A/N: 2/2, surprise double chap for the end of the book, but im gonna take a three day weekend

Kaius perched on a small folding stool, leaning on his knees. Julian had offered one to each of them shortly after the lord had gained all he could from the revelatory waters. Bastard seemingly had everything in his ring.  

Though, he had the Pegleg, with its full kitchen and bedrooms, so he thought he had the lord beat on that front.

Kanmost still drifted in the shining torrent of water just a few dozen strides away. Honestly, Kaius had no idea how the Archivist was doing it — all of the rest of them had burned out after no more than an hour in the spring. It had been another hour since then, maybe more. If the man didn’t have a wild grin on his face, Kaius would have already fetched him out. As it was, he just watched the man float, his heavily lidded eyes flickering every few moments.  

Tapping his staff with the Imperial prosthetic he’d donned as soon as he had gotten out, Ianmus let out a subtle huff. 

“This is getting ridiculous. Maybe it's because the rest of us were focusing on our souls?” the mage said. He nodded at the nobles. “You lot lasted a fair bit longer than us, and Aspect embodiment is less disruptive than Refinement.”

That it certainly was — though it was a tribulation not without boons. All of them radiated a new surety and strength. Even without flexing their Authority actively, it flowed within them palpably. Each of Kaius’s friends just seemed…sturdier, though their actual physical changes had been slim. 

Kel groaned at Ianmus’s question, a slight shiver rolling up the lord's spine. Whatever the uncomfortable memories, they brought forth a shaky ghost of the man’s own developing aura, though it felt as insubstantial as a candle before a bonfire compared to Kaius’s own.

“I’m not sure if I would call that process easy.”

“Facing your flaws never is,” Porkchop snorted. “That does not make Refinement any less violent.”

Next to Kel, Julian had barely reacted to their conversation, merely smiling slightly as he stared deeply into the centre of the wellspring. He’d been lost in thought since he’d finished his embodiment. Kaius doubted that was the reason for his pensive air — the man was politically trained. Uncomfortable or no, a few harsh truths wouldn’t shake him.

Likely, it was the Wellspring itself. By pure serendipity, the effects of the Place aligned perfectly with the pursuit of the Path. Something as priceless as that could just as easily be a danger as it was a boon. The fact the place was only open for a single night of the year, and could only be used every half decade or so made it all the more troublesome.

Kaius kicked out, nudging the man gently with his foot. Julian started at the interruption, frowning at him.

“You’re going to need to do something. Thought about auctioning off slots?”

“Sorry?”

“For access to the Wellspring,” Kaius explained. “I assume that’s what is bothering you. A place that grants insight is one thing, but one that aids in the Path?”

Aspects and Refinement were simply too vital to the new order of things. Every scion from Mystral to the eastern coast would bleed for the opportunity to make use of it. He and his team might have been oathsworn to secrecy, but that mattered little. Someone, somewhere would let it slip. 

It could be close allies, gossiping about the sudden surge in talent within the inner circle of the House of Flowers, or it could be political rivals, wondering why so much expense was being directed towards yearly expeditions into the Crater. It hardly mattered, once it was out, it would mean war.

Julian just grunted, turning away to ponder the Wellspring some more.

“There it is again,” Kel murmured. “You keep referring to this Path. It means something, clearly to do with Aspects and Refinement. More importantly, what’s with this bloody pressure. It’s doing my head in, and it feels similar to both your own aura, and gods’ damned Dragon Fear.”

“Don’t forget about the weird energy,” Adrian added from the edges of their group. “I can’t nail it down. It’s there, but every time I try to reach for it with my Will it slips away from me. At least in the Wellspring it reacted a little, but I can barely even sense it now!”

That was…interesting. Kaius had long suspected that the System had put intentional barriers to prevent essence manipulation for those who had yet to pass a Crucible’s tests. It only made sense, what was the point of the final two trials they had undergone if it didn’t?

