ImmovableMage
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220 Legends Rise
🕑 Added 2024-12-21 00:00:01 +0000 UTC– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 219, Season of the Setting Sun, Day 13 –
“We’re going to the Cooperative first,” insisted Daiyu.
Ying sighed.
“She has a point,” added a death knight from the side.
Ying moved to glare at Logan. He almost wished that Amelia hadn’t left first. The Spellcrusher had been eager to return to her spirit-bonded partner and since Ying was a dimensional mage himself, she didn’t have to wait after he had agreed to do whatever was required of him.
Surely, Amelia would have sided with him, given that his role in the overall plan would play in the Lands of the Four Towers. Not at the frontline of the Freedom Cooperative.
“You’re not even supposed to accompany me, Logan,” hissed Ying. “You should have stayed in Syn City. This has nothing to do with you.”
“Screw you, it doesn’t!” barked Logan. “You’re our friend. These are your daughters we’re talking about!”
“You might have gotten Saul and the others to back off, but we’re much less important to the city,” added Romana. “Which means we’re free to accompany you and help where we can.”
“Like I’ve said before, I’m not sure if you can,” sighed Ying. He shook his head at Logan. “Especially you. The Lich Kingdoms have the best death whisperers across all empires. You’re a death knight right now, Logan. This is a mistake!”
“Bah!” Logan scoffed. “We’ve never tested the Light’s power against a whisper before. If it turns out that they can control me against my will, I’ll return. I’m just a puny death knight, anyway. I doubt they’d be interested in controlling me. Gretchen and Wilhelm maybe, but me? What would they want to do with me?”
“Good point. What am I supposed to do with you?” retorted Ying snippily.
“Count on my belligerent support and unsolicited advice,” quipped Logan. “I’m here to point out when you’re being a bloody fool. Like now! You have to meet your daughter!”
“I have to save my daughter,” stressed Ying. “And to do that, I have to go to the Lands and crush the Spirit Tower.”
“That might not be possible,” reminded Daiyu. “Matteo warned us that in the past, the Spirit Tower was the second-strongest after the Elemental Tower. After the calamity, it might be the strongest as of now. Challenges only allow the spirit-aspect! Your soul is crippled, Ying! How are you going to—?”
“I don’t care!” snapped Ying. “I’ll have to try. I can ignite my soul and—”
“Don’t you dare!” hissed Daiyu with bloodshot eyes. “And if that’s what you have in mind, then it’s even more important that we go to the Cooperative first.”
Ying sighed.
“I didn’t think you would be that much of a coward,” accused Romana.
“You have to see your daughter,” stressed Logan. “You must meet Siling.”
“I’ve lost the right to call myself Siling’s father,” protested Ying. “I’m going to try everything I can to save Siyu!”
“Siling might choose to hate you, but no matter what, you are her father, so act like it!” barked Daiyu. “You have to try and do right by her. You have to at least give her the opportunity to decide how to feel about you.”
Ying rubbed his eyes. They didn’t understand. He had abandoned one daughter and had failed the other. He had failed them both. He would give everything to make it right, but everything was so horribly wrong. How could he face them as he was now? He hated himself. If they didn’t hate him, he would question their minds.
***
Terry circled his mana through his equipment to ensure that both his old magic items and his new equipment were in perfect condition.
He activated the barrier visor in his helmet.
He wrapped himself in shadow fabric and stepped into the shadow plane with the help of his brooch. He activated the inscriptions inside his new boots and walked around in the shadow plane before switching back.
Terry channeled his mana into a hidden dimensional pocket in his bracers, where it touched the prepared septimum and allowed the metal manipulation inscription to take effect. He switched from shaping a shield to a rough dagger and back.
He channeled his mana into a second layer of inscriptions for water manipulation that mimicked his previous control water and freeze water combination.
Terry moved mana into the last of his material manipulation runes, which worked differently than the previous two. His aunt Brynn hadn’t been able to get the right materials to weave a proper earth shaping inscription through the metal and water manipulation layers, but it had been enough for a gathering rune that could empower a well-fortified dual imprint of Liquify Earth and Harden Earth.
