Soul Knight - Chapter 25 (Patreon)

Nick woke up in a cuddle pile. These wolflings girls were sneaky. As soon as he fell asleep, it appeared they came and joined him at his side.

Thankfully, it was without the accompanying tongue bath, so he didn’t mind it–except it was now hot as hell. Their furry bodies were like little heaters, and the cavern wasn’t all that cool to begin with.

A small amount of light entered the cavern from above, signaling it was morning. Nick carefully removed the wolfling girls from around him and stretched as he got up, several wolflings moving about the cavern already.

The dream training was likely a success. From how Eirwen wasn’t stirring, he thought she had expended significant effort to make it work. He spent what must have been two or three hours training with her using the two axes, and even some time with her bestial transformation.

When she spent too long in it or was close to going full berserk, the dreamworld became blurry and nearly dispersed, so they had to limit the time.

Nick thought it wouldn’t be that long until her axes caught up with her short swords, allowing her to reach intermediate. He didn’t know if that was when she’d be able to become a beast warrior or not, but he knew he could count on her more in a fight now, so that was worth a lot already.

Then, his own Body Essence control had certainly improved. Drawing from where he thought his monstrous self was, he especially became a little stronger and faster.

The wolflings had eaten up much of the scaled moose, but there was still plenty of it left to be stuffed into Eirwen’s pack. The various critters they had killed were all completely gone, their hides already used for their crafts and trophies.

Nick marveled at the effect of the high essence food. He felt full of energy, and he could tell that the wolflings had put on a couple of pounds as well. In fact, he thought some of them had grown, but he couldn’t be sure.

After a meal, they headed out back on their trek toward the humans. Using Jasper, Nick had given them instructions on what to do if they encountered them. His goal was to speak with them, not to fight them if at all possible.

They moved through the forest quickly, the wolflings leading the way. Once again, they pulled their travois, gathering any additional food they collected. He had instructed the wolflings to eat periodically throughout the day, not waiting for a large meal to keep themselves fueled.

The wolfling girls all followed Eirwen again, and Kaya made it a point to look at them and tease Nick each chance she got.

Hours later, and they reached the edge of the forest. The settlement, now that they were closer, didn’t seem all that special.

He did think that there were perhaps two hundred people there or so. When considering that not all people would be potential combatants, he wondered just how many people he would have to face if it came down to a fight.

They were still a few miles out, but he could see guards at the gate.

Nick asked Kaya and Eirwen, “How should we play this? Ask to meet somebody? I wouldn’t feel good about meeting them inside their walled city without speaking with them first and getting an understanding of what’s going on. It’s not as simple as they just need to kill the orcs, right? You said they might be hostile.”

Eirwen nodded. “It’s possible they might attack us, but unlikely. First of all, Trial Takers are usually seen as Orion’s Will. If they go against it, the Trial could punish them. Even without that, they likely realize that we can probably respawn, so capturing us is likely going to be their priority over killing us.”

Kaya sighed. “Maybe we should meet with them without Nick? If they kill us, he can revive us, after all. But Nick would be dead for good.”

Nick bristled at his wife being in danger over himself, though he understood the logic. But Eirwen quickly added, “Nick’s our leader. I don’t think we should avoid him meeting with them. However, maybe we can have them meet Nick on neutral ground? That way, we can mitigate the risk. They will know that capturing us at the gate won’t get all the Trial Takers, and killing us will just have us side with their enemy.”

He sighed. This Trial was such a pain in the ass. He wished he was getting a straightforward enemy, like the goblin floor. But the Ordeal wanted to Test him in this fashion, to require him to use diplomacy and leadership somehow, dealing with odd people that he had no understanding of. He was just a simple man from Florida.

Nick looked over the settlement, and the surrounding area. Their settlement was near the beach, so the elevation was low. It was a slight incline as it headed toward the forest, but there was actually a second forest to the North of them.

