Soul Knight - Chapter 38 (Patreon)

[Author Note - Woohoo! I wrote the words today -- end of book 1! I'm excited, guys. Today's a big day, too, we get the more climactic battle of the book today. I hope y'all enjoy the double feature!]

The sewer led them to the outskirts of town, the orcs exiting just near the gate.

The kids rejoined the warrior’s protection, the many mothers reuniting with their families. The orc children were nearly a hundred, over a single child per family.

Nick smiled, seeing all the children rejoining their families. Some of their souls were somewhat shaken, and he wondered just how they could be tortured in that way without breaking the Oath and killing the Bishop.

“We need to hurry, but how do you think the Bishop didn’t die from breaking his Oath? The children were so afraid, how could that not be torture?”

Eirwen sighed. “It must have just been skirting it. Those children were afraid, but they weren’t being harmed physically, nor permanently. Many of them were tested, and some might have even benefitted–the boys were definitely protecting the girls, and the many caretakers stood up to their fears.”

Nick just shook his head at that. The kids would likely recover with time, but he wondered if he would need to spend some time checking each of their souls.

“That’s one promise down. One more to go.”

Kaya smiled. “Lothar could now give up the Conflict, and they would at least have their children. The previous Oath was if he committed suicide, but that’s not something that would happen now.”

The children secured, Zarog, Andross, and three of those involved with taking care of the children came up to Nick. The caretakers were older women, Nick guessing they were in their fifties by their graying hair.

Likely the mothers of the orc warriors, it appeared they had traveled with some of the young ones to aid with forming their settlement.

Zarog smiled at Nick. “Thank you, Prince Noblefrost, for keeping true to your word and helping us rescue the hostages. These women would like to join your march to the church, to confront the Bishop. They will testify about the atrocities committed, hopefully helping their people join us in seeking for justice.”

Nick nodded. “Thanks, ladies. You will be very helpful in our task, but I have to let you know that it may be dangerous.”

One of the older women chuckled. “Oh, we’re ladies again now? If it’s danger, the Bishop can do his worst. If they beat these old bones down, that scumbag will die. I will gladly take him with me, dying with a smile on my face. They had planned much worse things for us, once this Trial was over.”

It was a sobering thought for Nick, that he had really staved off the worst from happening to the kids and many others.

Nick spoke with Zarog, and approved their plan to escort many of the children back with their carriages to their homes, leaving Nick with just the wolflings and some additional scouts and shamans to wait outside in the camp. After all, if he got them to safety, Lothar would be free to join in on the attack.

Now that they had their volunteers, they marched back into the city with the same groups as before–only this time, Andross and the rest were fully armed. Nick swapped out two of the women scouts for Eirwen and Kaya, trying to keep to the original deal with Rebecca where possible.

He looked over his recent level up. He had reached the ninth level and earned a trait.

[Soul Fortress]
[As a keeper of the Soul Pacts and the fortress of the connections of the soul, the Soul Knight and his Wives, Followers and Soul Servants are now influenced less by effects of the mind and soul, the more that are influenced by the attack.]

The effect of the ability seemed like it would be especially useful against the Bishop and the adherents of Seraphara, and Nick was happy he had done what it took to earn it.

Nick kept Jasper with the group of wolflings, but brought Jerome into the city. He was now fully armored up, and to Nick’s surprise, had chosen a spear to go along with the shield.

As they arrived at the plaza, what he saw somewhat shocked him.

Two large groups had formed, though the numbers were certainly on the church’s side. Rebecca was shouting from atop a crate, where many people had gathered around her, on her side.

Nick noticed her prisoners, the many men tied up from before, along with the two priests that confessed–and two more. It appeared she had in fact thwarted some sort of attack on her, and he thought he saw one of them was Frederick.

A priest stood across from her, on the stairs in front of the cathedral, in front of a podium. He argued against her words, the many men and women beneath him shouting in anger along with him.

Eirwen asked, “Are they…debating? Well, that’s much better than them fighting or killing each other. I guess they really are peaceful.”

The man pointed over to Nick’s army’s arrival.

“Look! There they are, the impure enemies of civilization. We must band together against the Archpriestess, and purge them from our homes! The Bishop needs your faith in him, for once he recovers, he will shed light on the truth. She said there were hostages, but we have seen no evidence of this. She is lying, trying to tarnish his name to usurp his place in the church!”