It was slower than Terry would like for regular combat, but if he ever had to break out of a tunnel created by martialist artifacts or fortify a defensive position against fungus-infested invaders again, it would suffice.
Terry finished by testing the fundamental healing imprints at his chest piece and all the different divine hammer inscriptions hidden inside his armor. In addition to his old bandages, his bracers and shin protectors now also included densely packed divine hammer inscriptions.
Terry slowly moved his arms and legs while carefully guiding his mana to create multiple divine hammers at different distances from himself. He had never seen his aunt use the inscription like this, but it was beginning to feel natural to him.
Guess I’m continuing with quantity over quality…
Terry took a deep breath and then retrieved the protective necklace that aunt Sigille had given him in Syn City. He had lent the necklace to Siling when they had searched for the four-leaved blood tulip and the elven woman had returned it to him before they had gone on the offensive against the Lich Kingdoms.
Terry replaced his mana cloaking necklace which he mostly used for mana regeneration training with the protective crystal before he channeled a torrent of mana into the crystal to ensure it was filled to the brim and could activate with full power in case anything slipped by his other equipment.
Terry knew there was more magic hidden in his equipment, but the other effects, like cloaking and mind-protection, were passive and didn’t need to be rechecked before they would set out on their next raid against the Lich Kingdom occupation.
Finally satisfied, Terry left to meet up with his companions so that they could set out again. Now that Amelia had returned, the pace of their offensive had increased significantly. There was much to do for each of them. They were fighting against an entire empire, after all.
***
Maximilian exhaled sharply. They had won. Another settlement liberated from Lich Kingdom occupation. He still found it difficult to believe he was doing this, but it felt so incredibly satisfying to help these people.
He frowned slightly when he remembered the key figures in the battles. He still didn’t like Terry, but he had to admit the man was capable. Even though Maximilian was convinced that he had seen plenty of stronger people in Tiv, he wouldn’t bet on any of them to actually defeat the damnable Arcanian. The man’s skill-set was simply too annoying to deal with.
The Immovable Object spell countered any physical fighter, no matter if they were relying on speed or strength. The casting speed and range that Terry displayed were also beyond ridiculous, given the level of the spell.
Once, Maximilian had asked Lori if this was the norm for the spell. He had never heard about the Immovable Object spell before he heard about Terry.
Apparently, the only other person Lori knew who could cast the spell was their uncle Samuel, and even though that man was an instructor at the Arcana Academy, he wasn’t able to replicate Terry’s speed or range with the spell.
When Maximilian had learned that this was Terry’s only spell, it had finally started to make sense. The man must have cast the spell hundreds of times every day. A specialization that led to incomparable spell control in a single spell.
Maximilian had been impressed when he had seen Lori and her companions stick around and fight against the undead horde and defend the Libra Outpost against vengeful Arcanians.
Then one of them had been chosen as a disciple of the Valkyrie and the Valkyrie herself had inquired about Terry, which was damned ridiculous.
Maximilian had talked to Calam, and he had liked the elf. He seemed like a fitting character to be trained by a proper hero. Upstanding and idealistic. It was ridiculous that such a character was friends with the man that had rebelled against Guardian management and murdered a good man like Harrison in the process.
It was ridiculous that a grand hero like the Valkyrie was asking about a plain murderer.
After Lori had saved his life, Maximilian had insisted on repaying her and teaming up with her while she was training and working at the Libra Outpost.
He had been amazed at everyone’s skills and willingness to put themselves at risk to save others. Lori, Siling, and, to a lesser extent, Miguel had shown themselves to be remarkable characters. Exactly the kind of characters whom he would like to call friends.
It boggled the mind that they were friends with Terry and so protective of the murderer.
When Maximilian had met Tiana, Elena, and Jorg, he had become impressed all over again. Tiana, in particular, had struck him as an inspirational role model. Possessed by elementals and throwing herself out there to help despite her difficult circumstances.
However, again, they all appeared incredibly protective of Terry. It was ridiculous. As if Maximilian alone could see the murderer for what he truly was.
Ridiculous.