“So, you’ll meet them at the gate and request the meeting with their leader, where? I’d of course want to limit their members.”

Kaya nodded and looked around, and pointed near where they were, out in a large clearing. “This area should be perfect. Other than the forest, both us and them should have great visibility.”

Nick thought he liked this, at least a little. If they came out with an army to the meeting, they could flee to the forest and whittle them down with their new allies. If they ran out immediately and tried to capture or kill Eirwen or Kaya, they likely wouldn’t even know about Nick–if Nick didn’t just slay them all and escape.

He could sneak in and rescue them, or resurrect them.

“Can they respawn? The natives?”

Eirwen shook her head. “Their Conflict likely began outside the tower. They wouldn’t have the expectations of respawning in that situation, as often it would defeat the purpose of the Conflict. That’s another reason they won’t want to create enemies out of us–even us suicide rushing them would weaken them against their foes.”

They hammered out their plan, and then Kaya, Eirwen, and Jerome went to the gate. Nick was not idle in front of the forest, and traveled with them, keeping himself low in the tall grass.

Jerome and Eirwen stood visibly in the distance, as Kaya went to the gate.

The walls were not overly high, just about a second story up. There was a walking patrol path on the wall with some crenelations for archers, but Nick wasn’t all that impressed. With his race’s odd capability to jump higher than he would expect, he thought he could reach the stone of the second floor and scale the wall easily.

There were two sentries at the gate, and at least two archers on the walls that Nick could see. There was some activity from the archers as he thought they hollered something, but the two armored guards were unmoving as they waited for Kaya’s approach.

The gate eventually opened, and an armored man marched out to meet with Kaya. Nick couldn’t hear what was being said as he waited in the tall grass over a quarter mile away, but he thought the discussion was favorable.

He was too far to really see the man’s soul from such a great distance, but he knew Eirwen had been enhanced and should be able to.

They met back at the forest, and while they saw a little bit of activity back at the settlement, nothing really jumped out at Nick as a detail to be concerned about.

However, when he got to speak with Kaya, both she and Eirwen wore a frown.

“What is it, Kaya?”

“I didn’t like the look of his gaze. He seemed friendly enough, but something was off in how him and the guards looked at me. Still, they agreed to meet and stated they would uphold the honor of the Trial, so they should arrive at the defined location within the hour, with no more than ten people to meet our four, as you requested.”

“How was his soul, Winny?”

“I haven’t gotten to see a lot of them, but they were definitely not white like ours. In fact, most of them looked like a murky gray. I wasn’t really close enough to feel their souls.”

So far, a gray soul was certainly not a reason to feel overly alarmed. Perhaps opportunists, or maybe a sort of people that have done many things they weren’t proud of. Unless there was some other reason Nick didn’t know about, which was entirely possible.

They prepared some wooden logs for seats in the clearing not that far from the edge of the forest. A tent of sorts would be helpful to get them out of the sun, but they only had the tents for sleeping with them. It wouldn’t be overly useful for a meeting.

The gates eventually opened, and what they saw was promising, but had Nick worried about one detail: horses.

A total of five men rode out, their pace at a slow trot. They arrived within ten minutes, dismounting from their horses at a distance to march together.

The men were wearing chain mail armor, complete with helmets. Two men in lighter armor carried a bow, and they stood at a distance as three men neared, including the man that met Kaya at the gate.

From what Nick could tell, the leader felt like a paladin. He had symbols on his armor that reminded him of such, and even the two other guards appeared similar.

He agreed with Eirwen’s assessment, in that their souls were a murky gray. As his soul sense washed over them, he definitely felt like these people had taken several actions they were not proud of.

Though, there was something a little different there, that he wasn’t sure he understood. He couldn’t get a great reading from them.

Nick stood as they neared, Kaya and Eirwen at his sides. Jerome stood a distance away with his shield, a cloak over much of his features.

