5.27 - Anti-Magical Infusion

5.27 - Anti-Magical Infusion

A shattering snap rang over the bay outside of Broken Tusk. Theo nodded with approval as his Drogramathi Iron shot drilled through the air, slamming into a distant mountain. A field of anti-magical Dragons Dance sprung up, shredding the stone into fine chunks. Those pieces tumbled into the bay below, settling under the calm waves.

The alchemist had learned little from his newest experiment. The rail guns still had an absurd range. They still hurtled projectiles at impossible speeds. And nothing he could do changed the way his wards worked. He had a line of reasoning with the Deflect Magic ward, but hadnt been able to pursue it. Drumming his fingers on the side of the stone tower, he turned to his connection with his companions.

Im headed to Terogal, Theo said, transmitting his thoughts to the other members of the Tarahek.

Bring me back some cookies.

Falling through the realms had become a mundane thing. Theo slipped through the veil between the mortal realm and the void, gliding weightlessly over the Bridge until he felt the familiar tug of the mortal dreamrealm. In a blink, he appeared on the soft grasses of the small village. Belgar had sensed his approach and was jogging across the wide lawns, a smile hanging on his face. The dronon spirit had gained much of his corporeal form. Small streams of purple energy came from his eyes, but his body was otherwise whole.

Hey, Belgar said, waving awkwardly. There are some souls for you to review. More dronon.

Theo clapped a hand on Belgars shoulder, nodding. Which brood?

A scatter between the allied demons. Belgar gestured, beckoning Theo to follow.

A group of decaying souls was gathered near what had become the villages square. Twenty souls gathered, emitting faint ribbons of multicolored light. The longer they stayed without invitation, the more their bodies were given back to the void. Theo examined them one-by-one, happy enough with them to allow them in. There was even a single soul from a Zagmoni Dronon. That one had been lost in the void since the defeat of its master. Each soul signed a basic contract that bound them to the realm. The moment they did, their ethereal bodies gained a sense of purpose, drifting off to join their kin in the village.

We didnt get a level for that, Theo said, inspecting the realms status screen.

[TeroGal]

Mortal Dreamrealm

Owners: Theo Spencer, Tresk

Faction: Unaffiliated

Level: 30

Souls: 145

Expansions:

[Harvesting Array]

[Defensive Towers]

[Landscape Manipulation]

[Guardians of Faith]

[Bubble]

[Simulated Reality]

Pending Requests: 0

That made sense, though. People had told Theo from the start that things got harder after Level 30. That idea must have translated to the realms as much as it did the mortal realm. The amount of souls he had collected seemed like a pittance, compared to the people in Broken Tusk. But this was a slow crawl to power, placing Terogal firmly in the lower realms for a long time. The alchemist was content with this, and moved off from the square.

Benton and Drogramath are already here, Belgar said, pointing at the cottage. The small stone building had increased in size since the last time Theo was here.

Theo shook his head, allowing his mind to wrap itself around the scenario. How does it feel? Seeing your former master in person?

Belgar chuckled nervously. Disappointment comes to mind.

He isnt what you expected, is he?

No, he is not. He used to speak to us on the mortal plane. He was always so commanding. Here, hes just another dronon.

Never meet your heroes.

While Theo was happy to spend hours of his trip to Terogal chatting with the spirits, he had a purpose for coming today. He headed to the expanded cottage, finding there to be plenty of room. Drogramath and Benton were both sipping tea, and snacking on cookies. The alchemist sat with them, getting his own cup and soaking in the ambiance. A fire crackled in the corner, the scent of the burning wood mingling with the steeping tea. Under all those powerful smells was the sweetness of the cookies.

Working on something? Drogramath asked.

Theo had withdrawn a length of parchment and was writing out some plans. It was, of course, a plan to get the Demon God of Alchemy to help him out. Im looking for the best way to bring Qavell down without killing everyone inside.

Benton sighed heavily. Finally. Khahar had us all mute on the topic until you figured it out.

Grade: Good Quality

Infuse an object with anti-magical properties. Anything this Drogramathi Iron round hits will be drained of magical potential.

Material:

Drogramathi Iron (Excellent Quality)

Effect:

When struck by this shot, objects and all magically operating devices will be drained of their mana. Drains 500 mana, or 1,000 power depending on the distance of the device from the point of impact.

The round shimmered with white-blue energy. A smile spread across Theos face as he looked at the shot. It was perfection. There were several advantages of this method over using his wards for the task. The magic would never fade from the iron. It would maintain the effect for a long time, although the alchemist couldnt say how long. He could also create the rounds industrially. When a construct was created, it soaked an amount of the essence up. He could make a big tub and drop the shots in. Easy as that.

Quite a weapon you have there, Drogramath said, coming from behind to place a hand on Theos shoulder. I got in trouble for telling you.

How much trouble?

A slap on the wrist. You should understand how much Khahar wants you to survive this.

Theo paused before responding. Drogramath didnt need to say anything, he knew what that meant. Whatever was driving First Prince Hanan to attack Broken Tusk wasnt normal. The alchemists money was on another rogue ascendant, but it was hard to say.

Do you see a scenario where we save Hanan and his people? Theo asked.

So long as you have the right weapon when the time comes, youll be fine.

Is the thing controlling him mortal?

A loud snap issued from behind them. Khahar stood there, arms crossed with a scowl on his face. The rules exist for a reason, Theo. You can figure it out from the information you have.

Yeah, but this is your plan, right? Theo asked. Just tell me what to do, and Ill do it.

I cant.

Is it an ascendant?

No.

For gods to be worried about something, it had to be an ascendant or another god. Theo put it together moments after that. A god was acting on the mortal plane somehow. It wouldnt be a champion. They wouldnt be strong enough to manipulate a kingdom. Meaning it was a god acting in some obfuscated way. Assuming this being was too powerful to be defeated by normal means, there was only one other way.

So, I can use the authority of my realm to get rid of this thing? Theo asked.

Khahar simply nodded.

See? He already knows, Drogramath grumbled. Just tell him who it is.

Id rather not.

I bet I could teleport to the thing. If only for a second.

Khahar shook his head. You dont have enough of a connection with this person to do so.

Theo mimed checking items off a list in the air. He knew exactly who it was, and it opened a frightening realization about the events that had transpired with the undead. Balkor might have had a more intimate level of involvement with the movement of the undead than he thought. That brought questions that no one could answer for him. For now, he was content with the idea that he could banish whoever was forcing First Prince Hanan into this position.

I guess hes King Hanan now, isnt he? Theo asked, tapping his chin.

Yes, Khahar said. Its important that he lives.

Easy to say, hard to do, Theo said. An annoying buzzing filled his mind, as though his thoughts scattered away to solve this problem on their own.

Khahars eyes widened as he flinched back. A look of surprise washed over his face as he tilted his head to the side. Theo. You should answer that.

Answer what? Theo asked.

Thinking about it for a moment, Theo realized how familiar that sensation was. He hadnt felt it since Qavell stopped calling him, but it was the buzz of a communication crystal in his mind. They werent supposed to work in the heavens. He knew that because Fenian had trouble calling from the Bridge. The alchemist withdrew the crystal from his inventory and squeezed it. His mind rushed as his willpower stretched to make the connection. His thoughts were flung through the realms, until a familiar voice entered his mind.

My dear alchemist! Oh, thank the gods. Well, not this one. Hes an asshole.

Theo blinked away his surprise. Fenian.