Maximilian shook his head and walked towards the others. He always liked this part. When they had won and grateful citizens were streaming out of their homes to celebrate and thank them for eradicating the invaders.
After the first three raids, the people had even prepared gifts in advance, while showering them with questions.
Maximilian clicked his tongue. Most of the questions were usually for the Heavenly Wolf and the Guardian – for Rafael and Terry. The two were, unfortunately, the most famous from their raids. Some settlements were even disappointed when it was one of the other groups coming to liberate them.
Ridiculous.
Maximilian suppressed his irritation. In his mind, the others were playing roles at least as important as these two, but someone like Siling was much less flashy. Naturally, the martialist and the murderer were taking all the spotlight, and the people were eating it up.
Typical.
Maximilian shook his head again. It wasn’t their fault. They didn’t know. They couldn’t be blamed for their ignorance. Even so, it was frustrating to see Terry praised yet again after what he had done.
Maximilian took a deep breath and shrugged to himself. At least the damnable Arcanian had decided to use his power for something good for once. Liberating people instead of causing needless bloodshed. Even a broken clock was right twice a day.
Maximilian’s mood was lifted when he saw the first people coming out of the houses. He smiled and waited for the usual expressions of gratitude and celebration, only to find a drunken man spitting in his face instead.
“What…?” Maximilian was dumbstruck. He disbelievingly wiped the spit from his face with his sleeve.
“YOU PISS ANTS!” howled the drunkard. “Now we’ll go back to— You shit-stained cursed busy bodies! Who asked you to come here?! Booze was cheap like never before and now— You bloody piss drinkers! Shitbags thinking they’re better than me and—”
“Shut the fuck up, you fool!” Another man arrived and punched the drunkard in the face. The new arrival turned to Maximilian. “We’re immeasurably grateful!” Others were following as well.
However, Maximilian could only continue to stare at the drunkard.
“Don’t mind that…” A woman grimaced when looking at the drunkard. “The pig must have been happy to see all of us dragged down closer to his level when they seized our town. Despicable!”
“I…” Maximilian stared at the woman and then at the drunkard. He could hear a ruckus coming from a street next to him.
“NO!” shouted a woman. “Let me go!”
“You’re under arrest for collaborating with the enemy!”
“SHAVE HER HAIR!”
“Traitor!”
“Mark her!”
“NO MERCY!”
“NO!” screeched the woman. While they were dragging her away, she sent a baleful glare towards Maximilian. “YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! WHY?! HELP ME! NO!”
Maximilian was paralyzed while his mind was trying to process what was happening. This had never happened before. Shouldn’t the people be celebrating? Shouldn’t they be grateful?
Most of them were, but… That man had spit at him. That woman had looked at him as if he was a menace haunting her. Why? What was going on?
“What’s with you?”
Maximilian flinched when he realized the damnable Arcanian was next to him.
“We’re gathering at the southern entrance,” said Terry with a furrowed brow. “We still have to regroup with Amelia and the others before we can get ready for the next raid.”
“The spear and cloak! That’s Freedom’s Guardian!”
“The Guardian!”
“THANK YOU!”
“Bless you all!”
“Yeah, yeah, no worries…” Terry waved them off. He didn’t have time. He looked at Maximilian with concern. “If you need more time, we can talk about it at the gathering point, but we’ll have to inform the others. Are you—?”
“I’m fine,” muttered Maximilian. He glanced at Terry. “They… Some of them seem…”
Terry looked over the gathered townsfolk. Sure enough, not everyone appeared entirely happy.
The Lich Kingdoms were different. Different values. Different attitudes. There were bound to be some people who preferred their rule.
Terry could see some of the rescued town guards arresting people who had presumably worked together with the occupational force. If the arrested folks had done so out of conviction or convenience, Terry couldn’t possibly know.
Terry couldn’t bring himself to care, either. Every beast had their reason for biting. Every person had their story. It changed nothing. Their primary goal was to take pressure off the Freedom Cooperative. These towns had a right to make their own choice. The towns had been Union territory before and it appeared evident that the majority preferred living free from the Lich Kingdoms now as well.
