Realm of Monsters - Chapter 647: Running Out of Time

Chapter 647: Running Out of Time

  “Move! Out of the way!” Gale shouted as she ran and cleared a way for her Ward.

  Stryg and she needed to get out of the Commoner District as soon as possible, but the throngs of goblins from Lunae’s earlier announcement were still crowding the streets. Even if Stryg channeled Orange, there was nowhere for him to go. 

  He briefly considered channeling Brown and leaping from one rooftop to another to get past the crowds, but he was much heavier than he had been when he had tried it with Kithina in the past. He had fallen through one rooftop back then; he wasn’t certain if any of these old houses could handle his weight slamming on top of them now.

  “I said move!” Gale yelled.

  The throng of goblin warriors glared at her and some even reached for their weapons. Gale cursed under her breath. Usually, when people saw her they recognized the scarlet cloak and Gale coat-of-arms on its back, or at the very least they recognized her illustrious armor for what it was, the symbol of a high-ranking soldier. But the Sylvan goblins didn’t seem to care whatsoever; rather, they resented it and prepared for a fight.

  Blue mana swirled in Gale’s hand as she prepared to clear the way with a torrent spell. Then the goblins spotted Stryg’s smaller frame running behind her silhouette.

  “War Master!” “Chosen!” “General!”

  The goblins jumped to attention, hands at their sides.

  “Move!” shouted Stryg.

  They needed no more instruction. The goblins hurried aside. Stryg and Gale rushed past them. To his surprise, the handful of goblins were running right beside him.

  “War Master, are we under attack?” one of them asked.

  “No, but someone might be if I don’t get out of this district quickly,” said Stryg.

  The goblin warriors glanced at each other and nodded. “Understood. We’ll clear a path, Chosen!” The five ran ahead and started shoving goblins aside. The crowd shouted angrily, but when they saw Stryg, they did a double-take and moved to get out of the way. 

  Word quickly spread and it didn’t take long until a path had been cleared down the winding streets all the way to the bridge connecting both the Commoner and Merchant districts.

  “Hold on!” Stryg summoned Orange and cast an agility spell. The veins in his arms and legs darkened to a visible grey.

  “Wait, what are you—?” Gale yelped as Stryg picked her up by the waist and threw her on his back.

  He kicked off the ground and sprinted with all his might. The buildings blew past him as he ran. He shifted his feet every few seconds as he made sharp turns, the heels of his boots sliding on the worn cobblestone. Gale quickly caught on, and threw her hand out, blasting a torrent of water from her hand in the opposite direction of the turns, stabilizing his movements.

  Her scarlet hood blew back from the wind and she squinted at the brightness of the afternoon sun. Stryg ran without abandon. He hadn’t pushed his awakened body to its limits outside of training and he found himself grinning maniacally as the world blurred by.

  The seconds turned into minutes. Finally, Stryg slid to a halt as he reached the bridge connecting the Commoner and Trade Districts. He was only somewhat winded, but he could feel the Orange in his heart was already half depleted. His body was drawing upon more mana than before.

  “Oh, thank the gods,” Gale whispered and scrambled off his back. She groaned as she shifted her neck from side to side; the whiplash was gonna bite her in the morning.

  “Thanks for the assist. I’m still getting used to running that fast.”

  “I can tell,” Gale said dryly and adjusted her hood and strewn blonde hair. She glanced at the city sprawling in front of them and furrowed her brow. “We have a long way to go. You’ll run out of Orange mana long before we reach Katag Manor.”

  “Really wish I could fly right now,” he sighed.

  “Didn’t you say you could grow wings?” 

  “That was one time and I barely remember it.” The whole fight with the dragonbane was a blur and he didn’t have time to dwell on the memory. 

  “Well, maybe you can just try, you know. Focus on your shoulders.”

  Stryg gave her a look. “It doesn’t work that way.”

  “Then we need a new plan, fast.”

  “I think we just found one.”

  Rhian came barrelling down the street, leaping over merchant stalls and people without any care. She skidded to a halt in front of him. “Stryg! Are you okay? What happened!?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way. We need to get to the Villa District as fast as possible.” Stryg pulled himself up onto her back.

