Transcendence, page 25
part #6 of The Beginning After The End Series
“Tess…”
“Just promise me you’ll return back safely.” She gently ran her finger across my neck, where my scar had settled. Using a simple water spell, she loosened and peeled away the bandage that I had applied to hide the unsightly mark. “I don’t care how many scars you come back with, as long as you’re breathing and in one piece.”
I could feel my face beginning to burn at her words. I tried to think of something to distract us both; then I thought back to our argument in front of Cynthia Goodsky’s grave. Then and now, she had gotten worked up about the same thing. “Why is it so important for you to catch up to me, Tess?”
For a moment, the world around us was quiet as she stared off into the night sky. “Because only then will I have the confidence to tell you that I love you again.”
Before I could even process her words, Tess turned to face me. Her expression softened and she gave me a smile so genuinely sweet, and with just a hint of shyness, that a sudden warmth rushed through me.
Chapter 30
View from the Sky
OLFRED WAREND
It didn’t surprise me when Elder Rahdeas came to visit me, telling me he had brought home an infant human boy. I was familiar with his kindness; I myself had been a recipient of his goodwill, after all.
He had taken me away from the cruel streets of the upper caverns, giving me food and shelter in his own home. Treating me as if I were his blood, he taught me to read and write and, after discovering my natural inclination toward magic, even taught me the basics of mana manipulation.
But even then, I was cautious. Growing up without a home or family taught me to be suspicious of everyone. There was always the nagging thought that maybe this man was just nurturing me to sell me off one day. However, that wasn’t the case.
Years passed happily and my suspicions had long since evaporated—I had come to consider myself his son. After graduating as one of the top conjurers at Earthborn Institute, located in the capital city of Vildoral, I had been selected to train to become a guard with the royal family.
The Greysunders were greedy and looked down on their entire race, always discontent with how they were perceived—inferior to the humans and elves. But I served the king and queen faithfully and with the highest respect; that is what Rahdeas taught me.
After decades of dedicated service to the royal family, I heard talk of choosing the next two Lances, and it soon came to light that I had been selected as one of the candidates. At first, I had planned to drop out of the private tournament; if I had wanted my life bound to someone, it would be no one but Rahdeas.
Rahdeas had respected my decision—until the day he brought home the boy he named Elijah. Without giving me any details about how he had come across a human infant, Rahdeas urged me to become a Lance and to represent the dwarven people as a general, to forge the soulbond with the royal family and serve them faithfully. I argued, saying that I did not wish to chain my life irrevocably to the Greysunders, but Rahdeas assured me with utmost confidence that it would only be temporary—that I would be bound to him in the end.
I had learned during my time as a guard for the royal family that the Greysunders had been in power since the creation of Darv, yet Rahdeas was somehow able to guarantee their downfall.
He was the man I respected as a father and savior. Even if I disobeyed the king, I would never disobey Rahdeas.
Another decade passed. The human boy grew under the care of Rahdeas, and for the first time in history, the Lances were knighted in public.
Rahdeas was kind, but he was a man who, despite his love for his people, kept his thoughts to himself. He never told me what he meant when he said my soulbond with the Greysunders wasn’t permanent, or why he kept our ties a secret from the boy. He never explained who exactly it was who had told him that this boy was supposed to be the savior of the dwarves.
“You’re quiet, Olfred,” Rahdeas said from the other side of the large circular room, drawing me out of my contemplation of the past and back into the present. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, my lord.” I pried my gaze away from the window and faced the man who’d raised me.
“Olfred, I’ve told you to call me Rahdeas when we’re alone,” he scolded gently. “Now take a seat and have a drink with this old man.”
“I have grown old as well.” I took a seat across from him, accepting the goblet he handed me.
“The view of the moon is magnificent, is it not?” he said, taking a swig from his goblet, which seemed tiny in his large hand.
“It is,” I agreed.
“What an ignorant misconception of the humans and elves—they think that just because we live underground, we prefer caves over buildings. With the unbearable gales that batter Darv constantly, did they never stop to think that we didn’t construct tall towers and buildings because we couldn’t?”
I nodded, looking out the window as I took a sip. “Ignorance leads to false assumptions and interpretations.”
“Very true. But times of change are upon us.” Rahdeas idly traced the scar running across his left eye. “The time has come, my child.”
Reaching over the table, Rahdeas gently grabbed my wrist, then clasped my hand in his. “Are there any doubts or hesitations clouding your mind?”
“None… Father.” The word felt foreign to me. I had never said it aloud, despite always thinking of him that way. But I knew I would regret it if I didn’t say it before my time came to an end.
The corners of Rahdeas’s eyes crinkled in a gentle smile as he held my hand firmly. “Good, good. My only regret is that you won’t be here to see the triumph of our people. If only you had been bound to me instead of that asura.”
I shook my head. “There are some things we cannot change. But there is one thing I want you to know.”
“What is it?”
“I know your ambitions for our people, but that is not why I am doing this. Our people were the ones who scorned me and beat me while I was on the streets. I just want you to know that the reason I can do all this, without hesitation, is because it is what you desire.”