“Every choice has consequences and no choice will ever please everyone,” said Terry. “Or as Thanatos put it: There are no solutions, only trade-offs. If we hadn’t come here, it would have been different people that curse us. Get used to it. Did you expect everyone to throw us a party?”
Terry pointed his index finger at Maximilian’s face. “Get yourself together. If you’re not at the gathering spot in three minutes, I’ll drag you there myself. If you’re not ready for the next raid, we can have Amelia take you back to the city. You can help out as a healer just as well.”
Maximilian stared at Terry without a reply. He wanted to curse the damnable Arcanian for implying he should stay back as a healer, but unfortunately, the man had not put the slightest shred of condescension into his tone. He wanted to deride the murderer for quoting the Warlord of all people, but somehow the snappy comebacks had gotten stuck in his throat as well.
“I’ll be there,” croaked Maximilian with a lot of effort. The desperate and contemptuous glares from the collaborators and wretches of the town’s society were haunting him, but the idea of being literally dragged by the damnable Arcanian was enough to shake him awake from his paralysis.
***
Terry and his companions returned from another raid of liberation with the help of Amelia. The moment they arrived within the Freedom Cooperative’s boundaries, Terry turned towards a specific location.
Terry squinted and mumbled: “You might all want to step back a bit.”
“Okay?” Siling blurted.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” asked Rafael. “Someone itching for a fight? Who dares?!”
“Terry, what’s going on?” asked Tiana. Vess sent nervous glances between Tiana and Terry.
Lori and Jorg were checking their equipment while Miguel and Elena were squinting to see what Terry was talking about.
“Probably, but not necessarily,” said Terry drily. He looked at his friends. “Just, uhh, try to stay cool and ignore her temper.” He ignored the questioning glances and waited until he was sure the signature he felt was within earshot. “What the Wastes did you come here for, Apex? Didn’t I mention that we should meet in the Lands of the Four Towers?”
“The Heretic is here?” blurted Rafael, clearly not looking forward to that interaction.
“What heretic?” asked Maximilian with narrowed eyes. “What the—?” He had to jump back and protect himself with a barrier when a fiery movement technique blasted his way.
When the flames settled, a woman in a tight ponytail appeared. Her combat robes appeared plain and embroidered, but radiated intense mana.
Maximilian’s face flushed. “What is wrong with—?!”
“Shut your damned mouth!” barked Apex and bright azure fire danced in her eyes while she glared first at the intimidated mage behind his barrier and then moved her gaze towards Terry.
“Charming,” remarked Siling.
Tiana stepped closer to Terry and glared at Apex, which elicited a scoff from the martialist woman.
“You sent me that message?” demanded Apex.
“Yes?” Terry furrowed his brow. “The message about our plans in the Lands? Yes.”
Naturally. It was my communication talisman. Doesn’t she…? Oh.
“You came here instead of going to the Lands because you were worried that someone else sent that message with my communication talisman?” Terry voiced his suspicions.
Apex sharply exhaled air through her nose as if this had been the obvious choice. “My enemies conspiring to draw me into a trap appeared more likely than some hair-brained scheme, tales of foolish idiocy, and things I would never have believed.”
Apex eyed Terry up and down. “After what you pulled in the trial, I was inclined to believe you would be foolish enough to turn someone else’s problem into yours, but Matteo returning to the Lands was too ridiculous a claim to simply accept.” She clicked her tongue while her eyes never left Terry’s and then she asked in a growl: “Did he already crush the tower?”
Terry felt a bit miffed at the way Apex was paraphrasing his actions and then wondered what exactly she had found so hard to believe about the role Matteo was playing. “No. Matteo issued a challenge according to disciple rules, but the Elemental Tower currently doesn’t have a tower master. Matteo won one school duel and lost another. The last duel hasn’t been scheduled yet.”
Apex’s face contorted with obvious displeasure, and she scoffed with a shake of her head. “Ridiculous.”
Terry tilted his head. The way she hissed the word, it appeared to have a different meaning to her than before. Ridiculous, but in another way.
“Let’s go,” said Apex. When she saw the furrow on Terry’s brow, she pressed further. “You have a way to transport us to the Lands of the Four Towers, I assume. You walk and I’ll be right behind you. Let’s go.”
