Rashanna was quite shocked at first when a squadron of Duskari warriors accosted her on the road. That was until they explained what they were there to do, formed up around her, and escorted her along hidden paths through Trisk. A personalized escort, all for her. She was flattered.
She had been into the Valley of the Volcano a few times with her grandfather, and thanks to his extensive trade network, she knew many languages from across the world; only being unable to speak the language of the heroes and Elenthir. Thanks to those travels, she made connections and contacts across the three kingdoms and the various 'free lands' around Ghomar, the various island-nations that stood apart from those collectives.
As she sat on her mount, being guided through the hidden cavern-passage into the Valley, she mused back on the decisions that brought her here. It was a month ago that she received a curious letter from someone simply calling themselves 'A friend from the Valley.' It was addressed to her grandfather, but he had passed away and his son – her father – had taken over the business.
And promptly run it into the ground.
A global, renowned company, ruined by a series of bad investments and poorly-thought-out expeditions to the Ruins of Elent. Not only was the family name disgraced because the contracts were out of Valagonia, but the expeditions all ended in disaster.
In other words, Rashanna and her family were broke. Her father, destitute, committed suicide. Rashanna's mother left for the Free City of Bashinol, and their only daughter was left to try and pick up the pieces. She was unable to.
And then the letter arrived. It was from someone calling themselves 'Chancellor Vehenna' who claimed to work for a Duskari leader, and they wanted to hire a Diplomat who could represent their interests outside of the Valley.
Rashanna leapt at the chance. Turning over the inscribed letter, she wrote her response, and the ink on the page faded away. After a few minutes, she turned the letter over once more, and saw a new message. Go to the Valley of the Volcano. We will discuss your salary.
With nothing else to lose, she left the shack she had been calling home in Vharthos and headed South.
And now, almost three weeks later, she had arrived. Exiting the tunnel, she saw the lush forests in the Valley of the Volcano. She smelled the brisk, cool air descending from the mountains, mixed with the scent of pine needles. The cave they exited was heavily fortified, and she was met by an older Duskari woman who bowed her head. "Ah, you have arrived. I am Chancellor Vehenna." Rashanna made to dismount but the older woman held up her hand, "We have a few hour travel to Lynhold. I insist you stay mounted." She was helped atop her own mount, and led the escort.
Rashanna rode up alongside her, "Pardon me...but you sound familiar."
"I should hope so," Vehenna stated, glancing sideways at her. "My you've grown since the last time I saw you. That was...hmm, twenty years now? And your fur changed."
Rashanna nodded. Sometimes, A Vharthon's fur color changed as they grew older. Hers had gone from the standard brown and shifted into a dark, midnight black with a few white splotches. Not necessarily a rare color to see, but it made her stand out in a crowd of other Vharthon. "You knew my grandfather, I assume?"
"Oh yes. I spoke with him at length. A great man. Tell me, how is he doing?"
"He passed away three years ago," Rashanna muttered. She was close to her grandfather, and he doted on her like she was his own daughter. "Left the business to my father, and he ruined it." She smiled, "I am happy to hear about this offer of yours."
"A shame he passed. My condolences, for both your grandfather and your business." Vehenna pulled out a small sack of coins and handed them to Rashanna. "This is 200 Gold Eagles. Consider this a payment for your efforts to travel all this way."
Rashanna's eyes went wide. An average farmer, on a good year, made 10 Gold Eagles. This was the income of a well-off shopkeeper. This Duskari leader must be rich. "My thanks for this advance."
Vehenna chuckled, "You will be able to discuss more at length with Lady Rivers. Have you heard that name?"
"I can't say that I have."
"Ah. Well, you will meet her soon enough."
The two continued on in silence. Rashanna was surprised at how thinned out the forest was; they weren't weaving between trees anymore – the forest had been cleared from that tunnel entrance to the edge of a massive town. They went along the avenues and she saw Duskari and Newen at work and training, building and producing, living lives that seemed quite content. The enormous citadel at the foot of Shiverburn Summit was impressive, as it had been in the past, but the exterior seemed to be undergoing some repairs.
She was led inside and given sumptuous quarters. Laying on the fur-covered bed, she giggled in excitement. I'm finally here, she thought. It had been rough on the road, and a tough last few years. This room reminded her so much of the luxurious house that her grandfather had built...and her father had to sell. Living in a shed for months was not pleasant. There was a knock on the door after about an hour. She stood up and opened it. "Ah, Chancellor."
Hey, it's okay. You tried your best to save me. She sighed. I saw what you did to Volio.
Lyn felt the sorrow replaced with icy fear in her veins. The fear of judgement. "I...I had to do something."
He went over the line. Mind spells to make you his thrall? Disgusting. At least he moved on.
"Yeah, he's back on Earth hopefully."
I've been flying around a bit. Thanks for that big lightning spell, by the way. It lit up like a beacon.
"Well, yeah, it was worded to attract your attention."
Good job. There was a trace of hesitation in her voice that was quickly pushed aside. Thank you. I can finally move on. Do you want me to leave behind a message? Something to remember me by?
"I'd like that."
Then I will. I want to go back to Ghomar, I think. Earth is cool and all, but I'd love to really get into astronomy on a new world. And hey, your empire is going to need astrologists, I'm sure.
"If we advance to the scientific era...which, since I'm basically immortal...yeah, eventually I will need scientists."
Then count me in. I'm sure we'll meet again. Whether I have my memories of this life or not...it was a good life. Thanks, Lyn.
"Before you go, mind telling me what your core will do?"
Ah, right. So the Spellblade core is able to do thought-only spells that augment weaponry. You know, mana charging. Blade is a bit of a misnomer. You'll be able to pick up any weapon and use it like a master. Oh, also, a unique internal spell that will let you turn incoming kinetic energy into outgoing damage. Basically, the more you get hit – even if you block or parry it – some of that power gets stored and is used on your next attack. I call it 'Reversal'. When you consume the core, it should just come to you naturally, like it came to me.
"Thank you." Lyn's fear and sorrow melted away, comforted by the knowledge that Nami was okay with what she did to Volio – further reinforcing that what she did was just – but also that Nami was going to be able to finally move on. "Take care, Nami. I hope to meet you again in your next life."
Will do. Alright, let it rip!
Lyn squeezed the mana core and felt it travel down her mana channel. The Destroyer core consumed and pushed the core down within it, and Lyn felt a surge of energy through her body. The core felt sated, satisfied, and Lyn knew that Nami had moved on to something better. A new life on Ghomar, somewhere. She focused on bringing up the message, willing the mana core to surface within her, and heard Nami's voice again.
You already know what you can do. So instead of spending time talking about that...I just want to say thank you. Thank you for trying to be my friend. I know I pushed you away sometimes. But we did get along decently well. I wish I had gotten to know you better. You're a good person, Lyn. And I know you're going to make this world a good place. You better! Because I'm going to be living in it. So don't fuck this up.
Lyn smiled and let the voice fade back under the Destroyer core. She turned to her allies and switched to Arinol, "Okay...I'm good."
"What happens when you consume hero cores?" Vael asked.
"I get their unique abilities and sometimes other spell types."
Gael frowned, "What would happen if you had all of the hero cores?"
Lyn shook her head, "No idea." She set her hand on the altar, and the trio returned to the crystal cave as the dungeon vanished. "That's all the dungeons in the Valley. Back to Lynhold."