Chapter Seven: Golems?

*

“Sure, but first, what’s the progress on the Gate Hub quest?” Anna asked, waving towards Ian.

“Let me check. It’s been a minute,” Aiden said, prompting the quest notification.

Destiny Quest: Gate Hub X, The Final Conquest

Requirements

Control 50% of Midrath

Reward

The Gate Hub

Progress

7%

Aiden nodded. “We made good progress last week. Seven percent, up from six.”

“Still feels too slow,” Anna said, hugging herself. “If it stays like this, it could take years to complete.”

“What makes you think that?” He approached the portal and stopped, giving her his full attention. “A percent every two or three weeks isn’t anything to be too upset about. If anything, it’s a lot faster than I ever anticipated.”

“That’s too shortsighted. Think about how many natives there are and all the other Candidates vying for your position. You think we can defend every part of our territory without fail when we’re up against the Valkyr, Dragonborn, Celestials, and Spiderkin?”

“I’m most certainly going to try,” he said, looking in the direction of the nearby Faction.

“And I’m sure you will, but you can’t be everywhere at once, Aiden. It’s within my expectations that we’ll have bad days, really bad days, and days we’ll wish to forget when the claimable territories start to dry up.” She started playing with her hair, curling it around her fingers. “Look how big our territory is, and we’re already struggling to defend our borders.”

“I know conflict is inevitable, but that’s part of the secret,” he said, pointing towards the portal. “The incubator room is full of Patterns and Formations I didn’t have before. I’m hoping to study them and use whatever Claudia and the new guy Magnus learn from the Osh’Tika’Varu.”

“For what?”

He gave her a sly smile. “Ever heard of golems?”

A light shined in her eyes as she realized the implications behind his question. “Of course I do. You want to use the metals here to make magical constructs to protect our lands as we continue to expand.” She tapped the side of her head. “Brilliant.”

“I thought so too, but whether or not it’s doable really depends on investing enough time to come to more than just a basic understanding of Inscription.” They entered the clearing, and he waved towards Ian.

“Didn’t expect to see you here so soon,” the boy said, approaching with an outstretched hand. “Can’t imagine how busy you are with everything going on. My head spins whenever I even try to think about it.”

Aiden shook the boy’s hand and shrugged. “I didn’t start out with all these responsibilities. The quests really ease you into everything.”

Ian nodded. “I get that. So, what brings you both here tonight?”

“Ain’t no rest for the wicked,” Aiden said, patting the boy on the shoulder. “I’ve gotta use the time I have as productively as I can.”

“Do you ever sleep, man?” Ian asked, his brows furrowing and his forehead creasing with concern. “My primary attribute is Endurance, and I can’t keep moving like you do. It can’t be healthy.”

Anna chuckled. “Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

“I’m fine,” Aiden said, giving Ian a thumbs up while squinting at Anna. “There’s no need for everyone to worry about me. I’m the monster among us, remember?”

Anna pursed her lips, and Ian sighed. “That’s what we’re all worried about. If you keep pushing yourself like this, who will you be when all’s said and done? Will you even know how to take a break when things calm down and there’s not always an enemy or task to address?”

Aiden felt a growing frustration, but he knew what they said was true. “I get where the concern comes from, but it seems like everyone is operating under the assumption that things will ever actually calm down. Like, the forces we’re facing are so massive, I don’t think anybody realizes just how screwed and how much of an uphill battle all of this will be.”

“So you’ll push yourself until you burn out instead?” Anna asked, gently resting her hand against his arm. “We’re only concerned for you, Aiden. You can trust us to take some of the burden. I’ve said this countless times, but to us, it seems like you think we’re incapable of handling ourselves without you.”

Aiden opened his mouth to respond, but Ian cut in before he could. “She’s right. We’ve all had more meetings than I care to admit to on how to address this subject specifically. Unlike the rest of them, I know what’s driving you and deal with it myself.”

Anna caressed his arm softly. “We get you’re scared, but you’re not alone in all of this.”

“Enough,” Aiden said through grit teeth. He pointed towards the portal and looked at both of them. “For things to have even a small potential of getting better, I’ve gotta be in there studying those Patterns and Formations. I asked the people of Zion to push themselves harder than they already are, and if they can do that for even a small chance of increasing our odds of survival and success, then I’ll be damned if I take a rest day.”

“Do you even know how to anymore?” Anna asked, dropping her hand to her side. She shook her head and walked away. Just out of his line of sight, she stopped and looked at him over her shoulder. “This will consume you until you’ve pushed away those that worry about you, the same people you’re trying to protect. What will it all be for then?”

Her back faded into the treeline towards Zion, Ares by her side. Blizzy curled around his legs and sent him feelings of comfort and strength. She nuzzled her head into his palm, and he numbly pet her, his mind lost in thought considering Anna’s departing words.

Ian cleared his throat, and Aiden snapped back to reality. The boy moved back to the tree he’d been leaning on when they’d arrived and returned to leaning against it. He looked up at the sky for several moments before breaking the silence. “The fear and desperation to keep everyone safe, even if it’s at the expense of yourself, is something hard to recognize and even harder to change. I get it though. ‘How could I live with myself if someone got hurt because I wasn’t there. What if they die?’”

“Your point?” Aiden asked, staring at the ground.

“Bend or break, what will it be?” The silence lingered for several long seconds as Aiden considered the question, but Ian’s voice pulled him out of the spiraling darkness in his mind. “Something’s gotta give, Aiden, and you have people here who want to help you. Don’t ignore them until you break, because then it’ll be too late.”

