Unbound
Chapter Eight Hundred And Ninety Six – 896

Aja Nadir was bright and shining. The restored buildings were painted white, but many were built with strips of a translucent stone that now shone an unearthly green. Blue motes were everywhere, clustered together over streets like lanterns, until the roadways were as well-lit as any modern city. The place was still bereft of any sign of habitation, yet looking over it now, Felix couldn't help but feel like life had returned to that place.

His people were getting back onto their ships now. A few Manaships were still at the docks as the last of their crews filed aboard. Felix, however, stood on the flagship, already fully occupied and sitting at the blank gateway that was their pathway out. The spiky blue stars were gone now, having risen above the city like a tiny azure sun. The empty stone expanse before them was no longer cracked and featureless gray. Now it was perfectly smooth and flecked with pieces of that same translucent mineral. They glimmered in the lights of the ship.

"Where's Beef?" he asked.

"Still geeking out over those Golems you brought on board," Archie said.

"Exults.”

“Whatever. Him, Eigan, and the others are down there, fondling sigils."

"You have such a way with words." Elowen leaned over the railing, an unspent laugh in her voice.

Archie picked off a bit of dust from his sleeve. "I'm a regular poet, Antlers."

Felix eyed the two of them. They're getting along nicely.

"The Chimera have distributed the barding," Vess told him. "Chancellor Dayne and Thalgrym are already arranging for training spars once we arrive in Gharion."

"Training? We're about to fight a war," Archie said. "Last thing I want to do is get my ass kicked for fun."

"The armors we found have a number of enchantments on them, each providing effects that will alter how the Chimera do battle. They need to familiarize themselves with those enchantments, otherwise it will be more a hindrance than a help."

"...Oh," Archie scratched his neck. "Guess that makes sense.”

“Glad you think so. We have a day before the operation begins." Archie jumped as Harn walked up to them. He held one of the weapons from the fortress's vault, a heavy dagger that was over a foot long. The edge was lined with that same translucent green stone. He handed it to Archie, who took it reluctantly. "There's time for everyone to get some last minute training in."

Archie groaned.

"I'd relish the opportunity to test my powers on the Legion and other armies," Elowen said. "There's much I don't know about them."

Harne grunted, but his scarred face twisted sideways into a smile. "Knew I liked you, lady. Some of the other Unbound could do with some more learning."

"The ships are ready, my lord," Florian announced from across the deck. "The fleet is ready to sail at your command."

"Excellent. Thank you, Lord Iretus. Time to move, ladies and gentlemen." Felix stepped to the bowspit and lifted his black-scaled hand. "Hold onto your butts.”

Void Nexus.

He slashed downward.

The resistance Felix had felt before was gone as if it had never been. The blank stone before them split into a star-flecked expanse of pure shadow, rippling at the edges with heat haze.

"Forward!" Florian announced before the flagship rolled smoothly through the air and passed into the dark. There was a moment of pressure as the skin of Realms clung to all of them before they were through.

Felix blinked at the sudden light.

The sun was barely up, though its position had changed ever so slightly. The rift opened up above a forest and the remains of a stone ruin surrounded them further below, long since reclaimed by the wilderness, but ahead of them Felix spied Gharion itself, the capital city once dominated by the palace of the Prince that ruled it. Now it was a sprawling town, one that would soon grow into a metropolis surrounding the expanse of a wide lake. It was still morning, their six-hour long trip having taken no more than what seemed a half an hour in the Corporeal Realm.

Travel has gotten a lot faster.

The Water Palace stood tall, but it was no longer draped with the flags of the Ghreldan Princes. Instead, it now flew the banner of the Gharion High Council and above that the banner of House Nevarre. The Palace clung to the edge of the lake, its sprawling towers and spires reaching out a distance into the lake itself on deep-set platforms. It was a beautiful sight in the morning sun, but not so much as the island that sat in the center of the lake. The shores of it had been built up with stones since he’d seen it last, and now it was honeycombed with caves and passages that crowds of Nagafolk swam through.

The island itself was dominated by an immense Spirit Tree, one that he recognized. The Abundance Anima rose now as high as the Water Palace itself, not nearly the size of the Atlantes, but an Elder Spirit Tree nonetheless. It was clear that each research facility that Felix had restored had boosted its growth immensely.

That worked out just fine for him and his plans.

Their ships docked at the stone piers at the edge of the Palace’s lakeside facilities. They were newly built to accommodate the ethericraft, their layers elevated and extended somewhat hastily. His thirty ships were quick to unload, their soldiers and mages pouring into the inner halls of the Water Palace, guided by Legion officers. The Chimera were guided to an open field near the shore, where food had been set out for them to enjoy.

Felix didn’t get to disembark, however. No sooner had his flagship settled into place than the lake churned, parting before a massive serpent whose head was nearly a third the size of the ship. The serpent rose, its scales a green so dark they appeared black, and eyes that blazed in the long shadows of the morning. The Deepking rose from the waters, his entourage rising with him. They were powerful Nagafolk, massive beings clutching weapons and armor.

