Chapter 107: Sanctum XXXII

Chapter 107: Sanctum XXXII

It stemmed from the sanctums reputation. Rumors that hadnt reflected reality. I had been toldoriginally by Morthus, then practically everyone I spoke to on the topic afterwardthat the sanctum was not to be taken lightly. It was a trial by fire for the infernals, after all. It was said to be unstable, unpredictable, and most of all, dangerous.

But the greatest threats up to this point had been due to Thoths direct action, not the sanctum itself. We had been repeatedly warned that stepping off the beaten path would be an incredibly dangerous affair. Yet, wed been able to handle everything the sanctum had thrown at us with little difficulty.

Originally, I wondered if the sanctum was helping us. Streamlining our efforts to catch up to an individual who posed a direct threat to the well-being of the leyline. Giving us a more-or-less straight line to follow while doing everything it could to obstruct Thoth.

Now, looking at the portal that so effectively and directly blocked our path, I couldnt help but wonder if Id had it backward. With Thoth so close, it seemed the only purpose of such an ominous looking portal was to slow us down.

An orange light that surrounded the dark thrumming gate faded as Vogrin stood, blindfolded head tilting upward slowly, bits of grass falling from where his knee had impacted the grass. Based on my analysis, I can make several predictions with relative confidence. It is not a deathtrap, it does not have any maledictions brewed in. It is, despite all its trappings and contingencies to ensure it remains in place, a simple transportation spell. The portal goes somewhere. That is, however, as far as my supposition ends.

I stared at him dumbly. Theres nothing more you can tell us?

Vogrin scowled. You should be grateful for what I am providing. I doubt a team of infernal researchers working around the clock could give you a fraction of what I have in the same span of time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bell circumvent the gate and press her hand to the stone behind it. A handful of shadows escaped her fingertips, seeping into the stone. She looked back towards us in confusion. Odd. It feels like the original passage closed.

Even if we had an earth mage, it wouldnt matter, Jorra realized.

Maya approached Vogrin, keeping her tone demure. If you had more time to study the portal, would it make a difference?

No, Vogrins lips pressed together. Well, maybe. But gates like this are complicated-

There was a flash of movement on my left. Without really thinking about it, I summoned a small, focused gust of wind and slammed it into the moving object before it could reach Vogrin. It fell over and rolled, skidding before coming to a stop dozens of feet away.

I blinked, watching as the blocky, unwieldy body of the constructshaped somewhat similarly to a portly child, struggled to sit up. It was almost unrecognizable. Where its outer layer had once been sheer, rounded, and pristine with a marble texture, it was now, blackened, scarred by several chunks, and missing one of its four legs. It staggered rather pathetically towards Vogrin, the blue gem in its forehead eyeing me suspiciously as it waddled towards him. It bowed, then bobbed back and forth, not unlike an animal looking for praise.

Vogrin grasped it by the head and breathed in, tendrils of blue mist leaving the constructs forehead and flowing into his mouth. All at once, it shuddered, and trembled, and dropped to the ground.

I studied the small heap of rock where the thing had disassembled. Was that the only one that made it back?

So it would seem, Vogrin said, his voice distracted. They appear to have run into quite a lot of trouble. This one spent most of its time dodging a drake of all things in some facsimile of the Teregrin Highlands.

I raised an eyebrow. Teregor was known collectively as the dark continent, home to an absurdly large number of tales regarding its many myths and monsters. Any ship attempting to explore the area was either summarily destroyed or disappeared entirely.

Bell poked the corpse with the toe of her boot. Poor thing. It traveled all this way only for you to eat it.

It served its purpose.

But why did you have to eat it? Bell asked.

I did not eat it! Vogrin snapped. I extracted its animus, so I could review its memories until I will return it to nothing, a process that is taking longer because you are pestering me.

Jorra looked over at Bell, seriously. Sometimes you just get hungry.

