《The Deathseeker [Under Revision]》Chapter 17: Celebration II
Advertisement
A number of hours after Dalric stomached his final plate of rice and fish, when the festivities had ended and most people had gone to bed for the night, Ryku met up with him in a small library hidden away behind a bedroom. He had found a few texts on the different kinds of Devil Glass they had and how they were supposed to be used. It wasn’t quite detailed information on how they were made, but it still provided useful insight.
He put down one of the six Devil Glass pieces he was examining,“You’re done?”
Ryku took a seat next to him, “With the groundwork. We have enough information to implicate Duke Leos and the Taiyos, but nothing cut and dry. Without some kind of clear testimony they’ll both wiggle their way free of any meaningful sanction. I need to go over the details again.”
“Hero Hangaku didn’t talk?”
He sighed, “Not a word.”
“A shame, but not an unexpected one. And getting all those people home?”
“They had pretty detailed logs of the slaves that came in and went out. I had to get some help, but we’ve traced most of their origins. Actually getting them back there will take some time though. I’ll have to report back to my superior first and they’ll handle sending ships over to ferry them. I don’t have the authority to.”
And your superiors’ attention will be focused elsewhere so it’ll take awhile for them to get around to it.
Dalric mentally finished the part that was left unsaid. Though he did cut them a bit of slack, the crowd came from all over the place. The drakens’ home, for example, was three thousand kilometers away. Organizing their return would cost a lot for very little payoff. The fact they’d be willing to do it at all should be commended.
“Do you know how they were taken or sold as slaves?”
“Unfortunately, no. At least not in detail. We know everyone here was sold rather than taken, but we couldn’t figure out by who. The only name we’ve managed to uncode is Baron Mori’s and that’s only because he features in almost every document regarding a sale or purchase.”
Dalric tilted his head a little, “‘Almost every’? That’s quite conspicuous. And he’s the only one that was easy to decode? Seems oddly convenient.”
Ryku sighed even more as he slumped in his chair, “It does.”
Well.
“Don’t worry about it too much. You can’t be expected to understand every nuance and detail on your first day. Wasn’t your job to just report back? You’ve done a tremendous job considerding.”
Advertisement
Dalrci attempted to comfort Ryku as he was fully aware the stress the man felt came solely from him. Without Dalric’s presence there would be no need to try and do any more than he’d already done, but his desperate desire to impress Dalric had him reaching for the stars. It was praiseworthy, but also futile. Dalric could communicate that to him, but there was no need to ruin the productive high he was on. Even if he wouldn’t become Dalric’s student, the work he did here would definitely improve his standing as a Paragon. He was achieving both their public and private goals at once.
“You should get some rest, you can review the information tomorrow when you have a clearer mind.”
Ryku sat back up, “It’s only 11:50-something. I can work a few more hours before I go to sleep. First light isn’t until around eight anyway.”
Getting to grips with the new time system was something Dalric had neglected to do so far. He learned some new terms, minutes and hours, but he didn't care much to figure it all out yet. Physical clocks had obvious massive value to the masses, but he need only grow accustomed to the ebb and flow of ahjer across the days and weeks to know exactly what time it was anyway. That likely sounded needlessly exhaustive compared to the ease of owning a watch, but as far as he was concerned an internal clock that maintained itself was far superior to an external one. He’d learn the ins and outs of them eventually anyway, but he’d do so when he had the free time to spare.
11:50-something. That’s what, almost midni—
Submit!
Dalric fell to the floor immediately.
Submit now!
The Gods were back and they were stronger this time. It had only been a few seconds and he could already feel himself losing control of legs. Thankfully he had a scant amount of ahjer so when that pitiful amount went haywire Ryku was only sent flying into a narby bookcase. It didn’t kill him. That wouldn’t matter soon though as in a few more seconds he lost control of his hands.
Ryku bounced up quickly, “What’s happening?!”
“Run! Run for help!”
Dalric was going to lose. He knew it. He could feel it. The Gods weren’t only stronger, they weren’t distracted this time. They solely focused on overthrowing him as sovereign of his own body. And they’d succeed.
The only saving grace was the fact his body was tired and devoid of ahjer. He also wasn’t wearing his armor anymore, just a robe. If Ryku could gather enough of the top fighters before the Gods took complete control of him, they could definitely fend him off.
Advertisement
Submit!
There went all of his limbs. Dalric panicked, it was too late now. He’d only last maybe twenty more seconds. This was still a pathetically weak attempt to control him compared to what they used to muster, but compared to what he himself could muster it was more than enough. Ryku wouldn’t have time to do anything at all in twenty seconds. He hadn’t even moved away since Dalric told him to run. He instead stood next to Dalric. It was then that Dalric realized he lost his hearing and Ryu was trying to speak to him.
