RE: Monarch

Chapter 107: Sanctum XXXII

It stemmed from the sanctums reputation. Rumors that hadnt reflected reality. I had been toldoriginally by Morthus, then practically everyone I spoke to on the topic afterwardthat the sanctum was not to be taken lightly. It was a trial by fire for the infernals, after all. It was said to be unstable, unpredictable, and most of all, dangerous.

But the greatest threats up to this point had been due to Thoths direct action, not the sanctum itself. We had been repeatedly warned that stepping off the beaten path would be an incredibly dangerous affair. Yet, wed been able to handle everything the sanctum had thrown at us with little difficulty.

Originally, I wondered if the sanctum was helping us. Streamlining our efforts to catch up to an individual who posed a direct threat to the well-being of the leyline. Giving us a more-or-less straight line to follow while doing everything it could to obstruct Thoth.

Now, looking at the portal that so effectively and directly blocked our path, I couldnt help but wonder if Id had it backward. With Thoth so close, it seemed the only purpose of such an ominous looking portal was to slow us down.

An orange light that surrounded the dark thrumming gate faded as Vogrin stood, blindfolded head tilting upward slowly, bits of grass falling from where his knee had impacted the grass. Based on my analysis, I can make several predictions with relative confidence. It is not a deathtrap, it does not have any maledictions brewed in. It is, despite all its trappings and contingencies to ensure it remains in place, a simple transportation spell. The portal goes somewhere. That is, however, as far as my supposition ends.

I stared at him dumbly. Theres nothing more you can tell us?

Vogrin scowled. You should be grateful for what I am providing. I doubt a team of infernal researchers working around the clock could give you a fraction of what I have in the same span of time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bell circumvent the gate and press her hand to the stone behind it. A handful of shadows escaped her fingertips, seeping into the stone. She looked back towards us in confusion. Odd. It feels like the original passage closed.

Even if we had an earth mage, it wouldnt matter, Jorra realized.

Maya approached Vogrin, keeping her tone demure. If you had more time to study the portal, would it make a difference?

No, Vogrins lips pressed together. Well, maybe. But gates like this are complicated-

There was a flash of movement on my left. Without really thinking about it, I summoned a small, focused gust of wind and slammed it into the moving object before it could reach Vogrin. It fell over and rolled, skidding before coming to a stop dozens of feet away.

I blinked, watching as the blocky, unwieldy body of the constructshaped somewhat similarly to a portly child, struggled to sit up. It was almost unrecognizable. Where its outer layer had once been sheer, rounded, and pristine with a marble texture, it was now, blackened, scarred by several chunks, and missing one of its four legs. It staggered rather pathetically towards Vogrin, the blue gem in its forehead eyeing me suspiciously as it waddled towards him. It bowed, then bobbed back and forth, not unlike an animal looking for praise.

Vogrin grasped it by the head and breathed in, tendrils of blue mist leaving the constructs forehead and flowing into his mouth. All at once, it shuddered, and trembled, and dropped to the ground.

I studied the small heap of rock where the thing had disassembled. Was that the only one that made it back?

So it would seem, Vogrin said, his voice distracted. They appear to have run into quite a lot of trouble. This one spent most of its time dodging a drake of all things in some facsimile of the Teregrin Highlands.

I raised an eyebrow. Teregor was known collectively as the dark continent, home to an absurdly large number of tales regarding its many myths and monsters. Any ship attempting to explore the area was either summarily destroyed or disappeared entirely.

Bell poked the corpse with the toe of her boot. Poor thing. It traveled all this way only for you to eat it.

It served its purpose.

But why did you have to eat it? Bell asked.

I did not eat it! Vogrin snapped. I extracted its animus, so I could review its memories until I will return it to nothing, a process that is taking longer because you are pestering me.

Jorra looked over at Bell, seriously. Sometimes you just get hungry.

