Book 2: Chapter 19: Defining the Source

Book 2: Chapter 19: Defining the Source

That night, Elijah went to bed a little disappointed, and for a couple of reasons. Obviously, he would’ve preferred it if Jess had joined him; her company had only hammered home just how lonely he’d been since washing ashore on his island. And while he could ignore it most of the time, the connection he’d forged with the former medical student was just electric enough to send his imagination running wild with possibilities.

The other reason for his ill attitude was the inn room itself. Despite the fact that he’d been camping in the wilderness for the past couple of months, he still remembered his mossy bed back on the island, and the inn’s mattress just couldn’t measure up to Nerthus’s work. Still, he was exhausted enough that it was only mildly disappointing, and, what’s more, he’d slept in worse.

So, even though he wasn’t as comfortable – or satisfied – as he might’ve hoped, Elijah spent a restful enough night, and, the next morning, he felt reenergized. When he awoke, he pushed himself upright and looked around. The room was spartan, with only a bed, a utilitarian nightstand, and a bathroom. However, Norcastle had running water – apparently, Plumber was an actual class, and the city had a couple who’d managed to supply it with water via their creations – so he quickly jumped in the shower, then changed into one of his spare outfits.

As always, he had no shoes. Most of the time, Elijah barely noticed, but in the city, his unshod feet were noteworthy enough that other people definitely did. It didn’t matter, though. If everything went according to plan, he wouldn’t be staying much longer.

So, after dressing, Elijah gathered his things and left the room behind. His bare feet slapped against the wooden floor as he traversed the short hallway and entered the stairwell before descending a couple of flights of stairs and exiting into the hotel’s common room. There, he found the proprietor standing behind a bar, where she was manning a griddle.

The heavyset woman glanced over her shoulder and asked, “What can I get for you?”

“Whatever’s easiest,” Elijah said. “Just so long as it’s hot.”

“Got sausage and pancakes. Even some real maple syrup.”

“That sounds great.”

He watched as the woman got to work, and he sensed a barely-noticeable swirl of Ethera accompanying her actions. Clearly, she had some sort of technique associated with cooking; perhaps she even had the Chef class. If that was the case, Elijah was truly looking forward to breakfast.

After all, he hadn’t forgotten the meal he’d enjoyed back in Ironshore. While the woman cooked, Elijah took a look at his status:

Name

Elijah Hart

Level

34

Archetype

Druid

Class

Animist

Specialization

N/A

Alignment

N/A

Strength

35

Dexterity

34

Constitution

35

Ethera

43

Regeneration

37

Attunement

Nature

Cultivation Stage: Cultivator

Body

Core

Mind

Soul

Wood

Hatchling

“I’m just going to tell her the moment I leave,” Elijah stated. “So, you may as well let her stay.”

Essex ground his teeth so hard that Elijah could hear it. Or maybe he’d simply sensed it via One with Nature. Sometimes, it was difficult to tell the difference. In any case, the man didn’t look happy to be pushed against a wall. He almost growled, “And if I tell you that the consequences for doing so could be very detrimental to your health?”

Elijah looked the man in the eye and said, “I’m unconcerned with what you deem dangerous.”

For a long moment, the pair of men stared at one another, neither willing to back down. Finally, Essex deflated and said, “Fine. On your head be it, then. Just know that you’re putting her in danger as well. Some knowledge is –”

“Dangerous, sure,” Elijah stated. Then, he turned to Jess and said, “The Voxx are interdimensional lizards who invade our world in one of three ways. Sometimes, they simply manifest as singular entities. Those are the least deadly. Basically pests. Most of the time. But they have the chance, albeit a small one, to manifest something much, much stronger. The most powerful creature I’ve ever seen came from one of those. I think.”

Essex seemed to take issue with that assessment, and he said, “I beg to differ on that account. They are dangerous creatures who can –”

“Sure, they’re dangerous. But nothing compared to the next ones. Those come from dimensional rifts. Those are temporary rips in the fabric of our reality. If you can go in and defeat the monster inside, you’ll close them. And get a reward. But the Voxxian creature inside can be pretty strong,” Elijah explained. “If you don’t close them, they corrupt the environment and drive the local wildlife crazy. I’ve also read that they can burst, creating a mini-surge.”

“And where did you read this?”

“A guide I bought from the Branch Knowledge Base,” Elijah lied. In reality, it had been explained to him by Nerthus. “Anyway, the third type is worse. If you’ve got a tower around here, which is what I suspect, then it’ll go a long way to explaining things. So, please – tell me the truth, Captain Essex – are we dealing with a tower? Or is it just a dimensional rift?”

