Mage And Wolf
Chapter 208

Chapter 208: Chapter 208

"Ah, they have brought the relic here. As you likely know, it is no longer intact, but we have a third of the total disc here in our possession." The Sect Master says and they bring it forward to set it on the table. between us.

I can feel the Dragon Gods essence pouring off of this shard, it’s definitely the real thing, and the Green Priestesses seem to agree that it’s the one we’re looking for.

"Yes, that is what we were sent for. What might you desire in reward for your service to the Gods?" I ask, choosing my phrasing carefully. I don’t want him to think we’re too willing to pay, or that he can get away with being unreasonable.

"The three of us who met you at the gate are on the brink of divinity and seek Enlightenment. We had hoped to attain it from this relic, but if you have an alternative, we would be most grateful." Hmm, that could be possible. After all, we just came from a Divine Realm and we’re loaded up with goodies.

"Perhaps this might serve you in its place?" One of the Green Priestesses sets a small statue on the table, or maybe it’s a doll. It’s got a faint Divine aura to it, but has a strong feeling of knowledge that feels familiar. Oh, that’s it, the kids toys in Princess Amanda’s room had that feeling, it’s a teaching device from the Divine Realm.

The Elders all look ecstatic and I make a note to go toy shopping before I leave that Divine Realm for good. If kids toys are that valuable here, just imagine what I could get for them in the Mortal Realms. Come to think of it, we’re getting totally boned at home. We’re not even getting scraps compared to this, the mighty cultivation totem I was so proud of in Arcana doesn’t even qualify as a childhood toy in the Divine Realm.

[John, remind me to load up on kids toys before I go home] I send him with a chuckle and he pulls a stuffed wolf with a similar aura from his storage for a moment before returning it.

[I’ll give you a bunch, I keep an entire storage ring full of stuffed animals and such to give as gifts to children in the packs we visit for work]

The trade is made, the Elders are more than happy with their gains and already focusing on the doll.

"I do hate to be an impolite guest, but we’ve got a mission to complete. Best of luck too you all on your Enlightenment." I say as I stand to leave.

"Please, allow us to escort you on your way. We cannot express enough how grateful we are for your generosity and kindness." The Sect Master fawns, and I can see the amusement in the others eyes. They walk us all the way to the gate, still thanking us profusely, one of the females Elders clutching the doll to her chest life the most precious thing in the world.

"I’ll admit it, you were right to want to negotiate. To think, they didn’t even know what they had a piece of and accepted a children’s toy in exchange." The lead Priestess sighs.

"I find cultivators are much better about coming to a deal when they think you not only can, but will kill them. The Nature Goddess isn’t exactly known for her ruthlessness after all."

"The problem is convincing them of the fact, without bringing along someone who actually plans to kill them." John teases while the other Lycans look over a nap with some sort of crystal, searching for the next possible location.

"Could you hand me that fragment for a moment? I might have an easier way, if it’s in this realm." I ask and they hand it over without question.

The moment is in my hand I can feel a strong directional pull, like the pieces want to be reunited.

"This way everyone, I can feel the pieces pulling back together. Is it possible this was a relic of the Black Dragon?" It’s either that or the relic just really likes me and thinks I’ll fix it.

Nobody has an answer, so we take off at a run towards wherever the relic is leading us. The direction varies, so it is leading us along a path and not just pointing at the other fragment. Perhaps what we do along the way matters? None of us even know what powers the relic is supposed to have when fully intact. Either it was forgotten, or more likely the expedition members weren’t deemed worthy of the information.

The Councils, for all their Immortal wisdom, are still politicians at heart. Power and secrets are in their nature.

The first place it leads us is to a city. An open design, like the custom was on Earth before the portals opened, with no guards at the boundaries or tolls to enter. The feeling of the pull gets more and more precise until it leads us to a small shop selling crepes.

"Dessert anyone? I don’t know what we’re waiting for, but I think we need to wait here." I inform the group who all look at me strangely. Justifiable response, after all I’m following the directions of an inanimate object.

About halfway through our snack, the feeling of a directional pull begins again, so we get up to leave, walking through the city with crepes in hand. The feeling stops at a small child who stares longingly at my snack.

"You want some, little guy?" I ask and he nods.

"I’ll trade you for a pretty rock." He says, handing over a tiny fragment of obsidian, a bit of the relic. In exchange he gets not only my crepe, but one from a Lycan as well, leaving him with food in both hands and a happy smile.

"Thanks You!" He calls and we wave as the pull begins again, leading us towards another destination.

"I don’t think it’s a Death God relic if you can achieve its goals with snacks." John laughs. He’s got a point, maybe it just likes me.