Aozaki Aoko [541-543] (Patreon)

Chapter 541: The Secret Treasure

"We need to discuss this," Aoko said to the simulacrum Dzaan. "Whether we go to the floating city to explore or turn you into a real person, it's not something I can decide on my own."

"I understand," the simulacrum Dzaan nodded calmly. "You can hold your discussion in the next room with the statue. That room cannot be eavesdropped on by any means."

Aoko raised an eyebrow. She had been curious about that semi-circular room ever since she first came to the third floor. She always felt something inside was drawing her in. Now, from Dzaan's words, it sounded like there was a statue of a deity there?

Considering this was a wizard's tower, could it be that the statue—

Aoko nodded to the others and took the lead, leaving the secret chamber. The others followed, exchanging glances. Meanwhile, Dzaan returned to his high-backed chair behind the desk and sat in silence.

Moments later, all five members of Aoko's party entered the adjoining semi-circular room. Like the rest of the tower, this room was upside down; the statue that should have been on the floor now hovered near the ceiling.

Aoko looked up carefully and immediately understood why Dzaan had said what he did. The statue was of the goddess of magic, Mystra—the original goddess of magic.

"Give me a moment," Aoko told the others, then took out the devotional amulet she wore around her neck and held it high as Mystra's holy symbol.

At once, the upside-down statue and Aoko's holy symbol shone with intense light, pulling Aoko's consciousness deep into the Weave.

"Huh? You work fast!" Mystra appeared before Aoko. "I thought it'd take you longer to resolve the Ten-Towns mess."

"So, is what that simulacrum Dzaan said true?" Aoko cut straight to the point.

"You already know, don't you?" Mystra grinned. "Simulacra can't lie, you know?"

"Not lying doesn't mean everything he says is true," Aoko rolled her eyes. "What I mean is, are his claims about turning a simulacrum real, and about Netherese, correct?"

"He's telling the truth," Mystra nodded, "but it's not the whole truth."

Called it, Aoko thought inwardly, but outwardly she listened intently.

"First, the ritual to turn a simulacrum real involves advanced illusion magic," Mystra explained. "There are also elements of shadow magic, meaning it draws from the Shadowfell. Be careful with that. But if all you want to do is resurrect Dzaan, it's fine. He just has greedy intentions toward Netheril's floating city."

"Second, the information about Netherese is also true, and I can even tell you its exact location." Mystra continued, "But you'd better strengthen yourself before you go. There are enemies there who'd be tough for you right now."

"If you'd just lift the restriction on my Fifth Magic, I'd have no problem dealing with them!" Aoko grumbled.

"I'm not the one restricting you," Mystra said bluntly. "That's a rule set by the gods above gods. I'm just a goddess of magic—I can't override it."

"Fine…" Aoko sighed, not surprised by this answer; she'd just been probing. "So, are there any amazing treasures in floating city, Ythryn?"

"There are," Mystra said seriously. "If you find them, they're yours."

"...Is it a mythallar? Or could it even be a Nether Scroll?" Aoko asked.

"There is indeed a functioning mythallar in Ythryn, I can guarantee that," Mystra said. "As for the golden scrolls, I can't be certain."

"Why?" Aoko asked in surprise. "You're the powerful goddess of magic! Even you can't be sure? And aren't all mythallars supposed to be unusable now? How can one still be working?"

"Don't worry," Mystra said. "The only thing that can block a god's gaze is another god. If there are golden scrolls in Ythryn, they must have Jergal's power on them. Plus, Icewind Dale is still shrouded by Auril's power, so I can't see clearly. You know who Jergal is, right?"

Aoko nodded, of course she knew. Jergal, the ancient god of death, was the mastermind behind Netheril's rise and fall, once ambitious to become an overgod but now just a slacker scribe.

"Jergal left his power on every golden scroll to keep other gods from noticing them," Mystra continued. "But if you get one, as your mother, I'll be able to see it, and I can help you read it safely."

Long ago, there was a race called the Sarrukh archwizards who built a vast empire and made great strides in magical research. From studying primitive magic among wild peoples, they compiled their knowledge onto a special material called the Golden Skins of the World Serpent, creating a hundred golden scrolls in two sets—later known as the legendary Nether Scrolls.