“What is a tower? I mean, I know what a tower is. But I feel like I’m missing some context.”

“A tower is like a dimensional rift on steroids,” Elijah said. “The system erects a tower around them which drains the Ethera by creating a complex environment that can be challenged by –”

“Is it like a video game dungeon?” she asked, interrupting him.

“Uh...I guess? I was never much of a video game guy,” Elijah said. “But the problem is that if those towers are left unattended, they will eventually burst into a surge. And they’ll keep spilling more Voxxian monsters out until someone goes in, challenges the tower, and conquers it. That drains the Ethera – at least for a while – and keeps the Voxx from passing over.” He turned to the captain and asked, “That about the shape of things?”

Essex nodded. “It is,” he said tersely.

“Tower or rift?”

“Tower,” he said. “We’ve sent three teams inside. None have come back out.”

Elijah groaned. “And you’ve been dealing with the surges, right? I’m guessing some of your people got injured, and that’s how they got infected with the plague, huh?” he guessed. Given what he knew, it was the only thing that made sense. Or rather, it was the only problem with a potential solution. If the Voxx weren’t responsible, then the plague could’ve almost literally been caused by anything. In that case, he’d have to chalk it up as a loss and move on; at the same time, he’d advise anyone healthy to do the same.

But then Essex said, “It only happened one time. Just a single injured warrior. Since then, we’ve been careful. We don’t get close to the monsters. But the plague keeps coming back.”

Elijah shook his head. There were a host of potential explanations, but it probably came down to magic. The Voxx spread corruption wherever they went, and this particular tower seemed to house a particular virulent version.

“Alright, then. I guess I know what I need to do.”

“What?” asked Essex as Elijah turned to leave.

Elijah glanced back at the man and said, “Well, I’m going to conquer the tower. Obviously.”

He didn’t wait for a response before he left the office and turned down the hall, his mind already whirling with potential plans for defeating the tower. It was only after he’d gone a few steps when he realized that the downside of what he hoped was a cool exit meant that he’d never actually gotten directions to the tower. He was just about turn around and sheepishly return to the captain’s office when Jess caught up to him.

Then, the captain followed soon after. “Wait!” the man said, reaching out to grab Elijah’s arm.

Elijah didn’t react well to that, and he quickly jerked away. In only a second, he had his staff in the man’s face. “Please don’t grab me. I get jumpy,” he said.

Essex backed away, raising his hands in surrender. “I’m not a threat to you.”

“Sure you’re not,” Elijah said. “But you know what? I don’t care. Just tell me where to find this tower. I’ll run on over, conquer it, then be on my way. The good thing is that it won’t surge while I’m inside, and after I beat it, you’ll need to use that break to get stronger.”

“Why?”

“Because even if I conquer it, it’s not going to stop. It’ll be a while before it comes back, but you’ll be right in this same situation in a few months. Maybe a year. But it’s not a bad thing. Towers are great for levels. I’ve read that, in other parts of the universe, they’re seen as strategic resources.”

Indeed, ever since Elijah had recovered from his previous tower run, he’d thought about revisiting the challenge. He had expected that foray into another tower to be the one near his island, but the thought process remained the same. In the last tower, he’d gained ten levels. If he could repeat that feat in this current challenge, he’d put himself at the top of the power ladder. That was enough of a reason on its own, but couple that with a good cause, and Elijah’s decision was easy enough.

“We can send someone with you. There are a few talented –”

“No, thanks. They’ll just slow me down. All I need from you is some supplies and a map. Oh, and when I get back, I want access to your Branch.”

“I can’t –”

“Non-negotiable, Cap’n.”

“Please don’t call me that. It’s Captain Essex.”

“That’s what I said. Cap’n Essex.”

The man groaned, massaging his forehead. “Fine. I’m skeptical you’ll even survive, but if you happen to surprise me, I’ll make sure you get access. In the meantime, if you’ll wait here, I’ll get you everything else you’ll need.”

“Sounds like we have a deal, Cap’n.”

Essex didn’t respond. Aside from another groan, at least. But that surely had nothing to do with Elijah. Once Essex left, Elijah and Jess went back to the man’s office, where they waited for him to make good on his promises.

Once they were there, Jess remarked, “Is that what you call respectful?”

“Sure. Why? Did it not come off as respectful?”