“Greetings! I am Torvus of Zura, Captain of the Guard. Welcome, Trial Takers–may you carry out the Ordeal’s Will, and aid us in settling our Conflict.”

“Well met, Torvus. I am Nicholas and I walk the Hero’s Path. Please, sit. We have come to know more about your Conflict.”

Nick noticed that when he mentioned the hero’s path, the guards became a little uneasy, but the three men complied, sitting across from Nick’s party on their logs.

The man looked hesitantly at Nick’s armor, and the number of weapons on him. “The hero’s path, you say? I must say, your armor is quite unusual. I have not seen its kind in my travels. I am…disappointed a hero would have so many vicious weapons on your person.”

Nick sighed. “As for the armor, it was an award in the Ordeal, for completing an Optional Test. I too have not seen anything like it, but it seems quite effective. As for the knives, the Ordeals require one to be prepared for any type of challenge. I seek to claim an unclaimed Ordeal, so the type of threat can be anything.”

Thankfully, Eirwen had prepped him a little on this detail during their march, since he asked a little more about Ordeals and how they pertained to a city’s growth.

Torvus nodded. “Ah, I understand–an unclaimed Ordeal can truly have any type of enemy. You seek to establish your own settlement? A noble cause. As much as you may wish to settle fights peacefully and with diplomacy, an Ordeal creature cannot be reasoned with.”

He continued, “Now, as you have likely been made aware, us people of Zura are at odds with the Orcs of Nagduros. It started with an argument over the ownership of a mine, one that held precious gemstones. A true boon for any settlement that obtained control over it.”

He continued, “The orcs, as is the custom of their people, wanted to fight on the field of battle for ownership. That is not our people’s way, so we rejected it. Our people are much more civilized, wanting to compete with our faith. As Adherents of Seraphara, we are against violent conflict.”

Nick thought that sounded strange as hell, just how could one compete with faith? Then, these men were clearly armed. Just how could they be against violent conflict? Though, he did see that their weapons were bludgeons.

He didn’t want to give up the game that he didn’t know exactly what Torvus was talking about, but Eirwen came somewhat to his rescue.

“So Orion provided each of you a Test that fit your people’s customs?”

Torvus nodded. “That’s right. Our people did well, and we succeeded in the Test. However, the orcs cheated, and we were judged the losers, the victor able to choose the event for the Conflict. Our leader was set to duel theirs, but their leader never showed up to the battle within the time limit. Thus, this minor Tribulation for us both.”

Nick could tell that Torvus was not telling the truth. His soul sense had given him a twisted feeling when he said that the orcs had cheated. The rest was true, but he felt an intentional omission about the orc never showing up for battle.

Logically, if that was all there was to it, then odds were, the people of Zura would likely be the victors by default. Orion had likely judged them to have cheated, at least at that portion of the Conflict.

Grilling the man was not likely to prove useful, so Nick tried to move the discussion toward resolution. He looked over to Winny, and saw she had a stoic impression. But he could feel her unease.

“So, how can we help? It sounds like your two leaders just need to duel, as Orion has decided this is the Trial your people must face. Do we just need to convince the orcs to meet with you?”

“Unfortunately, that is no longer an option for us. Our leader is important for the safety and success of Zura, that of the highest faith among our people, and he is currently sick. We refuse to sacrifice him for this cause. So that leaves us with only one option.”

Nick had a bad feeling about this as the lies seemed to pile on, but he played it as if he had no idea what that option was. He nodded. “We can defeat the drakes together with the orcs, then. As Trial Takers, my people can be helpful in the fight. We can find a way to take on the challenge together.”

Torvus laughed, his expression shifting to a sneer. “No, I don’t think we’ll be working together with the orcs. There is only one option: to slay their leader. I’m going to have to demand that you join us in this.”

Kaya growled, drew her weapons and stood as the other men stood from their logs. Torvus made no move to draw his bludgeon weapon, but the two guards actually gathered behind him, kneeling on the ground and beginning a prayer.

