Chapter 373: Ryun

Chapter 373: Ryun

Leverage

Ryun sat on a corpse of a monster, recovering his Qi. His Sects warriors were around him, those that didnt need healing at least. He saw Lesamitrius guiding the efforts of harvesting the monster bodies, there was a lot of wealth to be had here. Ryun had them jump on it as soon as the things calmed down and before others could think of it. He knew how people acted, soon this entire place was going to become a bit more tense. Better that they get a head start on the looting.

Selia stood to the side with Erdania, fussing over her while Erdania tried to tell her that she was fine. Ryuns attention though, was on Nayra who was leading the Sect efforts and listening to reports. They had learned that no one had seen her mother and sister since they entered the city, and they couldnt find them. It wasnt looking good. They could be dead as so many others were. From what Lesamitrius told him the current numbers put them somewhere at 40% of the combined Sect army lost. His Sects losses were less, they had probably the most experience fighting these monsters than anybody else. The former Empires troops had fought them for years and the Twilight Melody Sect did have a lot of powerful individuals. And Ryun and Selia had hammered the enemy and lessened the pressure on the side of the battle where their sect was. Though, losing Karya and Vanessa would be a blow.

The question was if they had died a true death or not, and without the connection to the Ethereal they were unlikely to get an answer soon. Not all of the dead had died a true death, but many had. The Sect army had been made aware andat least in Twilight Melody Sectthey were prepared to kill the monsters before they could devour souls.

It would be weeks before they knew an exact number.

Ryun kept his eyes closed and his legs folded underneath him as he sat on the corpse and tried not to pay attention to the looks he was getting. He heard their whispers, the awe in their voice, and not just from his own people. Many were saying that Selia and he had killed most of the army, which while true didnt quite match their tones at least not in Ryuns mind. Still, there wasnt much that he could do about it, and it would be useful for his plans. He had an opportunity now; others had witnessed their exploits. Erdania had killed the Elder King, and Selia and he had demolished the enemy army. That had earned them honor. He only had to leverage it now.

Suddenly, he felt Nayra double over and he moved. In an instant he was next to her, steadying her.

What is it? He asked.

Nayra shook her head, then straightened. The Ethereal, the connection is back!The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

Ryun raised an eyebrow, wondering why now and if it had something to do with their victory. The amount of death gathered here was probably more than had ever happened in this world. Perhaps that was enough to open a way through.

I need to go, Nayra said hurriedly. I need to check if my attunement worked, if the souls are safe

Stop, Ryun told her as he saw her readying to use her ability and cross over.

But we need to know, and it will help us see how many actually died a true death, Nayra said.

Yes, and you will go, Ryun told her. But not yet, we dont know what time dilation is in this part of the Ethereal, and I need you here for now. You have a month in this Realm, lets take our time, yes?

Nayra looked him in the eyes, clearly conflicted, but then she nodded, agreeing with him. Yes, youre right.

Ryun turned to the Sect warrior that had been in the middle of giving Nayra a report and spoke. Go find Lesamitrius and Reki, have them send people to other Sects to see if this affected them too.

Nayra frowned as the man saluted and ran off. You think that it might not?

The battle has a way of making people improve in different ways, Ryun said slowly.

A glimpse? I dont feel like what youve described, Nayra said.

Still, Ryun added.

Then, he turned his eyes to the sky where he felt a person flying in their direction. As she approached, he couldnt help but focus on the armada above the Citadel, there was no other word for it. They looked like spaceships straight out of stories from Earth, though some looked more like the airships that he had seen before. And there were three massive islands dwarfing everything, that floated to the side with their own more conventional looking armada.

Ryun pulled his attention from the newcomers and watched as Tali landed near them.

Ryun! She yelled. What are you doing? You are late!

He tilted his head at her. Late for what?

Tali closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The meeting between the leaders of the Exalted Empire and Sects?

Ryun blinked. He had sensed that taking place, of course, it was what was holding the attention of most of the people in the territory. He just hadnt thought that he should be there. If he was being honest, he had listened in for a bit, but got bored with all of the greetings and politics. He cursed himself, he shouldve been there, it wouldve put him at the front of the Sects and furthered his goals. He just hadnt thought about it, and had been frankly too exhausted.

I havent been invited, Ryun answered, trying to mollify Tali, of course invitation didnt matterpower did.

She frowned. A messenger was sent.

The Exalted Empire is not beholden to you, the Sects are interfering where they dont belong, the cthul said slowly.