Nick shouted, “If you’re looking for evidence, I have it. I bring witnesses, hostages freed from beneath this very church. There is a faction within the church that commits evil, and they are using your peaceful nature against you–preventing justice from being served.”

The older women pointed to the man behind the podium, “I have seen your face, you are named Branson, wasn’t it? More than once, you paid us a visit, rattling our cages and threatening our children. You tarnish the name of Seraphara with your hatred, and you do not deserve to call yourself her priest.”

Murmurs went through the crowd at this proclamation, the people of Zura taking in this detail. The man looked like he was struck silent by the fact, and the mob turned their focus on him with their ire.

Nick helped the orc women to Rebecca’s crate, and they began to testify to the atrocities committed against the orc children.

Rebecca rejoined him outside of the crowd and gave him a smile. “I take it you freed them all? Now, it seems the heart of the people will be on our side. Did you learn anything new? Er, who are these people?” She looked off behind Nick, finding Eirwen and Kaya in addition to his various allies who returned.

“Ah, that’s my wife, Eirwen, the lovely sheep beastfolk with white hair, and my Follower, Kaya, the fierce red panda beastfolk. They are both Trial Takers, having joined me before we entered the unclaimed Ordeal.”

Rebecca took them in with wide eyes. “Ah, a pleasure to meet you both, Trial Takers. It’s been a trying time, but Nicholas has been a great help to the people of Zura.”

Eirwen smiled at her. “Nick told us how helpful you’ve been, and we do appreciate it. Without your help, I just know the children would not yet be free.”

Nick asked, “That Frederick guy came after you? I told you to watch out for him.”

“Y-Yeah. He–”

“It’s all a misunderstanding! I didn’t try to hurt her–I was trying to warn her of him!”

Frederick fought against his bindings, looking at Rebecca with a hurt look.

Rebecca looked at Nick in question. Nick chuckled, as he whispered to her. “Looks like you did him dirty, Rebecca. He was really trying to help you.”

Rebecca blushed in embarrassment, as her brows furrowed. “But you looked so angry, and full of hatred!”

“Wha–that’s just my face!”

“I–fine. We’ll untie you.  But Nick, you told me…”

Nick snorted. “And I’m glad you listened, he just seemed sketchy, is all. Better to be safe than sorry. It would have made me sad if I came back only to find you hurt or worse, Becca.”

Rebecca smiled and nodded and then had him untied by the other priests. She then listened to the orc woman giving her speech, and the man’s responses for a moment, as they argued and the people began shouting in anger.

Kaya frowned at Nick. “My sister is introduced as lovely, and I’m fierce? Really?”

Nick smiled. “Both are things I am proud of, and that’s the truth. You should be proud, too–you’re almost as lovely as you are fierce. It’s a close call.”

Kaya blushed, and Eirwen giggled, her ears wiggling.

Nick then told Rebecca, “Brutus was the controller of shadows. He used a strange black gem, and he was turning the children’s fears into essence, and storing it in there, creating the shadow creatures.”

Rebecca looked thoughtful. “A gem? Could it have been…a Nexus Core?”

“A what now?”

“You don’t know what one is? But you’re so close to the second stratum, I can feel it. You’re not aware of all the methods of progression for once you’re there?”

“Huh? You’re telling me that Brutus was in the second stratum? I guess he was probably limited in some way.”

Eirwen looked a little ashamed. “I’m afraid we don’t have that much information in Havendale.”

Rebecca replied, “Well, it is not a big thing. In the second stratum, many seek their Ideal, and later, their Concept. But various races and people’s condense their progression in different ways. The simplest is to condense your own cores as most do in the first stratum, and that is the purest–often used by those that delve into the Ordeals and the Trials. But some harmonize their body and spirit with a Nexus Core, often building on an Environmental Concept–special essence drawn in from the environment.”

Nick raised his brow at that. “Is there an advantage in doing that?”

“There are positives and negatives. It’s easier, for one. Someone with a lot of money or access to a special environment can condense energies into a Nexus Core, without fighting to earn it. It’s not always a shortcut, as it might be the only way for a race to absorb essence that is incompatible to them, and prepare their bodies for being able to become one with such a Concept.”

Nick raised his brow at that. He imagined if a human mage wanted to become one with fire for example, they might need some sort of intermediary step, as the essence could burn them and destroy their bodies before they became one with it–though, he had no idea if this was necessary or not.

Kaya added, “He was using some kind of ritual to fill it with energies, drawing in fear from the children and caretakers and empowering the gem with fear-causing shadows. It really made me sick to my stomach what he was doing, and I’m just glad he is dead now.”

