CHAPTER 29: Angel
One look at Brenden showed he was feeling the fight and the earlier conditioning wearing on him, but his new white steel high tops made keeping up easier for him. I stayed in front picking off any stragglers, luckily there wasn’t much for wildlife on the highway but we did run into a few more small packs of Undead.
As we rounded the corner to yet another long hill, a blinding light shone in the distance. I wasn’t sure if Manasight was playing tricks with my eyes so I cut the spell off.
No bright light anymore. Maybe the Sun behind the hill is putting off the glow of Mana?
I kept the spell off so I wasn’t blinded as we continued to the “Highest Elevation”, an area that every person from my home town knows about. It’s just the highest elevated point of that specific highway, it stretches from the border of Massachusetts all the way to Canada. There used to be a little sign there which is how anyone knew this little nugget of information, especially me. I wondered if it was still there as we continued up hill.
Out of caution I broke the silence, “I saw a blinding light at the top of this hill with my Manasight, probably the sun since I didn’t see anything up there with Scout Gaze, but just be prepared.”
“Hopefully a bed or place to rest our heads.” Brenden said.
“Woof!” Arthur shared his sentiment.
“We’ll find a spot off the road and call it a day, as soon as we get to the top of this hill,” I said, hoping to put some pep in their step.
“Excellent prrroposition!” Brenden said with a bark of agreement from Arthur.
As we approached the top of the hill I cast Manasight again.
There was no bright dizzying light or large concentration of magic.
There was nothing.
I cut the spell and looked around with Scout Gaze, still not seeing anything or anyone. We walked off the side of the highway where the sign was indeed still standing. Arthur ran ahead to search for a decent camping spot while Brenden started grabbing branches and logs for a fire.
I remained at the edge of the clearing for a moment. I couldn’t shake the feeling we weren’t alone but after a moment staring at nothing, I jogged away to catch up with the others.
Arthur was already sitting around a circle of rocks that he gathered and waiting for Brenden to start the fire.
“Hammocks or ground?” I asked looking at the ground and seeing quite a few rocks.
“Hammocks.” Brenden said with Arthur’s agreement.
“Okay, I’ll set them up.” I removed the tote from my inventory and started looking for a good spot to hang our 3 hammocks.
I had been working on them in my down time since we left the Safe Zone, I think both my Survivalist and Makeshift Guru professions helped a ton, because it felt almost natural crafting them out of the old tarps and sleeping bags we found along our travels. I started with one large hammock for both me and Arthur, then I made one for Brenden and crafted Arthur his own tighter version the other night.
With our fire burning and the sun setting I took out a few big chunks of the regular beast meat that we looted and started cooking. I sliced one into thin strips and hung them over some branches a little ways from the fire. Another internet trick, I figured I would try to make them last longer. At least give us something for breakfast.
As we ate I couldn’t shake the feeling from before, it still felt as if something or someone knew we were here. However, Arthur didn’t show any signs, and he is the leader on that sort of thing. I finished eating as Brenden and Arthur wrestled and joked around.
It was a good time for a perimeter check so I adjusted my hanging meat branches and stretched to my feet.
“I’m gonna walk around a bit. You guys just hang here. I’m sure Arthur will hear me if I need anything. Don’t let the flames get too close to that meat.” I said, receiving a head nod from my dog and smiling from the gesture.
I started by walking further into the woods then circled camp, heading back toward the road.
I wasn’t too surprised to see what I did upon reaching the highway but I did freeze for a moment to decide what to do.
I should have called for Arthur and Brenden, but I let them sit this one out, the battle junkie getting the best of me.
A man in full black and silver plate armor stood nonchalantly in the middle of the road, staring as if he’d been waiting for me the entire time.
His white cloak caught the breeze, revealing a massive build beneath worn armor that had clearly seen hundreds of battles. His face was entirely lost behind the blackened steel helm, hiding who, or what lay beneath.
Then, his posture shifted. He raised one arm to wave me on while the other conjured a thick silver sword a bit longer than my own.
“Bet you think everything’s bigger huh?” I whispered to myself while summoning Conviction’s Claw.
We began sizing each other up.
Every gap in his armor was covered by dark leather, blocking any skin that may help me discern what I was up against. I looked for a health bar to figure out who, or what I was dealing with.
[???—Level ???]
That’s not helpful.
His long cloak fluttered in the wind, making him look like a new addition to the Justice League, “Where are your bats?” I asked once within striking distance.
I gripped my sword tightly in both hands, preparing for whatever came my way. He paused for a moment, tipping his head in confusion, reminding me of Arthur as I grinned.
Then, he struck.
He moved faster than anything I had seen to this point. His speed putting the rapid chipmunks to shame, but I wasn’t the same slow and confused man I was on that day.
That’s a lie, I’m still confused all the fuckin’ time.
I met his blade with my own. My bare feet grinding over the pavement as I was pushed back again and again.
I should have kept those fuckin’ boots... I parried another blow that was uncomfortably close to my neck.
He moved with a grace that belied his size, closing gaps in no time to attack from every angle. I was constantly fighting to keep him in front of me.
