Chapter 32: The Great Families PT 2

The Gnome Conglomerate is the most powerful empire on the continent of Nia. That is an indisputable fact. At least in my opinion. Many would argue in favor of the Dwarven Federation or the elves living in the Forest of Life and their counterparts in the much darker Forest of Death. That is a story for another time. Why do I believe as a human the Gnome Conglomerate is the most powerful force on the continent? Simple, have you ever seen a cannon obliterate 30,000ft of mountain? Well, I have after I visited the gnome city of Balish’kar and boy oh boy let me tell you that was a sight to see. The city was celebrating its three thousand years of history and decided a show of power was necessary to wow its citizens and fellow conglomerate representatives that were visiting. So, they constructed a real artificial mountain on the plains that held the city and destroyed it with a single weapon. I estimate the generated power of that weapon could light up and power the capital of the Empire for three years if not longer. Three years of energy for a simple demonstration to their fellow conglomerate members.

Excerpt from the journal of Walter West. Noble, adventurer, explorer, and self-proclaimed official fine wine taste tester.

By late morning we found ourselves in the city of Largid. I, Moriah, and Gloria decided to take a quick break after our arrival. Just outside of the range the city would notice us at. As we ate at the trail rations Moriah broke off from her camp and came towards mine. Slowly making her way towards me. Perhaps whatever she was up to now finally would come to light.

She sat on the soft fur rug that had been presented for me. Her armor was off as was mine and we sat there in companionable silence for a few minutes both eating and enjoying ourselves. Then Moriah spoke.

“Do you remember when you first met me?”

This was one thing I didn’t expect from the young woman so for a moment I sat stunned and quiet. Before I answered wondering what this was leading to.

“I do. It was on your birthday and when I received this scar,” I said while pointing to the mark on my face. Moriah studied it and in turn my face as a whole. While I turned my attention back to my meal.

“Greetings Young Master Aegis. Thank you for attending my birthday celebration,” she spoke once again her voice clear and concise as the original.

“It is my pleasure to be here on such a joyous occasion, but please Princess Moriah, call me Aegis,” I responded the memory playing through Perfect Recall, and at that moment we were back on the occasion as little kids.

A small smile appeared on Moriah’s face.

“You may call me Moriah then and we shall do away with such titles.”

“I want to apologize,” she began, and I listened, food moved to the side as I paid attention.

“I want to apologize for my actions previously. What do you know of the Angelo family and our bloodline?”

I thought over my history lessons and what I learned of her bloodline.

“In truth, very little besides what is in the history books. Your strength on the battlefield and power to heal life-ending injuries are beyond the means of all others. Wings of valor appear once you’ve attuned yourself into one with your bloodline.”

As I spoke to her the beauty, I recognized multiple times on the Princess returned and our gazes held for moments after I finished. Moriah looked away first. Most did when gazing into my star-filled eyes. It never bothered me all these years and it never would.

“There is so much more to it, however. Do you know why there are only Empresses and never an Emperor?”

“I’ve always wondered but that one wasn’t in the history books even at the mention of several notable male figures in the Angelo bloodline. I thought perhaps the Empire rules run under a matriarchy of some sort.”

Moriah laughed a pleasant sound and soon I joined her. Just living and experiencing the pleasures of life. Once we stopped, she spoke again.

“Our bloodline is said to come from angels and not just any angel a male Battle Angel. Whatever you do never let a word of this information spread or the Empire will come for you. Because of how potent the bloodline is it comes with several detractors. First and foremost, our love and urging for battle. An urging that I constantly fight until recently.”

“The urge goes away after a fulfilling battle but always comes back. I have it. My siblings, my mother, and even the first empress had it once she received the bloodline. It does not consume the females of our bloodline like it does the males. That Aegis Kan is why there are no male leaders at the highest power in the Empire.”

She grew quiet and I took this opportunity to speak. The rough dislike I had for Moriah slowly dispersed as we conversed.

“Is that why you’ve acted the way you have in the past?”

A nod from her confirmed.

“What makes the urge lessen or go away?”

“Battle.”

It was simple yet there was so much strength in that word Moriah said.

“Battle makes it go away but only a battle that I find fulfilling. Such as the time when we first fought. You were amazing and it seems after the events of today if I ever face Crimson Claw again, I should be wary.”