Nick asked, “Aside from the priests we see here, how many more enemies can be inside the church? Just wanting to know what to expect in there if we get inside.”

Rebecca looked around. There were nearly ten priests up near the podium, and nearly two dozen priests and priestesses on their side now. “Around half of the remaining priests are likely inside the church, likely about ten or so.”

The crowd was stirring, the people now turning against those that were trying to turn them against the Archpriestess. She joined the witnesses on her makeshift stage, and she pushed for resolution.

“This is why we must have the Bishop face the Conflict, or surrender. The gem mine should be theirs in the first place, for they had earned it! Our greed must end, for it has already harmed others. We should let these honorable orcs through so they can have their justice, bringing the Bishop to the final resolution.”

The man replied, “You cannot be serious! Allowing these orcs inside our church? Over my dead body!”

The crowd began to part, as Nick’s party and the orc warriors marched forward. Rebecca and her priestesses joined, the few priests still on her side doing the same.

Nick continued his approach with the orcs, them making their hulking presences known, their armaments fully ready. Various polearms and axes were held, the warriors ready for combat.

“I can live with that. We’ll collect the bishop, and take prisoners of anyone who gets in our way. Those involved with kidnapping the orcs and involved with the slavery ring will be judged for their wrongdoings.”

The man gawked at the army of orcs set out against them, before joining the priests in their escape into the cathedral.

Nick snorted. “So much for over his dead body–what a coward.”

As Nick marched through the double doors, he saw a massive room with dozens of pews, like almost any church he’d ever seen, minus having a reception area.

There was a large, stained glass window that faced the sun’s rising light on one side, and setting light on the other. Each were images of Seraphara, a beautiful angel wearing scholarly robes.

The second, or third story was lined with archers, and arrows were shot at him as he got further inside.

But Jerome blocked them with his shield, and arrows were fired in return from the orc scouts as they entered.

To Nick’s surprise, three dozen clergy and soldiers were there, ready for combat–using their different methods.

A large group of priests and priestesses were kneeling in prayer, while another group stood in a fighting, martial stance. Another group of men with bludgeons and armor stood ready, and Nick knew it would be a big battle.

A man kneeling in prayer spoke, “You come here for violence, violating our sacred temple. In the name of Seraphara, drop your weapons!”

A powerful wave of divine essence washed over Nick from the dozens of priests, as he fought the urge to disarm himself, and the many soldiers charged.

Nick heard a couple of bows dropped behind him, and a few other weapons clanging against the ground–but most were able to withstand the effect, Nick’s Soul Fortress fighting against it.

But after less than a second, Rebecca’s spiritual energy was sent out in a wave. “Arm yourselves, and stand fast!”

Bows were rapidly picked up, and the many orcs and wolflings met the charge of the enemy soldiers. Nick’s Frost Aura was sent out, targeting those with tainted souls.

He saw the monks punching out against the orcs, and instead of them being cleaved in half by the orc’s polearm weapons, they were hit with the back of the blades or the pommels and hafts of the weapons. The same was done for the soldiers, the warriors besting them with strength and skill.

The wolflings dashed in to the downed soldiers, quickly tying them up, and dragging them away from the fighting.

Nick rushed in, punching with his fists and knocking down those defending. The archers were firing their arrows at the orc scouts, using the cover of the railing. Leaping to the top of one of the pews, Nick used Double Jump to arrive at the second floor.

He dashed at the archers, punching and kicking them into the walls, and taking their bows from their grip and throwing them to the first floor. A few of them were already bleeding out from shots from the scouts below, and Nick just moved past them.

As Nick finished disarming and knocking out the last archer, the battle was mostly well in hand. The remaining priestesses were quickly talked over by Rebecca, her quickly letting them know what was happening. Nick could tell that they were merely coerced to aid the monks, likely not knowing what was occurring outside.

He jumped to land down below, when a calm male voice was heard from the back of the room.

“Why are there non-adherents of Seraphara in my cathedral? Just how could you allow this taint inside our pure place of worship?”

A wave of spiritual energy washed over the room as he entered, the power of it shocking. Nick’s Frost Aura receded as the Bishop walked into the room from the rear door, him looking over the array of people with a calm gaze.

He wore a small steepled cap, and held a golden quarterstaff with embellishments–rings and various symbols of wisdom.

