Book 4: Chapter 29: A Fitting Memorial

Book 4: Chapter 29: A Fitting Memorial

That night, Elijah didn’t sleep much. Instead, he lay awake in his incredibly comfortable bed of moss, just staring up at the gently glowing flowers on his ceiling. Bioluminescence had always fascinated Elijah, but he knew that these particular flowers were powered not by a biological process, but rather, by ethera. Still, they were an interesting case that reminded him of just how magical his world had become.

But he wasn’t thinking about that.

Instead, he found himself contemplating the future. Soon, he would completely lay Alyssa to rest. Her memory would remain with him always, but he expected that the project’s completion would feel like shutting a door. After that, he would need to move on, both because he had other obligations as well as for his own mental well-being. It wouldn’t do to dwell any longer.

What did the future hold, though?

Would he immediately set off for Seattle to uphold his end of the bargain he’d struck with Isaiah? Perhaps. Already, he’d delayed it for months, so there was no telling what he’d find when he returned to the embattled city. Hopefully, Lucy wouldn’t pay the price for his procrastination.

In addition, he had other goals on his mind. First, he’d already resolved to investigate the storm that still persisted far out to sea. Something told him that it was important, though he didn’t know precisely what form that importance might take. Then, he also needed to take care of his coffee, the cherries of which would ripen soon enough. That was probably the project he most looked forward to, but he also wanted to begin work on a new staff sometime in the near future. The Dragon-Touched Staff was a powerful piece of equipment, but it was incredibly one-dimensional. He expected he could do better, so long as he approached the project with the right attitude.

After that, he needed to test out his latest ability:

Debilitating Roar

Let out an enraged bellow that sends all nearby targets fleeing in fear, decreasing their damage by 15%. Increases caster’s footspeed by 10%. Only usable when caster is under the influence of Shape of the Guardian. Duration based on Ethera attribute. Current: 9.2 seconds. Resistance based on target’s Constitution attribute.

It was the ability he’d received at level eighty, and if Elijah was honest, he found the description a little disappointing. It was easy to conjure situations where it would be useful, but he’d hoped for something direct. Perhaps that would come at level eighty-five. He also hoped to start receiving some upgrades to his current spells sometime soon, because abilities like Calamity and Storm’s Fury had started to lose some of their efficacy, especially against anything his level. Even the attribute bonuses of his bestial transformations had begun to feel underwhelming.

Whatever the case, he needed a low-danger situation in which to test the new ability.

Finally, he knew that Miguel was quickly approaching the point where he would need to choose an archetype. When his nephew reached that stage, Elijah intended to make certain that the young man had every advantage he could provide, including help with his cultivation, high-grade equipment, and whatever guidance he could offer.

But underlying everything else was the knowledge that he needed to continue to progress. Lying in bed, he looked at his status:

Name

Elijah Hart

Level

81

Archetype

Druid

Class

Animist

Specialization

N/A

Alignment

N/A

Strength

94

Dexterity

84

Constitution

93

Ethera

90

Regeneration

84

Attunement

Nature

Cultivation Stage: Cultivator

After that, he did as he’d said, going to his treehouse to shower, change, and grab everything he thought he might need. Once he’d stuffed it all into his Ghoul-Hide Satchel, he called out for Nerthus.

“You have those seeds we talked about earlier?” he asked.

Nerthus handed over a pouch, saying, “There is no guarantee that these will take root. The vines are a finnicky sort.”

“All I can do is try. This is important, though.”

And it was. Once the seed was nestled safely in his satchel, Elijah returned to collect his family before once again asking if they were ready to go. Of course, Miguel had forgotten something, which he rushed off to gather, eliciting a groan from Carmen. When he returned, Elijah used Roots of the World Tree, opening a gate to the Dragon Circle outside of Argos.

After that, they made their way to the city. Miguel and Colt were both familiar enough with Argos, but Carmen had never been. As a result, she was suitably impressed by what she saw.