The secret group who compiled the scrolls called themselves the Ba'etith, and it's said Jergal was once a member. Thus, the contents of the scrolls are forever touched by the ancient god of death's influence.

"I understand," Aoko nodded. She was indeed eager to read the Nether Scrolls—the magical culmination of the Sarrukh empire, who could resist? "What about the mythallar?"

"The previous Mystra banned the use of mythallars, not me," the goddess said nonchalantly. "But don't let anyone else know how to make or use a mythallar. If you do, the old man will scold me!"

Fair enough, Aoko thought. She understood why Mystra wanted her to recover the mythallar: it was too risky to leave such a powerful artifact out in the wild, where some 'genius' might blow up part of the Weave again. And guess who'd have to clean up that mess?

As for why Mystra hadn't sent a Chosen to recover it before, well, only now had Auril's power so thoroughly shrouded Icewind Dale that Mystra couldn't see inside.

So, better to have Aoko handle it, rather than leave things to chance.

Chapter 542: Transformation of Illusion and Reality

"That's about the situation," Aoko returned to consciousness. In reality, only a few seconds had passed; her teammates were just lowering their hands from shielding their eyes against the strong light. "So, what's everyone think? This is a mission from the goddess of magic herself. If any of you don't want to come, just wait for me in Ten-Towns."

"Are you kidding? It's a floating city and a mythallar!" Simon said excitedly. "Of course I'm in! Plus, if this involves the goddess of magic, as a descendant of Elminster, I have to get involved!"

"I'm fine with it," Doric said, patting Simon's shoulder. "Sometimes this guy gets too caught up in spellcasting to notice what's around him, so someone has to watch his back."

"We're a team. Of course I'm going with you," Edgin said, though he looked worried. "But if the goddess of magic herself gave this order, I feel like we're in for some serious enemies..."

"I've said it before," Holga shrugged, "Just tell me what to chop, where to chop, and how much to chop. I trust you guys."

"Thanks!" Aoko patted Holga's shoulder, then addressed the others. "So, what about resurrecting Dzaan—everyone agree?"

"I personally don't like the idea of resurrecting a Red Wizard," Edgin said. "But I'm not a magic expert, so I'll leave the decision to you and Simon. If you both say yes, I'll go along."

"Strictly speaking, it's not really a resurrection," Aoko explained. "The simulacrum just inherits what the original Dzaan wanted it to know. Even if we turn it real, it's a new person, not the old Dzaan. The only issue is his greed for Ythryn City, which could make him a future rival."

"I doubt even if he's revived he'll cause much trouble," Simon said. "As long as we're careful, he won't ambush us. I agree—let's revive him. He can distract enemies when we enter the floating city."

"Settled, then," Aoko nodded. "I'll also add some safeguards to his new body to prevent betrayal. I doubt someone of his level can see through my magic."

"Oh, and there's this," Aoko waved her holy symbol at the statue. A golden flash, and a small bottle of blue potion dropped into her hand. "Anyone want to drink it?"

"Is that a magic potion?" Simon asked. "What does it do?"

"It grants permanent ability to cast Minor Illusion," Aoko said. "Simon and I don't need it—we already have unlimited cantrips."

"I don't need it," Doric said. "It doesn't fit my combat style."

"Give it to Edgin," Holga said. "You all know in a fight, I can barely focus, let alone cast spells."

She was absolutely right—barbarians go berserk, and casting spells while raging is just plain weird.

"I'll humbly accept, then," Edgin took the possibly two-thousand-year-old potion from Aoko, wiped the dust off the rim, and raised it. "To everyone's health!"

He downed it in one go, grimacing at the taste.

"Well? Any effect?" Holga asked.

Edgin snapped his fingers, and a cheerful tune echoed through the upside-down temple. The potion had worked; he now had Minor Illusion permanently.

…

"Looks like you've made your decision," simulacrum Dzaan said as Aoko and the others re-entered the secret chamber. "So, my proposal—do you accept?"

"No problem," Aoko nodded. "We'll help you obtain a real human body, but you have to sign this contract."

She conjured a magically binding contract written on parchment—a local adaptation of magic contracts she'd learned in Faerûn. Both parties would pledge their souls, nearly impossible to break.

Even though Dzaan currently had no soul, once he became real, the contract would bind him and his future soul.

Dzaan examined the contract, then signed without hesitation.

