he wanted to say. It was only a second before he broke through the impasse, focusing on what was important here and now. Where are the others?

Down Stellas voice rasped, but she pointed towards the side of the courtyard, underneath the balcony that she and Taeol had been standing on when Nathan had first entered. The door there had been broken open by one of the paving stones launched during the fight, revealing a grand entry hall. Nathan almost ran off to find the rest of the Heirs, but then saw Stellas hesitant attempts to stand.

Im not leaving her here - thats tempting fate too much. Enchanted robes be damned, shes coming with me.

Nathan scooped the small mage up, again amazed at how light she was. The enchantments in her robes immediately started fragmenting, and Nathan did his best to draw back his antimagic as he sprinted towards the building.

It didnt really work - his newfound control and ability to project the Talent let him retract it some, but not entirely. After all, the new talent said Magic items will degrade from being near you. Despite Nathan's best efforts, a few of the enchantments worked into the robe began to fray as he ran.

Stella was whimpering in his arms, squirming around what appeared to be the mother of all migraines. She forced her attention into giving him directions down a series of stairs before calling out Trap. Trap. She loosely gestured at an upcoming door.

Nathan set Stella down gently against the wall before carefully approaching the plain and unornamented wooden door. It took a moment, but he was able to pick up a faint magical field woven into the frame. Upon opening, the spell would send some kind of signal farther into the room.

While he couldnt tell what would receive the traps alert, he could clearly sense the connection it would travel along. Nathan furrowed his brow and carefully manipulated his antimagic into a spike, stabbing the immaterial blade into the door.

Not sure if thisll work - can my aura penetrate solid objects?

The answer appeared to be yes. The aura went straight through the wood and the magical wire snapped. When Nathan tried to push through he felt the spell activate - but the signal went nowhere. The door also went nowhere; it was locked without a visible keyhole.

Nathan backed up a few steps and then accelerated to throw his entire weight against the obstacle. The door didnt fly open, but the metal bar on the other side bent with a screech. Another bash forced the mangled piece of metal out of the bracket, and he was through.

Inside the next room were a set of five enchanted stockades. Two were empty. The other three held Aarl, Khachi, and Sarah, all stripped of their gear.

Attending them was a golem made of tan stone, who had been holding a bowl of water up to Aarls face. All three of the captured Heirs seemed dazed and confused, though their heads had turned towards Nathan and the noise hed made entering the room. Khachis body and his face twisted into a snarl as golden light swept over him. Then the stockades magic activated and a shock ran through the wolfmans body, zapping him back to placidity.

Nathans Rage flared to life and he started towards his friends, but the golem dropped the bowl and jumped him. With his new skills Nathan could sense the core embedded in its chest. It seemed to be the power source of the magical construct, animating and directing the enchanted stone with tendrils of magic.

He struck the charging humanoid as it approached, stabbing his antimagic directly into its core. The tight ball of magic fragmented and tore, and hundreds of Stamina flowed into Nathan as he smoothly sidestepped the golems sudden stagger. The animated statue fell, slamming into the ground with a grinding crunch. One of its arms snapped off, and all motion stopped as the magic inside it sputtered and faded.

I think that golem core was once a person. Goddamn Giantsrest.

Nathan took a moment to study the room, looking for more magical traps. There was an enchantment on the back wall that seemed like it would launch a fireball at anybody opening the door unauthorized. Nathan broke it first, then hastened to the stockades holding the remaining Heirs. He took another moment to investigate the enchanted wooden structures to be sure there wasn't a trap that would kill the occupants. There didnt seem to be any kind of failsafe, though they were magically locked. Nathan ruined the enchantments in moments, ripping apart the stockades one by one. They seemed woozy and dazed, but otherwise fine.

He didnt stick around to check in on them, instead going to retrieve Stella. He brought her into the room, setting her down against a wall. She seemed even more limp now, barely capable of opening her eyes to acknowledge that theyd found their friends.

As Nathan stood, he turned towards a series of wooden bins along the back wall emanating familiar magic. Throwing open the bins revealed all of the gear that had been stripped off the Heirs. He started grabbing clothes and tossing them to their owners. He spoke up as he did. We need to move. Sorry to push you, but all of Halsmet will come down on us unless we get out of here now.

Khachi was the first to get up. He threw his arms wide and growled, a deep and furious note that reverberated with divine power. We are free. Stand, and by my power be granted strength! Golden magic billowed away from the [Divine Justicar], and Sarah and Aarl both quickly got to their feet, pulling on clothes and coming over to collect their gear.

