The Labyrinth, page 20
part #2 of The Gods' Game Series
Without further pause, Kyran sawed through the jade bear’s cage. “Adra, Gaesin, it’s time. To me!” From the shadows on the southern edge of the camp where they had concealed themselves, Adra and Gaesin raced to Kyran’s position, ignored or missed by the kobolds who converged on the camp’s centre to deal with the rampaging snakes.
The cage sprung open and Kyran jumped in. Gaesin skittered to a stop outside the cage and began healing the matriarch. Adra raced onwards to the next cage, sawing through the bindings holding it shut. Kyran thrust his hands into the matriarch’s fur, pulled the collar free, and poured flames into it. The matriarch bore it unflinchingly and in short order she was free.
The collar of domination around the Clan Matriarch has been destroyed, freeing her from enslavement.
You have taken the first step in the quest: Plight of the Bears. Free the remaining jade great bears to complete the quest.
The matriarch lowered her massive head once in thanks and spoke quite clearly in his mind. “Thank you, manling. What you wrought here today will not be forgotten. Now cover your ears, little one.” Kyran’s mouth dropped open, too surprised to reply.
The matriarch flung up her head and gave voice to a resounding roar that was as a raging river to a gurgling stream in comparison to Aiken’s own effort. With her head raised imperiously, she drew out her roar in an elongated avalanche of sound that caused the earth to tremble, cages to shatter and combatants to stumble. At the epicentre, Kyran clasped hands to ears and rolled away, seeking shelter from the sonic assault.
The matriarch roared on, venting her fury and emptying herself of her grief. The shamans attempted to rally, shakily raising themselves erect, only to be felled anew by the implacable wall of sound. The ophidians turned to flee, only to collapse, dazed. How, wondered Kyran, rolling away from the grieving bear, had the kobolds ever managed to collar her?
After a seeming eternity, the matriarch brought her roar to an end. She lowered her head, and padded out of the wreckage of her cage. Silence fell over the battlefield, its combatants frozen, lest they draw the matriarch’s ire. The clan leader shifted her stride to a quick shuffle and then a lumbering charge. Comprehending her intent, the kobolds turned to flee—too late. The matriarch bowled into the shamans, dealing death with each blow, trampling snakes and kobolds underfoot.
The Clan Matriarch has rend a kobold shaman for 150 slashing damage. A kobold shaman has died.
The Clan Matriarch has knocked down a kobold shaman for 120 blunt damage. A kobold shaman has died.
The Clan Matriarch has mauled a kobold shaman for 136 blunt damage. A kobold shaman has died.
The Clan Matriarch has dealt a vital strike to an ophidian. An ophidian has died.
Aiken burst from the ground, at the matriarch’s feet, gambolling around her in a manner reminiscent of a puppy. Kyran tore his gaze away from the rampaging bear and looked to his companions. Gaesin and Adra were picking themselves off, and but for a few bruises and scrapes, appeared uninjured. He called out to them. “Let’s free the rest. The matriarch has the battle well in hand.”
Battle Log (Rescue of the Jade Bears)
The battle has ended.
Combat Results
Creatures bonded: 0.
Hostiles killed: 232, 195 kobold hunters, 12 kobold shamans, 25 ophidians.
Allies killed: 0 of 30 jade great bears.
Party XP gained: 10% of total XP, rest distributed to allies (300,250 XP).
Level Gains
Kyran: 1 level (9 SP, 2 AP). New combat level: Level 13.
Adra: 1 level (3 SP, 1 AP). New combat level: Level 15.
Gaesin: 2 levels (6 SP, 2 AP). New combat level: Level 13.
Party Status
Kyran Seversan:
HP:
S:
W:
E:
Adra Maeko:
HP:
S:
E:
Gaesin Illineiros:
HP:
S:
E:
Non-Party Members
Aiken: Aiken: 2 levels gained, new combat level: Level 12.