His robes were white with many golden threads, and a ritual stole rested on his shoulders and was draped in front of his body. He looked a lot like a priest from Earth, his robes even brighter white than the others.

From what Nick was feeling, the man was powerful. Perhaps, even more powerful than Lothar. The feeling was different, but tainted essence billowed from the man in a smoky haze, and Nick just raised his eyebrows at that.

Didn’t people see that? How could they not realize this man was evil?

There was a brightness in his soul core that Nick didn’t understand what he was seeing with his Advanced Soul Sense. It was as if the taint were surrounding and consuming it, but for some reason, Nick believed it wasn’t the Bishop’s.

Nick’s soul magic was brushing up against the Bishop’s soul, when the man’s gaze snapped to Nick.

“What are you, a half-breed? Cease your magic on me.”

The wave of spiritual essence attempted to disrupt Nick’s core and mind, but he held firm with his will. He had no real reason to continue for the moment, but he probed the bishop with his soul magic further as he wrapped chains of soul essence around his own core, preparing for any other attempts to force him to stop.

This man had committed countless sins, and while Brutus had been the mastermind about how to accomplish many of them, this man had horrible plans. Dozens had been murdered at his orders, and he had twisted the teachings of Seraphara to his own goals.

The Bishop raised his brow. “Interesting. You are strong-willed for someone in the first stratum, but it matters not. Leave my cathedral, immediately.”

His wave of divine essence washed over Nick’s party and once again Soul Fortress was put to the test, but Rebecca was ready with her own wave, her shouting with determination. “We will not leave! Not until justice is served!”

The Bishop frowned at Rebecca. “You stand against me, daughter? For what, these impure, inferior beings? There is no justice to be carried out, for no sin was committed.” He looked above him to the stained-glass windows, the light cascading into the room against the wall. “At any rate, it is about time for them to leave, and they will leave on their own.”

Nick raised his brow at that. “Oh really? And why is that?”

The ground began to shake beneath them. An intense rumbling was heard, followed by an explosion. The glass in the thick, stained-glass windows held, but some of the smaller windows that let light into the room shattered from the shockwave.

The Bishop smiled at Nick. “It looks like your friends from Havendale finally carried out my task. I think a number of drakes should be headed towards Nagduros now, in addition to the volcanic eruption. If you hurry on horseback now, you just might be able to make it in time. If you fight me, you will find yourself far too weak to manage the drakes.”

Nick was shocked–the man believed what he said was true.

Nick frowned in thought, and sent Soul Magic to Jasper, calling for reinforcements–his remaining wolflings. They would rush into the city, and join them in the cathedral soon. Perhaps, the orc scouts and shamans would, too.

Either that, or they might have already headed to catch up to Zarog’s men, to aid with the drakes. While Nick had given Zarog some orders, he had certainly given him some leeway to make decisions on his own about how to lead those that remained in the camp, and a volcanic eruption was not something he had predicted.

Nick snorted. “You’re crazy if you believe I’m leaving here without you paying for what you’ve done, Bishop. I’ve come here to bring you to justice, and Judge you for your evil.” Nick focused on his people, shouting his orders, “Finish off the remaining priests, and join me in taking on the Bishop.”

Nick’s people rushed to knock out the last priests, the enemies sending out waves of disarming prayers. Rebecca countered these with her own waves of essence, and pummeled the remaining ones with her fists.

He was about to rush the Bishop when the man spoke once more. “Judge me? You are not strong enough. You will regret not taking my benevolent offer.” He slammed his staff on the ground, and essence pooled in his staff, a swirl of white and black energy rising above him in a sphere.

Nick got an ominous feeling, like the mixed attack would be absolutely devastating. He was about to move to dodge while having Eirwen throw up her barrier around him, when someone stood in front of him.

He hadn’t really noticed their approach, as their soul signified them as not an enemy of his.

Nick was shocked. “Wha–”

It was the old orc lady from outside. “Do your worst, Bishop. Ready to die, for what you’ve done?”

The Bishop’s beam shot and cut through the ground in front of her like a laser cutting through inches of stone. The ground exploded in a small radius, sending shards of rock into the area. Some shrapnel cut into the old lady, but she didn’t even let out a grunt.

“What’s the matter, Bishop? Afraid of a little old lady?”

He frowned. “You are… one of the hostages?” He sighed. “A mere trifle.”

A massive amount of essence gathered at the tip of his staff, and a wave of shadows was sent out, and various shadow creatures appeared. These were more powerful than Brutus’s, and quickly slashed at the warriors and orcs.

