Transcendence, page 8
part #6 of The Beginning After The End Series
My bond nodded her head. “I know.”
“I just hope they know that I’m concerned for them as their son, not as some…” I let my voice trail off as I gave another deep sigh.
“It’s going to be hard for them to discern, now that they know,” Sylvie said softly, placing a comforting paw on my arm.
I sank lower into my seat and stared at my bond for a moment. “When exactly did you figure out what I was, anyway?”
“I think I’ve always known, but I just could never come up with the term to describe it. We do share thoughts, after all.”
“Every thought?” I asked, stunned.
“Mhmm.”
“But you only answered when I spoke directly to you. And I don’t hear your thoughts unless you’re speaking directly to my mind.”
“For me, speaking to your mind is much like speaking out loud. I’ve learned to keep some thoughts hidden; I can’t say the same for you, though,” she giggled.
My eyes grew wide in horror. “That means—”
“Do I know about your constant emotional turmoil when it comes to Tessia? Yup,” she grinned.
I groaned.
“Don’t worry. I’ve listened to all your fleeting thoughts since I was born. I didn’t start understanding until a bit later, but I’ve grown used to it over the years,” she said consolingly, her sharp teeth still showing as her grin remained.
“Well, I haven’t ‘grown used to’ anything at all,” I grumbled.
Sylvie’s grin faded as she stared at me with her bright yellow eyes. “We’re going to battle soon. Grandfather told me during training that, while I’m far from reaching the level of a true asura, his blood still runs through me. This means that, though I can fight alongside you in this war, I’m not invincible. The best way to stay alive is to rely on each other.”
“Of course,” I said, a bit confused. What had brought this on?
“I’m saying this because there are things that I’ve hidden from you—things I’ve just found out recently, and I feel like you’re the only one I can trust with my life,” she said, reading my mind.
“Sylv, you know you can trust me with whatever it is. I’ve raised you since you were born, after all.”
“Thank you.” My bond hopped off the armrest and onto my seat and rested her head on my lap.
There was a moment of silence as I pondered what she had said. I knew she could read my thoughts but, as she mentioned, it really didn’t matter. As curious as I was, I didn’t bother asking her what these ‘things’ were that she had found out; she would’ve already told me if she wanted to. What worried me was the fact that this was the first time she had expressed any sort of fear for her life. Despite our numerous encounters with dangerous situations, she had always remained strong and fearless, but now, I could feel her apprehension toward this war.
I gently stroked Sylvie’s soft head. “How did you get so smart anyway? It seems like ever since coming back from Epheotus, you’ve grown at a remarkable rate. And don’t get me started on your growing ego.”
“You’re just bitter because you’re taking life advice from a fox younger than you. And I’ve always been a fast learner—why do you think I always stayed on top of your head?”
“So you were learning by observing our surroundings?” I asked.
“Yup. It helps that you know a lot and that I have free access to your thoughts,” she confirmed as she nestled in closer to my leg.
I could tell she was tired; although I had a thousand questions about her sudden apparent change in demeanor, I knew I had to wait.
I watched my bond as she slept soundly, her breathing steady. She hadn’t really changed much. There was still a sense of immaturity in her voice despite the change in the way she spoke. It felt like she was forcing herself to become more mature. I wasn’t sure what Lord Indrath had drilled into her while training her, but one thing was for sure—she had become aware that she was an asura.
As Sylvie’s breathing became slower and more rhythmic, I leaned my head back on the chair, staring up at the ceiling of my room while I organized my thoughts.
Virion and the others didn’t know this, but Windsom had told me what Agrona and his clan were like. He and the rest of the Vritra had been experimenting on what the asuras called ‘lesser races’ even before they had escaped to Alacrya. From what I’d heard, the first mages to appear at the Wall weren’t anything special, but it was likely that they were simply cannon fodder meant to create mayhem and divide our forces with the mana beasts under their control.
If what Windsom said was true, then the horde of ships approaching our shores would include mages with asura blood coursing through their veins. And they’d had centuries to explore that bond. I could only imagine how much they had progressed since then and what they would do to the people of Dicathen if the Vritra won this siege. This place could become a breeding ground for soldiers, which Agrona would use to conquer Epheotus.
“Arthur.”
The hoarse baritone voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Isn’t there some sort of etiquette about knocking when entering someone’s room, or at least using the door?”
“The tone of your response tells me things didn’t go well with the business you had to take care of,” Aldir said as he calmly took a seat on the couch across from me.
“Why are you here? I thought you would be with the Council,” I said, ignoring his comment.
“There is something I need from you,” Aldir replied, his piercing gaze directed at me.
I stared back, unwavering. “And what is that?”
There was a tense silence, then Aldir sighed. “Your help,” he admitted. “Lord Indrath told me to rely on your judgment throughout the course of this war, and after your speech earlier, I think I understand why.”
“What did he mean by ‘rely on my judgment’?” I asked. Sylvie stirred awake as I sat up, but drifted back to sleep almost immediately.
“Lord Indrath realized that your contribution to this war shouldn’t be limited to just being a sword. While there will be times when you’ll be needed in the field, sending you out to every battle will only tire you out. When you aren’t absolutely needed, you’ll be by my side in the Council, strategizing with us and giving us your input.”