Closing his eye, Rahdeas nodded slowly. “Good child. Very good.”
ARTHUR LEYWIN
I sat down at the edge of my bed, removing the pin that held my hair up. My bond let out a soft grunt of acknowledgment before falling back asleep, leaving me to the silent peace of the night.
Tess’s voice echoed in my head, her words conflicting with my priorities.
“To tell you that I love you again,” I repeated softly to myself. There were only a few things I truly wanted in this lifetime. Not fame, power, or wealth; I’d had that and more during my previous life. What I wanted—the reason I was fighting this war—was something I hadn’t been able to do as Grey: simply to grow old with my loved ones. For that, I was willing to go up against any enemies, asuras or not.
But I had trouble fighting the temptation to throw everything away. There were times I wanted to just escape to the edge of the Beast Glades with Tess and my family.
Selfishness made me question my every move.
This isn’t your war, Arthur.
Your legs are near-crippled and you have scars all over your body; haven’t you done enough?
You’re fighting for your people again. You did that in your last life, and look where it got you.
I realized why I was constantly pushing Tess away, giving her excuses or roundabout answers for a later date.
I was afraid.
I was afraid that if I let her in, my selfishness would become uncontrollable—that I would throw away Dicathen to save the few I truly loved.
Time trickled by while I was lost in my thoughts and before I knew it, the rising sun, still hidden by the clouds below, had painted the skyline a vibrant orange.
Removing the luxurious attire I had worn to the event last night, I slipped into a comfortable shirt and vest. I tucked the ends of my pants into my boots before draping a thick cloak over my shoulders. “It’s time to go, Sylv.”
Sylvie’s bright yellow eyes fluttered open. Hopping off the bed, she came to stand beside me, watching me as I carefully applied the special paste to hide the large scar on my neck. ‘I’m ready.’
Before heading downstairs, I stopped by my sister’s room and knocked on her door. “Ellie, it’s your brother.”
The door slid open, revealing my sister in mid-yawn, her hair frizzy on one side and flat on the other. Behind her, lying on his belly beside the bed, was Boo. He peeked at us with one eye before going back to sleep. “Brother? What’s wro—”
She stopped in mid-sentence, staring at my clothes. “You’re leaving again? Already?”
I forced a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “I’ll be back soon.” I pulled my sister into my arms.
“You don’t have to come back soon, just come back alive.” She squeezed me tight before pulling away, then kneeled down and hugged Sylvie. My sister smiled widely but tears had already begun welling up in the corners of her eyes.
I tousled her nest of ash-brown hair. “I promise.”
I made my way down the stairs with Sylvie, and we were greeted by a chirpy Mica and stern-faced Olfred at the front of the corridor leading to the teleportation room.
The gruff, elderly dwarf, who came up to my shoulders despite his ramrod straight posture, immediately turned away from me and headed down the hall. “We’ll be traveling by flight rather than through the gates,” he said over his shoulder.
General Mica, on the other hand, strolled leisurely by my side. By the smile on her small, creamy face, one might have thought she was on her way to a picnic.
“Mica’s excited to finally go on a mission with you,” she said as we trailed behind General Olfred. “The other Lances talk about you, although not all of it is good.”
“Do you always refer to yourself in the third person?” I asked.
“Most of the time; why? Is it making you fall for Mica?” She winked. “Mica may look like this, but Mica’s a little too old for you.”
“What a shame,” I said, unable to keep the sarcasm from leaking into my voice.
“Let’s hurry,” General Olfred barked as the soldiers standing guard in front of the landing room swung the doors open. “Time spent on this journey means time spent away from the battles already in progress.”
The artificers and workers inside dropped what they were doing and saluted upon our arrival. One person, however, walked toward us with an innocent smile.
“Elder Rahdeas,” General Olfred greeted him, bowing deeply while Mica and I simply dipped our heads.
“Lances.” Rahdeas’s smile deepened, the scar running through his left eye curving. “Excuse my intrusion; I merely wanted to send you all off in person.”
“It’s an honor,” General Olfred replied.
Rahdeas walked to me, staring at me silently. When he smiled at me, I couldn’t help but wish this person wasn’t a traitor—that I had suspected him wrongly.
I still regretted the fact that I wasn’t able to protect Elijah. The thought of indicting and, if my suspicions proved true, killing the man who had raised my friend as his own left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Rahdeas placed a large hand gently on my arm. “You must be fatigued from your previous battle. By the asuras, let’s hope your suspicions turn out to be false so you can hurry back and get some proper rest.”
While his expression and gesture seemed genuine, Rahdeas’s words seemed carefully chosen. Nonetheless, I replied with a smile. “Yes, let’s hope so.”
Maybe I am being too suspicious of him, I thought. He was Elijah’s caretaker, after all.
‘While that may be the case, you shouldn’t factor that so heavily in regards to your suspicions now,’ Sylvie advised.
Rahdeas released my arm, then gave one more meaningful nod to his Lances before stepping out of our path.
Olfred led the way to the portal on the other side of the large room. “We’re ready to depart. Don’t fly beneath the clouds.”
“Will your bond be fast enough to keep up with Mica and Olfred?” Mica asked.