Everything was there - it looked like none of their bags had even been unpacked. The Heirs moved quickly, grabbing everything in mere seconds.

Nathan, how Sarah spoke thickly, having trouble finding words.

Well talk later. For now, get everything and go. Aarl, grab Stella. He responded, already checking the hallway to be sure it was still empty.

Aarl grunted in affirmation as his new armor flowed over his body. He slung a few packs over his shoulder, checked to be sure the dimensional ring they'd looted from the Ashblood serpent dungeon wasn't going to bounce. Then he moved over to pick up Stella, who didnt seem to have benefited as much from Khachis spell.

Khachi hurriedly packed his armor into his dimensional bag and they left the room.

Nathan led the Heirs up the stairs and into the courtyard at a jog. They paused on seeing the devastated space, but Nathan waved them forward. He led Khachi over to Taoels body.

Can you grab this? I dont want to take the time to search him, and taking the body might confuse Giantsrest.

The big wolfman didnt respond, merely leaning down to grab Taoels body and slinging it over his shoulder.

Then they went to the gate, which had been sealed with magic after Nathan entered. That didnt pose a problem with his new Talent Development, and the Heirs spilled out into the street. The corpses of the slave soldiers were still strewn around the gate where Nathan and Faline had left them. There were some new corpses off to the side, where a patrol of slave soldiers and a single slavemaster looked to have been stabbed in the back of the neck.

Nathan looked around for his accomplice, but didnt see her. He called out. Faline?

She materialized from the shadow of the wall, already reaching into her bag. Freedom and Brightness, Nathan. I wouldnt have believed this in prophecy. All of you, put these on and follow me.

She threw a set of baggy robes to each of the Heirs in turn, then transformed herself into the green-robed enslavement mage disguise. The robes were huge and baggy - big enough that they could completely cover Khachi and the burden he carried.

The Heirs gaped at her for a second, and Khachi looked to Nathan. Faline's here - how did this happen, Nathan?

Silence. Follow." Falines voice was imperious and commanding, and the Heirs bristled instinctively at her tone.

But Nathan bowed his own head and walked meekly after the leader of the Assassins of Gemore, and after a moment his teammates controlled themselves and followed.

An alarm bell started ringing across the city as they turned onto another street, though there was nobody in sight. The sound was piercing and impossible to ignore, but Faline kept her head high and led them onwards without changing her pace or posture.

The group was two more streets along when a blue-robed mage turned the corner ahead. The figure was followed by a dozen elites and almost a hundred slave-soldiers with bows. Nathan saw Aarl tense under his robe, and laid a restraining hand on his friends arm as Faline angled them to the side of the road.

The blue-robed mage stopped the column and looked at Faline with a frown. Crurn, did your eyes pick out the trouble?

I guess thats her disguise? Did she kill Crurn and take his place, or is this a long-standing alter ego?

Falines disguised form shook his head. Nothing, though I heard sounds of fighting from the second mansion. Also heard Archmage Taeols got new slaves, not yet broken. Think they got loose?

The other mage snorted and rolled his eyes. Giants save us from distracted Archmages. Exea will want a full accounting of every mages activities this day. Even if shes currently buried in oiled pleasure slaves. Then he shrugged, seeming resigned. And I am her fist regardless. Ill check with you for details later, Crurn.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Faline nodded casually and clasped forearms with the other mage before he hurriedly directed his party towards the mansion Nathan had so recently left.

Then their guide strode imperiously down the streets. The bell still tolled across the city, and Nathan saw slaves evacuating into buildings as guards patrolled the city in force. Faline took them on a slightly roundabout path, slipping through an alley and a small storehouse to bypass the checkpoints that separated the inner and outer cities.

Once they reached the regimented ranks of square buildings, Nathan could tell the Heirs were flagging. Whatever burst of energy Khachi had given them was fading. Stella was unconscious in Aarls arms, though she was well-hidden beneath the cloak.

There were still patrols of slave soldiers wandering around, most led by a slavemaster. They took one look at Falines green robe and bowed, letting her pass unchallenged. She led the Heirs back into the slums, though Nathan noticed a slavemaster watching them with a puzzled look on his face as they turned into the section of the city made of crude buildings and stinking of human waste.