“There’s a gate,” said Lori. “You just have to—”
“Who the fuck are you?” demanded Apex.
Lori’s eyelid twitched and she would have blown up if not for Miguel’s hand, finding his way to hers and pressing it. Lori grumbled lowly but appeared not to react anymore beyond that.
“That’s my sister.” Terry pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked at his friends. “It’s going to be less of a headache if I’ll just go.” He suppressed a snicker when he saw Rafael emphatically nodding along to his words. “Don’t do anything too crazy until I’m back.”
“Bro, you’re in no position to call anyone crazy,” exclaimed Jorg.
“Yeah, look who’s talking.” Miguel rolled his eyes.
“Try not to attract any more invasions while you’re gone,” added Elena.
Oy! Terry felt slightly offended but held his tongue because he was distracted by another batch of signatures appearing suddenly in the distance. Crap. Bad timing.
“Just a moment,” said Terry to Apex. His eyes were narrowing before opening wide with surprise. Far in the distance, he was sensing something.
“Oy—” Apex was about to protest when Terry simply shushed her, which would have completely blown her fuse if she hadn’t been so flummoxed by the unexpected audacity.
“Siling, I feel like I should warn you,” said Terry with concern. “Your parents are coming. Both of them. They’re still far away and probably need another dimensional transfer, but I’m sure it’s them.” He had also sensed Logan and Romana, which surprised him, but that was a question for later. For after he had dealt with the matters in the Lands of the Four Towers.
“Wait, what?!” Siling blinked. She had known that it would happen eventually, but it still felt too sudden. When Terry turned to leave, she held out her hand. “No, wait. You know him. What am I supposed to do?”
“I don’t know,” blurted Terry. “Whatever you think is right. Ying’s your dad. Your choice.” He frowned slightly. “I can’t fathom what was going through his mind when he did what he did. All I can say is I know him as a good man and mayor. Even so: your choice.”
Terry could practically feel the irritated temper rising inside the mass of battle-addicted craziness taking human form next to him. “Maybe take a break from the raids and come to the Lands? I wish the timing was better, but I’m afraid if we don’t go now, things will blow up.” He tried very hard not to glance at Apex when saying this. He nodded at Tiana. Fortunately, their other friends were still here to support Siling if she needed it.
Terry started walking towards the gate with Apex in tow. His mana detection field informed him of a weird stumble behind him and he turned around to see Apex barely catching her balance on the earthen floor. He raised an eyebrow, and his eyes immediately drifted to the deadpan expression on his sister’s face. He squinted at her and then moved his gaze to Siling.
Which one did it? Damn, Auntie’s equipment really makes it difficult to pin down a quickened cast unless I’m paying close attention already…
Terry moved his eyes back to Lori and caught the shadow of a familiar smirk.
Alright. Definitely Lori’s doing. Liquify and Shape Earth?
“OY!” Apex turned around and stabbed the air with her finger. “Which one of you—?”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” asked Tiana.
“You!” Apex moved her finger and pointed at Lori, whose face transformed into a wide, self-satisfied smirk. Apex made a step backward, which caused Miguel and Jorg to tense up warily.
Terry had no idea how Apex figured out that the trip-up had been his sister’s doing without the benefit of having grown up with Lori and knowing her tells, but he couldn’t possibly let this escalate further. To his surprise, someone else was already stepping forward.
“You better not think of laying a finger on my brother’s sister!” barked Rafael while stepping towards Apex and squaring his shoulders.
Oh boy. Terry felt a headache coming.
Completely unsurprisingly, Apex didn’t stop. “Get out of my way, little kitty or—”
“Did you just call Lori your brother’s sister?” interjected Jorg. “That sounds so weird.”
“Wouldn’t that make her simply your sister?” added Siling while crossing her arms and exaggeratedly displaying confusion.
Terry smiled slightly when hearing Siling join the banter. Her voice was a bit more tense than usual, but it was good if she managed to joke among friends before having to deal with her parents.
“Now that you mention it, I think I can see a little fur…” Elena leaned in to Lori.