Its notyoure being Vogrin stopped and covered his face with his hand. Children. Im surrounded by children.

I shrugged. Teregor is rather infamous. Crossing even a small portion of that land is notable, let alone evading a drake.

Vogrin looked between me and Bell, seeming to wonder if there was some sort of joke happening at his expense. And?

Would it inhibit you to keep the animus intact until we need a scout again? I asked.

It would be an annoyance, but a small one, Vogrin finally admitted. Ordinarily, I would consume the animus and return it to my mana pool

He is going to eat it!

Vogrin gritted his teeth. Keeping an animus around is a recipe for trouble. They are summoned as a blank slate. Over time, they tend to develop quirks, and become troublesome their personality diverges. Though the more I browse this ones memories Vogrin flicked his finger towards me, and an image projected over my vision.

The vision was a collection of shattered fragments. A drake flew over head, raining fire down on the construct. The tiny creature threw itself to the side, arms and hands digging into the dirt to fling itself across the ground where it came to its feet. A segment of land started to rupture, a flat shelf of ground rising straight up as something chitinous and massive started to claw its way up from the earth. The construct ran along the angle shelf upwards, leaping off, dodging through the talons of the diving drake and into the wide open air

I admit it might be worth keeping around, Vogrin said.

I nodded, rather stunned. Bell whooped.

Maya shook her head. What news did it bring?

Both good and bad, Vogrin muttered, seeming to refocus. It did get through. Ozra had matters to attend to, but should now be on his way. He is very motivated to get a look at our nefarious arch-mage. But as you know, teleportation and other high-level means of fast transport is generally restricted in the sanctum. It will be at least a day before he reaches us. Probably closer to two.

Whos Ozra? I heard Bell ask Jorra.

Backup, I think.

That wasnt a conversation I was excited to have.

Then our course seems clear, Maya said, glancing at me. We wait here for Ozra to arrive, and let him decide what to do with the gate.

My heart sank before Id even asked the question. Vogrin. How long do we have before Thoth reaches the Sepulcher?

Vogrin tilted his head, then turned to me grimly. She is already there.

There wasnt a choice.

We dont have time to wait. I looked at the three of them. They all looked back, with varying levels of apprehension. I focused on Jorra and Bellarex, since Maya already knew the truth. My recent conversation with Elder Morthus revealed some alarming realities. Things I wasnt sure I should share because they are not a light burden, and I wasnt sure how relevant they are to our current course.

Is she trying to summon something? Jorra asked, his eyes narrowed. Like the creatures the mercenaries transformed into?

Not exactly. Though, youre not far off. According to the elder, the sepulcher is not just a burial site. It also houses the prime leyline.

Ah. It makes sense thered be a leyline somewhere down here, considering how much mana it would require to sustain a place like this. But why would she want anything to do with the leyline? Its not as if she can siphon power from it. Jorra frowned.

I sighed. From our experience in the Mossy forests, we already know Thoth is capable of corrupting a person imbued with magic.

I still dont

Bell interrupted, her expression shocked. You think she intends to corrupt the leyline.

Yes.

A heavy silence weighed down on the group.

Thats terrifying. Bell shuddered.

Which is why we cant wait. Or rather, I cant wait. I felt a strain in my chest, as various fears and desires warred in me. The realization of what needed doing, and how out of our depth we truly were. The fear that I would fail, the loop would restart, giving the black beast his petty lesson whilst rendering the lives of my friends forfeit.

I had thought fear had left me. The idea of my death no longer frightened me. But the very notion of losing my companions forever brought the fear roaring back. I know you all already agreed to this. And now that were close, theres a desire to see it through. But things have changed. This was never meant to be more than simple reconnaissance, finding out what she was after, and handing it off to Ozra when he arrived.

Bell shook her head. Maya started to speak, but stopped when I held up a hand. I acknowledged her with a nod, asking silently for her to let me speak my piece, and finally, she backed down.