Aiden took a deep breath and released it, attempting to calm his racing heart. “I’ll keep your words in mind.”

Three long strides later, the portal swallowed him whole. By the time he stepped through to the interior, he was grateful to be away and have a task to focus on. He crossed the open stretches and entered the chamber, only shooting the swirling vortex a cursory glance.

For the first time in a long time, he didn’t channel one of his Disciplines to activate Aracana Channel when he clicked Silver. The tip of the pen appeared as he flipped open the compendium and began filling the pages with various formations.

As he transcribed what he saw, he analyzed the different structures to try and grasp an understanding of what he saw. A futile task if he’d ever seen one. Without more time and maybe a little guidance from Anna, he didn’t think he’d be able to figure anything out, let alone enough to even start theorizing how to create a golem army, enchant weapons and armor, or any of the other ideas that had sprang into mind.

So with absolute focus, he filled page after page of the magical book. The incubator remained a constant reminder of what was at stake. In less than a week, he’d be faced with an entity unlike any other.

As much as he hated to admit it, Ian had gotten to him. The walls he’d built up were cracking one by one, and only an unhealthy dose of grit, determination, and self-destructive productivity urged by a deep seeded desperation kept him moving forward. The weight of responsibility and desire to protect he experienced was something he would never in a million years force upon any of the others.

-

“Aiden!” someone called from far away. “Aiden!”

The boy in question lurched to his feet and wiped away the traces of restless slumber, glaring at the comfortable blizzard dragon grinning at him. “Not cool, Blizzy. Not cool at all.”

He picked up the discarded compendium and Silver from the floor then left the incubation chamber. Blizzy followed, her head held high as she sauntered in front of him, constantly chirping in amusement.

“You shouldn’t have let me fall asleep,” he whispered, seeing Ian approaching. “You know I had a lot of things to get taken care of.”

She snorted, an icy cloud of air wisping away, and acted like he hadn’t said anything.

“Where did all that attitude come from, huh?” Wind spiraled around his feet, and he jumped in front of her, putting his nose against hers. “Are you trying to say you’re upset at me for not sleeping enough?”

Her expressive eyes stared back at him like the answer to his question was obvious.

“Not you too,” he groaned, backing away and turning to Ian. “How long has it been since I entered the portal?”

“It’s past sunrise already,” Ian said as he circled Aiden, his head bobbing and weaving as he searched Aiden from head to toe.

“Ian, what exactly are you looking for?” He tried to follow the boy, but he’d only just woke up and was still groggy. Sleep never felt restful these days, but he just had to push through it and get things done. “If you keep that up, you’ll make me dizzy.”

The boy in question stopped in front of Aiden and grinned. “You’re not hurt at all, and your clothes are perfectly fine. I got concerned when you never came out and a few Shadowborn showed up, but now that I see you, it all makes sense.”

All traces of sleepiness disappeared at the mention of Shadowborn exiting the portal already. “The Shadowborn from here can exit the dungeon before a dungeon break occurs?”

“Seems like it,” Ian said with a shrug. “That doesn’t matter at the moment. You slept quite a bit, right? Do you feel good?” He looked Aiden up and down again while cupping his chin and creasing his brow. “Definitely not, no. You probably feel pretty bad since you didn’t overwork yourself figuring out those rune thingies, right?”

“Shut up,” Aiden deadpanned, rolling his eyes and staring up at the darkness ever-expanding towards whatever ceiling existed. “Nevermind that explanation. I expect a full report delivered to Oli before the end of the day. I’ve gotta go back now, go through all the submissions of those that want to guard this dungeon so you can go do whatever you need to for the territory opening up, and then I need to get together with everyone to figure out what we’ll do about Adam and the Valkyr. Not to mention—”

Ian cleared his throat, causing Aiden to look down to see the boy pointing towards the dungeon exit. “Telling me all about it won’t help you get any of it done. If anything, it’ll just make everything seem more overwhelming. Remember, one thing at a time, and you’re not alone. Don’t try to do everything on your own.”

“I—”

“Nuh uh,” Ian said, wagging a finger in front of Aiden’s face. “Listen carefully. Get going, stay out of your head, and don’t forget to rely on your support system. We’re here, and we want to help. Not letting us makes everyone, yourself included, feel bad. Don’t be so stubborn, conquer the fear, trust those that want to help, and kick some ass while you’re at it.”

“I didn’t know you were a therapist in a past life,” Aiden grumbled, following behind an amused Blizzy. He let out a wry grin, exited the portal, and waited for Ian. Once the boy appeared, Aiden held out a hand. “I’ll get your relief here as soon as possible, and hey. Thanks for what you said. I know everyone is concerned and here for me if I need it, but sometimes it’s just nice to hear it said without being told in a way that makes me feel unappreciated for what I do.”

Ian took his hand. “I told them they needed to be careful about how they approached, but Olivia—her especially—and Anna are quick to get frustrated and upset. They don’t mean to come off as unappreciative. The whole situation is just really tough, you know? I don’t agree with how they approach you about things, but I do agree with them. You’ve done more than anybody else for all of us, and I’d hate to see you push yourself to the point of breaking. However, I learned from a young age that people need to want help before they’re willing to accept it and change.”

“Too true,” Aiden said, letting his hand drop. “I’ll see you back at Zion. Stay safe.”

“Always.”