Thankfully, this combined with the beam attack from before appeared to reduce the energy contained within the Bishop by nearly one half.

The old lady was dragged away by some shadows, taking her away from the fighting.

Shamans sent their elemental buffing spells into the orc warriors, and Nick used this opportunity to draw his blade and leap at the Bishop.

To Nick’s surprise, the man’s staff met his soul blade, blocking him casually. The Bishop punched with a quick counter, but Nick swayed back and ducked under his fist. Nick enhanced his body with chains of body essence mixed with mana, roaring as his speed increased, and enhancing his allies with his shout as he began his furious assault.

Nick’s blade flashed with speed and attacks that flowed one into the other, but the Bishop’s guard with his quarterstaff was skilled. The man was strong, having decent skill with body enhancement.

Nick frowned, as he took a step back. “If you’re so strong, why didn’t you just face Lothar?”

The man snorted. “Why would I? I can defeat Lothar without lifting a finger. Information is power, and my dominance and control is so complete that I have usurped the faith of a goddess. The orc is not worthy of breathing the same air as me, why would I give him the honorable death he desires? He will die in despair, his impotence against my power all that fills his miserable thoughts as he does.”

Nick couldn’t help but respond, “Daaamn, that’s cold. You’re a pretty horrible dude. I guess if we took your offer, you’d have just picked us off after having faced the drakes, huh? If we even survived.”

The man’s sneer was all Nick needed to know he was right. Throughout the room, Nick noticed his people struggling with the shadows. Kaya’s axes blurred as she powered herself with feral red energy, slashing into the shadow creatures repeatedly, and Jerome protected Eirwen as she shot her crossbow into the shadows.

The wolfling girls and their brethren worked along with the orcs to pierce into the many shadows with their spears, but their attacks were somewhat shallow against their ethereal flesh.

Nick’s Frost Aura was inhibited by the Bishop, just barely influencing the enemies at all. He continued to measure the Bishop with his attacks, but the man’s calm demeanor as he blocked Nick’s flurries with ease had him worried.

Inspecting the man’s soul now that he was closer, Nick’s eyes narrowed in shock.

There wasn’t one soul there, but two. The Bishop’s core surrounded, and appeared to be consuming, someone else’s soul, a pristine one that reminded Nick of Rebecca’s.

Nick wanted to reach out with his soul magic to the odd soul within him, but the man’s essence was wrapped around it, preventing his magic from reaching it. Nick asked, “You…just what have you done? Rebecca had said you were injured.”

The Bishop chuckled. “Yes, that is what I told her. It’s how I can get all those lovely, pure priestesses to transfer me their essence, while I gather the priest’s tainted essence. That reminds me.”

The Bishop’s essence stirred once more, and Nick formed his blade of white light and lashed out at him. The evil priest blocked with shadowy essence, but more essence was sent out, washing over the many pure priestesses–even Rebecca.

The priestesses had been kneeling, healing the different orcs and wolflings as they took damage from the shadows, and even locking up the shadows with their shouts and prayers.

But suddenly, they stood, as the shadows surrounded them. They immediately began lashing out at enemies from behind with punches and kicks, though Rebecca was fighting the effect.

The Bishop laughed, as Nick continued to slash at his barrier. “I have shifted Seraphara’s teachings, twisting her divine essence to usurp it. Soon, I will have mastered the Concept, and I will take over all her worship for my own. For now, I steal the essence of her followers, powering my ascension. This Trial has been excellent for my power.”

Rebecca groaned as she fought against the bindings, her soul lighting up with bright white radiance. “You–how could you usurp her power?”

The man smiled. “You can fight the effect? You are just about ripe for the plucking, daughter. Just like your mother was.”

Rebecca’s eyes glazed over as she gasped, her body shaking in shock from what she just learned. The shadows took over her, and she rushed out with her fists–which were met with Kaya’s axes.

Howls and horses hooves were heard from outside, as Jasper and the remaining wolflings arrived and charged inside.

The two dozen spears pierced into the shadows, finally dispelling several of them as the ball and chain crashed into a monk, sending him flying.

The warriors and the remaining shamans and scouts from outside arrived, sending more attacks into the room at the shadows.

The tide was quickly turning, but the Bishop just looked at everything with a calm gaze. His smile was far too wide, filled with avarice, as he once again gathered his special attack of black and white light and focused on Nick.

The battle had only just begun.