HP:
S:
W:
E:
A little while later the battle was over, the kobold hunters dead or scattered, the ophidians likewise. And the shamans, every last one of them was dead and accounted for. The bears had not suffered any to escape.
The three companions made camp on the far side of the tunnel, respecting the bears’ need for space to mourn their dead. The bear clan clustered around the matriarch, huddling together for comfort. Kyran caught the edges of their telepathic sendings, a flicker of images too quick to hold, of shared grief and memories of the fallen. They had been at it a long time and he suspected they would be a while yet. Despite the party's urgent need to return to the northern core, Kyran was disinclined to disturb them.
As if reminded of their presence by his thoughts, the matriarch looked up and waddling free of her family, padded over to the three companions, Aiken by her side.
The three stood up and bowed respectfully at her arrival. Aiken, ignoring the solemnity of the moment, bounced over to Kyran, nearly butting him over in his joy. It was the happiest Kyran had seen the bear. A torrent of images sparkled from Aiken, expressing his profuse thanks for his family’s freedom. Kyran laughed at his exuberance. “You’re welcome, fellow.” Seeing the young bear next to the enormous matriarch, he truly understood for the first time how much of a cub Aiken was—and how much he had yet to grow.
The matriarch’s eyes twinkled indulgently at the excited cub. “It seems, young elf, that my son has taken a liking to you.”
Kyran looked from Aiken to the matriarch. “Your son?” That would mean that Aiken’s brothers—
A flutter of pain spiked the matriarch’s sending as she answered his unspoken thought. “Yes, Akila and Altara were my cubs.”
Kyran lowered his head in silent apology for not being able to save them too. In a gesture meant to ease the matriarch’s grief, he moved to hand over the cubs’ remains.
“Nay, elf. Those are but their earthly remains. They hold little meaning for us. It is for the dead to serve the living. This is the way of the wild. And you, I sense, will put their remains to better use than us. Keep them and any other you find.”
Kyran said, “You do us honour, matriarch. We will see that the memory of your dead is likewise honoured.”
The matriarch nodded. She cast her gaze over the three companions. “Aiken has told me much. Of you. And of the certain chance at freedom that you have risked to help us. And of the kobold army that is moving to block your escape. The Jade Bear Clan is indebted to you, and your sacrifices on our behalf.” She lowered her head, gently touching her snout to his head. In an instant too quick to grasp, he felt an intricate casting of essence, will, and spirit infuse him.
Congratulations! You have rescued all survivors of the jade bear clan and completed the quest: Plight of the Bears. In reward the Jade Bear clan matriarch has bestowed upon you the title, Friend of the Bears.
Your actions have earned your party positive karma. Your karma has permanently changed to Good.
New trait gained!
Friend of the Bears: Unique trait. Effect unknown.
“Friend of the bears?” wondered Kyran aloud.
The matriarch chuckled, and chose not to enlighten him. “Oh, you’ll find out in good time.” Her momentary humour faded and she lowered her head, huffing unhappily. “It shames me to admit, two-legs, but this is all the help I can give. Sadly, the Jade Bears cannot fully repay our debt. We cannot aid you in your escape. The clan’s losses have been grievous. With the strange new magic of the kobolds that binds our minds, the survivors remain in peril. I must look to safeguarding my people first. I cannot risk further confrontation. Forgive me.”
Kyran hastened to reassure her. “No, please, lady, I would not think to demand such a sacrifice. I understand, only… How did the kobolds capture one as mighty as yourself? And where did they find such magic? From the little I’ve learnt of them they do not appear capable of such complex enchantments.”
“Our cubs, elf. They used our cubs against us. The little ones were captured outside the clan’s protection. The kobolds promised their freedom in exchange for the clan’s surrender. We did not trust them. But what choice did we have?” The matriarch bowed her head in grief.
“We agreed to their bargain. It was a mistake. They did not free the cubs as we hoped. Instead they enslaved us all. Some could not bear it and succumbed to madness. They were slaughtered.” The matriarch snarled in remembered fury. “It was foolish of me to accede to their demands. Now so many of my family lies dead.”
