January 26, 2019, 12:11 pm.

I don't hesitate to tell Rufka and Genitha there's a dragon inbound. Instead of concern or even annoyance, this news draws a smile from Genitha.

"It's been too long since I had a proper battle with a dragon," she notes, flexing her claws before waving her fan with a flourish.

Even as I'm about to update Beth, Tipan contacts me again, "Possible false alarm. It's the right size to be Asterix but if it's him, he's had a miraculous recovery."

Before I can respond she adds, "Oh, Beth wants me to assume it's him. In which case, I want to note that while we're technically under the protection of the Builders, we don't know if that sector is shielded while it's disconnected."

"Noted, thanks. By the way, Beth wants to ambush Ivicka."

"Well, if we're able to retreat into the controlled zones, we could probably use it to our advantage. Besides, if that's her, she's probably going to charge in without worrying about consequences."

"Good idea, you should tell Beth," I suggest before turning my attention back to Genitha and Rufka.

"Well, I'd say we should get out of here. A basement lab is a horrible place to fight. It's all fun and games until you cause a mana cascade and then everyone's running from the ensuing explosion instead of playing catch with lightning bolts."

"Sorry, what?"

"Mum's not kidding. Lightning Ball is a popular sport but it's played in open-air arenas. And spectators watch from a substantial distance."

"Okay….." I don't know how to respond to that.

"Shall we?" Genitha asks, offering us each an elbow before leading us towards the door.

She leads us up to the courtyard. The ramp leading back down has been resealed, once more hidden from sight as a featureless wall.

Beth, Roberts and Folthka are all standing around the courtyard. Both Beth and Roberts have their wings extended as if they're ready to take off, holding several small items. When Beth spots me she tosses an emerald token in the air which I snag with a gust of wind, directing it into my hand before analyzing it.

"Mental Stability Token. A standard Aetherium mental ward engraved into a bandoleer clip. Must be worn in a visible location to have full effect.

Bonuses while worn: Calm Mind: Increases Defensive edge against mental attacks by 10.0.

Current Bond: none. Cost to bond: Item not bondable."

Huh, not sure if this is better or worse than what Genitha gave me, but since it seems I can use them together, I doubt it matters. This one I decide to pin to my jacket by weaving the metal to hold it like the world's most secure pin.

I spend half a minute fussing with getting my pin to sit properly while the others start discussing our plans for the ambush. Ivicka doesn't tend to come into the city with anything but her 'contributions' when she visits. Yeah, that's the word that Folthka used to describe Josh. Urge to fill her full of ten thousand volts rising. And not in a fun let's toss lightning sort of way.

I've only just finished affixing the emerald token properly when Tipan confirms the dragon landed near the main entrance. She hasn't seen any sign of Ivicka herself though. There are several additional mentions of ideas, but the plan basically boils down to Beth and I remaining invisible then Beth will unload on Ivicka before she notices we're here. Hopefully she'll cripple her enough to delay her. At least that's the plan I hear discussed verbally.

Despite working with Folthka, Beth reminds us to keep our eyes on her. Which is passed on through Tipan since we're in separate parties. Beth, Roberts and Tipan have been talking on party chat and have established several fallback positions for me to teleport the party to which will allow us to continue attacking without having to remain in immediate proximity. They're audibly talking about splitting up and have only just asked how to use Genitha when Tipan informs us she's spotted Ivicka landing near the sealed entrance nearby.

"That means she's reached the entrance. She'll be here in less than a minute," Folthka informs us.

There's a part of me that itches to take a sip from my flask, even though I know the buff is active. Instead, I fade from sight while Genitha casts a spell that does the same for her, Rufka and Roberts.

Figures she'd have an area invis spell.

Folthka paces back and forth in the courtyard, her eyes flicking towards the sky betray her nervousness. While we're waiting, I ensure Smoulder knows to stay hidden in my pocket while we're invisible.

Another two minutes pass but there's no sign of Ivicka.

I'm ready to ask Beth what we should do when a massive thump emanates from the far wall producing a solid wave of air that slams through the entire courtyard, lifting me into the air. I've been on the edge of triggering accelerated time since Tipan spotted Ivicka, so I'm able to keep myself from being thrown into the nearby wall. Barely.

As I readjust, the wall where the thump emanated from crumbles. From the new gap, a stream of Fallen emerge. They don't wait for targets before tossing out spells. Half the courtyard lights on fire as lightning arcs forward. The lightning is accompanied by invisible blades, one of which strikes me, knocking several Health off with a single hit.

When the storm of spells dies down enough to see through, more than twenty Fallen have made their way into the courtyard. I can pick out two that are likely Awakened floating behind them. The one dark brown furred Awakened with the spinning metal that orbits them like the rings of Saturn is especially eye-catching.

There's no sign of Ivicka, but that doesn't matter. The spells only cut out for a second but when Folthka stands up clearly unharmed, they resume. But this time there's a clear focus, every spell flying in her direction. Yet half the spells are simply gathered into a ball of swirling lightning and air while the rest impact a solid shield of ice, splashing harmlessly to the ground. I suspected she wasn't weak, but now I know she's at least as capable as I am.