Workers on the docks shouted an alarm, and a few on Felix's ships shifted, not out of fear, but to watch the panicking locals. The Legion knew the Naga were to be trusted. What they didn't know was how people would respond.

You'd think they'd be more used to this, Pit sent to him. Don't they live here now?

Felix sent back a shrug. Even with the Nagafolk as neighbors, having an Abyssal Serpent rise above you was a pulse-pounding experience. The complicated relationship between the Nagafolk and the High Council was not something he cared to investigate at the moment.

Kar’casitrix met Felix as he stepped toward the railing. He bowed his great wedge-shaped head, closing his luminous eyes. "Returned God. It is most glorious to see you.”

“Hello, Trixie. How are things?"

"Things go apace. Our people have moved here to the capital, and the mortals have proven quite accommodating.” He looked at the dock. Workers let out a few squeals before they were shushed by some Ghreldan Knights. "I sensed the opening of the Shadowgate shortly before dawn, and you are already here. Your powers grow. Returned God. It is good to see.”

“And it's good to see you too, Deepking. How are your people doing?"

"With the forming of the High Council, the Nagafolk have been recognized as members of this Territory. We have begun to settle in Gharion properly, and my people flock to our banner."

Felix blinked. "How many people?"

Trixie looked downright smug. "I have united all of the far-flung clans of my people. They know of your power, Returned God, and they know of your mercy. All of us have embraced your enemies as our own. We will bring twenty thousand Nagafolk warriors to this battle, and our enemies will know fear."

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Holy shit. That meant the Nagafolk outnumbered every other faction by an order of magnitude. He bowed to the Abyssal Serpent. "I'm honored."

The Deepking bowed further, almost lowering his head to the water before he lifted it straight up. "Glory to the Returned God!"

From the water, thousands of sibilant voices raised in response. "Glory!”

“We eagerly await the start of your war against the heavens," Trixie said, a new light in his eyes. It was fervent and heated as much as his Spirit.

"I have a task for you then," Felix smiled. "I need you to find me a few items."

"It shall be done."

Pit stood on one of the highest walls of the Water Palace, unable to get comfortable.

They'd had a meal with the High Council before the leaders had retired to the heads of their armies. Everyone was rushing about trying to organize their supplies and the influx of new soldiers for their journey toward Amaranth. The city was far away, a lot farther than manaships could cover in a week, let alone a single day. Pit was fairly certain he could make it to the shining palace in about a day, were he to push Oranic dominion to its limits. He'd argued more than once to go with Felix, but he'd been shut down again and again. He understood why, but he didn't love the plan. Leaving Felix to face an army alone was his least favorite aspect of it.

I'm not a fan of this either, Felix!

Pit’s face felt flushed under his feathers. He shifted his wings uncomfortably. Felix had retired to his rooms after hours of meetings…with Vess. Pit had reminded Felix to squeeze shut his bond over and over, but now he was forced to close it as best he could. Unfortunately, he could still sense…echoes.

"Stormlord?"

"Ah! What?" He turned to find Scylla nearby, having landed on the far end of the balcony. "Oh, hey there, Scylla.”

“You seem upset. I can go—"

"No, I'm fine!" A jolt ran through Pit as his bond was finally, mercifully shielded. His awareness of his Companion faded almost entirely. "Oh, thank god."

The pale Tenku quirked her head at him. "Don't mind me, Scylla. I was just distracted. What's up?"

She walked closer. She was wearing a set of Chimeric barding they'd found in Aja Nadir. It hugged her sleek form, armoring her back, sides, chest, and legs with curving shapes and pleasing symmetry. It was made of mithril and that translucent green stone they'd seen in the city, and the hue of it set off her large eyes. They were wide and striking among her white feathers, and for a moment Pit forgot simple things like his worries and how to breathe.

"That armor suits you," she said. "It is quite impressive."

Pit glanced down at himself. His own set of barding was like Scylla's, but where she had bands of translucent green, he had blue. There had been only a few like his, though he'd picked it for the enchantments rather than the look of it.

"Mine has an aura of wind, same as yours. That, plus the heavy damage reduction, should help us a great deal," she said, lifting a paw to inspect the mithril and stone. "It will give us a great advantage in speed, at least. My practice so far has proven that, though I can't say I'm fully comfortable in it. Thalgrym is sparring with the Guardians." She paused, and Pit glanced aside at her. It wasn't like her to hesitate. "Don’t you wish to join them?"

"I don't know if I'm up for that," he admitted. "I came up here to calm down."

"Calm? What need is there for calm? Do you not feel the energy in the air? The defiance against the skies themselves?" Scylla cooed, shifting her wings. "It is heady. I feel as if I could fight the sun."

"You're not nervous?" Pit asked.

"Why should I be?"

"I don't know." He scratched a claw at the ground. "We're fighting the gods. We could die."

Scylla peered over the edge of the battlements, staring down the thousand-foot drop. "We Chimera are not welcome anywhere, and the storms contained monsters well before the shadowbeasts infested them. I have lived my life knowing that I could die at any moment. This is no different."