Its notyoure being Vogrin stopped and covered his face with his hand. Children. Im surrounded by children.

I shrugged. Teregor is rather infamous. Crossing even a small portion of that land is notable, let alone evading a drake.

Vogrin looked between me and Bell, seeming to wonder if there was some sort of joke happening at his expense. And?

Would it inhibit you to keep the animus intact until we need a scout again? I asked.

It would be an annoyance, but a small one, Vogrin finally admitted. Ordinarily, I would consume the animus and return it to my mana pool

What would you do? Jorras foot tapped on the ground at a rapid pace. If we left you for real. Like we pretended to at the mountain?

I shrugged. Same thing Id do if you didnt leave. Poke the bull. Try to draw her attention, pull her away from the leyline. Stall until backup arrives.

Jorra pinched his forehead. And what sort of back up are you getting thats going to help against that.

I wasnt sure how much information to give him. The infernals might have frequently used demons, but they seemed to actively disprove of anyone who made a deal with them out of desperation.

An arch-fiend, Maya provided, jumping in before my hesitation could trigger suspicion.

Jorras eyebrow jumped. The Ozra you keep referring to? He gave Vogrin an incredulous look. Wait, you cant be serious. They just tried to take over! An asmodial arch-fiend?

The asmodial arch-fiend, really. Vogrin said, not helping whatsoever.

Cairn was able to work with Ralakos and resolve the situation in a manner that benefitted both parties. So, yes, he was able to call in a favor. Maya shot me a look that sent a clear message: Dont talk about the contract.

I took over. As Maya said, there are serious reinforcements on the way. But theres still a significant gap in time before they get here.

A biting chill cut through the air. The temperature dropped by five or seven degrees. The light cutting through the perma-cloud lessened. It was the closest the sanctum ever came to night.

You dont just have visions, do you? Jorra asked. The question caught me off-balance, but I could see no reason not to answer.

Its more complicated than that.

He bit his lip. Im not even sure what I would call it. But I watched, when you were training with the elder in the desert. Your air element was terrible

The second is always harder, you dwin. Bell smacked him.

Jorra scowled, rubbing his arm. Yeah, sure, but Cairn was pretty hopeless. I started questioning things then, which just meant paying attention. The elder was very patient, but

I interrupted before Bell could smack him again. Hes right, Bell. My magic, my abilities, are affected by my visions. My progress with the air element is a great example of that. The thing is, that wont help us here. I wont be able to manage the last second ass-pulls I have in the past. Well only have one shot at this.

There was a profound silence then as each of them contemplated my words. It made sense. From their perspective, I was their safety net. I won battles, found creative solutions, pulled them back from the brink, all seemingly without cost. Only Maya knew the price. Instead of staring at the ground like the others, she was looking at me, muscles in her throat moving like she was about to speak.

But Jorra spoke first. What youre saying, is that the gloves are off. With or without us, youre going to walk blindly into a situation that could very easily be a deathtrap. For reasons you cant explain, your abilities are hamstrung, and even if you manage to get beyond whatever that, he indicated the gate, is, youll have to deal with Thoth.

I closed my eyes. Thats about it, yes.

This was it. The breaking moment. Things had been going so well. Jorra, Maya, Bell, they were more reliable than any friends Id ever had, and they managed to stick by me twice as long. But this was not a reasonable request.

You need us more than ever, then, Jorra said, his voice firm.

What? I blinked.

We knew the dangers going in, Bell followed, skipping up to stand beside me. And yes, this is more dangerous, and possibly very stupid. But I cant imagine turning back now.

Maya gave me a warm look of encouragement, that told me I didnt even have to ask.

A mix of emotions flooded me. A mix of anxiety and stress, but chief among them, gratitude. I turned and looked at the gate.

So what now? Jorra asked. Do we just go in?

No. I shook my head, staring at the violet portal that rippled with endless waves that drew inward, almost beckoning us forward. I need to make some potions first.