"Finally decided to reveal what a worthless excuse for a K'tharn you truly are?!" Folthka calls towards the gap, but Ivicka doesn't answer.

A quick check with the others confirms that other than a few points of health, everyone's fine. Since Folthka seems fine, we're not seen as targets and there's no confirmation Ivicka knows we're here, Beth directs us to remain hidden. I float to a nearby tree branch as the Fallen move into the yard while Folthka finally counterattacks. The resulting explosions are like a rapid series of firecrackers going off causing many Fallen to end up twisted and broken. But the metal wielding Awakened creates a shield of swarming, spinning steel balls that protects both Awakened.

Part of the metal shield splits off with the next diminished wave of spells sent towards Folthka. She blocks most of the spells easily, but something hidden within the steel balls makes contact with her hand. It's no more than a glancing blow but it causes the crackling lightning she was conjuring to harmlessly dissipate.

It must have been more than just a disruption to her spell because a fraction of a second later, Folthka collapses. Even as the Fallen move forward towards her collapsed body, Beth demands we remain hidden. Which makes sense. I don't want to sacrifice myself to save Folthka. Especially since there's no sign of Ivicka.

We remain hidden as the smaller of the Awakened steps away from the one with the spinning metal. This one lays her hand on Folthka's head, closing her eyes. As I inspect her, her fur strikes me as familiar. Then I realize her fur is a match for the K'tharn Roberts ran into. The one who was carrying the wooden dolls, Cristha. Looking closer, I'm certain she's the same K'tharn. Either that or an incredibly similar relative.

But her missing throat makes it incredibly clear she's no longer among the living.

She nods to the other Fallen who collapses her spinning metal shield into form-fitting armour before sending one the other Fallen back through the hole in the wall. We wait another minute before Ivicka strolls in.

By this point, Folthka has regained consciousness. She's glaring at Ivicka with a look of pure hatred. It's interesting how much more hate four eyes can convey than just two.

"Ha, I bet you didn't see this coming, did you?" Ivicka asks as she swaggers towards Folthka.

Folthka spits to the side as she pushes herself to her feet, "I should have known better. You've never hidden your opinion of pu'shaha but I thought you'd accepted our need."

"Need? We've never needed the weak. You'd sacrifice everything that makes us great to save us from-urgh," Ivicka sputters as a dark Umbral bullet smashes her through her lower right eye. Beth keeps firing, but Ivicka's already moving, the rest of Beth's shots going wide.

Ivicka's fast enough that if I wasn't in accelerated time, I wouldn't be able to track her. Despite her missing eye, she doesn't seem inhibited in the slightest as she leaps her way towards Beth. Or at least where I can feel Beth. Apparently, she's able to maintain invisibility while shooting. Not that she's still firing with an angry Ivicka closing in at terrifying speed.

Instead, Beth is flying above, trying to get distance between her previous location. But Ivicka adjusts, as though she can see Beth. Which prompts me to act. I teleport to Beth, then grab her out of the air before moving us to the building we emerged from.

I receive an elbow to the face (or maybe a wing?) for my troubles before Beth figures out the invisible force grappling her isn't Ivicka. Then she's shooting down at Ivicka again before instructing me to teleport her away.

Ivicka is leaping towards our previous location, a new hole in her thigh when she slams against an invisible surface. Which is when Genitha drops the invisibility hiding her from vision.

At the sight of Genitha casually ambling towards her, Ivicka's eyes dart towards where Genitha's shackles used to be. When she sees they're missing, she starts pulling with sharp tugs at something on her chest. In response, she drops to the ground before being encompassed by a faint green glow. Beth's already let off her next shot when Ivicka starts to disappear. Ivicka cries out, spinning around as Beth's shot severs her arm at the elbow.

Just like that, she's gone. Her departure as sudden as her arrival.

"What the hell just happened? Where is she?" Beth screams out.

Genitha stops, poking the arm on the ground gingerly with her foot. "Emergency teleport."

At that moment one of the Fallen takes a shot at her. The lightning bolt doesn't even elicit a reaction, splashing off an invisible barrier like water. But it's a reminder there are other…

The Awakened Fallen are gone. And so is Folthka.

One of Rufka's lightning arrows tears apart the Fallen that attacked Genitha. It seems it was the last enemy standing in the courtyard.

Genitha looks around, playing across the broken stone and fallen trees until her eyes fall on Beth and me. We're still invisible. Or at least I thought we were. Looks like the spell needs to be improved.

Since it doesn't seem to be effective anyway, I drop my invisibility before flying down next to Genitha, who addresses us as we approach.

"Impressive results for iron ranks. I think you could have taken her if she hadn't come prepared to fight two of the greatest Archmages on Akilo."

"Two?" I ask when I land.

"Despite Folthka's poor item crafting skills, she is admittedly rather skilled in Restoration and Construction."

"Construction? I thought they made everything out of hide and bone?"

"Not at the Spire."

"Sorry to interrupt, but were you able to get a link on her kid?"

Crap. Was I supposed to do that? Probably should have been listening closer when we were talking about the plan. "Uh no. I wasn't able to."