Ryun walked through the throng of people, feeling their eyes on him as well as some whispered frustrations. He stopped once he was next Hitor who glanced at him then turned back to the cthul who had barely spared Ryun a look. Tali hurried over to where Sigmund was standing.

It doesnt matter, we are here, and this ground is soaked with our blood, we will not retreat as you dictate. Just as you are not beholden to us, we are not beholden to you Herald.

The cthuls eyes narrowed. You are in violations of our agreements; you will leave now, or we will destroy you. Choose.

Ryun wondered why the man was so hostile. He assumed that there were some powerful treasures in the Citadel and Emaros, assuming that the Wardens hadnt moved everything, but he didnt think that anything would be worth enough for what a war would cause. And this would be another Sect versus Classers war. And their army was disadvantaged, tired and nearly halved.

Ryun could see that Hitor understood their position. They had a weakened army while the new arrivals were fresh, the way of the sects was simple. If you had power you could do what you wanted, if not, you submitted.

Hitor didnt answer immediately, so Ryun did it for him.

No, he said loudly.

Everyone in the meeting turned to look at him, even Sigmund and his side stopped their arguments to look.

The cthul glanced at him and looked him over. Ryun was wearing the last copy of his armor he had on, still covered in blood and dented in places. After a moment the cthul turned back at Hitor.

You shouldnt allow children to speak on your behalf, the Herald of the Machine said.

Hitor grimaced and moved to answer but Ryun put a hand on his shoulder. He didnt like this, putting himself in the spotlight, but he had a vision. He had seen some of it on the field of battle. The Sects united fighting against outside threats. They were powerful, but they could be so much more.

Hitor met Ryuns eyes, and Ryun saw his thoughts. Not in his eyes, he couldnt see them, no, in the way he held himself, his hesitation. He didnt think that they could refuse the Herald, and he was right. Their army was too weakened to refuse, and the Herald was taking advantage of that weakness. Ryun was an amateur at politics, but even he saw that the Herald wanted to take credit for defeating the enemy, simply because he came at the end. Thankfully, while Ryun wasnt good at politics, he was good at demonstrating powerit was why he gravitated toward the Sect way. He just needed to remind them what Sects were all about, perception, honor and obligation, even in death.

Hitor saw something in his eyes and stepped back, letting him take the lead. Ryun was more grateful for that than the drake couldve known. He was a young member of their council, but he had earned a lot of honor during the fighting, and Sects respected that.

He turned to face the cthul, now standing in front of the Sects.

You are the one they call the Undying Void? He asked slowly. A member of the team that killed Hastur.

Ryun inclined his head.

Are you sure that you want to put that name to the test? The Herald threatened.

Ryun smiled; this was the kind of a person who he understood. Power versus power.

I would, but it will be unnecessary, Ryun said. What will happen is that you will pull half of your forces out of the Citadel and allow us in. You have arrived at the end of the battle, and you have contributed. Your actions have saved lives of our people, for that you have our eternal gratitude, and you will have part of the spoils. You can even have the territories themselves, but we will not be leaving until we are rested and had the time to take our picks.

The Heralds eyes narrowed. And if I refuse your generous offer?

Ryuns smile widened; it was time for his secret weapon. His demonstration of power. He glanced to Nayra standing at his side.

If you will, Nayra, he said.

He sensed everyones confusion as Nayra raised her hand, and then used her perk. It was like a deep sound that couldnt be heard but felt deep inside yourself. He sensed everyone startle at that, some went for their weapons, but it was not necessary. Ryun felt it happen. Behind them in the clearing in between the two armies, shapes started to form, walking as if out of mist as they crossed from the Ethereal. As Nayra used her Death Valkyries Call.

The souls of the dead warriors answered the call, all the souls that had made it to the Ethereal Realm. Ryun had never doubted that they would come. They were warriors of the Sects, those who were here, who had fought and died, they understood honor and obligation more than most could. It wasnt everyone who died, of course, some had died a True Death, but it was enough to demonstrate his point. The Sects were not weak, their warriors would fight even in death.

As the area behind them suddenly filled with the ghosts of the dead, he saw the Heralds hesitation. Two more souls manifested next to Nayra and he glanced over to see Nayra sag in relief as her mother and sister appeared. Not true death. He didnt know what kind of immortality they had, but he assumed that it was something tied to Valkyries like Nayra.

Ryun turned his gaze back at the Herald of the Machine. The army of ghosts filling the field behind him. Then he asked.

Well?