[Chapter 50 part 2] Free – Hector and the Branch of Creation

-----------------------------

…

Free took a deep breath, then fired back, “It’s a good thing I’m a guest then. Your guards invited me in.”

“Impossible…” The throne was engulfed in shadows, and a man in his thirties appeared, wearing Xarst’s black with messy beige hair. He scornfully appraised her. The HEAVENLY DAO would never let him kill me. Free clung to this belief.

After a moment, Calin sighed, his hostility evaporating, “I see. It’s true I extended Sola an open invitation long ago. You are her doppelganger…”

It’s strange he didn’t instantly recognize me. All of Enera knew who she was by now. Doesn’t he have omniscience?

Calin sneered, “Unlike the voyeuristic Siegfried, I spend my time crafting and toiling. I don’t keep up to date on mundane affairs.”

“Is the prospect of another Dark Age a ‘mundane affair’?” Free scoffed.

Calin froze, “Is that true?”

“Well——” Free began, but the necromancer held up a hand demanding silence.

“You should have told me. You knew I’d be interested.” Calin reproached the air around him.

He’s communicating with the HEAVENLY DAO, Free understood. Unlike Siegfried, Calin did so out loud. Must be all the time in solitude.

Fury flashed on Calin’s face, “Whether I’m rude to my guest or not is my prerogative. Don’t dodge the issue!”

Free waited akwardly. Eventually, he declared, “Alright, we’ll discuss once she’s gone.” He faced her. “So, what did you want?”

“Are you aware that Arther passed away?” She inquired.

“Is that so…” Calin appeared disappointment. “Too bad.”

“Don’t pretend to care.” She retorted. “How many millions have you killed?”

Calin shrugged, “That fool was better than most. I find the genuinely passionate to be more tolerable. Whoever replaces him will be worse.”

“That’d be my mother, Astra Skyfell.” Free said sharply.

“My point is proved.” Calin nodded.

Free resisted the urge to snap at the irritating twit. What do I care of his opinion? Instead, she broached the heart of the matter, “It’s believed he was murdered in the Underground Coliseum you constructed.”

“You want me to guide you there.” Calin interpreted.

She nodded.

“Fine.”

Way too easy. There was no universe where a monster like Calin was this helpful. “What’re up to?” She demanded.

Calin smiled, “In truth, from the moment I realized you were HER doppelganger, I was your ally. She was the only person whose talent I’ve ever respected. The things she dreamt up… It made me regret being bound to the HEAVENLY DAO.”

“How did you know her?” Free asked.

Calin gazed off, “She came seeking my knowledge of chimeras. I offered what advice I could. We met on and off for the thirty years leading up to the Black Banquet.” His eyes focused on her. “The mere possibility you’d grow into someone of her caliber is enough to prevent me from ever doing you harm. Unfortunately, aiding you today is the limit of what the HEAVENLY DAO will allow. Follow me.”

The necromancer lead them down winding passageways lit by braziers with green flames. Ghastfire. On impulse, she summoned one of her own on her finger tip. Noticing Calin approving nod, she quickly snuffed it out. In several side rooms, Free glimpsed misshapen creatures floating in tanks. Future challenges for adventurers?

“Correct.” Calin said wickedly. Damn mind reading…

Eventually they reached a hole in the rock floor with a stairwell carved into it. She couldn’t see the bottom. This must be the entrance.

“Mind if I jump?” I don’t want to waste time.

“Go ahead.” Calin said.

Free dropped two and half miles and parachuted to safety. She faced a long hallway with a bright opening at the end. Is that it? She frowned, glancing about. Calin materialized, and she pressed him, “Why is there no security? Couldn’t someone walk right in from the coliseum?”

“I see your concern, but no.” Calvin replied smugly. “Hector makes that impossible.”

“Hector?” Free repeated, confused.

“Yes, Hector.” Calin happily pointed to the wall.

Free looked. It’s ordinary——. A skeletal figure melted out of the rock, its black armor wriggling as if alive. The radiating promise of doom nearly knocked her unconscious. Their surroundings dimmed in its presence.

“That’s enough.” Calin said. The monster sunk back, and the hallway returned to normal.

“What the fuck was that?” She breathed heavily.

“That’s Hector.” Reacting to the daggers in Free’s glare, Calin expounded a little. “Hector was an experiment to fashion the strongest undead. Sadly, the HEAVENLY DAO judged he was a bit too much to deploy in the dungeons, so I left him to guard this entrance. He does a great job of blending in, doesn’t he?”