Beth sighs but nods, "She was moving fast. We didn't have much time to act."

"Yeah, she was." Maybe I didn't miss them saying anything, maybe Tipan forgot to relay it to me. Totally not going to mention it, if that's the case.

"I can't believe she took Folthka. Why would she go to all the trouble?" Beth wonders while we all gather around Ivicka's arm.

Rufka chuckles as she says, "Maybe they're starting a club for three-armed, Vaus-damned K'tharn."

"I truly thought a headshot would do more damage," Beth admits. "Now she knows I can wound her."

"Indeed. And she's not the sort to forgive such a thing. I suspect she will attempt to hunt you down now," Tipan agrees.

Roberts kneels down, disturbing the rubble next to the arm while inspecting the ragged edges of the wound. He pokes it with a transparent barrier shaped into a needle, causing a finger to twitch. I'm pretty sure that shouldn't have happened.

Huh, I wonder.

"User analyzed: K'tharn. Female. Gene seed D.

Name: Ivicka

Attributes: Physical; Extreme, Mobility; Extreme, Magic; Extreme, Awareness; Extreme.

Attacks: Restricted.

Defences: Restricted."

Well, that's interesting. No new information. But does getting the window at all mean there's still a connection? Maybe one I can trace back to Ivicka?

Before bothering the others, I decide to see if there's anything to connect to. Using the advanced analysis, I try to find anything that stands out. I find the link almost immediately. If the connection from Josh to the system was like a single thread, the link leading away from Ivicka's arm is equivalent to one of those big steel cables. But it's already thinning as I watch.

I almost establish a connection, but then I think better of it. What if I get thrown into a flashback as I did with Josh? Or when Wyonna mentioned a date? Seems like the flashbacks are on a hair-trigger at the moment.

"I think I might be able to connect to Ivicka through…" I point at the dismembered arm, unable to articulate the word when I notice a thick red fluid oozing out the end Roberts holding towards us. I'd say blood, but it seems too sluggish.

"Good. I'd like to track her down before she has time to recover. I want to get Folthka back too. Should've shot her when I had the chance."

"That may be unwise. She's likely retreated to her personal sanctum. Even I would be in trouble were I to challenge her there," Genitha warns.

"You're not coming with us?" Beth asks. "Don't you want revenge?"

"For what?"

"Mum. They took you, prisoner."

"And I should kill her for this? You know they wouldn't have taken me if I hadn't been curious. Next, you'll want me to kill people for spilling my tea. Honestly kitten, I thought I raised you better."

"It's more than that. You haven't been in Aethire recently. Those strange Fallen are in the streets."

"Oh really? Has it improved the smell?"

"Actually… yes," Rufka admits with a small shrug.

"So, about helping us?" Beth tries again.

"Well, I can offer you advice I suppose. And I'll permit my daughter to continue helping you," Genitha offers.

"Gee, thanks mum," Rufka replies with a smirk while squeezing my hand.

"I don't suppose you'd be able to offer anything more tangible? We did free you," Beth presses, though she seems flustered by Genitha's reaction.

"Hmm. Technically true. I suppose rewards are appropriate in a situation such as this. See kitten, this is why you should always free yourself or allow your friends or family to do so. It's much less complicated."

Rufka can't hold in her laughter, though her chuckle is quiet. It's her laughter which causes me to realize that Genitha is messing with Beth. Looking to the side, I notice Roberts has a small smile on his face and I can't help as my lips tug up too.

"Would you like a fortune in essence? No, that's so crass. Perhaps a powerful artifact to protect you from… Hmm, too practical."

"Actually," Beth objects but Genitha just keeps talking.

"A dragon to bond as a pet. But then you'd need to establish a proper hoard to keep it happy."

While Beth tries to get a word in edgewise, Roberts pulls Rufka and me to the side. "Do you believe establishing the connection would be safe?"

Looking down at the arm, I feel compelled to shrug. I have no idea whether it would be safe.

But it could be a huge advantage.

"I don't know," I answer as Beth cries out, trying to break Genitha's flow.

"Then perhaps we should find another way. We need to stop whatever Ivicka is doing. I'm not sure if you saw, but I'm certain she killed Cristha."

Suddenly Genitha's ramble cuts out as she interjects herself in front of us, snatching Ivicka's arm out of Roberts's grasp. "Who was this Cristha?"

Roberts explains how we ran into her in the city. And how she'd been kind to them when they'd been captured. And that she'd been the Awakened K'tharn with Ivicka. Which prompts an explanation of how Awakened Fallen are different from the regular ones.

Genitha is tapping her chin with the bloody stump of Ivicka's arm when Roberts finishes his explanation. Beth is staring at her, her frustration evident in the way she keeps squeezing the grip of her rifle.

"Well, I suppose I will be helping you. I can't in good conscience allow you to confront such an atrocious villain alone."

"Thank you," Beth sighs out in relief.

"I'll have my mana-hare help you out," Genitha smirks as she finishes. Beth's twitch is so pronounced that we all break into laughter. This finally ruins Genitha's facade as she joins in.

And while she kids, if someone like her had a pet similar to Smoulder...

Well, Ivicka wouldn't stand a chance.