Chapter 78: Kindled Dreams

Chapter 78: Kindled Dreams

Chapter 78

Kindled Dreams

Snow had been falling relentlessly for two months now. Staring out, Sylas couldn't help but be awedhe saw a legitimate, ten-foot-tall wall of snow stretching out around the castle. Save for the immediate courtyard that was shoveled thrice a day, it was physically impossible to actually leave the castle. He'd never seen anything quite as awful as this, the kind of weather that would grind the entire city into an early apocalypse.

Some of the cold managed to even find its way into the castle, as the winding corridors were impossible to traverse without heavy leather to warm up a body. Winters truly were different, and though he knew this wasnt exactly the norm, the fact that everybody seemed completely accustomed to it was terrifying.

Shaking his head, he looked back down onto the table where twenty or so parchments of talismans lay scattered. They were his failed attempts at actualizing himself as a Talisman-weaver. In order to be recognized as someone capable of drawing up talismans, he had to first be able to draft up at least a tier-0 talismanthe true kind, not the childish ones he had been drawing up until now.

Although hed managed to do it, actually, several times before, it was all with Rynes continuous assistance throughoutand that wasnt accepted. Nonetheless, he hadnt given up. He was getting closer, after all. Within thousands and thousands of lines that he was required to draw, he was failing fewer and fewer times.

The doors to the room suddenly opened and through came a thick-layered Prince. Valen religiously spent most of the day traversing the castle, having meetings, or jotting down thingsin addition to dragging along Iun that Sylas managed to stuff him with.

Oh? Wheres your beloved child? Sylas quizzed when he realized that Valen returned alone. The Prince grunted and glared at him for a moment before slowly taking off the large and overbearing coat of fur, sitting down and pouring himself some still-hot stew Sylas made.

With Ryne, he replied. And thank the Gods for that. The kids beyond creepy.

Preaching to the choir.

What are you doing? Valen asked.

Trying to draw up a tier-0 talisman, Sylas replied. And failing. Majestically.

Wow. You really are trying to become a master of many things, Valen said. What? Are you uncertain that your prophetic dreams will continue so youre trying to make yourself useful in different ways?

A mans always got to have means, Sylas cracked a faint smile. Are you worried that losing my dreams will mean you losing your throne before even getting to fight for it?

it wasnt your dreams that inspired me to chase the crown, Valen said after a momentary silence. It was your faith in me. Nobodys ever treated me so. I only felt it fair to respond to your faith in a proper manner.

Faiths the fuel of the soul, after all, Sylas mumbled.

Ive had dreams too, recently, Valen said. Though, less of prophetic nature and more akin to nightmares.

I occasionally have nightmares too. This one time, I dreamed that I had the most beautiful woman in the world strip naked in front of me but I couldnt get it up.

Its been a while, Sylas mumbled more so to himself than Valen before replying to the Prince. Alas, I am an enlightened man of faith. Or something along those lines, I suppose.

soon as the Spring comes, Valen said. Ill send out for some women to warm your bed.

and Ill graciously accept them, Sylas cracked a smile as Valen stood up, fixing his clothes. Where off to now?

A meeting, the Prince sighed. Though you dont meddle in mortal matters, as it turns out, planning on usurping my Father for the Throne is hardly something that can be planned out in a day. It will be difficult, to say the least.

You just keep being yourself, Sylas said. And Ill get you that crown. I promise.

youll have some privacy for a while, Valen said, walking toward the doors. Clear your head. Please.

Sylas chuckled as Valen closed the doors behind him, leaving him alone in the room once more. Reaching into his pocket, Sylas took out a tiny rockShard of Ascindium. Staring at it intently for a moment, he did yet another testtrying to store the entire table in it. The test was successful. With a simple, soundless movement, the desk vanished, in its place a gaping hole.

Exhaling in excitement, Sylas began slowly coalescing his energy toward the palm of his hand and the Shardjust as Derrek taught him so long ago, he followed the instructions again and pulled the desk out from the Shard. It appeared in front of him, admittedly slightly worse for wear as it toppled to the side, causing his smile to stretch.

Three days of passive recharging, Sylas mumbled, confirming his earlier findings. Only inanimate objects. Derrek Derrek why is he an exception? he mumbled further.

He'd tried using the Shard on many peopleRyne, Valen, maids and butlers, Tenner, even Iun, and, perhaps most insane of all, himself. It, however, didnt workit didnt work on anybody except for Derrek. From his recollections of the conversations he had with Dyn and Derrek, it didnt sound as though either one of them was aware of this, actuallyboth seemed to be under the impression that any living would be imprisoned there. And yet, that wasnt the case.

As for why Sylas was clueless, for the time being. It likely had something to do with the Mantra they studied. At the very least, that was his suspicion.

Since the Shard predates the Kingdoms, he spoke softly, tapping his finger against the wooden desk. Does it mean their Mantra either does too or has links to something? But Iun also predates the Kingdoms. Shouldnt it have trapped him? So, its likely not that. Hmm probing Derrek too much probably wont yield a lot, but its a good place to start. God, this winter is fucking everything up

Putting the shard away and cleaning everything up, he was just about to settle in for a nice, midday nap when his eyebrows began to twitch at the sight of something he didnt want to see: the systems window.

Mist approaches.

New Quest: Charted Dreams

Content: defend the castle from the attack.

Reward: Archery MantraSoulseeker

Punishment for failure: ???

Start of the attack: Soon