Nick’s soul sense picked up four additional people, likely using Sneak moving around them, two heading for Jerome. They had the same murky souls as the rest, though Nick thought he could judge more than one of them successfully somehow.

It was an odd feeling, to him. He could tell one of these men had in fact murdered or assassinated someone, though it was under someone else’s orders.

He sent a mental ping to Jerome, warning him of this threat.

Nick raised his brow as he stood, getting ready for battle. “Oh? And just how will you make us do that? I admit, four people against dozens of yours isn’t a good proposition so I don’t want to make enemies of you, but I also don’t see us easily turning the tide against a similar number of orcs. In the end, not resolving this Conflict will lead to a true Tribulation, making things much worse for you. What’s your plan?”

He tossed four collars onto the ground. “Simple. You will wear these, and then you will join them under the pretense of helping the orcs and kill their leader.”

Energy gathered around Torvus, his soul flickering as something stirred within him. “We came in peace, your violence is a stain on the progress of civilization. In the name of Seraphara, drop your weapons.”

Nick felt that something brush over his soul, guessing it was some form of divine essence. But the weight of their efforts was not enough to budge him, their magic having a sort of hollowness to it.

His strength of soul, combined with his Will of Frost, pushed him far above their magic. Their mental attack was spread across him, Kaya, and Eirwen, Jerome likely too far away to be reached.

Kaya fought through the effect but had a little trouble, dropping only one of her axes she had drawn. Eirwen held on to her crossbow with a white-knuckled grip, and was prepared to shoot at one of the oncoming rogues.

Nick chuckled. “Man, but that would be a lot of work, just look at all these knives?” He drew one in each hand.

He shook his head. “I don’t actually need these to defeat you, but no, I don’t think I will. This seems awfully hypocritical here. You’re nonviolent, but going to make us slaves that violently attack your enemy, assassinating them? I suppose it’s fine if we die while we do it too, huh?”

The man frowned, and looked more than a little confused. “You can fight the effect? How?” His sneer returned. “Of course it’s fine if you die. You’re not human, though I don’t know what you are. Some kind of half-breed? You even travel with disgusting beastfolk, and a monsterfolk! You are impure, and your kind should be purged!”

Eirwen was now confused. “Uh, but Seraphara isn’t human. She’s an Angel, and she teaches the importance of nonviolence and peace, purity of spirit and gaining knowledge to transcend to Eternity. How can you justify your actions with her?”

The man growled in response, as if redoubling his magical efforts, but Nick just snorted at the effect.

Nick then activated his Aura, and it washed over the three men in front of them, and the four rogues using Sneak. He pushed hard and tried to extend it, and the archers were even affected, just barely within Nick’s range.

The rogues had been moving slowly, likely to reduce or prevent any sound from their movements.

The rogues were revealed as frost began to cover them, Nick smiling at the effectiveness of his Aura in disturbing their essence-based ability. They immediately dashed for their targets, holding what appeared to be a club and a blackjack or similar weapon.

Nick threw his two knives in quick succession at the archers, doing his best to delay their actions, but an arrow was shot at both Eirwen and Kaya.

Eirwen blocked the arrow with the buckler on her arm, and shot her crossbow at the rogue coming for her, striking him in his chest. Kaya roared as she sent out her feral energy to deflect the arrow, though it hit her in the shoulder.

She dashed at the other rogue, striking down with a powerful overhead chop that the man was forced to block.

She had scooped her other axe off the ground with her tail, and it whipped around and cut the man right across the throat, the man falling to his knees as blood gushed out.

Kaya then threw her own knives at the two archers as she charged at them, while Eirwen executed her quick reload, rapidly readying her crossbow for another shot and taking aim.

For a moment, Nick was shocked. They went straight for the kill on these men, and these were real people. The rogues only carried bludgeon weapons, not going for the kill.

