Chapter 133: Pyrrhic III

Chapter 133: Pyrrhic III

There was a lot I needed to adapt to, living rough in a place like the Sanctum. Despite the existence of the trade-posts, I couldnt risk being recognized through buying supplies. Even with a mask, my eyes were too distinctive for me to take that chance.

When deep in the sanctum, what you can and cannot eat becomes a weekly gamble that could turn daily at any given time. Shelf life is a serious concern. Dehydrating and drying food is the best way to ensure sustainability. Conditions and weather are always up to the whim of whatever grand magical apparatus controls the Sanctum itself. But nature often knows before man, so all one has to do is read the signs. The Reed Lillies, for example, recede when the weather turns cold, and expand out again when the cold front is nearly over, eager for warmth. Similarly,many forms of wildlife burrow before a hot flash.

Id carved more meat from the Wyvern than I needed, surrounding the heart with it to prevent separation rot and packing the wrapping and the satchel itself with snow. The leather lining had begun to leak water halfway through, and the interior was soaked in moisture by the time I made it to the Runic Desert chamber. Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Satisfied with the scent and quality of the meat, I cut the majority of it into thin strips and set it on a makeshift drying rack Id fashioned for this exact purpose. I drank greedily from my canteen, basking in the warmth of the sun as it restored vitality to my frost nipped lower body. It wasnt hard to see why the elders chose to retire to the Sanctum. It could be harsh, brutal in places, but the natural order it imposed was appealing. It held a refreshing simplicity that was missing from life in court.

Unfortunately, one of the prices for that freedom was that injuries often held a steep price. I was covered in scars from various scraps with creatures of the Sanctum, some corrupted, some presenting a particular challenge I wanted to overcome.

The wound on my thigh twinged even now. There wasnt time to disinfect it in a timely manner, and while my later ministrations likely warded off the threat of infection, recent events hadnt given it a chance to begin healing..

I summoned the demonic gauntlet, watching as the black metal flowed from my fingertips to my forearm, forming dark ripples as it solidified up to my shoulder. I shuddered as it crossed my chest, reaching up to my neck and down to my navel. Along with a strong level of protection, Id learned the gauntlet also had curative properties. Concentrating hard, I tried to direct the flow to my wounded thigh. It paused at my waistline, a single strand dipping down towards my leg before my focus broke, and the armor receded.

I frowned. It would only be more difficult to form out of the Sanctum, where mana was less abundant.

My thoughts turned melancholic as I watched the metal dissipate to flesh beneath. Not for the first time, I pondered what I would do if I managed to stop Ragnark. The demons held claim on my soul. Despite what my younger infernal friend from the previous chamber had implied about legends of infernals fighting their way out the clutches of demons, Id managed to do some research on the topic. There were several chambers that were recreations of ancient libraries. And the precedent for regaining ones soul from demonic clutches was practically non-existent. The demons would always collect, eventually. It was just a matter of time.

Still.

I stared up at the cloudless sky. Say, Vogrin?

Yes? Vogrins voice held an irritable tone that told me hed been in the midst of deep meditation.

At the end of all this, do you think Ozra would care if I came back here?

Vogrin snorted. And retired, as the infernals do?

I ignored the derision. Im serious.

Surprising that youd voice the idea, considering who I report to.

It was just a whim. I said. On the off-chance I actually succeed, stop Thoth, somehow stunt the corruption and hold off the end of the world? Ill still have to lead a kingdom. Maintain whatever thin alliances we manage to cobble together. And the idea of going from that to a never-ending struggle in the lower realms

There was a hesitation as Vogrin considered the question. It would be a well-earned respite. Especially considering all we stand to gain from your success. The idea is not out of scope. Soul-bound infernals do it all the time.

It isntt considered a violation of the contract? I asked.

There was a mental shrug. Its not charity. Any power you acquire here will make you exponentially stronger in the demonic realm. And while it would expand your lifespan by centuries, the expansion would not be infinite. Time is not nearly as important to us as it is to you.

