Where is he? She drawled, her head languidly resting on the palm of her hand.
A red robed figure lifted her head.
My lady. We scoured the entire province of Cilim as you commanded and found no signs of the thief. Our disciples have monitored every fresh corpse in every city and town we have a presence in, and none resurrected. Every Warrior in the Society flew to even the smallest towns and villages, and there werent any rumors of the dead rising.
Hmpf. As expected of you useless weaklings. The throne evaporated as her wings stretched out behind her. The thief is on one of these islands, and until he is caught no one will leave, or travel between them.
My lady, that's The red robed woman trailed off as Arke suddenly appeared in front of her.
Thats. What? She cocked her head.
This lowly Warrior seeks only to serve and aid you in finding this terrible thief, and none of us dare defy your will, or that of Olympus but Atlantis claims dominion over the seas, and this island.
Arke blinked, and then blinked again. Do you think Im unaware of Atlantis?
Of course not, this one will never presu to fathom the extent of your wisdom and knowledge. It is only that if Carim were to suddenly cease all exports, the Atlantians would seek to punish us. Many of us still rember her fury. Even centuries later, we mourn the loss of our Hero and pay the price of our arrogance. If Atlantis does not get her tithe, they will call us traitors. Her armies will destroy us.
If the thief is not found. Arke lood over her. Then it will not be Atlantis you need to worry about.
My lady Im afraid finding this thief will be impossible. What if his soul already dissipated, or he allowed himself to be pulled into the Aether. Or if
Enough! She shrieked, rattling the world with her voice alone. I will not abide by your excuses. See that my will be done. As for the Atlantians, do not concern yourself with them.
How do we find this thief, my lady? If he has already possessed a body, then how do we know who he is?
She didnt answer. Disappearing with a single beat of her wings. The nine warriors shared nervous glances, before flying back to their respective mountains, leaving only Nefkha and Irila, the woman who had spoken to her, floating in the air.
What a bitch. Said Nefkha, stroking his beard.
Indeed. She should know that no ones going to find this thief of hers. Hes probably dead, and even if he isnt, how are we ant to find him among billions of people? If he isn't dead already, he could be anyone, anywhere.
Hah. We don't, that's how. Nefkha lied effortlessly. Shes strong-arming us right now, but the archipelago is too useful for trade, and not just to the Atlantians. Maybe if she knew what island the thief was on, things would be different, but as it is, there's no chance. Besides, Carim is weak and were weak. We have no choice but to obey whatever law she lays down. The other islands dont necessarily have the sa restriction.
You an Sylcra?
Mhm. Theres rumors that the Hero ascended to the next tier.
Her eyes widened, before shaking her head lightly. Even then, angering Olympus isnt worth it.
Maybe so but Olympus isnt the only faction held by gods, and if the rumor is true, the damage that soone at that tier could do
Hell be slaughtered. The gods dont look favorably on those who threaten them.
You're right. Nefkha turned to the direction where Arke had flown off to. His eyes hardened in hate. But, their cruelty breeds enmity, and there are many who would seek to destroy them, regardless of the cost. To themselves or to the world.
Is this about
He put a fake smile on his face. Thats enough of that. Dealing with her stressed out. I have so bottles of Nepthian Beer if you would care to join ?
She raised her eyebrows, I didnt know you had such expensive tastes.
On the ground outside the forest, Luke and his companions knelt on the ground.
I think shes gone. Said Spiros a minute or two after she had left.
The Seed sent Luke a ssage.
Threat averted.
He sighed in relief, as he stood up. Does she co here often?
Second ti actually. She ca here a week ago, and the Society was in scrambles. Apparently so thief got away from her, and shes searching for him. Said June.
Thats crazy. She seed so strong. Luke did his best not to give anything away.
Yeah, the Society went crazy, and all the Elders even went searching for him Is that when Elder Nefkha found you? Asked Mykonos, squatting down and gripping the snake's tail.
My timing really is suspicious.
Yeah. I was lost in a forest outside my town, and he must have felt bad for or sothing, because he offered to let join the Society. Luke also gripped the snake.
That was nice of him. Isnt your family worried about you though? June frowned.
No they uh. Luke recounted Maxs sad tale, as they dragged the carcass back to the city. Omitting anything to do with the Seed and how he wasnt actually Max.
Thankfully, Nefkha didnt turn in. Arke seed to have healed from whatever damage Aeolus did to her and as fast as she moves, I dont even know if I could have used a Charge fast enough to get away. At least I know she cant sense the Seed inside now though. She really has no idea who I am. Its surprising that shes still lurking around though. Whats her plan?
Luke shook the thoughts out of his head. It didnt matter why she was around. Nefkha hadnt turned him in, and she couldnt recognize him even when he was standing right under her nose. He was safe for the ti being.
Hmm. An Inner Disciple inspected their snake, walking around it with his arms crossed. Poking and prodding it as he went. Prying its mouth open, he peeked inside, unbothered by the blood dripping onto his robes. Thirteen hundred rits.
What! Co on. Mykonos protested. You might as well rob us for that price. Look at this. He reached into his robe, and pulled out a handbook. It says right here. One-fifty for each vial of the venom. In a snake this big, theres at least ten vials of it!
The Inner Disciple started at Mykonos. It seems you know your stuff, kid.
How about you give us a fair price? Mykonos crossed his arms. The Inner Diciple grinned at him.
