Advent of Eternity - Chapter 81 (updated) (Patreon)

“So we should go quiz more townfolk?” Stix asked.

“Not we,” Knell replied. He nodded at her. “You. When you first joined my crew as a trial member, you said you were bad at speaking to people. That is a weakness that we cannot afford, so congratulations: this is now training. Go talk to some people around town and figure out what you can learn about this thing. Particularly if it frequents any farms more than others, if it really is as weak as we have been led to believe, and any other weaknesses that people might know of.”

Stix choked. “What?”

“Is there something you don’t understand about my request?” Knell asked.

“Well, no,” Stix said. She drew a deep breath and let it out. “Right. Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll be right back.”

She turned, pulling her hood lower over her face as she headed off. The others watched her go.

“What do you think the chances are that she starts regaling people about all the things she’s tracked?” Cyll asked.

“Nonzero,” Knell replied. “Which is why you’re going to be doing the same thing.”

“By your orders, Cap,” Cyll said with a mock salute. “What happens if I find better info than Stix?”

“That would be like dropkicking a child,” Knell said flatly. “She’s learning. You’ve been talking out of your ass for longer than the rest of us have collectively been alive.”

Cyll burst into laughter. “True enough, Cap. Maybe you do have a sense of humor after all. Good, I was beginning to worry. I’ll be back in an hour.”

He sauntered off, quickly spotting a target and beelining toward them, a wide grin on his face.

Knell set his mental clock and drummed his fingers on the head of his staff, running through his plans in his head.

“What’s with your crew?” Maya asked after a few minutes of silence.

“I’m sorry?”

“Your crew,” Maya repeated. “Are all of you weird?”

Knell raised an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be an insult? I have things to be doing right now. I’d rather not waste time with something like this.”

“No, it’s not an insult. Seriously. Cyll is… just wrong. Something about him is off. Can’t you tell?”

“I’m well aware,” Knell replied. “What of it?”

“It’s not just him,” Maya continued. “At first, I thought the elf girl was about the same, but she isn’t right either. She acts naïve, but I’ve seen her eyes turn just as cold as yours. And you – well, you’re you.”

“Are you any better?” Knell asked. “Your situation is arguably even stranger than some of ours. Now, unless you’ve got something important to say, don’t bother me. I’m planning.”

***

“I failed,” Emma said, bowing her head. Shadows twisted around her and a heavy chill nipped at her skin, but she didn’t dare raise her head. There was no reason to give Veil any further reason to be disappointed in her.

“You did not,” Veil said after nearly a minute, sending a rush of relief through Emma’s system. Only years of training let her maintain her exact position, not even reacting slightly to his words.

“Then you did not wish him dead?” Emma asked, keeping her eyes fastened on the floor.

“I did not wish one way or another,” Veil replied. “I enjoyed watching your fight with Knell and the crew he has chosen. If you had truly sought his life without providing him a chance to prove his ability, he would have perished. There is no point in such a thing. No, we will watch and continue to guide him. He shall grow into a worthy being that may one day be worthy of my true attention.”

Ice chilled Emma’s veins. Despite Veil’s words, she also understood the other meaning of his words – if she’d just assassinated Knell, Veil would have been displeased.

“What are your orders, Lord Veil?” Emma asked. “Should I continue to tail them?”

“He is paranoid. That would prove detrimental,” Veil replied. “And you may raise your eyes. I do not wish to talk to the back of your head.”

Emma stood, inclining her head in appreciation, and waiting silently for his next words.

“For now, you will leave them to their own path,” Veil decided, flickers of dark flame curling off his skin as he spoke. He flicked a hand, dismissing them with an annoyed click of his tongue. “In time, you will seek them again. I expect Knell’s performance to be better the second time around. You will show less restraint, but ensure he has a fighting chance.”

“Yes, Lord Veil,” Emma said. “Is there anything else you require?”

“There is one thing,” Veil said, turning to look at the corner of the room. “But it is not from you.”

A low chuckle echoed through the hall. The shadows rippled as pirates stepped out, their weapons leaping to their hands.

“Who goes there?” Emma snarled. “How dare you breach Lord Veil’s sanctum.”

“Calm yourself,” Veil said, putting a hand on Emma’s shoulder. Her body went as stiff as a rock. She didn’t even dare to move as the shadowy man walked past her, tiny flames licking the ground marking the path of his footsteps.

The darkness in the corner of the room shifted, and Emma realized why the intruder was so difficult to see. He was wearing all black, much like Veil, but his face was covered by a square hat.

That didn’t explain how he’d managed to hide the shepherd’s cane in his hands, though. A bell hung from its end, swinging soundlessly as the man walked through the ranks of Veil’s men, not a care in the world.

“I was not expecting a visit from you today, Ferryman.”

“Then you will be thrilled to know I brought a guest,” the Ferryman replied, stepping to the side to reveal a pale-faced woman. She hid her terror well, but it was blatant to Emma’s trained senses.

“I am not,” Veil said. “But I could be persuaded to see things differently. Why are you here?”

“Can old friends not come by to visit?”

“Are we friends?” Veil asked.

“No,” the Ferryman replied, rubbing his chin. “I suppose we aren’t. But that doesn’t make us enemies, despite what your men seem to think. Speaking of – if you care about that bald one, I’d tell him to stop in the next few seconds. I’m about to add him to my ranks.”

“Stand down, Bayon,” Veil growled. A bald man swallowed, lowering his hands.

What sort of man dared to order Lord Veil to do anything?

