“This cult of the Eye is filled to the brim by dangerously naïve people. They toy with forces beyond their comprehension, uncaring of the consequences and deaf to others' warnings. They have passed any reasonable limit.

Effective immediately, I declare them heretics and a threat to the Light. They must be disbanded and arrested for a time. Should they own forbidden knowledge, attunements, or artifacts, you have the authority to execute them on the spot unless they choose to surrender.

This decision will be better discussed together with the other Grand Paladins at a later date.

But if, by Alka’s miracle, you happen to find their founder, call me on the spot. I will handle it…

Personally.”

-Decree of Grand Paladin Arkhom, excerpt from 400-ish years ago, after his return from the Darkmud incident.

Veliel pov

Veliel's Song attunement had sharpened her hearing to an unnatural degree. So, when the terrified whispers reached her from behind the wall, she heard them as if they had been beside her. "Shh!" She said. "I heard voices!" She pointed at the crack in question made by her friend and an unfortunate ant.

The boss was particularly annoyed to be regarded as a simple kid, and Veliel was no less irritated. Still, duty came before any sentiment.

The Paladins immediately rushed. “Are you trapped?!” Darius shouted to be heard through the thick wall.

Veliel’s sensitive ears caught the whispers.

“They found us!”

“Oh Gods, we’re fucked!”

“What do we do?!”

Why are they panicked? She frowned. Did they cause this?

"I can't hear them," Arthania grunted. "let's demolish the wall and get them out."

The Boss stepped ahead, opened her mouth, then closed it with a pained grimace. “Does anyone have [Earth or Stone manipulation]?”

“I can help with that.” Veliel said. As the Paladins’ punches rattled the wall, she leaned closer to the Boss. “I’ll pretend to cast something. Go on.” She whispered.

Nashariel sent her a grateful look. "Thanks, Vel."

Dan used his new Mirage attunement to transmute the rocks into their softer version. He heaved for breath a moment later, shook himself, then shrugged toward the others.

Dorel silently hammered the wall.

As Nashariel started excavating with her claws, Veliel chanted a song of Endurance. She moved her hands to pretend to manipulate the Earth, allowing Nashariel’s [Omnia manipulation] to not make the whole room collapse on them.

Moments of this racket later, the group uncovered a dark barrier.

Inside, four figures huddled close together. An old man stood with his hands raised to send energy to a grid of runes that, in turn, powered a Dark shield.

The worried expression of Arthania and Darius turned into scowls. “Dark mages! I knew you had something to do with all of this!” The woman snarled.

“This isn’t our fault! Those fucking ants bursted from the floor and murdered most of us!” The old man pleaded.

“Lies. This was a Spawning lair, and they don’t appear like fungi!”

While the three kept arguing, the Astillians glanced at each other. “What do we do?” Asked Dorel.

The Boss looked at the barrier, lost in her thoughts. “They don’t seem like evil people to me. Just look at them.”

Despite the blackness of the barrier, the people inside were well visible.

A man and a woman protectively clutched two kids, and the four of them were half-hidden behind the old man. Their clothes were little more than rags while their bodies were marred with infected wounds. They were so thin that their bones were visible from beneath the skin.

The room they stood in was devastated. Spilled vials, broken tables, and scattered pages littered the floor. A closed tunnel was barely visible behind all this. Half-lit Curse-runes gave the place a spectral air.

Dan nodded. “More like desperate people, I agree. Still…" The question hung.

Deciding to give the boss time to think, Veliel decided to approach the Paladins. “I don’t think that they harbor any ill intent.”

Arthania didn’t even turn to look at her. “That’s half of their danger, child. Heretics rarely look the part.”

“Can you tell us what happened?” Veliel asked the man instead.

His shoulders lost some tension. “We were a small community of researchers. During an experiment with magic, a wave of power invested us.” He shuddered. “It messed with our runes, and… everything went to shit. The runes were overcharged, so they exploded on us. After that… well, you saw those ants. I believe that they were attracted by the ambient essence in the air, and decided to settle in. My son’s Stone magic and these runes you see are what saved us. Someone tried to go out, but no… no one came back.”

One of his arms briefly dropped, before he raised it again with some strain.

Veliel glanced at the center of the ex-Lair.

The site where the queen laid her eggs emanated a different mana signature, weakened from the passing of time. Curse. Rune magic, then. “What were you studying?”

“What does it matter…?” Muttered Darius.

"Don't you think that they would've taken some precautions if they truly wanted to cause this kind of damage?"

