Chapter 517: CHPT 517: Ask and we shall deceive
They'd been traveling on the cold dead earth for miles— that included crossing over bodies of water to reach the next patch of abandoned or scarcely occupied islands. As they got closer to the central city, he could see men on boats paddling by. Spear in hand and fishing net in the other. But they weren't looking for fish.
You didn't need armor and tamed Tigers for simple fish.
"You can get paid to cleanse the waters of Undead. It's a real problem here." Sloane explained as they stood at the end of another island. A stretch of dead land. Cold earth. Burnt trees. No life. Like many others. He could feel the presence of a god. It made his skin tingle and his mind go elsewhere as if they were in a weird in between of earths torn between the physical world and the Astral Realm.
"Shouldn't there be teams here then? I feel like solo hunting this is kind of…. I don't know, less effective?" Claude replied as Ursula squatted down next to him and froze a path across to the next island. A jungle.
Ursula stood up after knocking on the ice and led everyone across.
Sloane nodded as her wolves stuck close to her. "Well of course but this place is a danger zone. Aag Ka Din turns these islands into ovens for a few hours once a week. And not many strong Undead rest here. Why don't you know this?"
"Because I've never been here." Claude replied flatly, "Have you?"
Sloane's dark brown eyes widened in surprise as she itched at her spiked choker, "Oh….. I thought the whole reason you suggested your friend do all this vetting before being changed was because you knew Alphas did something similar."
"All Alpha Silver Cursed have a duty to face their fellow Alphas upon promotion— it's a respect thing. You know they love that shit." Rupont was suddenly standing between them. "As you can see Sloane, much like yourself, this Lupine Alpha is as green as the trees."
Claude looked at the jungle as they entered, "Not that green…."
It was beautiful. No surprise there.
The moment they stepped past the borderline of bushes, a sheen of fog rippled ahead like water. Under the stale suns glow, beads of water shimmered, glowing with the reflective colors of flowers blooming beneath.
Claude sniffed the air. Spices and pollen wafted from the trees. Dead skin shed from snakes hung from branches like strips of old reptilian armor. Rivers running through and into the surrounding sea fell on his ears. Something heavy was inside with them. Not malicious. Not even scary. At least not outwardly.
It stepped out of the trees and crossed their path. Tusked like Frosty. It's skin a radiant two tone coloring of blue and grey with a green covering of moss covered in small scratches, dirt and bugs. It's long nose swung with its giant-like gait. The shape of its ears mocked the leaves, fanning its massive frame.
"What in the blue hell is that?" Cassidy raised his Autobow.
Claude pulled the gun down as it eyed them. "It's an Elephant."
"He looks nice." Ursula waved at the Elephant.
The massive creature shook once. A cloud of magical pollen drifted off its skin and fell down into the field of fog like snow. Then it was off on its journey.
"He must own this island. He's been feeding on the Wild Magic soaked plants for so long it's evolving him…. With no natural predators around he could do this his whole life." Claude commented.
"What is Wild Magic?" Sloane asked.
It seemed they both had a lot to learn.
The walk continued, by the time they reached the other side of the jungle, the city was in eye and earshot. Smell as well— but he smelled the city three islands ago as well.
It was impressive despite its surrounding desolation. It had a warmth he could feel. Like standing in front of a furnace.
Ursula moved to freeze them a path. Claude stopped her.
"What?" Everyone readied themselves passively.
"Let's wait a second— someone's crossing." Claude said.
Following his words the fog split as a shape swam towards them. It came out of the water without a sound despite its size and length. Oily black fur, he could see the stripes under the light despite the matching colors. A tawny beige underside told him it wasn't a species he'd seen before. Especially since the stripes weren't exactly stripes. They were stretched out circling patterns. The black masked feline brushed against him and purred. Claude didn't have to reach to scratch it's wet fur covered back. It smelled so richly of life. Life— a weird thing to smell. It was more like a presence. The creature glowed like a star fallen to earth in his Natural Vision.
"Is this like Loba?" Maris asked as Claude ran his hands over the sleek creature.
"No. Loba is a Glorian Lion. North. This is a Black Tiger. Rare, but only possible in the south. I'm guessing they're more common here since people are stealing Tigers to train for underwater Undead hunting. It forces Tigers and Black Panthers to mix."
"Will you tame it, Lupine?" Rupont asked.
Claude shook his head as the Black Tiger licked his hand and loped off into the jungle.
"Why?"
"She has her own mission." He could see the lively glow of cubs within her as she disappeared in the glow of the jungle.