You fool…
It wouldn’t matter, nothing would matter soon. Again, the Gods would have their way and Dalric would destroy everything around him. They were maybe fifteen seconds aw—
I’M THE FOOL!
“RYKU! PUT ALL DEVIL GLASS MY HEAD! NOW! ALL! NOW! ALL! NO—”
He lost his voice, but he just thanked the Elders he even had it at that point. He couldn’t imagine what kind of soul wrenching feeling would be wafting over him right now if he had realized too late. The Devil Glass wouldn’t stop the Gods from taking over, but they would send him to sleep. He had enough strength to override one of them, but there were six on the side stool. There was no way he’d currently have the strength to resist all six. The Gods could only control him for two hours a day and those two hours could not be broken up into chunks, it had to be consistent. So whether he was conscious or incapacitated, their time slot was their time slot.
Ryku actually got the message this time, he frantically grabbed the pieces of Devil Glass and inserted them into his one by one.
Wait a second.
The first one did nothing, but Dalric expected that. The second one seemed like it did nothing as well at first, but it gave him his sense of smell and taste back. The third is when his voice and hearing came back. The fourth did nothing again, but the fifth piece of Devil Glass was when things really flipped on their head.
He reclaimed his torso. Not suddenly, like he did his senses, but through a concentrated effort. Somehow someway, he overpowered the Gods' attempt to control it.
“STOP!”
He didn’t want to move, less he lose too much focus, but he had to stop Ryku at five. He didn’t know what the sixth would do, it could improve his situation even further, he wouldn’t dare risk it though. He had zero understanding of what was happening, but all of a sudden he was fighting back and winning.
Thankfully Ryku stopped in time and Dalric was left to fight the Gods in these new circumstances.
Submit now!
He’d do no such thing. Soon after he reclaimed his torso, his right arm fell back into the fold. Realizing something was up at this point, the Gods tired to swipe his left hand at the pieces of Devil Glass. Dalric used his right hand to swat away their attempt. That didn’t discourage them and they made several more attempts as Dalric fought to keep them away. From an outsider perspective both of his arms erractivaly jerked around as he knelt on the floor. One sought to evade the other and tap his head while the other played keepaway. Overall the cat and mouse act looked like the performance of a madman.
Internally, neither side cared for the aesthetics. They both focused on making progress. However, in shifting their attention to moving Dalric’s hands around, neither side made or lost much actual ground. The Gods could better multitask though, so any ground that was gained ,was gained by them and any ground that was lost, was lost by Dalric. It was only marginal, but he was back to a losing trend.
That is, until Ryku jumped into the mix and retrained his left arm. Ryku didn’t know the full situation, but he made some educated guesses and gambled on them being right.
Dalric couldn’t thank him more for it.
As the Gods focused on throwing Ryku off of the arm, Dalric refocused his attention on removing their influence entirely. By the time they switched back to fully fighting for control, the only thing Dalric hadn’t reclaimed from them was the arm they staunchly fought for. That would return to him soon though. He had only left it to them to keep their focus away from what he did elsewhere. As their last stand they held firm for a while, rebuffing most of Dalric’s attempts to purge them. Like the first time however, their power began to wane. As it did, Dalric poked and prodded, pushing through bit by bit. It took a long time, something like forty minutes, but at the end of it he was free once again.
He had won, again.
He had won, again.
He stood up and immediately grabbed Ryku in a bear hug, almost crushing the man in excitement. He almost crushed him again as seconds after he stood up his body went limp and he crashed back down to the ground.
Advertisement
Enlightened Empire
A prince sent into exile, without the means to fight back. A young man trapped in an unfair world, without the status to bring about change. Combined, they will have both means and status. Armed with advanced knowledge from a strange world, will Prince Corco be able to cut through the injustice, regain his birthright and turn the country of his ancestors into a paradise of true peace, equality and prosperity? "Okay, first step: Let's make some Brandy." ...that's a maybe then. Author's note: I love the idea of kingdom-building novels and think the genre has a lot to offer, but I don't think many authors do them very well. Here is my attempt. The novel has a strong focus on politics and kingdom building, with occasional action and a bit of humor. Have fun. Cover was made by MrZombie Updates three times a week. My discord server, come hang out: https://discord.gg/2N7qzcy
8 227(First Draft Old Version) Ruins Of Isulia ~ Book 1 : Awakening of the Emarine
My updated version has been released but this version is still getting views so I will leave it up for now. This is the old (First draft) version. Go check out my latest version. **************** Creatures once believed to be legend have invaded the kingdom of Vulkira. King Erik must overcome this crushing responsibility or let it consume his people. A haunting past eats away at the Queen of Xer. Cara is hellbent on protecting the ones she loves and the future of her kingdom. Balancing the greater good, she fights to keep her head above the waves of guilt. In a remote town, Henry, an energetic bookworm is thrust into the world as chaos engulfs his once seemingly peaceful world. His lord has a task for him, one in which will change his life forever. Wars brew, betrayal is at each corner, shadows step into the light, a supernatural force awaits the time to strike. Awakening an ancient civilization from their past may be their only hope now. A spiraling doom awaits the world of Isulia. **************** I put the gore and traumatizing warnings not because my book is overly gory. However, there are a few moments that may be traumatizing to some people. As for the gore, it shows up fairly often but not extensively. I've always loved violence in movies and books, (The Boys, Banshee, Kingdom of heaven, Vikings, etc.) I am descriptive of the scenes with gore. So be warned :) I have multiple MC and as a nooby writer, I've had a harder time writing from a female POV. Just a heads up. Don't kill me if I make the woman in my book seem weird. If you'd like to consider supporting my work, there is a link to my Patreon.
