Advent of Eternity - Chapter 19 (Patreon)

When they reached the domain of the merfolk, Cyll refused to go below deck with the others. That suited Knell just fine, as he was rather curious to see just what the ancient man was capable of.

“You’re thin as a twig,” Jasneh said, crossing her arms. “I don’t know what the kid did on the way over, but I don’t think he can protect you hobbling around like that. A light breeze will blow you over.”

Cyll bared his teeth and let out a raspy laugh. “You care. Cute, smuggler. Maybe we can talk once this is over, but I’m still hungry.”

“I’m perfectly happy down here,” Stix called up from below deck. Jasneh threw her hands up and ducked below the trapdoor, slamming it shut behind her.

Knell ran his hand over the top of his staff, looking out over the waves. The ship’s rudder had been locked in place and they were heading back between the large rocks, the way they had come only a short while ago.

“Can you take care of this?” Knell asked. “Or will you need help?”

“Some merfolk?” Cyll asked, cocking an eyebrow. “Don’t make fun of me, Cap.”

“My name is Knell.”

“Whatever you say, Cap,” Cyll said idly, picking dirt out from beneath his overgrown fingernails. A shadow passed over the ship as they went under a tall, jagged outcropping. Lines of white froth cut through the sea around them.

Knell sat down, leaning against the cabin as Cyll approached the bow. Several minutes passed. The gentle creak of the wood beneath their feet and the splash of the waves against the hull was all that accompanied them.

A blue blur leapt from the waves and slammed into the side of the ship. A blue tinged hand popped over the side of the ship and a merfolk started to pull itself aboard. Cyll bounded over to it, grabbing the creature by its slippery hair and pulling it up. It was male in appearance, but easily just as beautiful as the previous merfolk to board the Foamrunner.

The merfolk let out a haunting song and Cyll froze, his muscles going slack. Knell reinforced his mental defenses, letting the magic wash over him harmlessly. It didn’t look like Cyll had as much luck.

With a violent jab, the monster drove a sharp-clawed hand through Cyll’s chest. It punched out his back in a spray of blood and Knell grimaced. The merfolk pulled its hand out, running a rough tongue along its lips and examining Cyll like a full course meal.

Cyll’s hand tightened around the merfolk’s hair and her jerked its neck back. Confusion and fear passed through the monster’s eyes and it stabbed Cyll where his heart should have been. More blood splattered across the deck, but the man didn’t even react.

He leaned in, taking a savage bite out of the monster’s neck. Scales crunched and it flailed, giving up its assault in an attempt to escape, but Cyll’s grip was like iron. He ignored every single cut and wound that appeared on his body and tore into the monster’s neck like a rabid dog.

Slowly, it’s struggles stopped. Cyll rose to his feet, covered in blood. The wounds covering his body melted shut, pulling themselves back together. Cyll bared his bloody teeth to Knell in a smile.

“There. Problem solved,” Cyll said, dangling the merfolk over the edge of the deck so that its blood ran into the water before them. “Pretty tasty, too.”

“Not the prettiest solution,” Knell observed. “But effective. I’m curious – are you truly immortal? What Path are you on?”

Cyll cackled and extended a bloody hand toward Knell, upturning his wrist. “Check for yourself.”

Cyll Velarun

Human

Magical Energy Level: 0 (0%)

Upgrade Orbs:

[Forsaken]

Bloodline:

[]

Knell released Cyll’s hand and shook his head in awe. “You don’t have a path. I didn’t realize that was possible.”

“Anything is possible,” Cyll replied. “And I threw mine away. Don’t have a scrap of it left in me.”

“So this Forsaken orb is what gives you strength?”

“No clue,” Cyll replied. “It popped up the day I discarded my Path. I sure didn’t put it there, but I reckon the gods put it there to mock me. Jokes on them, I rather like it.”

“So how did you become immortal?” Knell asked. “If it were as simple as discarding a path, everyone would do it.”

“Discarding my Path was only part of it,” Cyll replied with a smirk. “Let’s just say it’s not a feat anyone can replicate. I killed the only creature capable of granting this… blessing. I’m one of a kind, Cap.”

“I’d already gathered that much,” Knell said, wiping the blood on his hand off on the railing. They didn’t say another word until the trapdoor opened a while later, allowing Jasneh and Stix back onto the deck.

“By the seas, what did you do to it?” Jasneh asked, staring at the merfolk in horror.

“I was still hungry,” Cyll said with a shrug. “It shouldn’t have looked so much like fish.”

“You’re a menace,” Stix said, but she sounded more impressed than disgusted.

“Thank you,” Cyll said.

“You’re welcome to this merfolk as well,” Knell said, nodding at it. “It’ll cover your continued silence and a slight detour.”

“Detour?” Jasneh asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Nothing too large,” Knell said. “I just don’t want to head back to Chrisford. Take us to Blackfoot Bay instead.”

“You’re kidding me,” Jasnah said. “That’s pirate territory.”

“And you’re a smuggler,” Knell pointed out. “You’ve been there before, if you’ve smuggled anything of worth.”

“I might have,” Jasneh admitted. “And I also know to stay far away from it whenever I can. It’s dangerous if you have a crew. Going alone is just asking to get stuck and robbed.”

“You’ll only be there for a minute. We won’t need a ride back,” Knell said, leaning against the railing. “It should be fine. I’m pretty sure two merfolk bodies are worth more than enough for you swing by their docks.”

Jasneh pressed her lips together. “Fine. Your funeral. Just don’t expect me to come back for you.”

She set off to the wheel, unlocking the rudder and referencing a charter before adjusting their course.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Stix asked Knell. “We don’t even have a ship yet.”

“Where better to get one for cheap?” Knell asked. “And, from what I know, Blackfoot Bay have their own set of rules that most pirates generally follow. So long as we avoid stepping on any feet, we’ll be safe enough.”

“I vaguely remember a place by that name,” Cyll said, rubbing his chin. “It was nothing more than a cluster of huts on an island, though. The world has changed since the last time I was loose. I’m curious to see by how much.”