High-tier Tumbling 3

Skill/Talent Wording:

Talents:

Permanent Talent: [Aura of Antimagic]

You are an embodiment of antimagic, forever unable to cast spells or access magic. Magic items will degrade from being near you. You can extend this antimagic from your body to directly absorb the mana of spells cast on you into Stamina.

Permanent Talent: Perfected body

You have achieved precise control of your body at a miniscule level. This Talent will automatically spend stamina to efficiently and immediately heal wounds. You can spend Stamina to make innate changes which include banishing poison, countering aging and restructuring your body on a miniscule level. Larger wounds, and greater changes will cost more stamina. Perfected Body will not prevent you from dying of grievous wounds.

Talent: High-tier Slow Fall

You have survived falling an extraordinarily long distance by using stamina to control your plummet. This Talent will allow you to use stamina to efficiently direct your fall. This is especially effective for controlling the rate of your fall.

Class:

Implacable Antimage: You cannot be slowed by magic, and use your agility to overcome physical threats. This class will enhance your antimagic while Raging, making you truly immune to magic and its effects. It will also enhance your physical agility, and increase your proficiency in hand-to-hand combat. This class may further develop into classes focused on permanently draining people of their magic, deflecting or controlling hostile magic or excelling at close quarters combat. With this class, you will become an unstoppable mage-hunter.

Class skill Deepened Stamina:

Stamina will accumulate during periods of rest, and can be spent to improve the speed and strength of your movements, or used for other skills or Talents that utilize stamina. Your Stamina capacity is tripled.

Class skill Antimages Impassivity:

Pain and injury will only drive you further onwards, and you will have resistance to mind-affecting skills while Raging. Being attacked with magic will enhance the intensity of your Rage.

Class skill Antimagic Momentum:

Motion enhances your inherent antimagic, allowing you to break magical effects with your movements and blows. The greater the momentum behind the motion, the greater the enhancement. Effect is further enhanced while Raging.

Class skillRaging Thrill

You can voluntarily enter and exit a Rage state, where you will be immersed in the thrill of combat. This will rapidly consume stamina, but will greatly increase your strength, speed and resilience to damage.

Class skill Implacable Inertia:

Your motions carry significantly greater momentum, and any attempt to slow your movement is hindered. Magical effects will be almost completely unable to change your velocity.

Class skillUnarmored resilience:

When not wearing armor your body becomes more resilient to damage from all sources.

Class skill Improved Antimagic:

While Raging, your antimagic Talent is greatly enhanced, and will be especially effective at protecting you from hostile magic.

Class skillStrenuous Agility:

You will move more quickly and easily, especially when reorienting your body in combat. Stamina spent on mobility will have a greater effect.

Class skill Hand-to-hand Expertise:

You will be faster, hit harder and be more skilled at unarmed combat.

Utility Skills:

Utility skill Battle Meditation:

This skill will allow you to remain focused and undistracted even in the harshest of conditions.

Utility skill High-tier Earnestness:

This skill will help you portray your intense conviction and honesty when you interact with people. This skill will encourage people to follow your example in words and actions. Cannot fool truth spells or skills.

Utility skill High-tier Sprinting:

This skill will help you run very quickly in the future and decrease the stamina cost of doing so. Will not allow you to run in circumstances where you couldnt otherwise.

Utility skill Magical Perception:

This skill lets you sense the mana around you, and understand its purpose.

Utility skill High-Tier Notice:

This skill will help you notice details. Especially useful for rapidly detecting concealed enemies, magical effects and triggers.

Utility skill High-Tier Identify:

This skill will help you interpret complex cues to understand strange objects, curses and effects, as well as give you clues on how to manipulate them. Will not help you identify types of mana or spellcraft.

Utility skill High-tier Dodging Footwork:

This skill will help you with quick movements to keep your balance and dodge attacks.

Utility skill High-tier Enhanced Memory:

You have a detailed mental construct to aid with memory, and a mental process to help you encode information into it. This skill will help you store and recall memories quickly. This process operates quickly and cannot be interfered with by outside sources. With time and effort you can recall older memories and store them in the mental construct.

Utility skill Mid-Tier Lecturing:

This skill will help you explain concepts in the future, smoothing over gaps and aiding greatly in explanation and understanding. Will not help you convey details you do not know, and will not help you suppress peoples doubts about what you are teaching.

Utility skill High-Tier Tumbling:

This skill will help you use unorthodox movements to take advantage of your momentum. Especially useful to avoid attacks and compensate when you are struck.

End of Book 2