8 173Andraste
When the life of the young Archduke of the land of Caldera, is saved in battle by a girl wielding a tremendous power newly gifted upon her, the encounter triggers a sequence of events that will irrevocably change the lives of the people around them, and forever reshape the balance of power across the lands of the Northern Continent, on a world watched over by the technologically advanced, enigmatic, and benevolent Archons.Wandering into the midst of a battle between the lands of Caldera and Kaitain, Fallon encounters Falken Claymore, the Archduke of Caldera, beset by enemies and moments from death. She chooses to save his life by summoning her Warlord, a powerful yet unconventional armor that grants her the power to defeat his opponents, despite her inablity to use it to its full potential.With the battle ending in Caldera's favor, Falken seeks to take responsibility for Fallon, bringing her home with him to the mountain-citadel of Calandor. But his desire to protect and nurture her into a fully fledged Khan -- an officially acknowledged Meister of a Warlord -- places him at odds with the people close to him, and risks his engagement to the daughter of the royal family of a neighboring land.However, it is the arrival of representatives of the Khan Orden, which oversees all individuals gifted with Warlords, that brings matters to a head, and forces Falken into choosing between his heart and his duty to the people of Caldera.Book One of ""The Seals of Arcala"Status: Draft 1.0 Completed but being removed. Draft 2.0 is now being posted.
8 102Venators
A group of soldiers must decide between morals and duty as a world ravaged by war threatens the survival of the human species. As they learn the truth about the Bastion, their home, they begin to question all they've been fighting for and if their sacrifices have been in vain. The soldiers in Venator Team Pale Horse will not only discover the secrets of the Bastion but also what it means to be human.
8 227Scholar of the Fog
Leaving a trail of blood as he climbed up a hill, his limbs felt like lead. He was gasping too, his lungs burning with every step he took. It felt like a bundle of broken glass was scraping away the inner walls of his flesh. He was dying, obvious to both him and his pursuers. And it would not be long till he dropped dead as he bled away. If not, the people chasing him would surely finished what they had came for. It was as if the Gods themselves had already predestined his fate. He took one step forward and stood at the peak of the hill. He let his legs rest as he could barely go on. Heaving deep breaths, he could hear sneering voices and shouts behind him. They were close, and the grim realization stoked the embers of his most primal fear. He did not want to die. He had dreams, like any other youth. There was glory to be had in this world. He wanted to learn more of life, and lived through its motions. He wanted to live. He swept his gaze, and across him was a spanning forest of old. With a glint in his eyes, and jaws clenched, he decided to gamble with all he had. He was dying, and by now, it did not matter where his grave was. He ran down the hill, and stopped where the plains and the forest met. His eyes swept about the trees, and he could feel an instinctual urge to drag himself away. He knew what this forest was, and here, he would find his salvation. Or his doom. The voices behind him grew closer, and among the noise was the faint clanging of steel. Gritting his teeth, he ousted all the will he had from the depths of his soul and stepped forth into the forest. Damned he be by the Gods if they wanted him dead. -new synopsis 10/6/2016 ---------- A new chapter would be released every friday. And the quality of writing should improve each time, hopefully. Another important thing to mention is how the story as of now, is only a bedrock for a massive world if it ever gets there. (CH18) And if possible, reviews are very much appreciated. ---------- For the ones who are interested in the old synopsis: With one foot in the grave, he ran away for that little bit of hope. Exhausted and bleeding, it was only a matter of time until he passed out. By then, his fate would be sealed and he would be no more. Thus, he had to make a decision that might just save his life. It was a gamble, he knew, but he had no He ran into the forbidden forest where no man had ever come back. He headed within, intending to scare his pursuers away. But they persisted in their chase, hounding him down until he was forced to take a step of no return. There, in the darkest depths of the forest, was the ghastly fog and behind him where men who wanted his head. Left with nothing else, he stepped forth and crossed the boundary of the living and the dead. Henceforth, his fate was forever changed. No longer just a scholar, but something more…
8 175Ahs preferences imagines
(Mainly Evan Peters characters) I take requests and update as regularly as I can!
8 113