However, while these people weren’t directly intending to kill his party, they were intending to do it with extra steps. They had justified in their minds why it was okay to hurt Nick and his people under the teachings of their goddess, but in the end this was just self-defense.

Jerome worked on the two rogues, and Nick got the feeling he would have no problem dealing with these, thanks to Nick’s Aura inhibiting them.

The men in prayer stood up, shivering as Nick’s frost started covering them. All three of their expressions showed fear, as they understood that Nick’s small party was much stronger than they had imagined.

The gates in the distance opened, and Nick could tell a number of horses were on their way–and not at a slow trot like these men originally.

Torvus shivered. “Y-You can’t kill us. If you kill me, they will kill the hostages.”

Nick raised his brow. “You have hostages? Orcs, I take it?”

“Yes! If you don’t let me return, they will kill them.”

Nick frowned. They really did have hostages, and everything clicked into place. It looked like they forced the orc leader into inaction by the way of the hostages. As he learned this detail, something else appeared to click.

Looking over Torvus’s soul, Nick realized he didn’t have a whole lot of time, perhaps just a couple of minutes to run to the trees before the horses arrived. But the murky color of the soul was not the same as the opportunist apothecary he had met, though it seemed similar at the time.

It appeared there was something obfuscating his sight, and now he thought he understood what it was.

Nick’s Judgement allowed him to deal damage directly to the soul, draining essence from them based on the magnitude of sins, as judged by Archaen Law.

However, someone who followed a divine entity such as a god or goddess were merely adhering to what they believed was right, or full of positive virtues.

On some level, even doing evil in the name of their king or similar had a reduced effect to Nick’s judgement. A soldier fighting in a war was not a murderer, as an example. However, enough sins and crimes even under orders would likely still tarnish the soul, allowing Nick to still judge them in that case.

From what Nick could tell, this follower of a divine was protected in some way by their goddess from his ability. Nick guessed he did not have the right to judge this man. Perhaps, even the minor Tribulation they were experiencing was preventing it–Nick didn’t know.

The man was telling the truth about there being hostages, but he was lying about them being killed if he didn’t make it back. The hostages were being held to likely prevent the orcs from attacking them head on, after all.

He had seen something in their soul shift when they began their prayers and used their magic on Nick’s. As Nick’s soul magic had brushed over the man again, he smiled.

Whatever had been preventing Nick from Judging Torvus, and the other two men, had been removed. If Nick had to guess, it was the moment he called his goddess’s name–but it could also have been when they took action against Nick’s party. He didn’t know.

Nick’s eyes glowed white, and his soul core brightened white to where those near could see it within his chest as he began activating the ability with his will.

The weight of his soul power enveloped the men, their bodies already partially frozen over. He reached out his hand toward Torvus, and it was like the man was rooted to the ground, unable to respond.

“Judgement!”

Depictions of cruelty towards various races and orcs, especially children, were displayed. Torvus was shown giving orders to cloaked figures that Nick somehow knew were assassins, and many minor sins were shown, including ones he didn’t really understand how sins were involved–there were visions of a library and prayer.

The three men began to scream, their faces filled with terror. White light left their mouths and eyes, as their essence was drained as white light into Nick’s mouth and core. He purified their sins with his own purity and righteousness, his soul power overwhelming them as their essence was consumed.

The men were rapidly drained until they turned into frozen husks, Nick receiving a vast amount of Essence. It was more than he had ever received at once, and he continued the movement of the spell, doing his best to remember what he felt within now that he knew to pay much more attention to it.

The men drained of all their essence, Nick felt invigorated and empowered, somehow. But they had to flee.

“Let’s get out of here! Where’d the horses go?”

Kaya groaned. “They ran away when I chased down the archers. Still, we got all the enemies, Jerome cleaned his out easily.”

The three of them ran for the trees, what appeared to be roughly two dozen horses after them.

It was impossible to tell for Nick, since the dust was kicking up a storm.

Thankfully, they had new allies waiting for the oncoming enemy.