Arthania shook her head. “No good-natured person chooses the wilds instead of a citadel. Their foolishness is their own.”

“Perhaps, but do you feel in the right by pointing your weapon at a family of civilians on the brink of death?" Nashariel's sharp reply came. “Please, continue.” She added toward the people.

The Paladins glanced at each other. They lowered their weapons without putting them away. Their glares remained unchanged.

The younger man stood, squeezing the other’s shoulder. “Rest, father. I’ll take it from here.” The old man let the other feed the barrier, then limped towards one of the only remaining four-legged chairs.

The young man hardened his gaze, keeping his hands at the ready.

Veliel estimated that he couldn’t have more than three decades, probably even less.

“We were trying to replicate rune’s magic potency by using other affinities and finding alternatives to using Cursed ink for the circles.” He gestured behind. Some vials leaked a dense light-green liquid, fortunately on the other side of the room.

“That… here… a dragon…?” Nashariel muttered, low enough that only Veliel heard it. “Any success?” She asked, violently clutching her head.

“Some, but we lost most of our notes when the wave… are you well?”

Nashariel had started to bleed from her right eye and nostril. "Yeah, don’t mind me. Thanks.”

“And still, we can see Curse affinity in the area. How do you explain that?” Arthania sneered.

The worried features of the man steeled when he gazed at the Paladin. “Because you have forbidden any kind of study about it! How can anyone research for alternatives, when you censor the whole base? This research could change the face of a whole branch of magic!”

“Curse is only used by sadists and demon-worshippers, of course we must ban it!” Darius narrowed his eyes. “Where is your master? I sense no Curse on you. Those runes must come from someone.”

“You’ll never find her, Tyrants! Leave us be and go your way!”

This isn’t going anywhere. “Now that the ants are gone, what are your plans?”

The five of them lowered their gazes. “We aren’t fighters… but going into a citadel means prison…” Muttered the mother, clutching her children a little tighter. “Or worse…”

The Astillians looked at the Paladins.

“The study of forbidden knowledge without permission is punished with jail. They do not have a Curse affinity, so they’ll probably be in for 3-5 years.”

“And if they happened to have Curse?”

"Lifetime." Arthania's word came down like a giant hammer. "And only because we didn't detect any lie about what they said. The fact that they’re hiding a Curse user isn’t helping them either.”

“That’s… harsh.” Commented Dorel.

Tension started to accumulate in Veliel’s stomach. How do we solve this?

Paladins and Templars considered themselves brothers and sisters, but Veliel started to understand more deeply the reason why many of her seniors didn’t enjoy working with most of them. This kind of ruthlessness was alien to Astillians, especiallyin these circumstances.

Seemingly, Nashariel didn’t have her hesitation. She nodded to herself. “No choice, then. They come with us.”

“You have no rights to…!”

“Can you really spare even a single person to keep watch on a group of trained mages?”

Arthania’s silent glare was enough.

“Then the only logical step would be executing them,” the people shuddered. “and I won’t allow that to happen under my watch. We’ll escort them to the Cleansing Angel by ourselves.”

“Do you truly think yourself up to the task?” Asked Darius. He didn’t look exactly enthusiast at the idea, but he wasn’t trying to pierce the Boss with his eyes either.

Nashariel didn’t speak.

Instead, she released the control of her Presence. Fully.

A wave of terror and power invested everyone. The Paladins gripped their weapons for an instant, while the people behind the barrier shook in fear. The Astillians felt little to nothing. Is it because we’re her Retainers?Veliel asked herself. Her Presence feels stronger than usual.

Darius nodded. “Very well. May the Sisters watch over you.” He sheathed his weapon, then turned.

“Darius!”

“Arthania, they are right. We have no resources to spare, and the thought of putting a misguided family to the sword makes me sick. If they manage to survive these roads, then it will be Alka’s will.”

“But… Argh! Do you really want to hand over a group of heretics to some recruits?! Darius! Damnation!” With a furious glare, Arthania rushed behind the other Paladin. “I only pray that you’re not making a mistake, children. May Alka protect you from your own Light.” She snarled to the Astillians.

As soon as the duo’s steps were out of hearing, the remaining people sighed in relief.

“Damn, I thought that this was gonna go sooooooo fricking bad." Dan said, dropping to his back.

“They’re still Paladins. As different as we may see things, no one among us was truly willing to kill innocents. Simple as that.” Nashariel shrugged, sealing her aura back. “I hope you six don’t mind traveling with us for a while.” She added looking at the family.

That’s why you’re the Boss!