I trust all of you. But theres a very real chance some of you might die. And I cant save you this time. I looked down at the ground. My visions have told me nothing about what we will face beyond that gate. Its as much a mystery for me as it is for you. Up to this point, weve been smart. Havent rushed into anything. Weve taken measured risks. This is not that. I looked up at them, making eye-contact with each, insuring they all heard the sincerity in my words. My gaze landed on Jorra, who was staring back at me, his jaw working quietly. Some of you have already had doubts. Theres no shame in that.

What would you do? Jorras foot tapped on the ground at a rapid pace. If we left you for real. Like we pretended to at the mountain?

I shrugged. Same thing Id do if you didnt leave. Poke the bull. Try to draw her attention, pull her away from the leyline. Stall until backup arrives.

Jorra pinched his forehead. And what sort of back up are you getting thats going to help against that.

I wasnt sure how much information to give him. The infernals might have frequently used demons, but they seemed to actively disprove of anyone who made a deal with them out of desperation.

An arch-fiend, Maya provided, jumping in before my hesitation could trigger suspicion.

Jorras eyebrow jumped. The Ozra you keep referring to? He gave Vogrin an incredulous look. Wait, you cant be serious. They just tried to take over! An asmodial arch-fiend?

The asmodial arch-fiend, really. Vogrin said, not helping whatsoever.

Cairn was able to work with Ralakos and resolve the situation in a manner that benefitted both parties. So, yes, he was able to call in a favor. Maya shot me a look that sent a clear message: Dont talk about the contract.

I took over. As Maya said, there are serious reinforcements on the way. But theres still a significant gap in time before they get here.

A biting chill cut through the air. The temperature dropped by five or seven degrees. The light cutting through the perma-cloud lessened. It was the closest the sanctum ever came to night.

You dont just have visions, do you? Jorra asked. The question caught me off-balance, but I could see no reason not to answer.

Its more complicated than that.

He bit his lip. Im not even sure what I would call it. But I watched, when you were training with the elder in the desert. Your air element was terrible

The second is always harder, you dwin. Bell smacked him.

Jorra scowled, rubbing his arm. Yeah, sure, but Cairn was pretty hopeless. I started questioning things then, which just meant paying attention. The elder was very patient, but

I interrupted before Bell could smack him again. Hes right, Bell. My magic, my abilities, are affected by my visions. My progress with the air element is a great example of that. The thing is, that wont help us here. I wont be able to manage the last second ass-pulls I have in the past. Well only have one shot at this.

There was a profound silence then as each of them contemplated my words. It made sense. From their perspective, I was their safety net. I won battles, found creative solutions, pulled them back from the brink, all seemingly without cost. Only Maya knew the price. Instead of staring at the ground like the others, she was looking at me, muscles in her throat moving like she was about to speak.

But Jorra spoke first. What youre saying, is that the gloves are off. With or without us, youre going to walk blindly into a situation that could very easily be a deathtrap. For reasons you cant explain, your abilities are hamstrung, and even if you manage to get beyond whatever that, he indicated the gate, is, youll have to deal with Thoth.

I closed my eyes. Thats about it, yes.

This was it. The breaking moment. Things had been going so well. Jorra, Maya, Bell, they were more reliable than any friends Id ever had, and they managed to stick by me twice as long. But this was not a reasonable request.

You need us more than ever, then, Jorra said, his voice firm.

What? I blinked.

We knew the dangers going in, Bell followed, skipping up to stand beside me. And yes, this is more dangerous, and possibly very stupid. But I cant imagine turning back now.

Maya gave me a warm look of encouragement, that told me I didnt even have to ask.

A mix of emotions flooded me. A mix of anxiety and stress, but chief among them, gratitude. I turned and looked at the gate.

So what now? Jorra asked. Do we just go in?

No. I shook my head, staring at the violet portal that rippled with endless waves that drew inward, almost beckoning us forward. I need to make some potions first.