She shook her head clear of unwelcome memories. “But to the source of this magic. This, I do not know. It is evil and if you encounter it in your travels, I pray you cleanse the labyrinth of its foul stench.”
New quest!
Quest 8: Cleanse the labyrinth.
Objective: The Jade Bear clan matriarch has requested you find and cleanse the labyrinth of the domination collars that enslaved the bears and other beasts of the labyrinth. Find and eliminate the source.
Rank: Rare.
Reward: 6 Skill Points.
“Of course, lady. I will do my best to eliminate it. What will your clan do now?”
“We will return to the deep earth, whence few but the jade bears can travel. We shall be safe there. Is there aught else I can do for you before we leave?”
Kyran hesitated, wondering if he should pursue the matter, but information was power and at some point, he might need to know. “Yes… Have the jade bears ever encountered a white rock cavern with waterfall and lake?”
The matriarch cocked her head, studying him with an unreadable gaze. She replied, projecting her thoughts to Kyran alone. “I know of where you speak. It lies farther west, beyond the Western Core. But beware, its waters are claimed, you will find danger there.”
She paused and fixed Kyran with a stern gaze. “You dabble in dangerous matters, Kyran. Be careful lest your meddling brings danger to all in the labyrinth. Now, we must take our leave.” She nudged the still-frolicking Aiken. “Come, little one, time to go."
She turned and shuffled with regal grace back to her clan. Aiken skipped a few steps behind her then halted. His head swivelled back and forth between his mother and Kyran.
Kyran waved awkwardly, a lump unaccountably stuck in his throat. “Goodbye, fellow. We’ll miss you.”
Aiken’s stare pierced into Kyran, who only now realised how fond he had grown of the cub and how much he would miss him.
Aiken sat back on his haunches and huffed pleadingly at the matriarch. She stopped and then swung her great head from the cub to Kyran, and seemed to bow her head in permission.
Aiken roared in delight, causing all the bears to look up. He bounded towards Kyran in the real world and in the ether, demanded for Kyran to lower his psi shields.
Perplexed, Kyran let him in.
Your actions in freeing him from captivity and rescuing his clan, has earned the friendship of Aiken, who desires to continue his journey onwards with you. Aiken, a jade bear cub, has formed a bond-between-equals with you!
The bond-between-equals is a permanent bond and confers upon you the trait, companion-bonded and upon Aiken, player-bonded.
New trait gained!
Companion-bonded: All experience gained is shared equally amongst the bonded parties. Transforms the companion into a basic player. Death of the companion results in the loss of 25% of your total experience.
Kyran felt the matriarch’s presence in his mind, watching benignly. At the bond’s completion she nodded approvingly and resumed her shuffle to her clan, now one smaller. “This is a momentous day indeed. For the first time in memory a Jade Bear has bonded a two-legs. Take care of him, elf, and don’t spoil him—much. He needs a firm hand.”
“Oh, and beware once he learns mindspeech.” She chuckled. “I suspect he is going to be quite the talker.” Kyran, lost in the amazement of the bond, had no reply.
✽✽✽
After weeks of tramping through the wilds of Crotana, the Iyran paladin troop looked much worse for wear. The company had made landfall in East Harbour and forded the Sein River without mishap but since entering the Elder Forest, their progress had slowed. They had not encountered organised resistance and yet were opposed every step of the way—by lone beasts, dire wolf packs, roving bands of ogres and even a flight of wyvern. Through it all, the paladins and Commander Ruben had performed admirably. The attacks had been fended off without loss of life. But the niggling skirmishes and the constant vigilance they necessitated had taken its toll, and the paladins were noticeably wearied. With bowed heads and slumped shoulders, they rode in glum silence through the oppressive forest.
For Sara, the last few weeks had been enlightening. The vast array and manner of beasts they had encountered had driven home how different this world was from Earth. So too had she come to better understand the troops she nominally commanded. While she had floundered to understand the nature of the threats they faced, Commander Ruben had already formulated and executed a tactical response. Her respect for the gruff commander and the paladins had increased tenfold.