The barrier fell, if somewhat hesitantly. “We don’t, but…” He stopped, biting his tongue. “There’s only five of us!”

Veliel narrowed her eyes. Why’s he more worried than their number instead of going into a Stronghold?

“That Ink comes from dragon blood. It’s fresh. And that rune near your wife means ‘Hide’.”

The man clenched his fists.

The point in question chuckled weakly, much to the Retainers’ surprise.

A snap of fingers later, the rune lost potency.

A small figure appeared, laying against the wall. “Wanted to kill me by yourself, Templar?” She whispered weakly, coughing blood. “’Cause I’m not going down without a fight!” Runes under her clothes and on her exposed skin glowed with a sickly, angry green.

For a second, Veliel thought that she was seeing double. She used [Hear the melody]to make sure.

*Kin of dragons, diluted by time/

Stroke of brushes, art of agony/

Thin may be, Blood runs strong/

Flow of power, stream of magic/

A young soul, poses no threat/

But be swift, her life fades/ *

A dragokin! She realized. Veliel cleared her throat.

The Siren vocalized her will from the Flux, manifesting a healing tune. [Song of Healing] empowered her spell’s effects, extending them to every layer of the listener’s being.

The Dragokin sighed in relief, as did the family. Their scratches and deeper wounds had been healed in less than five seconds, together with the infections. “We wish you no harm.” Veliel said, opening her hands in a non-threatening way.

“What’s your name? I’m Nashariel.”

The rest of the group presented themselves.

“I’m Alandra. This is my family.”

“Anthon. Thank you for your help, Templars.” The old man said, completely deflating on the chair.

“I thought that this was going to be our last day… name’s Thar, extremely pleased to meet you.” The man said with a nervous chuckle.

“Thank you for saving us. I’m Catha, and they are Ralf and Vala.” She presented her son and daughter respectively.

Both kids hid behind her, silently watching. They couldn’t be more than five and eight.

"We have some rations. Do you want some?" At their eager nods, Nashariel chucked her hand into her mantle.

They swiftly devoured the rations.

“So, how have you managed to survive until now?” Dan asked, reclining a conjured chair against the wall.

A good half hour had passed since the last bite of the rations.

The Templars had given the family some time to rest too. Veliel and Nashariel had kept their Refuges activated to help their bodies’ complete recovery. Neither of the two monsters could remedy weeks of starvation with a spell, not yet at least.

"We always had some food stocked up for emergencies," Alandra replied, changing her bandages. “Should’ve bought some more medicines too. Or healing runes. Shitty bugs…” She hissed the last sentence.

“You’re safe now. Do you have a place to go?” We can’t bring a group of heretics into a stronghold. We’ll have another scene like that, or worse…

The Cursed dragokin nodded. "We're not the only community that avoids the Paladin's tyranny. Grandfather should know a few of the closest Labs or Hubs.” She glanced at her sleeping family, worry in her eyes. “I hope that they have fared better than us.”

“My father was born in Valkas. He told me that Paladins were unpleasant to be around, but tyrants?” Nashariel half-asked. More than Veliel, she was curiously scanning the other dragokin.

Alandra's draconic side was pretty much identical to Nashariel's, except that her scales were jet-black, and a myriad of bright green runes decorated every scale. Her pale green skin made her seem permanently sick. Veliel sometimes gave Alandra another glance with [Medical eye] to confirm if it was only an impression. The girl showed sixteen years at most.

She sneered, growling. “They force us to live like rats, fearing their bullshits! You saw how they reacted when they saw my family, and they didn’t even notice me. I just want to…!” Her little brother and sister moaned in their sleep. "I just want a place where we're not hunted by Alka's dogs." Alandra whispered, caressing the heads of the little ones. Her runes glowed ferociously, and her tail swished like a whip.

Veliel and Nashariel exchanged a worried glance. Karda, their instructor, often taught them that the darkest people were born from Light’s injustice. The sharkin always recommended being, if not kind, at least the fairest possible.

It was also obvious that Paladins did not receive those kinds of lessons. They were seeing the result of that right now, as they did when they fought against the vengeful Banshee.

Veliel had still nightmares about that monster toying with her and her human friends, while the Boss fought alone against a titanic construct. She shivered. "Why haven't you come to Varastill? We're not so… strict.”

Alandra sent her a suspicious glare. “Astill is Valka’s sister. We don’t want to trade a leash with another. Plus,” she gestured toward her family. “do we look like fighters to you? The roads were dangerous even before everything went to shit. If only I had bought the upgraded [Containment rune]…”

“We protected you. Why would we lie now?” Veliel said softly.