Emma bristled, the desire to put a dagger through the cocky intruder’s throat bubbling up in her chest. The only thing that held her back was Veil’s express order to stay their hands. As soon as he said otherwise –

The Ferryman turned, looking straight at her. He tipped his hat back slightly. The man had no eyes. Two spiraling voids stared back at her from where they should have been. Emma’s heart throbbed, as if invisible bands were wrapping around it.

Veil snapped his fingers. The Ferryman broke eye contact with her and the constricting feeling vanished.

“Eyes off my men,” Veil said. “Unless you wish to leave this place as enemies.”

“Apologies,” the Ferryman said, tipping his hat slightly. “She was so close to joining my ranks. It can be difficult to control myself at times, Veil. Especially when people are so eager to jump into my embrace.”

“Enough of this. Why are you here, and what purpose does the girl serve?”

“To start, I’m going by Joseph now,” the Ferryman said. “It’s a little easier to say, don’t you think?”

Veil stared at him.

“Perhaps a little more privacy,” Joseph suggested. “Not to say I doubt your men’s integrity – but I do.”

Veil sighed. “My lieutenants will remain. Everyone else, depart.”

The majority of the shadows vanished, leaving the room considerably emptier than it had been before. Joseph nodded.

“Good. This is better. I am training her in a unique Path.”

“Is that it?” Veil asked. His words were calm, but Emma could feel the restrained annoyance within them. “You wasted my time to tell me that? There are thousands of rare and powerful Paths, but those are hardly worth either of our interests.”

“You know me,” Joseph said. “I always dote on my protegees. I don’t take many, after all. Is it that unbelievable to hear that I came to brag?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. Perhaps I should do that more often,” Joseph mused. “But you’re correct. Normally, there would be many ways I could train her. I could get her Path upgraded to its highest level in a few years and provide her with enough materials to outfit an army.”

“And by saying this, you imply you will do none of it.”

“It’s far too… mundane,” Joseph said. The woman glanced at him, then back at Veil. She was doing a remarkable job of controlling her fear. Emma admired that, even if there was a very good chance the woman wouldn’t live to see the end of the day.

“Enough of this,” Veil said. “What do you want?”

“Why, training of course,” Joseph replied. “You see, I’m not just trying to make any killer. I’m trying to make a great one. Not just any normal ‘rare’ Path will suffice. I want to give her yours.”

The temperature dropped by several degrees and frost started to form on the floor beneath Veil’s feet.

“You want me to train her?”

“And house her. And feed her. And not just training. I want you to teach her everything.”

“And what do I get out of this?” Veil asked after a pregnant pause. “This would take an incredible amount of effort on my part. Time may be little to us, but I have countless things I would prefer to be doing than teaching a mortal her craft.”

“Because this is the most important thing you could be doing,” Joseph said, a smile stretching across his face. It went unnaturally far, reaching the corners of his skin jawline and wrapping back, revealing jagged teeth. “It is time, Veil. Will you do your part? Death is knocking on the gods’ door. Wouldn’t it be nice to open it for them?”

“You understand what you ask me to risk?” Veil asked. “What would happen to the mortal plane if you unleash this woman upon it after I am done with her?”

“I am certain she will be able to show suitable restraint. I have been watching her for some time. She will not fail.”

“I don’t fully understand what’s going on,” the woman said, forcing words through clenched teeth. “But if you can help me grow stronger, then I’ll do anything. I will not be weak again.”

“You can speak in my presence?” Veil asked, his head tilting slightly to the side. “Mildly impressive. Kneel, then. I will teach you. If you break, then you have only yourself to blame.”

The woman didn’t move. Emma pressed her lips together.

Was she frozen with fear?

“Forgive me, but I will not,” the young woman said. “I will kneel to nobody that has not proven themselves worthy of it. I knelt to the gods once. Never again. Not to them. Not to anyone.”

The air froze. Then Veil threw his head back and laughed. It echoed through the room ominously, and a shiver ran down Emma’s spine. That was not a good sound.

“What is your name, mortal?”

“Eliza. I have no last name. The gods gave it to me, and I cast it aside when they left me for dead.”

“Very well, Eliza,” Veil said. “I see why Joseph has brought you here. I do not believe you will survive this. Normally, this would not bother me, but you have drawn my attention. Are you sure you wish to do this? There are other, wiser paths to power.”

Eliza glanced at Joseph. “I – Joseph showed me things. He said I could become as strong as him if I learned from you. If I want to save my brother, I need to be strong. Is there another way?”

“There are always other paths.”

“Would they work?”

“I do not know,” Veil replied. “I cannot see the future.”

“Then I will do this one, if you would teach me,” Eliza said. “Please.”

“Very well. Joseph, since you’ve already seen fit to intrude upon my domain, take her to a room. We will speak of this later. Make no mistake, I will not do this for free. The price will come from you.”

“Oh, I know. I came prepared,” Joseph said, giving his unnaturally wide smile one more time. He placed a hand on Eliza’s shoulder and stepped backward, vanishing into thin air along with her.

Emma suddenly drew in a breath. She hadn’t noticed, but somehow the pressure in the room had magnified a hundredfold while Joseph was in the room.

“Lord Veil,” Emma said. “Forgive my asking, but… who is that man? How could he speak so plainly to you?”

“That was no man,” Veil said. “Do not think of him as such for an instant. That thing is older than I am.”

“What is he?” Emma breathed, barely daring to ask.

“The Advent of Extinction.”