“Let me get this straight—you want a sixteen-year-old making life-changing decisions with the Council?” I scoffed.
“Aside from the fact that you are just a lesser, you’re not a normal child. Don’t think that this eye is just a pretty decoration. I knew there was something different about you the first time we met, but only by Lord Indrath’s words did I realize just how much.”
“Is there something I get in return for helping you?” I asked, resting my head on my hand.
Aldir’s eye narrowed. “I came in good faith to ask for your help, but it benefits us both if you cooperate. Losing this war means dying, being enslaved, or worse. Not just for you, but for your loved ones as well.”
“You could’ve at least thrown me a bone,” I said, smiling at his seriousness. “Yeah, I’ll help, but I’m not sure how much of my advice the Council is willing to listen to. Virion might listen, but everyone else…”
“Let me worry about that,” Aldir replied. “Besides, you won’t only be in meetings. I have other plans for you as well.”
“When you say ‘other plans’ like that, it sounds kind of ominous.”
“As I said, you are a powerhouse in this war—maybe more so than the Lances, given a few years. I would certainly not waste your abilities by having you do nothing but sit and listen to those lessers—I mean the Council—bicker with one another.”
I shook my head with a helpless laugh. “It must be frustrating for you, being here and restrained from helping despite the amount of manpower you could provide just by yourself.”
“My time will come. If we defend against this siege successfully, then, with the help of the Dicathen army, our asuras will be able to take care of Agrona and his weakened force.”
“It seems like this war is far from over,” I said, absentmindedly brushing my fingertips across Sylvie’s back, drawing comfort from her sleeping form.
“Yes, but this fight will be the start of a new era. If Dicathen wins and fights alongside us asuras, Agrona and his clan of traitors and mutts will fall, and we will all gain access to a new continent.”
Aldir sounded hopeful, almost excited, despite his usual calm demeanor.
“You’ve lost someone to Agrona, haven’t you?” I asked, seeing the expression on the asura’s face.
“Many of us lost loved ones in that battle—no, it would be better described as a massacre,” Aldir answered, the brow underneath his third eye twitching.
“Well, you heard what I told Virion; I have no intentions of losing this war, but if you’re going to ask my help in this, you need to trust in the advice that I do give.”
Laughing through his nose, he replied, “Never in all my years would I have imagined a lesser would speak to me like this.”
“Well, these lessers are fighting your battles for you, so at least have the decency to call them by the names of their actual race,” I replied.
“You ask for a lot, Arthur Leywin, but very well.” The white-haired asura stood up, smoothing out the creases in his ivory robe. “It’s about time I headed back down to the meeting room. It worries me every time I leave those less—people alone for too long. We will be expecting you shortly.”
“Sure, I’ll be down soon, but I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?” the asura replied, looking back over his shoulder.
“The two remaining Lances who couldn’t join us today. I know you said two years ago that they’re working under you, but… you didn’t kill them or anything, right?”
Aldir shook his head. “Even I wouldn’t be so rash as to kill a Lance on a whim. While political envoys can be replaced, a Lance’s power can take years to develop, even if they have a particularly high compatibility with the artifact. I had planned on bringing up the subject at the meeting, but since you mentioned it, I’d like your input on this matter.”
I nodded eagerly as the asura revealed his plan for the two missing Lances. Then an idea struck me. I let out a devious laugh and grinned wickedly at Aldir. “Not bad, but I have a better idea.”
Chapter 10
First Assignment
A cloud of frosty fog formed with each breath as I made my way toward the bustling encampment. Underneath a cliff by the shore, the soldiers had set up their tents and lit fires behind a rock formation standing more than two dozen feet high. The soft light of the flickering fires and the trails of smoke were visible from a distance, but the towering barricade of boulders served as a natural defense from anyone coming from the water.
I could just barely make out a few watchmen stationed atop the cliff overlooking the camp, obscured as they were by the dense haze surrounding the entire beach.
Wrapping my woolen cloak tightly around me, I shrouded myself in another layer of mana to keep the sharp winter winds away.
Almost there, I informed Sylvie, who was buried deep within the layers of my clothes.
My bond peeked her head out, let out a sour grumble, and immediately hid herself back inside my cloak.
For such a mighty being, you’re sure weak to the cold, I teased, continuing the last leg of our trek.
‘You’re not the one who had to fly through that cursed wind. It feels like my wings have holes in them even in this form,’ she complained. ‘And I’m not weak to the cold; I just hate it.’
I chuckled softly and picked up my pace. Since we had declined any sort of truce with Alacrya, Aldir couldn’t risk breaking the asura’s agreement by creating teleportation gates anymore. This meant I had to rely on Sylvie for long distance transportation anywhere that wasn’t served by the already-existing teleportation gates. I’d had her transform only a mile or so back, so as to not draw attention.
As per Virion’s request, I would be staying with this division and aiding them in the unlikely event that Alacryan ships were sent this far down the coast. However, unbeknownst to him, I had added another item to his agenda.