“T-that… that is true. Still, I’d rather stay with the other researchers…”

“If it’s not troublesome, what kind of communities are you?” Nashariel asked, leaning forward.

Alandra sat a bit more upright. “We call ourselves ‘The hands of the Eye’. We gather all kinds of knowledge and artifacts, exploring new ways to use them. Some of us organize expeditions to retrieve forgotten things! Grandfather told me that some go as far as outside of Nortanis…” She said with dreamy eyes.

Oh, Gods, not another Boss…

“It sounds interesting… and dangerous. Our Grandmaster had hidden some stuff that he deemed harmful to the public.”

The other huffed. “Sounds like Paladin’s talk! There’s no such thing as harmful knowledge, as Kondar teaches, only fools at using it. Living is learning, after all.”

Kondar was the God of knowledge. Unconcerned about concepts like evil or good, the All-seeing eye was only interested in learning all the aspects of the world. His followers served him as researchers about all kinds of things, big and small. While Kondar himself cared little about gossip, some of his believers were said to be more than willing to serve as spies to gather some hidden knowledge or artifacts to study.

“Well, you preferred to remain hidden from Paladins, didn’t you? Still, Varastill doesn’t ban the worship of other gods, as long as they don’t preach about harming others.”

Alandra winced. "That's not researching, though…"

“The closest other Hub is Hector's," Anthon told the group, once he was awakened from his son. No one wanted to find out if the other Paladins had changed their minds. “My grandfather told me that these tunnels run under all Nortanis, but I never verified it.”

“Very well. Dan, you scout ahead.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

“Mr. Anthon, stay with me in the front, if you don’t mind. Dan can hear your directions perfectly well. Vel and Dorel, close the rear.”

“Yes.”

“As you say.” I wonder if it’s too dangerous to sing a tune or two. They seem to need it.

As Dan vanished, the Astillians set themselves into position. The kids looked slightly uneasy at being surrounded. Veliel’s towering over them wasn’t helping at all.

She let out a reassuring smile, then decided to whisper the lullaby that her mother had sung when her father decided to leave the both of them. The memory hurt, but the tune always had the power to relax her.

Hopefully, it would work on the kids too.

Dorel gave her a friendly bump. The Boss a grateful and sorry glance.

Veliel’s heart warmed some.

Nashariel pov

They passed another mangled corpse. Dan’s earning his points, isn’t he?

/I hope so. We used up so many…/

A necessary expenditure to protect them.

/I know…/

When Nashariel understood that Arthania and Darius intended to apprehend those people, she had commanded the secondary mind to buy some sort of speech skills.

There were many other possibilities, but they had been in a rush and were low on points. Fortunately, her secondary mind’s efforts had been rewarded.

And Nashariel’s sheet was going to be once again cluttered. Such is life.

*Enhanced diplomacy, Improved leadership, Enhanced intimidation, Sense motives, and Eased trust have been bought.

Enhanced diplomacy Lvl 1

Every speaker needs to articulate their thoughts in the best way possible. This skill hopes that those who listen will come to reason, instead of murdering each other.

Your ability to choose the right words at the right time is improved slightly.

Upgrade cost: 2 points Lvl.

Improved leadership Lvl 1

Every good leader has to be understood by their underlings, sometimes without words. Your charisma will become unnaturally sharper, fitting for a commander. Or a general, even.

Your gestures and words carry greater weight, but only for those who do not consider you an enemy.

Upgrade cost: 3 points Lvl.

Enhanced intimidation Lvl 1

When kind words cannot reach, fear and terror will do. You can strike fear within your enemies with ease, and they shall listen. Or else…

Your actions aimed to intimidate others will be slightly more effective.

Upgrade cost: 2 points Lvl.

Sense motive Lvl 1

What good are words, if two people cannot understand each other? Noticing the other’s interests is handy during a negotiation, but also during everyday life. You’ll see it!

Noticing the other’s real wants and needs becomes slightly easier.

Upgrade cost: 2 points Lvl.

Eased trust Lvl 1

Sometimes, you just don't look like the part you're playing. Other times, people can simply distrust you for their past experiences. Worry not, for this skill will give you that little bit of help that you needed.

Others trust your words more easily, as long as you wish them no harm.

Upgrade cost: 2 points Lvl.

Points remaining-> 18

Merge skills?