  “Gotcha!” Rhian didn’t even bat an eye at his weight. “Gale, what are you standing around for? Come on!”

  “Huh? Uh, y-yeah.” Gale leaped up and settled herself behind Stryg.

  “Are you two ready?” Rhian asked.

  Rhian didn’t have a saddle on her. Stryg quickly channeled Green into Blossom’s petals. The white flower cloak vibrated at the surge of mana; small vines stretched out from between the petals, wrapping around Stryg and Gale, and tying them to Rhian. 

  “Ready! Let’s go!” said Stryg.

  Rhian didn’t wait for any more encouragement, she took off at a breakneck speed. 

  Gale held onto Stryg tightly and lowered her head. “Stryg!” she yelled over the wind.

  “Yeah?”

  “How did Rhian know to come and find us?”

  “I called to her back at the temple,” Stryg said.

  “You can do that?” Gale asked, surprised.

  “I wasn’t sure, until now. I think it’s because my bond with Rhian is strong,” he admitted.

  “I came from the manor as soon as I heard.” Rhiannon laughed boisterously. “I am the Ebon Speaaaar!” She charged on ahead, her gallop reinvigorated. 

  “Wait, you were at the Veres manor?” Gale asked.

  “Of course, I live there.”

  “Then why didn’t Stryg just tell you to go to Katag Manor and warn them instead? Both homes are in the Villa District!”

   Stryg blinked. “Ah… Shit.”

  “Gods dammit, Stryg,” Gale muttered angrily.