"I've fought lots of things. Felix and I, we've made the worst sort of enemies, and they've been after our necks since we met. But nothing's felt quite like this. I don't want to die," Pit admitted. "I like being here."

"Death is another part of living. I cannot say I'm eager to meet it, but I'll trade much to stab the gods in the eye. If that is my end, so be it."

"I don't want you to die, either."

"Death comes when it must," Scylla said, suddenly angry. "Would you keep me from it?"

"If I could, yeah."

"Stormlord, you do not get to make that choice for me. We are warriors. It is up to each of us to face our ends with honor."

Pit didn't have much to say to that. He'd heard it before, from Darius and others. He'd understood it before, too. Now, though, looking at Scylla had him feeling all twisted up.

"I... you're right. You have to make your own decisions. I'm sorry."

Scylla looked him over. "Your tune changed swiftly. Do you lie?"

"What? No, I'm just... I got into a fight once, with Felix, over something a lot like this. He kept trying to protect me, and I told him I didn't need it.” Pit huffed a breath. “It was so important to me. I can't believe I forgot how that felt, even for a second."

She nodded. "Your wisdom befits your station, Pit, Shaper of Chaos."

"I doubt it," he said with a laugh, "but thanks anyway."

"Your Companion.” She paused over the word. Pit could feel her disdain for it, but it was more muted than usual. "He is different than I imagined. His actions have been even-handed, and seeing him deal with his people equally, even those that some might ignore or discard," she sighed. "He is honorable."

The words were almost forced from her, and Pit didn't say anything. He just smiled. He'd been trying to convince Scylla of that fact since they'd met.

She shook herself, her pale feathers and fur ruffling outward. "I wish to train. I would be happy if you were to join me."

Pit chirruped. "Really?"

She scratched at the stone herself. "Yes, we could teach each other much."

"Yeah!" Pit shouted before lowering his voice with a cough. "I mean, sure, totally. I love learning."

After all the meetings and meals, Felix and Vess had retired to their rooms. Rest was important before the assault, and more so for them than any of the others.

Not that they had gotten much sleeping done.

"I did not miss all the politicking," Vess said, leaning back onto the bed. She was wrapped in a towel, hair still wet from her bath and skin rosy from the heat. "This High Council is mostly fine, but those former Princes are cunning. Was leaving them alive wise?"

Felix toweled off his own hair, his Garment already covering his legs. "They surrendered when I killed their cousins, and their people voted them back into power. I can't exactly go and murder them for convenience."

"No, you cannot. Still, I worry now that all Oaths are void. What is to stop them from stabbing us in the back?"

"I've warned them."

She chuckled. "That explains why they flinched whenever you moved."

Felix tossed his towel at her. "If they're turning over a new leaf, then I'll let them. They've personally committed three hundred soldiers a piece from their personal armies. If they move against us, they'll learn why that's a bad idea."

Vess sighed and laid out further onto the bed. Felix admired the length of her leg and the spill of her wet hair against the silken sheets.

"You are staring again.”

He grinned. "Sorry, it's hard not to."

Vess propped herself up on an elbow. She was blushing. "I know the feeling." She stared at his chest and abs pointedly.

Felix put a clawed hand over them, feeling where black scales had covered his normal skin. "The scales aren't off-putting?"

"The scales don't concern me. It is what is beneath that matters."

It was Felix's turn to blush. They'd just spent the last few hours together, and he still felt this self-conscious. Vess watched him squirm, a dimpled smile on her face.

Somewhere, a bell began to ring.

Felix closed his eyes, his mood soured. When he opened them, his Garment reformed into a shirt and jacket again. "It's time."

Vess stood. "I'll get my armor." She quickly stepped out.

Pit, he sent, we're leaving.

Their bond, which Felix had squeezed shut some time ago, opened once more. He felt a bit guilty for not shutting it sooner. Pit had been awfully embarrassed. Now, though, it seemed his Companion was the one distracted.

Huh? Oh, sure.

Are you fighting?

Flying. Scylla and I are racing around Gharion. She's so fast, Felix! And graceful as a wind Sprite!

Felix smiled to himself. Glad you're having fun. Remember to stick to the plan. Check in with Zara, Yin, and the Deepking. You're in charge until we meet again.

Pit's attention focused on him across whatever distance separated them. Be safe, Felix. Please.

You know me.

Vess returned, tightening a thick leather fastener across her bicep. Her armor gleamed in the magelights. "Yin is with the Nagafolk. He says that they've found four reagents so far, and it won't be long until they have the full set."

"That's good news." They wouldn't need them for another fifteen hours, but the time to prep was running out. He checked his waist, tapping his pouches, sword, and Chalice, hanging at his hips. "Ready when you are, dear."

She snorted and gestured. Her glaive leaped into her hand, and she set her dragon helm onto her head. "Lead the way, Emperor Nevarre."

In fifteen hours, the war would begin.