“Hey!” protested Lori.
“She definitely has claws,” added Miguel.
More and more of the friends from Arcana were piling onto the nonsense and the fuming Apex was getting completely ignored, while some, like Tiana and Jorg, covertly moved between Apex and Lori.
Terry could see Apex’s eye twitch and her face contorted from shock to anger and back. He loudly cleared his throat. “Can we go?” An idea entered his head. “Otherwise, we might miss Matteo’s duel.”
Honestly, Terry had no idea when the duel would be scheduled, but he figured this might catch Apex’s attention and the way the black ponytail whipped through the air told him he had been right.
Apex stomped past Terry in the direction they had started before.
Why is she now taking the lead? She doesn’t even know where to go… Terry rolled his eyes and hurriedly jogged in front of her again.
***
As soon as they had stepped through the gate, Terry could feel that Matteo had noticed their presence. It would take his cousin some time to arrive since he had lent them all the training transfer rings.
“This way.” Terry walked ahead. They went up the stairs and Terry used distanced finger runes to immediately inform his aunt and uncle. He knew about Apex’s history with the Martial Tower and they might need a proper tower master to intervene.
Terry didn’t know how he had expected Apex to react when stepping foot into her old home country. Into the place where her father had been murdered. Where she had nearly been publicly executed.
He had not, however, expected her to simply take a deep breath, clench her fists, and start walking ahead – right towards the Martial Tower.
It didn’t take long for Matteo to arrive, accompanied by a crack of lightning.
“Apex! Thanks for—”
“Did you crush the Elemental Tower?!” demanded Apex in a growl.
“What? No, the last duel of the challenge will be—”
“Don’t care,” hissed Apex, and walked past the dumbstruck demonic elementalist.
Terry shrugged at his cousin and they both followed behind Apex towards the Martial Tower.
Terry couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the point of Apex’s question had been if she hadn’t cared about the answer. He was beginning to think that he had missed something. The furrowed brow on Matteo’s face told him that his cousin had noticed it as well, without being any the wiser.
Why do I feel that her question was aiming at something else?
Terry replayed her words in his mind.
I already told her that Matteo has challenged according to the disciple rules. Why did she…?
“It’s good that you’re here, Apex,” said Matteo. “Your situation differs from mine. No one can deny you the right to challenge the Martial Tower Master as a disciple of a previous one. Are you sure that you can beat him?”
Apex scoffed and continued walking silently.
After a few more questions, Matteo realized that there was no conversation to be had with the unreasonable martialist. Even so, he was glad she had come. Glad she had agreed to challenge the Martial Tower. Beating the Tower Master was bound to be difficult enough, but without disciple status, the remaining challenge options would be even more troublesome.
Terry, meanwhile, was glad that people didn’t appear to recognize Apex the way they had recognized Matteo. He figured the demonic appearance with the visible blood vessels, grey skin color and strangely glowing eyes were easier to remember.
When they arrived in front of the Martial Tower, Matteo pointed. “The current entrance is over—”
His voice was drowned out by a stomp that cracked the floor. Bright azure flames rose high into the sky and dark-golden lightning cracked furiously. The martialist mana circulation was the vanguard to the mana-enhanced shout that shook the heavens.
“GET YOUR COWARDLY ASSES OUT HERE!” roared Apex. “I am the daughter and last living disciple of Amancio, the last rightful Martial Tower Master!”
Terry furrowed his brow. He could see the martialists storm out of their tower. He could see Matteo nod. He could see the intense glint in Apex’s eyes. Something felt off…
“I’ve come to CRUSH your shitty tower!” roared Apex while the thunderfire danced furiously in her eyes.
“What?!” exclaimed Matteo and stared at Apex with utter disbelief.
Terry closed his eyes and exhaled sharply. Of course, she would do that…
***
Comments
Sesharan
Well naturally. If Matteo is going to win his disciple challenge, the only way Apex can beat him is by winning a crush challenge.
Benji
Oh I loved this so so much!!! The pov switch, Apex, Siling's family, just lots of good stuff. I really liked the pacing. Thanks for the chapter!