  Rhian turned her head around and cocked an eyebrow. “I still have no idea what’s going on, ya know.”

~~~

  The maid knocked on the door and waited patiently.

  “Come in,” said Evelyn Katag.

  The maid opened the door and walked onto the parlor’s balcony. She carried a platter topped with glasses of wine. “My lords and ladies,” she bowed respectfully. “Refreshments?”

  “Yes, I’ll have one,” said Evelyn.

  The maid handed her a glass, then glanced at Beatrix dai-Morrigan, sitting silently in her plush chair. Beatrix didn’t even bother looking at her, her face was set in steely apathy. Ivander smiled at the maid. “Apologies, my niece is tired after our long voyage. We’ll take two, thank you.”

  “Of course.” The maid handed Ivander the drinks and turned to Krall Katag.

  Krall shook his head. “Could you brew me some tea?”

  “Certainly, my lord. Something from the kitchens or one of your own blends?”

  “My own, please. How about the jar labeled 82 in my laboratory?”

  “Right away, my lord.” The maid bowed and left.

  “You have a laboratory? My, I didn’t take a berserker like you for an alchemist,” Ivander chuckled.

  “Just because I’m a True Brown doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the finesses of Red’s alchemy or Green’s herbology. You must try my newest strains of tea, I’m certain you’ll enjoy them,” Krall said.

  “Perhaps tonight, after dinner.” Ivander smiled, then handed Beatrix one of the glasses of wine.

  “So,” Krall leaned back on his chair and casually put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “To what do we owe the pleasure of Lord Morrigan’s visit? I do hope my son’s first diplomatic mission did not go too poorly?”

  “Please, call me Ivander like always. My brother is the Warlord, not me. I need no grand gestures of respect. As for your son, you need not worry. Lucas behaved admirably, a true natural if I do say so myself. He is still conducting negotiations back in Murkton. I am here because my brother believes with everything that has happened and is still happening, that Murkton should have a more substantial presence in Hollow Shade.”

  “And I got dragged along for the ride,” Beatrix muttered, running her crimson finger across the edge of her glass.

  “Yes, her father believes she needs to learn more about the political side of the family, not just magical and martial aspects. And who are we to go against the Warlord’s wishes?” Ivander chuckled.

  “I assure you, Beatrix, Hollow Shade has many places to enjoy. It need not be a burden by any means. I could show you around, if you’d like,” said Evelyn.

  Beatrix’s cold expression cracked and she gave a polite smile. “I’m sorry, I mean no disrespect. I appreciate your offer. I just have no interest in sightseeing.”

  “Beatrix is obsessed with mastering her blue magic. She’ll be the youngest archmage in Morrigan history by the looks of it,” said Ivander.

  “From one True chromatic to another, Beatrix, I know how important it feels to master your magical abilities, but if all you do is focus on trying to control your magic, you’ll find you’re losing control over all other parts of your life,” said Krall. 

  “Thank you, uncle, but not all of us are berserkers,” said Beatrix.

  “Heh, true enough.” The giant of an orc shrugged his shoulders. “Well, if your skills at the Mage Tourney were anything to go by, you’re well on your way to achieving your goal.”

  “My goal…?” Beatrix muttered and her expression darkened once more. How could any of these people know her goals? They hadn’t seen what she had seen. That day on the sands of the coliseum. An energy like none before, a cold myriad of dark colors oozing from the heart of the Ebon Aspirant. She had lost to an anomaly, a being who should not exist. And her father had dismissed her because of it. Now she was relegated to this city of all places, practically an exile from her home.

  The balcony door opened and Tauri poked her head out. “Hello?”

  “Ah, daughter, join us,” Evelyn waved her in.

  “Sorry, I’m late.” Tauri took her seat next to her parents. “Uncle, cousin, nice to see you both.”

  “Ah, Tauri, just the woman I was hoping to see,” Ivander smiled.

  “Me?” She cocked her head to the side.

  “Yes. I’ve heard that in a most surprising turn of events, you have replaced your younger sister and become engaged to the Ebon Aspirant, Stryg,” said Ivander.

  Tauri winced. “Ah, I wouldn’t say replaced…”

  “Was Elena not engaged to the Aspirant?”

  “I mean, yeah, she was, but—”

  “And is she still engaged to the Aspirant?”

  “No.”

  “But you are?”

  “Y-Yeah.”

  “Hm. Then you are indeed the woman I was hoping to see.” Ivander leaned forward in his chair. “I have heard rumors and plenty of reports about the Aspirant, many of which I have trouble verifying— who am I kidding— believing to be true. I was hoping the three of you could enlighten me.”

  Tauri’s posture shifted and her demeanor turned defensive. “What is it you wish to know?”

  “Oh, simple things, really. I have heard that the Aspirant is a goblin, despite his obvious northern drow complexion. I’ve also heard that he is now proclaiming himself to be a Veres. As his fiancée, I was hoping you might clarify these misunderstandings.”

  “No misunderstandings,” Tauri said flatly. “Stryg is what he says he is. His great-grandmother was the Blue Rose, Stryga Veres. Hence, his name.”

  “…Hm. I suppose that makes sense, the Blue Rose was infamously a hybrid. That explains his complexion and the Veres rumor. I’m glad we were able to clear up that misunderstanding at least. I was worried for a moment that he was a goblin.” Ivander shook his head and laughed.

  Krall and Evelyn glanced at each other uncertainly.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Tauri.

  “Oh, it’s just, can you imagine if the Aspirant was actually a goblin?” said Ivander.

  “It seems you’re the one with a misunderstanding,” said Tauri.

  “Pardon?” Ivander gave her a forced smile.

  Evelyn touched Tauri’s arm. “Daughter, now is not the time to—”

  “Stryg is a goblin, more than anything. He will always be a goblin,” said Tauri.

  Ivander frowned. “I’m sorry, but how is that possible?”

~~~

  A goblin in a dark cloak shuffled up to the Katag gates. The orc guards stared at him warily, their hands hovering near their sword hilts. “That’s close enough. State your name and purpose.”

  “Arden, son of the Frost Whisper Tribe.”

  The guard frowned. “Never heard of no Frost Whisper—”

  His colleague elbowed. “Shh. It’s clearly a Sylvan Tribe,” he whispered.

  “Oh, right,” the first guard nodded.

  “I have come bearing a message from Stryg, son of Blood Fang,” said Arden with a calm, still voice.

  “You mean, Stryg Veres?”

  “…Yes.”

  “Of course, he means Stryg Veres,” the second guard rolled his eyes. “Apologies for my comrade. House Katag is always happy to receive word from Lord Veres. If you’ll wait inside, I’m sure one of the servants will fetch Lord or Lady Katag.” He raised his hand in a signal and a guard behind the wall pulled the gate open.

  Arden gave a simple nod and headed for the manor.