“Everyone here is so friendly...”

“Part of that is because of me,” Elijah said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, so most everyone recognizes me. But I also think it’s because they’re just good people.”

“I was beginning to think that places like this couldn’t survive in this new world,” she said as they walked through the city.

“I don’t think that’s true. I visited another couple of places that were mostly okay,” Elijah said. “I think that, for the most part, people are good. It’s just that sometimes they run into a bad apple like Roman. Or those rich, water-hoarding assholes in Seattle.”

“So you think those places are the exception to the rule? Or is this the exception?”

“I don’t know,” Elijah admitted, running his hand through his hair. “Maybe the answer is that there isn’t a rule. Maybe it’s just a take-it-as-you-find-it sort of situation. Either way, Argos is a good place full of good people. That’s why I chose to put the memorial here.”

“Why not Ironshore?”

“We’re human. Alyssa deserves to be remembered in a human settlement.”

“It’s not because they tried to kill you?” asked Carmen.

Elijah stopped. “You heard about that, huh?” he asked. “Which time?”

“Both. I’m surprised you didn’t burn it all down,” she said. “So were most of the people who live there.”

“I thought about it,” Elijah admitted. “But both times it was an isolated thing. I trust Ramik, but I still wonder what will happen when they figure out what’s on my island. It’s a tempting target.”

“It is. But for what it’s worth, I don’t think any of them will invade your grove anytime soon. They’re terrified.”

“They should be.”

After that, they continued on, and after Elijah rented rooms for them at Agatha’s hotel, they headed to the site of the monument. And it looked much as it had when Elijah had left it.

“It’s huge,” Carmen breathed.

Indeed, it was the size of a full-blown mansion, and it was made almost entirely from the stone Elijah had quarried. To him, it looked a lot like the Temple of Athena Nike in Athens, though with a few caveats. For one, the columns were carved in a spiral shape, with unadorned capitals. That would change as Elijah, Carmen, and the twin sculptors went to work, but even now, the effect was elegant and straightforward in its simplicity.

The other major difference was the statue at the top of the building. Based on and incorporating pieces of the statue Elijah had carried out of Valoria, it was meant to depict and idealized version of Alyssa. The figure stood in a heroic pose, with her spear raised high and pointing toward the sky.

The final difference between the monument to Alyssa’s memory and the ancient Athenian temple was that the new version had an expansive, open-air courtyard in its center. That was where Elijah intended to plant the ancestral tree seed.

“Are you ready to get to work?” Elijah asked.

Carmen nodded. “I am.”

To Miguel and Colt, Elijah said, “You’re welcome to stick around, but you may get bored. Maybe explore the town a little. Meet some people. Eat some good food. I’m sure if you ask nicely, Isaak would show you around.”

“I want to watch,” Miguel said. “At least for today.”

“Fine by me,” Elijah said.

Then, he and the others climbed the steps – also made of that same white-and-green marble – to the monument. Once inside, Elijah spoke to Dion, the builder, who told him that everything went exactly as planned. He eagerly took Elijah on a short tour, narrating as he went. “The temple is a true marvel. Do you feel the ethera wafting off the Dragonstone?”

“Is that what it’s called?” Elijah asked, surprised.

“Indeed. Very rare, the guides say. That we have a vein nearby bodes well for the city’s future prosperity,” Dion answered. “Ah – here are the rooms you asked for.”

There were seven rooms in the building, all meant for housing. Other than that, there was another large chamber housing the unused remnants of Alyssa’s statue. But Elijah didn’t need to see that again, so he forewent visiting. Instead, he made his way to the central courtyard, where he planted the ancestral tree seed.

Once he’d covered it up and summoned Healing Rain, he used Nature’s Bounty. Then, to Carmen, he said, “You should go find the Sculptors. Penelope and Iason. Just look for two siblings who won’t stop arguing, and you’ll find them.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Grow a very special tree,” Elijah said. “Then, we’re going to have a party.”