Chapter 12 Part 3 of 6 (Patreon)

“I’m not asking you to confirm and really its not much of my business, but something is wrong with you and Rugrat, instead of isolating you and driving on. Like others would, your entire team is working together, you value one another’s inputs, no matter how weak or strong they are. That’s rare. I never thought that such a place could exist in the ten realms. But Alva is a real community. You support one another no matter what, while the Sha Clans are just looking for benefits.” She shrugged.

“It’s rather sad. I studied how the Willful Institute fell, their inner strife, which might have been stoked by certain parties, weakened them before the battle even started. They brought themselves together through external conflict and inner threats. Using their riches they would have covered over their wounds continuing on as if there were no issues.”

“Bigger isn’t always better, sometimes you need less people to do more,” Erik said.

“A few strong fighters that can work together will always be stronger than a strong but divided force,” Esther looked to the doorway. “I think that is why my Aunt’s and Uncle’s didn’t leave the Sha when they should have. They cared deeply for my mother and father and Uncle Edmond. They were one hell of a team in their prime.”

“Bartan, that was your father wasn’t it?” Erik asked, remembering Edmond’s words.

“Yes, why?”

“What happened with him. Sorry if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“Ah, no, it’s fine, if you were back in the realms you could find out from any information broker. My father died defending Uncle Edmond. They were attacked by bandits that thought they were a trade convoy. A lucky shot hit my father before they knew what was happening,” Esther curled her knees up.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s in the past,” Esther put on a smile and looked out of the window, starlight striking the silver of the Treasure Hall dome lighting her face in white.

“Though mother, she made it through the funeral, she and Uncle Edmond grieved together, they were almost inseparable. It was too much to lose my father, she became numb to the world. Thankfully we had my Uncles and Aunt Kameela. Milo distanced himself from everyone and went cold towards Uncle Edmond. Now he can’t talk to him. I know that Uncle Edmond can be a bit strong while others don’t see it, he has always tried to do what he thinks is best.”

Erik nodded, keeping his comments to himself. Sometimes doing what we think is best only hurts those that care about us the most. His thoughts turned towards Alva, to his friends and those that cared for him that he had steam rolled, ignoring their comments, carrying on his own path. Trying to prove them all wrong, instead of accepting their help.

I have to make it back to apologize to them.

“We’re all idiots trying to make the best decisions we can.”

Esther let out a dry laugh.

“Some decisions are worse than others.”

Erik grunted. They spent the rest of Erik’s watch talking about a lot of nothing, just seeking companionship and someone to talk to, bitch about the world with.

Robert had a smirk on his face as he took over the watch. Erik and Esther headed for their own sleeping areas.

Erik found George cultivating a Fire variant elemental core.

He opened an eye as he approached.

“Congratulations on passing the eighth realm trial bud,” Erik smiled and patted his back.

George softened, his mouth pulling into a doggy-grin.

Erik laughed and scratched behind his head.

“Sorry that it took me so long, was being an ass.”

George nudged his arm with his nose, as if to say he understood.

Erik gave him some more scratchin’s. He passed others cultivating elemental cores. There were a few people sleeping in the corner. Rugrat was cradling his rifle again.

Erik got out his sleeping gear. Kind of nice to need sleep again, just wish that it didn’t happen while in a deadly under-City where everything wants to kill me.

***

The second day passed without much change, thankfully everyone knew the use of packing extra supplies even if not necessary so there was plenty of food and water. Those that weren’t on watch spent most of their time cultivating.

Erik gave lectures on tempering their bodies and created concoctions to assist them. A few were able to have breakthroughs.

Some were finally able to finish tempering with Metal, reaching the same Stage as Erik, he smiled and congratulated them as they continued to gain their strength. On the third day, things continued, but most were working on the tips that Erik had provided and they had all the concoctions they would need.

On the night of the third day Erik had nothing to do.

He heard the odd calls of the city, like wind passing through the streets. He had become used to the strange sounds of the Under-City.

I didn’t finish Lezaar’s journal.

He pulled out the book and sat in the corner, flipping to where he had stopped.

He fled the Dragon Fields and headed into the areas where there were less creatures. I can’t think what that must have been like, all alone in here, having all of your friends die.

Erik gritted his teeth and continued reading.

“I felt like there had been several creatures watching me for the last couple of days. I changed locations several times, I found a new tower, this one reached up to the forest above. I took some time to go up and feel the mana lights upon me. I had to take my time, the light was burning my eyes. This is a nice place I will try staying here for some time.”

“I was right, I was being followed. I kept thinking that I was just hearing the wind. There is no wind in this hell! I saw them moving today, damn Rin. Some must’ve survived the Dragon’s attack. They seemed to have gathered allies and are surrounding my tower.”

“The Rin are calling to one another outside the tower, their talk sounds like wind through the city, but they’re coordinating with one another. My exit to the surface has been blocked as well. I’m trapped here, they have tracked me over weeks.”

Erik leaned forward.

“They have turned to using their roars and growling they are so close. Ah, it was a good run, I refuse to die like a rat in a barn. This will be my last entry. I was hoping to read more about this place. We were so foolish thinking we could snatch a few rewards from under the sect’s noses. At least I will be seeing my party soon enough.”

The book ended as Erik felt a chill, remembering the scene infront of the building, the destruction around the tower and signs of a fierce battle with only Lezaar’s amulet and ring remaining.

He frowned, something tickling the back of his mind.

Erik shrugged and headed to check on the people on watch.

He found Davos watching the courtyard.

They nodded to one another as Erik heard the sounds of the city.

“Damn weird noises here, that wind just sounds freaky,” Davos said.

Erik felt lightning run down his spine as the hairs at the back of his head raised.

“When did you start hearing it?”

“I don’t know, been around for a while, just wind.”

“Davos, tell me, do you feel any wind?”

“No, but,” Davos fell silent as Erik focused on the sounds of the wind, it started and died in one area, then appeared in the next and the next in a counter-clockwise direction and they were close.

“Shit,” Erik said as Davos grabbed his rifle.

Erik activated his sound transmission device.

“I have reason to believe that we are currently surrounded by Rin. They have a long-range way of communicating with one another that just sounds like wind in the distance. These noises are happening all around us and they’re getting closer.”

“Everyone grab your gear we’re moving out in ten,” Roska said.

Not even Edmond said anything as everyone quickly started gathering their gear, those that were cultivating or sleeping were roused and readied.

Erik pulled on the remaining pieces of his gear and headed downstairs. Finding others checking the last of their gear.

Erik checked his storage ring and the extra mana stones and stack formations he’d prepared.

Everyone got organized, finding their partners and moving to the first floor.

“Okay, lets move,” Roska said.

Four by four they moved  in the direction of the Dragon Fields.

They checked the streets as they passed keeping up the pace, tossing out scraps and Under-City meat. It would lure the Chimora and while they were great alarms, they didn’t want any noise while they were in the Dragon fields.

Erik was in the second group so he saw when Roska engaged the Rin.Their silent weapons lit up the street as they fired on the group of Rin and Berin walking down the street.

One let out a sound like a roaring tempest.

Erik could hear the rising roars on either side as the Rin rushed forward into the hail of attacks. There had to be four Rin and five Berin.

They unleashed their mouth and horn attacks, hitting people in the lead group, breaking barriers and throwing them back. Esther struck the street, skipping and hitting a wall.

Erik and his group moved up on their right flank, adding in their fire. Two Berin were killed, but the rest were still coming.

Damn this Under-Ctiy!