"Let's get back to ours." Claude finished.
"Yes." Maris agreed.
Ursula froze over the waters and led everyone across a final time.
They made it.
"What's the name of this place?" Claude couldn't read any of the signs the swarms of people traveled under with them.
"Agni's Circle." Sloane pointed at the floor.
Surrounding every building built on rolling hills and sanded spires was a rune. Etched into the floor. Steaming as if it was laced with magma. The deeper into the packed city they traveled the hotter it became. Despite this, Claude forced his pack to mask up.
They traveled to the center of the city— a skyscraper to no one's surprise was their awaited destination. Rupont had full clearance with his compulsory abilities.
They traveled through the front doors and instead of hitting the elevators they went out back to a hatch. Rupont opened it and the smell of death almost knocked Claude unconscious in the carriage parking lot where Elephants relaxed and drank water.
"Ou…. Tangy." Rupont giggled and led everyone inside.
Immediately the humor left him as they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was a long travel. He couldn't feel the heat anymore. Even his breath was visible in the darkness.
It was fre—
"Why do you come to my lords home, Fiara." A hideous guttural voice said in broken English.
"HAHA! Obviously the Lupine missed me…. We never got our dance."
Claude looked up to find Abis— the blue skinned four armed Rakshasa Vampire seated on an array of wires.
Someone snapped.
A thousand glowing blue eyes opened around them, so collected that it gave the room light. They occupied a metal box. A small three stair led up to a throne made of corpses. Beside it a gigantic humanoid bat crouched like a loyal pet.
BloodGorged.
Claude's hands went to his spears—
"Stop— that's Baital Pachisi." Sloane grabbed one of his arms. Adjua and Abina grabbed the other.
Claude stopped. His brain spiraled until a face stuck with the name.
He met Baital at the Summit of the Blooded. Only he wasn't a giant bat-man. He was a hovering corpse in a suit.
"He's a very very talented Necromancer….. and Pacu Pati's closest advisor."
The being in the throne spoke in a language that felt older than Claudes ears could handle.
The bat monster translated, "Our Lord wonders if his introductions are over with."
"They are." Rupont bowed and and his Vampires took a knee.
Everyone else followed— much to Sloane's dismay. She looked like she was trying to swallow boulders as she sat beside him.
"[I bet your glad your instincts aren't so strict.]" Arne commented.
Claude would've replied if the Undeads glowing eyes didn't turn away from them and shine on the throne sitter.
He was gigantic. His skin was black and oily— dripping with muck. His hair was bright red— spiked like a crown, coming down to thick sideburns at the sides of his head. He glowered at them with all six of his purple eyes as his six muscular arms tapped at his arm rests. The beads and jewelry he wore steamed with magic as they jingled. Oddly enough he had breasts. Much like Abis he had a confusing and androgynous appearance.
He adjusted himself and Claude realized he wore a skirt of female corpses. Females of many species. Orcs. Elves. Humans. Panthers. All sewn and tied down into one hideous article of clothing.
This was the Lord of the Herd. The Vampire that commanded enough Undead to wipe out all of Indus and it's connecting islands.
The king in the shadows. Right at the center of the city. Unbothered by the godly protective runes above.
"Why are you here, Fiara. Our lord grows impatient."
Rupont cleared his throat, "I presume you've caught up our lord on what transpired at the last summit?"
Abis giggled, "What a blast that was!! If only father was there... Hehehe…."
"I did. I always do what I must for our lord." The giant humanoid bat creature explained.
Rupont nodded, "Well, firstly I'd like to apologize for any discomfort I may have caused…."
"ERAGH!" Pacu Pati snorted and swatted at Ruponts direction.
"You are two faced, Fiara. Our lord enjoys mischief. But not right now. If you feel no fear, stand and speak as you will."
Rupont shrugged as his sisters cursed in irritation— as if this happened often, "He said it not me."
Rupont stood up and dusted himself off, "These slacks were damned expensive— I got the threads from an Arthurian Royal garb merchant myself. Now they smell like coriander drenched carcass."
He continued mumbling in the silence as he searched his pockets and pulled out two cigars.
"Care for a smoke?" Rupont asked as he lit his own and took a long drag. "No?"
One of the Undead croaked beside him.
Rupont stuck the free cigar its mouth and lit it, "Enjoy that. Fine product right there."
"Fiara."
Rupont faced the death gods again, "Right. Id like to know your opinions on the possibility of a Red Queen being born in this Era."
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