Chapter 121: Sanctum XLVI

Chapter 121: Sanctum XLVI

Thats it? I asked dubiously. Veldani looked displeased with my statement, but after all the build up, it felt like something of a let down.

Theres more that can be done with it. Significantly more. But youre ignoring the most important part.

What is it burning? Maya asked. Its different from a simple fireball spell. Its not being fueled by mana. It looks like pure elemental magic. Her voice was almost reverent.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Good. Smarter than you look. Wrong on the elemental magic fronteven in its raw form you wouldnt be able to levitate it like this or use it as anything more than a spout of flamebut mostly right. Absolution has many basic uses for a combat mage, but it is real value is far more complicated.

The answer started to dawn on me. My first thought was that it was burning the air itself. But that shouldnt be possible. Ive tried. Even if the spark is shrunk down and controlled to the point its practically nothing. It shouldnt be any different but it is. It is using the air as fuel, isnt it?

Veldani nodded. Go on.

My excitement grew. Its needed to open the dimensional portalnot unlike teleportation, which requires the breaking down and reconstituting of matter. Destruction and composition. The spark isnt burning the air. Its cycling it.

Suddenly, I was questioning everything. I had always assumed that the reason Id awoken the demon flame was because of my first death. The theory had been a a gut feeling at first, eventually loosely supported by the infernals research of soul degradation and imprints. But this seemed far too intentional and powerful to have happened by accident alone.

What else can it do? I asked, my mind racing. The possibilities seemed nearly limitless.

We can discuss it in your second lesson, tomorrow. This was your first. Veldani banished the flame. In which, youve put far more together than my other pupil.

I knew she was trying to persuade me to stay. But the comment conflicted with what I knew about Bacchus. Really? I found him quite clever.

Oh, dont get me wrong, he is. Brilliant, even. But hes spent most of his awakened life suppressing his gift. Fearing it. And that is not the sort of practice that can be unlearned overnight. I might be able to teach him to the third stage, eventually. But he would age out long before that. Veldani leaned in. Stay, and I will answer your every question. I dont know how, and I dont know why, but you have an intrinsic understanding of the flame. Dont waste that.

I glanced at Maya, curious why she hadnt revealed her second awakening, and got a subtle shake of the head in return.

I suddenly felt very weary. The exhaustion and hyper vigilance was taking its toll. But I was no more capable of doing what Veldani wanted than I was of resetting the loop. Letting Thoth run rampant, ruining dozens, maybe hundreds of lives while I hid from what I had done. That was not why I came here.

That was not my purpose.

I stood, on uneasy legs, and bowed deeply to Veldani. We lost a friend, escaping the mausoleum. Given her sacrifice, I cannot sit idly by. I apologize, master, that I cannot accept your guidance. Thank you for the lesson.

Bah, Veldani rolled her eyes, the fight going out of her, and turned to leave. I found I regretted disappointing the woman. She clearly cared deeply for her people, and considered me one of them. Theres a broken chamber to the east. Bacchus has been exploring it slowly. Theres a good chance it leads back to the heart.

Broken chambers are notoriously dangerous. Maya said, alarmed.

Yes, well, so is facing down a deity-stricken arch-mage but I dont see that stopping you. Either way, its safer than wading through the mess of demons fighting across the normal routes. I checked it on my way back. It remains undiscovered.

I smiled, then. She knew we wouldnt listen. Veldani had a much better measure of us than I expected.

/////

Youre sure you want to do this? Morthus asked. I looked at him questioningly as he took an overly long draw from his pipewith the state of his body that couldnt be healthybut deigned not to comment on it.

Its already done, I said. I sent my asmodial to contact the arch-fiend. Assuming the minor miracle hes decided to be reasonable well have everything we need. Vogrin had listened to my request with barely restrained glee.

I have to ask, young Cairn, with all these grand schemes, do you even have time to make small plans? Morthuss eyebrow quirked in amusement. Like what clothes to wear the next morning, or what you might have for breakfast?

I dont eat much these days. I shrugged. And I have no idea how long Ive been wearing this shirt.

Thats a no then. Damn it all. With a grunt, followed by a wheeze, Morthus pulled himself out of bed.

Where are you going?