“Crimson Claw is not the only move you should be wary of. The perks of my aspects are something to watch out for as well.”

“That Aegis, that is what I want to talk to you most about. My aspect has countered the effects of my bloodline. Because of the Nox ambush, I was fully able to think clearly without the constant urging in the back of my mind telling me to find a battle. It was then that I took a risk as you explained what it was that you were hiding. I just had a feeling that it could help me and with the way the Warrior Princess looked at you I knew there was something that pointed her your way.”

“So, I took a chance, and that chance has the ability to change the Empire and the Angelo bloodline forevermore.”

“So, tell me Young Lord Aegis Kan… what should I do with this chance? What would you do?”

*

Danica Core came flying out after my call of challenge to her honor and was dealt with swifter than I did with Ryon Grand. I grew more comfortable using my perks and how to properly use them with each battle. So far only relying on the two perks Ashes Fall [Beyond] and Adventurer’s Insight. The latter was becoming my favorite as it was constantly showing the weaknesses of my opponents and using that insight, I could better navigate my own body and avoid those mistakes. My skill with my ax was reaching a level that I would be proud to show my father and mother. Its moves were simple much like the sword but through the simplest of movements came a variety of moves that worked for all situations I encountered thus far.

It wasn’t until late evening that we made it to our final destination of the day. The force behind me steadily grew.

“AISHA LOFT I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL OF HONOR.”

“There’s no need to shout. By now all of the families should have heard of your intentions collecting us back together like a lost herd. I find it quite endearing really.”

A voice came from my left as I stood in front of the gates of the city occupied by the Imperial.

I turned only to find a green-haired magi-human floating loftily a few meters away. Pretending like she was laying on a couch or such. Soft green eyes lazily stared back at me. Brown-skinned, the young girl yawned and scratched at her butt before placing a pinky into her ear and twisting it.

Aisha Loft was… whimsical. Following in the line much of her family was in. Aisha Loft was always a very talented wind mage with a small affinity to fire.

“Oh! I accept your challenge by the way. You can proceed to activate that fancy magic of yours now!”

Internally I groan. Only a few figures on the list I was truly worried about fighting and this wind user happened to be number two on that list.

“I can see all weakness before me, and all shall provide to my insight.”

I didn’t bother activating Ashes Fall [Beyond] knowing it would be a waste of mana as I was sure the girl would stay well out of range.

“You don’t happen to want to make this easy for me, do you?”

She stopped picking at her ear at that moment.

“Unfortunately, you challenged me into a duel of honor. You should be well versed in how those go. Plus, I think this will be fun. A tier five mage versus a tier seven knight,” she said excitedly as her soft green eyes lit up.

Aisha Loft had all types of weaknesses I could take advantage of. She had glaring weaknesses when it came to her physical body and with my strength, it wouldn’t be a problem to subdue her. Now how do I catch her?

“You’re thinking about how you’re going to catch me. You’re not, no one ever has until they far outclass me as a mage and you’re no mage.”

I burst out laughing the answer to my problems just presented itself to me.

“Did you forget?”

“Forget,” she looked at me questionably. Her expression showed her confusion at my question.

“That I am a mage. One as strong as you.”

I didn’t bother forming a spell construct knowing I had only seconds less even as the words registered in her mind. The ground just rose underneath and consumed her.

That was much easier than I thought it’d be and shortly I released Aisha from her hold. The young woman sighed before admitting defeat.

“It seems my honor was in question, thank you Young Lord for correcting me to the right path.”

There was the answer to my previous question on dealing with ranged attacks. I’d always have access to my magic if someone wasn’t in range of my ax. Then they’d be in the range of a fireball spell or an earth spike. My aspects were enhancements. Not a power to fully take over my way of life and how I fought. The system told me previously and I just forgot about the matter. I didn’t only have to think in terms of how I could utilize my perks but if an opening was there, I would take it.

My answer to Moriah came to me now. After she asked me that question, she left telling me to think about it. I knew she’d want access to the system for her family upon our return. She had a little brother and sister to think about just as I did. If there was a chance to save them from something outside of their control and something that would affect them for the rest of their lives. I would take that chance. I would dive for the opportunity to save my family. No matter if it was Amaya my best friend, or Akash and Tara.

The sun fell over the horizon and my troops along with three out of the ten great families camped underneath the stars. Tomorrow I would meet with Ittane Corba and Koama Lionheart.