A wave of peace settled over me, quelling a longstanding anxiety Id almost forgotten was there. Thank you.

I doubt the Infernals would deny such a boon, if you accomplish even a fraction of what you intend. Vogrins voice was strangely encouraging.

One can only hope.

For now, Vogrin said wryly, You should focus on defending your dinner.

I sat up too quickly, blood rushing to my head. A sandhawk was perched next to the drying rack, pecking at the drying meat with undisguised greed. I concentrated a bead of mana into my fingertip and flicked a gust of air toward it. The sandhawk let out an undignified squawk and took flight.

Damn birds. I watched until it disappeared over a nearby dune, ensuring it wouldnt make a second pass. When I glanced back towards the meat, I noticed it had left something behind. The body of a dwarf rabbit was discarded a few feet away, likely forgotten for the tastier prospect of Wyvern meat.

Saladius stood, shaking off what had to be a bucket of sand, before he laughed at me. Come to the desert and ask a man for ice. Pure delusion. Fuckin ice, he says.

I rolled my eyes. Relax, Saladius. I brought food to trade. I left out the part where I would have brought it anyway, trade or no. The man was too damn proud to accept help.

His expression grew severe. Not kobold again?

For the last time, I didnt know eating kobold was taboo. I dangled the satchel out before me. Its wyvern. Very dumb. Very non-sentient.

Saladius scowled. Ill check what I have.

I followed the Elder as he hobbled to his hut. He compensated with a combination of air magic and pure grit, but the extent of his injuries from the fight with Cowl saddened me. Id found him too late. He was either too stubborn or scared to make the journey to the heart, and thus, the damage from his untreated broken bones was mostly permanent. Id expected him to stay with Veldani, but he had departed back to the desert a week after his more life-threatening injuries and sleeping sickness was treated.

The hut itself was in a state of disarray, but never failed to imbue a sense of nostalgia. I waited patiently as Saladius rummaged through the enchanted store-box in his kitchen, my attention straying to the room wed once stayed in.

If I let my focus ebb, I could almost see them. Jorra and Bellarex, chatting in the corner animatedly, their voices echoing off the walls.

Maya, searching hurriedly through her pack for something she misplaced, asking me if Id seen it.

My chest hurt, and I closed my eyes.

Focusing on loneliness only ever made it worse.

Dont fall asleep now, Saladius interrupted gruffly, placing a small bag before me. I looked through the drawstring of the pouch at the silver fragments. As if I was a dubious buyer, Saladius reassured me. Theyre enchanted, per usual. Should last you at least a chamber or two.

Of course. I slid the lions share of the dried meat over to him, leaving me with enough rations for three days. He studied the amount, and his eyes narrowed.

This is too much.

Not a lot of water mages in the Sanctum currently, I lied. Prices are up in your favor.

Saladius harrumphed. Too honest. Itll get you killed one day.

I let the irony pass.

Thats all, then? Saladius poked at me. Not going to harass me about going to Veldanis little funeral parlor this time?

Its a hospice. And Im apparently too honest, so believe me when I say that she could use your help. Especially when Im gone.

Learn all you can from us, huh? Saladius asked. There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

Obviously not, I hedged, A few more years and I would have aged out anyway. I was never going to stay forever.

Id been holding to the timetable of a few more weeks for months now. But the time was fast approaching. All I needed was Veldanis final approval that I was ready.

I packed the Wyverns heart with ice and stood to leave, pausing at the doorway. When I awoke to my second element, I cursed it for how weak it seemed. A gentle breeze of air when I desperately needed something stronger. You showed me how wrong I was.

It was your ego, Saladius mused. Once that was out of the way, it was just a matter of practice.

On the topic of ego

Saladius cut me off. I survived here for years without you, boy. Just as Ill be here for years with you gone. Might finally get some decent sleep for that matter. He was stubborn as all the hells put together, but somehow, I believed him.

I shut the door behind me, and unknowingly, left Saladiuss hut for the last time.