Walking along the bottom of the cliff, I hid my presence. While most mages did this by rescinding their mana, my training in Epheotus had taught me that a perfect balance of mana output through my mana channels and mana input through my mana veins would allow me to stay hidden from even the most alert mana beasts, while still being able to use mana.
I spotted a conspicuously large peaked-roof tent near the foot of the cliff where the formation of boulders met. Given that the tent was located in the safest area of the semi-circular encampment and that it was three times the size of any of the other shoddy tents around it, I could only assume it belonged to the captain.
As I approached the edge of the camp, I picked up a few broken pieces of wood, then walked casually past the resting soldiers.
No one seemed to mind; with my hood up and an armful of branches and twigs, I probably looked like any other earnest young soldier hoping to earn a title by contributing in the war.
Some of the seasoned soldiers, polishing their weapons and armor by the meager firelight, glanced in my direction with little regard, while a group of younger soldiers—obviously conjurers of noble descent, based on their embellished gear and flashy staffs—sneered at my plain attire.
‘Those ignorant clowns have no idea who they’re scoffing at,’ Sylvie hissed as she peeked at their expressions. ‘They’d be better used as bait.’
Easy, I soothed. You sure learned some colorful insults from Lord Indrath.
Walking deeper into the encampment, I passed through the cooking station. Large fires blazed inside earthen pits formed by magic; they were lined neatly with stews bubbling tantalizingly inside pots as large, barrel-chested men hacked away at chunks of meat.
“Clear the pots for the skewered meat! Benfir and Schren, get ready to start handing out the stew!” A small-framed woman with a fierce expression roared orders, holding a ladle in her hand, more like a weapon than a tool.
The ladle-wielding woman looked over her shoulder at me as I passed. She gave me a respectful nod, which caught me by surprise—I had assumed no one would recognize me this far out from civilization.
I had almost arrived at the large tent in the farthest corner of the camp when the high-pitched clash of metal on metal drew my attention. Dropping the branches in my hands, I inspected a group of soldiers that had formed a circle around the source of the sounds—two augmenters engaged in a friendly bout. The sharp shrieks of their weapons drew sparks even with the layer of mana covering their blades, and they parried each other’s strikes with obvious deft.
“You’ve gotten better, Cedry,” said the short-haired soldier. He seemed to be a bit shorter than me, but his arms looked almost unnaturally long. He used his slender frame and long, flexible limbs to his advantage by delivering fast, irregular strikes with dual daggers.
“And yet, you’re still a pain to fight against, Jona,” the girl named Cedry replied confidently as she ducked Jona’s swipe. She was clearly at a disadvantage, fighting hand-to-hand with heavy gauntlets against an opponent who excelled in long-ranged strikes, but she wasn’t losing.
She nimbly ducked, weaved, and parried Jona’s dual-wielding assault, and something about her held my interest.
It wasn’t until I focused on her ears that I realized what it was.
She’s a half-elf, I pointed out to Sylvie, who had lost interest in the match and was back inside my cloak.
At my observation, my bond peeked her head back out. ‘Oh! She is. We haven’t come across one other than that ill-tempered Lucas.’
‘Ill-tempered’ is putting it lightly, I chuckled, my gaze still on the fight.
‘Shouldn’t we notify the captain of our arrival?’ Sylvie reminded me.
You’re right. I got side-tracked, I thought, turning away from the duel.
‘You always do when it comes to these kinds of fights,’ she teased.
There’s something about close combat that makes a fight exciting, unlike long-range conjuring, I agreed, walking back.
When we reached the large white tent, I was stopped by an armored guard gripping a halberd. “What business do you have in here?”
“Is this the captain’s tent?” I asked, my hood still covering half my face.
“I said, what business do you have in here?” the guard repeated, his gaze unrelenting.
Exhaling deeply, I held out a medallion.
At the sight of it, the guard’s narrow eyes widened in shock. His gaze shifted from the gold medallion back to me with a look of horror at the blunder he had made. “I-I’m so sorry, Gen—”
“Shhh,” I mouthed before he could finish speaking. I held up my hand. “I don’t want my visit to cause a stir, so let’s just keep this between us.”
“Y-yes, sir,” he said, nodding furiously as he opened the flap to allow me entrance.
I stepped inside the spacious tent and a gust of warmth flooded my body. It felt as if a layer of ice was melting off my face as I removed my cloak. The first thing I noticed was the flare hawk nestled near the entrance.
‘I remember her,’ Sylvie chimed in my head as she hopped to the ground.
I turned to the woman sitting behind a small wooden desk, unconcerned by the intrusion.
“Professor Glory,” I greeted her, giving a faint grin as she finally looked up, her face brightening at the sight of her old student. My old Team-Fighting Mechanics professor looked the same as always, with her tanned complexion and brown hair tied tightly behind her head. She was wearing light armor even inside the tent, and her two giant swords were close by, leaning against a drawer behind her.
“It’s good to see you, General Leywin,” she said, coming around her desk.
“Please, just call me Arthur,” I said helplessly.
“Then I’d prefer if you just called me Vanesy,” she said, spreading out her arms. “After all, I’m not your professor anymore.”