That said, it was possible that some small measure of lesser mastery could be gained alone. He and his team had been tutored by a bloody Ascendant, who’d forced their Authority and Essence to flare with her own godly presence. Perhaps a little floundering was to be expected without such an experienced guide.

“It’s Essence,” Kenva explained, leaning forward to peer past Ianmus. “And the pressure is Authority. Both only appear in times of stress or great insight. Some of the energy will get soaked up by your Aspects, which is the core of Refinement.”

“The four of you certainly seem to leverage it a bit more directly than that,” Julian said, side-eying them.

Kaius just grinned at the man. “We already told you, go visit a Crucible. We’re System-bound to explain no more of the topic, but I will sincerely say that finding and exploring one should be your absolute priority once we return to Baanswell.”

Pausing for a long moment, Julian searched his expression. He seemed to accept what he found, giving them a slow nod. 

“I agree with you, by the way. This is too dangerous. I’ll need to consult with Father, but I have no doubt he will agree with my assessment.” Julian let out a defeated sigh, as if he’d just been told he’d been seated next to someone particularly troublesome at a long and boring formal dinner. “Rejoice, for we will likely have to involve the Guild. They are the only impartial party with the pedigree to be trusted with something like this. They will no doubt demand a cut of whatever allotment we provide to be sold off.”

That was brilliant news! Perhaps, in some small, insignificant, and insubstantial way, Julian had seen the wisdom in allowing others to seize power on their own merits. I mean, it was far more likely he saw literally no other option — but it was a start! The man would one day be Duke; perhaps if he saw a few benefits from having waves of the talented and capable being ingratied to his House, he might soften over time.

Kanmost’s eyes snapped open. Launching himself out of the Wellspring, the man scrambled across the cavern floor on his hands and the severed stumps of his legs. Ianmus was on his feet in an instant, launching toward his old teacher.

“Quick, quick!” the Archivist bellowed. “A notebook! I need a notebook! I’ve got to write it down!”

Ianmus hauled the man up, sitting Kanmost on the stool he’d been using just a moment before.

“Need to write what down?” Ianmus asked, twin threads of solar and lunar magic brushing over the archivist.

Kanmost swiped his hands through the mana, dispersing the delicate working. “Just give me a damn noteboot!”

Frowning slightly, Ianmus summoned one from his ring and passed it over. 

Mana swelled through the Archivist, his eyes wide and focused. The notebook shot out of his hands, snapping open in front of his face. A ghostly quill popped into existence, sliding across the page so quickly that Kaius was shocked it didn’t ignite. In a second, the page was full of notes. 

Two pages later, he drew a sprawling diagram, then seven different maps, all a mess of notation and hastily scrawled lines. When he’d written four more pages, Kanmost sighed, letting his Skills die as the notebook drifted down to his hands.

All of them stared at the man. What in the hells had he been doing in the Wellspring?

“Mind explaining what got you so excited? Kenva asked, peering at the man’s page of notes.

Kanmost beamed, undiluted joy shining on his face.

“Marselle’s riddle! I think I've figured it out. Or made more headway than anyone else has in the last millenium, at least.”

It meant nothing to Kaius, but he assumed it had to be impressive by the way every single one of the nobles went utterly still. Plus, Kanmost’s Silver aura was definitely just a little more solid than it had been only a few hours ago. Not by much, but if he’d literally thought his way up a level or two, it had to be significant.

“The what now?” Porkchop asked.

“Marselle was one of my ancestors," Julian whispered, still staring at the notebook in Kanmost’s hand with shock. “He was…shockingly successful. One of the rare few of us to reach Mythril. After setting up favourable trade agreements with half of the continent, he invested in primary industries and filled the coffers to the bursting. Both the Aanthrast domain and library, and the current palace were built by him.”

Kel snorted softly. “More importantly, when he was on his deathbed due to a mysterious malady he emptied half of the ducal reserve into a wagon full of monstrously large spatial chests and vanished overnight. Damn near brought the duchy to its knees!”