I have been there, at the vital moments of my people since the day I was born. Great and terrible. This is no different. Morthus paused as he placed his fingertips upon the bedside armoire, staring straight ahead.

She wont let you go. I told Morthus. For whatever reason, she seems to hate you.

Unsurprising. From what Ive heard, she hates a great many people. Something that happened in prior iterations no doubt, same as you. Morthus moved from his bed to the dresser, opening it. He slid a dozen of the simple gray robes they wore in the hospice over, revealing a few things. withdrew his white masters robe, sliding it carefully over his shoulders. You must do the same while learning from her mistakes. Catalogue every slight, every failing. But do not allow yourself to hide and grow bitter. Face the mistakes. Both yours and others. Learn from them. Ive had time to consider your situation in depth, and I have to conclude that this did not happen by accident. Whatever overly ambitious arch-mage, or deity, or demon brought you into this, did so for a reason. He raised an eyebrow at me. And I suspect desperation factored into it. Unlike your enemy, you do not have a near-limitless time to get this right.

Theres still much I have to learn. About the metamorphosis society, their greater purpose.

I have told you much of what I know already. And what is left is of questionable use. Who we were, what we intended to do. Which I suspect, is very different from what we did.

But

Still figuring it out. I whispered.

When the ogre-like demon returned, his mouth was dyed red, and there were feathers stuck to his barrel of a chest. He approached Kastramoth slowly. Kastramoth snarled, and Maya placed a hand on his leg to silence him before he escalated.

Leave him be. Maya said, calmly.

This one owes me a debt, The asmodial said.

He is my charge.

Then you owe me a debt. He looked us over hungrily, before his gaze met mine. Immediately, his attitude changed. He went down on one knee, head bowed. Friend of the Arch-Fiend. I am sorry. I did not know these belonged to you. His eyes slid to Kastramoth. Though Im not sure why a supplicant of Ozra the Perilous would sully themself with the company of a Hellhound.

I was reminded yet again how powerful Ozra was, to inspire this level of obedience in beings as stubborn as demons. And despite all that power, Thoth had slapped him aside like he was nothing.

Rise, Greater Demon. We only wished to aid, I said.

His brow furrowed. They were nothing. But I thank you.

What are your orders here? I asked.

The demon shrugged. To lay waste to the pretenders. And assist if we found you under siege.

That presented a problem. I had hoped Ozra mightout of some uncharacteristic bout of reticencehave ordered the demons to escort us if they found me. But of course, that was too much to ask.

I considered the situation. Thoth would want a display. A public demonstration of power, both personal and external. And what better way to demonstrate that power than to show up at the heart of the Sanctum, with the full force of a dominant legion in tow.

Demon, I said slowly. What if I told you there was a way for you to do both, in a manner that was sure to make Ozra take notice.

His eyes narrowed greedily. Oh?

I tried to imbue confidence in words that were little more than a theory. The Decerabia Legion will be consolidating at the Heart, An arch-mage that dealt your master a great insult at their head.

The demon let out an audible growl at that, his interest sharpening.

I smiled wickedly. As it happens, I will also be at the heart.

The demon understood immediately. An evil grin spread across his face, matching mine. What youre saying is, theres going to be a party and Im invited.

Oh yes. I chuckled. You and anyone else you can find. Does the legion have a way to spread word quickly?

There are fliers, yes. Ill need to locate a commander but news will spread rapidly after that.

Within a day?

Easily. The demon was practically drooling with anticipation. Then he jumped as Maya touched his leg. What

Healing. For your journey. There was a flash of green light at her fingertips, and the demons many wounds began to heal. He nodded eagerly, practically prancing in anticipation for her to finish. Then he sprinted away, covering bounds of distance in frequent leaps.

Jorra and I watched him go.

What did you just do? Jorra asked.

I shrugged. Bolstered our defenses. Created a deterrent to stop Thoth from taking things too far. Shes raging now, but shes not stupid. She wont risk losing such a powerful force this early.

And if youre wrong? Maya asked.

Jorra shook his head. You just changed the focal point of the conflict to where the civilians are retreating. If she doesnt cool off, and attacks anyways He didnt have to finish. It would be a bloodbath.

She wont. I said.

This would work. It had to.

/////

Not long after that, we entered the broken chamber. And everything that seemed so simple in my mind became far more complicated.