And now they finally neared their destination. Crota was only a few days away and the entire company, including Sara, looked forward to escaping the looming trees and feeling the sun on their face once more.
Game Data
Aiken Profile (Condensed)
Name: Aiken
Class: Player Companion (This is a special class conferred to a player-bonded).
Race: Jade Great Bear (Elder Beast)
Level: 12 (cub)
Health: 240/240
Stamina: 1000/1000
Will: 1200/1200
Essence: 400/400
Attacks
Physical: 24 (blunt, slash).
Spell: 12 (earth).
Defences
Physical Defence: 18
Psi Defence: 30
Spell Defence: 20
Abilities (active):
Terrifying roar, Rending bite, Mauling attack, Stone dive, Healing wave.
Abilities (passive):
Earth immunity, Poison resistance, Jade Skin, Earth Sight.
Ability: Stone Dive
Skill: Racial Unique (Jade Great Bears).
Description: This ability, unique to jade great bears, allows them to travel through the earth. When resurfacing the bear may trigger a stone tremor. Warning: This ability does not work through dense rock material or earth with high mineral concentrations.
Rank: Novice.
Cost: 200 Will.
Execution time: 5 seconds.
Duration: 1 min x level (max time spent travelling through the earth).
Damage: Inflicts a maximum of 1 x level of earth damage to the targets (stone tremor).
Debuff: Causes creatures in the area of effect to be knocked down. May be resisted (stone tremor).
Ability: Terrifying Roar
Skill: Telepathy.
Description: This ability causes the targets in the immediate area of effect to become dazed and those farther away to become terrified. Warning: The ability cannot be used again until the debuff status on all previous targets has lapsed.
Rank: Novice.
Cost: 40 Will.
Execution time: 5 seconds.
Duration: 10 seconds x level.
Area of effect: Radius of 1m x level around caster (daze). Radius of 5m x level around caster (terrified).
Debuff: Causes hostile creatures in the area of effect to become dazed or terrified. May be resisted.
Ability: Healing Wave
Skill: Supportive magic.
Description: Restores the lost health of all allies around the caster.
Rank: Novice.
Cost: 40 Essence.
Execution time: 5 seconds.
Area of effect: Radius of 1m x level around caster.
Healing: Restores health of 1 HP x level to allies in area of effect.
Part Three
Chapter 14
24 Augi 2603 AB
The companion bond is often misunderstood for something other. When formed between beast and men it is usually likened to the beast bond and when between men, a soul or vassal bond.
Yet it is neither of these things. It does not a require a vow or pledge, nor does it subject one to the other’s will. It is truly a bond amongst equals, that gives neither half control.
It is a meeting of minds, a conjoining, spurred by empathy and is almost always spontaneously triggered from shared trauma. – from the writings of naturalist Johlya Seerixa.
The Jade Bear clan had left to find a new home in the deeps. Adra and Gaesin had witnessed the miraculous bonding between elf and bear. She had seen the delight in Aiken and felt no small portion of her own, both for the fact that the cub had decided to stay and the unfettered joy it brought him. Adra had spent much of her life travelling across the domains and she knew that bondings of the sort between Kyran and Aiken were rare. Certainly, she had never heard of a bond between a sentient and one of the mythical races before.
She had observed the burgeoning bond between the two and had first worried that Kyran was somehow manipulating the cub into such an end. But after days of judicious observation she realised this was not the case; that despite the pain-wracked soul that she sometimes caught glimpse of in Kyran's gaze, he cared, and not just for the cub but for Adra and Gaesin as well.
Perhaps, she mused, Kyran was truly what he seemed, a lord to whom she could wholeheartedly give her loyalty. Time would tell. Adra shifted her gaze to Kyran. He and the cub were still lost within the bond, silently communing with each other. They would be at it hours yet as the bond settled and conjoined their spirits.