“And all he left to explain his disappearance was a riddle that supposedly leads to his tomb, where it's all still waiting,” Adrian finished. 

Julian pulled himself away from Kanmost’s notes and gave the Archivist a sharp look. “You’re sure?”

“Oh yes, though it will take a fair bit more study, and a good half-dozen expeditions to start cross referencing potential locations,” Kanmost replied, giving the lord a sly grin. “How about it? Feel like renewing my charter?”

“Deal,” Julian replied instantly. “We can discuss the specifics after we return to Baanswell.”

Kaius was honestly astounded at how quickly Kanmost wanted to dive back into work. The man had just lost his legs! Though, he supposed anyone had to be dedicated to make it to Silver, doubly so if they did so without a combat class. 

“So, are we going to offer to help?” Porkchop asked, clearly curious.

Kaius snorted. “Gods no — I wouldn’t get within a league of a noble’s inheritance of that scale, not even for half of it. We’ll make plenty of money from the drake.”

“Well, what’s next then?” Ianmus asked through their rings. “We’ve still got a year and a half until the Onyx make their play for the Bloodstones, and while I would most certainly like a few weeks or months to properly catch up with Kanmost in the comfort of the library, we have achieved most of what we set out to do in the Dukedoms.

There was really only one answer to that question. A delve. They’d been working their way up to their next one for a while now. They had new gear and a mountain of coin coming, and their strength had been growing at a decent clip. It would be foolish not to press on with that momentum.  More importantly, Ekum’s quest still hung in his mind. They needed to descend past the fiftieth layer before they reached the third tier. It was vital for progressing the integration. 

Kaius paused, on the verge of answering.

All-consuming power ripped at the very foundation of reality. For one eternal, terribly familiar moment, time itself halted. The world froze for an eternal, terribly familiar moment. Horror engulfed him, Kaius rejecting what he knew to be true. It was a fell realisation echoed through his bond, and joined by the shocked gasps and spat curses of their other companions. 

All of them recognised that inexorable power; that woeful omen of change. 

It couldn’t be. It was impossible. How?!

A notification chimed, a cathedral bell that dwarfed his others, more forceful and resonant than all but one he had received before.

Uncaring of his desperate rejection, the System wrote across his mind with all the grace of a headsman’s axe: a brutal herald of things to come.

*Ding! Global Announcement: An Integrated Individual has Broken their Tier Rarity Cap! Integration Phase 2 Objective #4 Achieved!*

*Ding! Integration Phase 3 Initiated!*

*Integration Phase 3 comes with a number of significant opportunities, widening the Path to further advancement!*

*A Shardworld has been brought into alignment! Wild and untamed, this challenge cannot be compared to the structured training environment of The Great Depths, and it overflows with unknown bounty and danger both! Though few in number, Greater Gates have been scattered so that they may be sought by those most ambitious and capable! Ware, for Essence exists within!*

**The first Proving looms! In (5) local months, all Path-walkers present within the Shardworld will be required to Participate, and the Greater Gates will temporarily close! Struggle for Glory, Power, and Honour!

*Evolutionary Advancement Suppression of beings with no or low sapience has been slightly reduced!*

*Tyrant spawning has been slightly increased!*

*New Crucibles have been seeded for the next step on the Path! Lesser Gates now indicate what Layer a Crucible may be found, if one exists in their local vertical vicinity!*

*The Inner Reliquary has been unlocked, available to all to who have sufficiently Refined upon reaching the third tier! Build upon the foundation of your Triumvirate and attune with your Truths to craft a sanctum most dear! It is highly recommended that you develop the complexity of your Reliquary to the highest extent possible before rising to the Fourth Tier! An Informational Package on Reliquary creation will be provided to all who have reached the necessary level of refinement upon reaching the Third Tier!*

*Integration Phase 4 will commence when enough individuals have Proven themselves, or (1) local century has passed. Good Luck.*

Choking on every word, Kaius dared not breathe.

This changed everything.