Chapter 138: Pyrrhic VIII

Chapter 138: Pyrrhic VIII

I could hardly believe my eyes. One of the first interactions Id had with Ralakos was a reflection on the warring histories of our peoples. Hed shown me a monument built from the horns of fallen infernals. Most notably, a pair that belonged to his son.

During the trial of Infaris, I had been transported to a place beyond time alongside Xarmos, whod taken the trial decades before me. We took the trial on side by side, eventually completing it together. Towards the end, Id given him a potion of expansiona special mix of ingredients exclusive to the Sanctumon the off-chance it might avert his fate.

But in truth, Id never expected it to work.

He clasped my arm and I returned the gesture numbly, looking towards Ralakos for help. The elder laughed.

Xarmos told me to keep an eye out for you, years ago. He was also terrified and convinced he could die at any moment.

Father, Xarmos groaned.

Wait. My mind raced. If Xarmos was alive, that meant the flow of time had beenaltered. How significant that change was, I had no way of knowing. But even small changes could have massive repercussions.

What had I done?

I never mentioned it to you, and convinced Xarmos to stay awaythough that was no small effort. Ralakos glanced at his son, and Xarmos adjusted his armor sheepishly. When any hint of chronal magic is involved, Ive learned its best to err on the side of caution.

I took a moment to puzzle through it. Before Id gone into the Sanctum, Xarmos was dead. Only after the trial of Infaris had the timeline shiftedcreating a version of events where Xarmos survived, and Ralakos kept him away from me before my entry into the Sanctum to avoid complicating events further.

After asking both Ralakos and Xarmos a series of questions, I was able to more or less confirm that everything that happened in the Enclave and Sanctum remained the same.

There was a rapid tapping at the window. A small bird with blue eyes that glowed like gems rapped insistently, a small piece of paper in its beak. Ralakos opened the window and took the tiny message, unrolling the paper and reading it silently. After a moment, he spoke. As much as Id love to draw this out, there are matters to attend to. Youll see Cairn to the front?

Of course, father. Xarmos beckoned for me to follow him.

I followed as we exited Ralakoss estate. Xarmoss pace was energetic, almost to the point he had a visible skip in his step. Instead of heading towards the entry portal, he turned left, leading me deeper into the city.

Where are we going? I asked. Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Where else? Xarmos looked back and wiggled an eyebrow. The armory.

That made sense, though the idea was strange. It felt like it had been a lifetime since Id had a proper set of armor. Id outgrown the chitin set Kilvius and Nethtari gifted me after the first year in the Sanctum, and hadnt managed to procure a replacement.

The few times Id died in the sanctum almost always came down to either running out of mana or not having enough armor.

So, I shot Xarmos a scowl. Youve just been sitting around with a thumb up your ass this entire time?

Hardly. Xarmos shoved me playfully. His face grew serious. Ive been tied up in a territorial dispute with the Hellhound legion. Weve been getting reports of sightings near the Zarian cloister. Far more than normal, well outside their usual territory. At first, we thought they were preparing to rebel and attack the cloister.

Wouldnt be the first time. I said darkly.

Right. He pointed to me. That business with the Decarabian legion in the Sanctum scared the living hells out of everyone, and we finally got the go-ahead to push them back. It was a long campaign. Hellhounds arent to be trifled with in ordinary circumstances, and they seemed utterly committed to holding their ground. Wasnt long before we discovered whycoming through!

The guards in front of the massive compound that housed the infernal armory bowed to Xarmos and opened the doors before us. A musty smell reached my nose as the doors opened, hundreds of dark golden weapons lined the walls, along with armor and other artifacts.

Turns out, they were sitting on a massive underground network of xescalt. Had been for quite some time. Xarmos said, looking over the armory proudly.

The servants finished with the last of the armor. I tested it, finding the range of motion and quietness of the movement surprising. When I voiced this to Xarmos, he lifted the plate on the shoulder and pointed out a circular inscription beneath.

Like I wouldnt account for the fact that youre a sneaky bastard. Xarmos grinned.

You really shouldnt have. It wasnt a platitude. Between the inscriptions, arcane gems, and wyvern leather, the armor had to be exorbitantly expensive. Id feel better if you let me pay you for it

No Xarmos interjected sternly. I have a wife and child, a family. A peaceful and fulfilling existence that likely would have never come to pass without your interference. I didnt understand the risk you were taking until much later. This is literally the least I can do.

Thank you, Xarmos.

He put a hand on my shoulder. Look. It might be rough right now, but you know who was there, every time I visited your grave? Keeping it tidy, or studying, or napping against the tree?

Guilt washed over me. I can guess.

Shell come around. Xarmos insisted.

As much as I cared about Maya, I couldnt help but think about the danger Id put her in. The pain Id caused her. As it was, I doubted she had any intention of accompanying me back to Whitefall as wed planned.

Maybe that was for the best.

***

A few hours later, the sun beat down on me. I was sweating from the heat, having grown overly accustomed to the mostly temperate chambers of the Sanctum.

Xarmos advised me to keep my helmet on, to avoid distracting the troops.

It soothed my tattered nerves somewhat that the reinforcements had not disappointed. There were thousands lined up behind battlements and in towers, ballista with glowing-blue payloads pointed at the tree-line miles away.

A muted horn sounded three times.

One of Guemons lieutenants flew by on horseback, screaming for the men to form up.

There was a cacophony of clinking metal as countless infernals in full plate stood at attention, the atmosphere of anticipation growing ever thicker.

I looked to Xarmos for confirmation. His face was hidden behind his helmet, but there was a grim readiness in his eyes.

Is that

Theyre here. Xarmos confirmed.

I watched anxiously as my fathers tall white warhorse stepped out from the tree-line. The reports were correct. He was clad in his conquerors regalia, a regiment of cavalry in his wake.

Much had happened since Thoth ambushed my carriage. Id learned to use magic, clashed with corrupt nobles, negotiated with demons, and stared death in the face over and over. But nothing compared to the fear I felt facing my father on the battlefield.

If this went poorly, everything Id worked for over the course of years could be gone in a matter of hours.

It all came down to this.