The contract stated: Aoko must help Dzaan complete the transformation ritual in the secret chamber under the Nether Spire. If the chamber was damaged beyond repair, Aoko bore no responsibility.

Dzaan, for his part, must never directly or indirectly harm Aoko or her companions, and must disclose all secrets he knew regarding the Nether Spire and Ythryn.

Once Aoko confirmed the signature, she signed as well. The contract floated in the air, burned with blue flames, and its magic power entered both Aoko and Dzaan—now fully in effect.

"All right," Aoko said. "Tell us about the top-of-the-tower magic chamber."

"Certainly!" Dzaan replied. "On the fourth floor, just below us, there's a room covered in interconnected magic runes, with a five-foot golden crystal disc on the ceiling. That disc is key to the ritual.

All you have to do is fix me to the disc on the ceiling and activate the runic circle—the ritual will begin, turning me permanently into a real human."

Chapter 543: The Rune Chamber

To fulfill the contract and gain Aoko's trust, Dzaan handed over all the treasures and books he'd collected.

This included the magic amulet on the desk: actually the control amulet for a shield guardian.

"The shield guardian is on the lower floor, right outside the rune chamber," Dzaan said. "If you can take it, great. Otherwise, dismantle it and take the valuable parts."

Aoko was interested. She examined the amulet and quickly saw through its construction—simpler than she expected, not as sophisticated as Bernard the lightning golem she'd reprogrammed and left running her manor in Neverwinter.

Aside from the amulet, Dzaan handed over his collected books.

Edgin took "Here Lies the King," a fascinating novel about an illusionist who tricks everyone, becomes king, and fakes his death to fool his enemies.

Simon chose "The Lost Scrolls of Sabriel," a scholarly study on lost ancient sun elf magic.

Aoko, preparing for the transformation ritual, took "Substance from Shadow," written by the tower's owner, with notes from other Netherese archmages.

Doric and Holga weren't interested in the rest, so Aoko took the last one, "Vinstatot," about the history of the Vinstatot floating city—good for leisure reading someday.

Through the hole in the floor, the party and Dzaan descended to the fourth floor, structured like the first floor: a central hallway dividing the level.

They were in the northeastern room, and the rune chamber was next door.

"Should we just smash through the wall?" Holga hefted her axe.

"Don't!" Dzaan cried. "The walls are covered in runes. If they're damaged, the ritual will fail!"

So, the party had to proceed normally. In the corridor, they met the patrolling shield guardian.

"Stop. Standby mode!" Aoko commanded, raising the amulet. The guardian instantly stood aside, resembling a fridge in standby.

While passing a southern bedroom, Aoko noticed a box still intact amid the ruined beds. After several spells, she determined the box contained a tricky enchantment: a stasis field. If objects left the field after too long, they'd rapidly decay.

"It's a book inside," Aoko said. "But I can't safely take it out yet. I'll need to study it later."

No one objected, so she stored the box in her extradimensional pouch for future research.

They soon reached the final room: Dzaan's coveted rune chamber.

Aoko opened the door. The room was filled with glowing runes, intricately connected—magic energy still lingering after two millennia.

The walls showed some cracks, but the runic array's function seemed intact, if fragile.

On the ceiling, the runes converged on a floating, rotating golden crystal disc, its magic nearly rivaling Aoko's Midnight staff—a quasi-artifact.

Oddly, the room's magical aura wasn't just illusion, but also included strong transmutation energy—likely for reshaping shadow into substance.

"Behold my masterpiece!" a voice rang out as a phantom appeared—a pre-recorded message. The man looked like the tower's owner, as depicted by the statue on the first floor.

"Here, illusions become reality. Shadows become substance!"

The projection explained the room's secret, then vanished—a handy user guide and a bit of showing off. The language was Loross, the Netherese wizards' favorite. Aoko, having learned it from the Karsus Chronicle, felt a strange familiarity.

"Stand directly under the crystal disc," Aoko told Dzaan. "I've figured out how this chamber works."

Dzaan nodded and did so, standing in the middle of the room, directly beneath the disc.

"Simon, start," Aoko said.

Simon nodded, spun the sorcery disk at his waist, and slammed a spell into the floor.

"Seventh Circle: Transmutation—Reverse Gravity!"

Everyone in the room fell upward to the ceiling; Dzaan landed perfectly in the center of the crystal disc.