I like you. Let see. You have both fangs, so that's two hundred, it's thirty feet long, and let's say three feet thick, he cupped his chin thoughtfully, thats basically three-hundred square feet of skin, which amounts to another six-hundred rits. Two hundred for the heart, fifty for each kidney, and two hundred for everything else. All together, that's two-thousand-eight-hundred.
Thats bet
Minus two hundred for the butchering fee, minus another one-fifty for the poor shape of its skin, and another four-fifty for the lack of freshness, altogether thatll be two-thousand rits. Better?
Deal! Mykonos shook his hand. Beside him, both June and Spiros cheered.
Were rich! Were rich Luke! Spiros slung his arms around Lukes shoulder.
Tsk. Dont get too excited you little brats. Lucky breaks like this dont co too often. If I were you, use the rits to buy lessons. Exploding talismans worked on the snake, but to most monsters those papers might as well be pebbles. Sa with anyone beyond the mid-stage of the mortal tier. I could have one of those tiny papers burst off in my mouth, and Id still be fine. He boasted, puffing out his chest. Now let see your wristbands. Were doing an even spread right? He asked.
Yup! Spiros nodded.
Later, Luke after submitting his portion of the Blue Wildflowers, and with an excess of rits walked into the Armory.
Sothing he had been looking forward to since he realized it existed. Entering the building, he was amazed to see it littered with an assortnt of swords, shields, spears, halberds, knives, and even knuckle-dusters. Each and every one of them polished to a shine, and gleaming in the light of the gas lamps that were common to Carim.
His eyes raked over the walls, and to his surprise a sword lit up in his vision.
Bellerophons Blade
The words appeared in front of it.
Is it that easy? He asked himself, staring dumbly at the sword. It was a beautiful thing. A three foot long blade, lacking a crossguard unlike most of the other swords in the room. It was forged from pure gold, and lacked any seams. As if it were forged from a single bar of the tal. A poml, encrusted with a large blue gem and a tassel, narrowed into a leather wrapped grip, which flattened into a wicked double edged blade, forming a lethal point.
An eye for the fancy! A voice echoed through the room. Cant say I bla ya. Who wouldnt want a golden sword, and a xiphos at that. If nothing else, the Olympians make so fine looking weapons. What can I get for ya lad?
How much for that one? Luke asked him. Slightly surprised by his massive fra, and bulging muscles, barely hidden beneath his blue robes.
Hmm. That one is-three hundred rits. He looked at Luke. A wry smile on his face, that just scread his doubt at Luke being able to afford it.
Ill take it! Luke answered as soon as the words ca out of his mouth. Sliding his bracelet off his wrist, he held it out to him.
Youre quite decisive. He looked surprised, but pulled the sword free of its mount nonetheless. Are you sure you want this one though? Dont let the gold fool you, its not the best sword we have here. Actually the price is so high, precisely because its gold. Whoever made it possessed more vanity than sense in my opinion.
Im sure. I uh, I always wanted a gold sword. Luke answered laly. Rembering that the Society didnt know its history, and he didnt want to clue them into its true value either. Whatever that was.
Are you sure I cant convince you otherwise? The artificer who made it, enchanted it with increased durability just to make use of the gold. Most of the other swords I have in that price range are made from sturdier stuff, and have better enchantnts. I got swords that shock people, swords that are sharper than they should be, swords that vibrate all for a similar price.
Thank you, but Im sure.
Alright. Theyre your rits. He shrugged, and took the wristband. Dropping it on a paper, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. No wonder youre so eager to waste your money. I thought those vipers went extinct. He muttered as his eyes raked over the paper. After deducting the rits, he slid the sword over to Luke. Youll want a sheath with that too. Three rits.
Ill take one. Said Luke, gingerly placing his hand on the hilt, he felt the Seed stir in the recesses of his soul. A tendril of energy traveled from it, down to his arm, and into the blade.
Quest complete.
Bonding.
Connection ford with item: Xiphos
That was way easier than I thought it would be.
Sitting on the mat in his ditation room, Luke withdrew the sword from its sheath. Then with a ntal command, added it to his inventory.
Status | Quests | Inventory
Capacity: 4.5 kg of 140 kg
Items:
Xiphos (Bound)
Tier - Mortal (Upgradable)
A Xiphos gifted to Bellerophon. Although not his primary weapon, after centuries of exposure to mana of a higher tier, it has gained abilities atypical of a mortal weapon. The blade will repair any damage when provided with sufficient mana. The blade will siphon mana from those it cuts. Strengthening its wielder every ti a foe is slain.
Upgrade - Weakened by its wielder's battle against Zeus and from the centuries of disuse that followed, the mana in the sword has dwindled away, resulting in its decline to the Mortal Tier. It can be returned to its previous glory, and perhaps even beyond.
To advance the sword to the next tier, it must feast on the blood of a hundred Warrior Tier entities. (0/100)
Hmm. Not bad, although Im a long ways away from killing a hundred warriors. Hell, I only know nine that exist. If I'm reading it right though, the sword will take mana from those I cut with it, and make it available to . Essentially, free Stat Points for killing stuff. I sense so murder-hoboing in the future.
Luke called the sword back from his inventory, and stared at the blade. It really was beautiful.
Returning it to its sheath, he put it beside his bed. His inventory, while useful, wasnt sothing he could explain.
I should probably fill it up with so food and other camping supplies though. So talismans too. Those were useful.
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