Free stared apprehensively at the ordinary-looking rock, “The most powerful undead in existence…?”

“Currently, yes.” Calin said. “But, in fairness, the title rightfully belongs to the champions which emerged during the formation of undead colossuses.”

“Let’s move on.” I want to get far away from that.

They soon passed by a signpost. Free glanced back to read, ‘Warning: Hector Ahead’.

“Is this a joke?”

“In a way.” Calin grinned wolfishly. “I don’t simply desire death. I want my victims to perish cursing their own stupidity. Their demise is the joke.” He stood tall. “It’s my craft and art.”

“I’m beginning to appreciate why you’re so reviled by adventurers.” Free said.

His smile widened, “Their hate is the highest praise.” He’s an incorrigible villain. It’s probably what endeared him to the HEAVENLY DAO.

Exiting, Calin proclaimed grandly, “Welcome to the Underground coliseum.”

Not exactly what I envisioned… She was in a quarter mile cavern with a smaller replica of the Stone Coliseum. Braziers roaring yellow provided illumination.

“Why so big?” She asked.

“Partly to please Maximilian’s ego.” Calin replied. “And partly for my own aesthetics. A ‘Blood Arena’ needs good ambient lighting.”

I see. Free didn’t sense any signs of life, “No one is here…”

“Correct.” Calin said. I pray Rose isn’t wrong.

They entered the stadium, and Free’s heart skipped a beat as she Peered down. They’re here! In the Blood Arena’s center, Kain’s arm rested in glass container covered with runes. It’s missing a finger. Nearby, something body-shaped was wrapped in a white sheet. Arther’s corpse. She sent her roots to collect them, but they bumped off an invisible obstacle. An active force field?

“They left it on to contain and hide the arm’s aura.” Calin stated.

“How do we turn it off?” Free ran a hand over the barrier. This was strong enough to trap Arther.

“The controls are this way.” Calin lead them around. As they moved, she wondered, why didn’t they dispose of his remains?

“Arther’s killers were already treading on thin ice. The HEAVENLY DAO hates those who disrespect its heroes, and defiling his body would’ve risked its wrath. Here’s the podium.”

Calin touched the control panel, “There, you can recuperate the body. As for Kain’s arm, don’t bother trying.”

“What’d you mean?” Free extended roots to grab it. Her jaw dropped as they passed right through.

“Since it doesn’t alter events, I was allowed to guide you here. It’s the HEAVENLY DAO’s way of honoring the late guildmaster. Kain’s arm is a separate matter. Recovering it would disrupt your enemies’ plans, which is why you can’t touch it.”

Too Bad. She’d suspected this outcome. Having it so tantalizingly close is frustrating.

“I don’t suppose you can tell me about the hidden passage leading here?” Calin shook his head. Figures. “Mind if I look quickly?”

“Go ahead.” Calin answered.

Free circled around, searching for anything out of place. She found the main entrance sealed with reddish stone, but nothing else. I don’t even know what to look for. If the passageway had been obvious, it would’ve been blocked off too.

Giving up, She returned and attached the veiled body to her back. “I’m ready.” She told Calin.

The necromancer didn’t answer, a distant expression on his face. When she called again, he reacted, “I must go. I’ll meet at the Great Hall.”

He poofed into nothing, leaving her alone. Well, I know the way back. She started down the long hallway, but stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the warning sign. She stared ahead. I hate that man sooo much right now. In the end, she sprinted by ‘Hector’ and maintained a healthy pace all the way up the stairwell.

Calin was waiting at entrance, “Before you leave, I’ve a gift.”

“Do I want it?” She asked suspiciously.

“You do.” The necromancer offered a short white stick. “The ‘Branch of Creation’. It was Sola’s staff when she was known as Goddess of Healing. She left it behind as a memento. It’s a legendary catalyst perfectly suited to you.”

Yup, I’m interested. Free took the artifact and examined it. Intuitively, she channeled, and it grew to a full fledge weapon. Let’s test it. Roots exploded around them, covering the space. I might stand a chance against Dawn with this…

“Unfortunately, you must go now. Experiment at your leisure later.” Calin interrupted hurriedly.

“Why the rush?” Free badly wanted to play with her new toy.

“Lily has come to pick you up.” Calin explained. “She’s preparing to roast my guards and replacing them would be a pain.”