Y/N *

She had refused the merge since her memories had warned her about a better one later on. Plus, as she had experienced with [Manufactured weapon mastery], the broader the skill, the weaker the effects. Her Omnia skills were also no exception to this rule, for now.

Nashariel had debated about directly upgrading her Presence, but the thought of using hostile magic against other followers of the Light didn’t sit well with her. She refused to think about the case where her low-level skills failed her and the duo didn’t retreat.

It was also well past the time that she invested in some speech skills. She was the leader, after all!

And her list of wanted skills kept growing each day. Dang it!

She truly needed a long session of setting priorities. And a few more points wouldn’t hurt either…

Thar frowned. “So many monsters… this doesn’t look good for Hector.”

“Dan, accelerate.” Nashariel bit her lips, forcing herself to resist buffing up the others with a zap of gray lightning. “Vel, make us go faster. We might have a place to save.”

As Veliel sang, their speed increased.

The family hardly kept their footing. They soon heaved for breath, forcing Veliel to add a stamina effect. After that, they almost tripped on a few bits of uneven ground.

“Are you sure that you’re well?” Asked Nashariel, after the third stumble.

“It’s that… we’re not used to… oof, running like this. Apologizes.” Catha replied.

Nashariel cursed mentally. They’re civilian mages, probably low in level! Their stats must be close to nothing. “Let’s slow down, then. If Dan sees any trouble, he'll come to us instead." She was sure that her friend had heard her.

Veliel dropped the speed part, intensifying the recovery one.

While walking down, the group had passed several other tunnels. Anthon told them which ones were the right ways, and they always found little Dan-mirages sitting at the wrong exits.

From behind them, they heard screeching.

“A copy is down!” Dan shouted from his real position.

“We can’t lead any monster at the Hub!” Shouted Anthon.

"Don't worry," Dorel said, starting to power his shield. "We're with you."

Nashariel heard the sound of steps coming closer. Do they smell us? “Wanna make a stand?”

"I and Veliel will be enough. Keep going, people could be in danger."

Nashariel nodded, hurrying the family ahead.

“But… will they be fine?” Catha asked, a hand on her heart.

The Templar smirked. “Believe me, they are.”

Alandra sighed, disappointed. “I hoped to make some monster scream.”

“Al, you mustn’t risk your life! Monsters are dangerous beings; you could be hurt!” Her father scolded her.

“We have learned on our skin that you must be able to defend yourself. You can't always rely on others." Nashariel winced at the first memories of this forest. They had survived, but the cost… so many lives extinguished…

“We had runes to protect ourselves, if only that Gods damned thing didn’t overcharge them!”

That was my point…

Alandra seemed conflicted.

Soon, echoes of screams and explosions reached the group.

Nashariel noticed that Alandra was grinning widely. The Templar dearly hoped that she wasn't gonna follow her heritage's instincts.

Or that she and her friends had come too late to preserve her inner light.

Dan, the real one, rested against a wall. He was studying a group of glowing runes. "This is the place, I dare say."

Anthon accelerated his steps, despite breathing heavily. "Let me… thank the Eye, the runes are still intact. Is it because they were deeper, or did they…?" His son cleared his throat. Loudly. "Ahem, I'll ask Hector later on. Let me just… done!" He fiddled with invisible strings. A moment later, the entirety of the grid powered down. "Welcome to our deeper lab!”

“Let’s go and find uncle Hector, yes?” Catha proposed to the little ones.

“Yay, uncle Hector!” They echoed, rushing ahead.

"The last one to find him is stinky!" The Vala shouted.

“No fair!” Ralf screamed back.

Their parents followed with a relieved laugh.

“Will you come with us? You’ll be in for a treat.” Alandra asked.

“Why not. We’re could use some rest.”

Nashariel’s friends glanced at her, surprised, but remained quiet.

“Follow me, then!” The black dragokin said, bouncing ahead.

“Why?” Asked Dorel, as soon as Alandra got out of reach.

Nashariel walked, followed by the others. “I need to check on something. I remembered those runes, their design, these tunnels… I think... i'm sure that I've been here already, some time ago.”

It was only when she saw those runes that her memories almost overpowered her, after all. She also remembered…

A failed experiment, one that turned everything and everyone around her to... to rot and ruin.

A shining armored man…

And his sword in her guts.

She was barely sapient at that point, but that searing pain… that agony…

A hand dropped on her shoulder, shaking her awake.

“Thanks, Dorel. Let’s go and meet some scientists, yes?”

She had to verify if the Hand still possessed that research.

Nashariel had to prevent another Darkmud war.

No matter the cost.