The prideful Sylvie, with a contemptuous snort, chose that moment to transform into a full-sized dragon. The floors of the castle trembled and the workers around us instinctively backed away, despite having seen my bond before.
“I’ll manage,” she rumbled as her long tail swept me off my feet and placed me on the base of her neck.
The wall in front of us, lowered by a drawbridge mechanism, leaned outward from the castle to create a large skydock.
I was nearly thrown off by the screeching winds that immediately buffeted Sylvie’s large body. The roof and the multiple terraces were protected by a transparent barrier of mana, but we were hit with the full force of the winds at an altitude of more than twenty thousand feet.
Our voices were lost in the wind, and General Olfred merely pointed in the direction we were supposed to head. Then he and Mica took off into the clouds.
I’ll never get tired of this view, I thought, looking out as the morning sun became more prominent, casting an ethereal glow on the clouds.
‘Agreed.’ Sylvie sucked in a deep breath before spreading out her wings. She let the wind carry her body off the dock, and we followed closely behind the others, not knowing what the outcome of this journey might be.
Chapter 31
A Dwarven Night
I spent the entirety of the first day on Sylvie’s back. Without a word muttered to either of the dwarven Lances, we traveled until night fell and my legs, already taxed from the hours of gripping tightly onto the base of my bond’s neck, could no longer take the strain of riding on bare scale, even with the protection of thick cloth and mana.
So, because of my limitations, we stopped for the night and made camp near the base of the Grand Mountains, just a few miles north of Valden City.
“Please, help yourself.” I held out a skewer of grilled fish toward Generals Mica and Olfred.
The childlike dwarven Lance happily accepted the charred freshwater fish, crunching through the bones as if they didn’t exist, but the older Lance merely shook his head.
“If you have enough energy to cook, perhaps we should leave soon,” he said, ignoring my courtesy. His eyes remained fixed on a book he had brought.
“Don’t mind him,” Mica said, her mouth still full of fish. “The old man doesn’t eat food given by anyone he doesn’t fully trust.”
I nodded, tossing the fish I had grilled for General Olfred to Sylvie. She snapped and the blackened fish disappeared inside her maw. My bond remained in her original draconic form, curled up at the edge of our small camp. With her black scales, Sylvie seemed to almost disappear despite her large frame—the only part of her that was visible were her bright, topaz eyes, which seemed to hover in the dark.
‘These small morsels do little more than get stuck between my teeth,’ Sylvie grumbled in my head.
I know, but you’ll have to make do with these for now. Besides, you can easily go for weeks without eating, I replied, helping myself to a skewered fish. The fish’s charred skin carried a smoky sweetness from the fire, filling my mouth with flavor despite the lack of seasoning.
‘Yes, but I eat for the flavor rather than the nutrients,’ she retorted.
Maybe you can find some mana beasts further north. We’re still too close to Valden.
The rest of the meal was quiet, except for the soft gurgle from the nearby stream, where I had caught the fish, and the occasional snap of a twig in the fire.
Olfred didn’t say a word after rejecting my fish. He leaned back against the earthen backrest he had erected, sitting almost as still as a statue as he read his leather-bound book. The only time he looked away from the book was when General Mica began humming as she combed through her short, curly hair.
I nearly spit out a mouthful of my fish at the look of sheer disgust on Olfred’s aged face as he regarded Mica, still humming the off-tune melody. Fortunately, General Mica was fairly quiet throughout the rest of the night, giving me time to refine my mana core.
Despite being at the mid silver core stage, I felt inadequate sitting there next to the other Lances. With Dawn’s Ballad damaged and my legs debilitated, I felt like I had taken a step back, even after the training at Epheotus. I was certain of one thing: I couldn’t afford to use Burst Step again if I wanted to retain the ability to walk.
After an hour of gathering mana from the atmosphere, refining it in my core, and repeating the process, I felt someone’s gaze on me.
I pried an eye open to see Mica just a few inches away from me, staring intently. Even Olfred had closed his book to observe.
“This is the first time Mica has felt something like this,” Mica whispered.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, glancing from one Lance to the other.
“Your refinement process,” Olfred answered, his eyes narrowed in thought. “Usually it’s not very apparent when someone refines their core—”
“But when you do it, it feels like Mica’s body is being pulled toward you!” Mica cut in excitedly.
“No one’s ever mentioned that,” I replied. “Is it maybe because I’m a quadra-elemental?”
Mica gasped. “Quadra?”
“So that’s how you became a Lance at such a young age. I heard this being discussed once by the Council, but didn’t think it was actually the case,” Olfred whispered as if talking to himself.
“What’s it like being able to utilize so many elements?” Mica asked as she leaned in even closer, her large eyes practically sparkling.
‘Careful what you reveal,’ Sylvie advised from behind me without moving. She appeared to be still asleep.
I know, I thought back. “There are still some elements that I have a hard time grasping, like gravity, but for the most part, it’s a lot of practicing and always reflecting on what spell and element to use under specific conditions.”
“Right, right.” Mica nodded fervently. “Knowing so many spells is useless if you don’t know when to use them.”