He lunged again, although his sword was longer than mine, he didn’t know my little tricks. I stepped back, turning my hips to avoid the stabbing strike as I flicked my sword overhead, lashing out with Arcing Thorn Whip. I activated my Torment Aura for the first time, putting it to use to decrease his Will. His helmet looked up in my direction and I swear he shook his head at me.
My thorn whip wrapped around his wrist, gripping his dominant arm, the shock took effect but he simply powered through as he gripped the razor sharp blade and yanked me forward.
Two Step kicked in and I literally did a side-glide around the thrust that would have pierced my chest. I pushed off my toes and pivoted on my heels, sliding again to take his side.
An upwards slash connected with his side but didn’t even leave a scratch. Landing a hit seemed to light a fire in my opponent. He started moving faster, every parried strike sent shocking reverberations through my weapon and hands. It took all the strength I had just to hold onto my weapon.
I gritted my teeth and fought harder. I put everything I had into the fight but I was still locked in complete defensive mode. He proved too fast as he scored 2 marks, one on my cheek and the other a slight cut across my neck.
I swear he held back for some reason, which just pissed me off. I poured Wind Mana into my strikes but the cutting gusts behind my blows died the instant they met his blade. His sword seemingly drinking in the Mana from my attacks.
I managed to sneak one hit past his guard and that ended the fight.
A gust of wind sliced with the tip of my blade into the armor guarding his stomach.
Finally, I left a scratch.
I was about to call for assistance when his blade moved faster than it had the entire fight. My eye’s were unable to track him or the blade until it stopped.
The ice cold steel pressed against my neck.
Standing directly in front of me he dropped his blade and threw a punch.
I moved to block but a tear in space opened and his fist disappeared into the abyss as I was punched in the back of the head.
“Fuck!” I yelled backing away.
“That’s for scratching my armor.” The man’s voice echoed through his helmet.
His voice was calm and covered in a thick accent not of this world but I was sure he was speaking English.
“You wanted to fight.” I said rubbing the back of my head.
“Spar, I believe you call it here.” He answered.
“Potato-Potato. Same fuckin’ thing.” I said taking a seat as he held his arms out and made 2 chairs appear on the side of the road.
He removed 2 glasses from his inventory and poured a light blue liquid into both.
“What’s this? More importantly though, who the fuck are you, and why did you want to have that little spar in the middle of the road?” I asked taking the blue drink and sniffing, a familiar heavenly scent filled my nostrils.
“Frostlight and Dewberry Juice. My name is Damael, I was taught a good fight is the best way to learn who someone is.” He said removing his helmet and sipping at the juice.
His features were more human than the others I’d seen so far, the main difference being the light green skin under his deep black hair.
“You’re one of them? Why can’t I see your name or level? Seems I’m at a disadvantage here... Shit, this is good” I said taking another swig of my juice.
“That’s just good genetics. None of my people show on the GNI. My name is Damael but if the system could tag me it would likely say something cheesy like, Damael The Fallen, Level 135 Stripped of Grace, Fallen General of Astraeus.” He said laughing at his own casual blasphemy, which I immediately noticed.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“So, not a fan I take it? Why fallen?”
“I was a fan, but not anymore.”
“Why not? Seems sort of weird to have another random alien guy here on our walk South. Sure you didn’t come to kill us for blowing up a Manager’s building?”
“You did what? How? Those buildings are made with extremely high concentrated Light and I guess what you would call, ‘Earth’ Mana... Never mind that, I don’t want to know. I didn’t think a human would be capable of something like that in these early stages.” He whispered parts, sounding legitimately surprised.
“Some Crystal I found in a weird Magic land with a big Deer that communicated telepathically, and a Budget Battlemage with a fun imagination and the power to force Mana into inanimate objects.”
“Very well, you may keep your secrets.”
“No, that’s actually how. I think it was something called Spireglass Quartz. That’s how we blew up the building and all the motherfuckers inside.” I said, anger rising at the thought of the so called Angels.
“I see... Spireglass is from Gaia, very common and dangerous to work with, they’re used to harvest clean concentrated Mana from to empower runes, armor, or weapons, Not to force more Mana into them. You are lucky to be alive after such a feat... You said big deer, you must have met one of the Gemhorn pricks. Always playing games, I’m surprised they let you live.”
I took note and moved on, “How are you speaking English so fluently?”
Maybe fluent isn’t the best word there, but he’s speaking easily enough.
“I have a translation ability, it happens automatically. I am speaking my own language in my head, however, the ability translates the words before they are spoken, I’m assuming I have a very odd accent?” He explained, refilling his cup with more of the mouth watering juice.
“Yeah, that’s one way of putting it. You sound like a drunk Australian trying to speak in an Irish accent.” I said holding out my cup.
“I don’t know what that means as I am unaware of the dialects and geography of this planet but I believe I get the point.” He said smiling to show his incredibly human and perfect looking teeth.
“We got side tracked, and you didn’t answer my question, the why not and why Fallen as you say.” I asked again making air quotes that received an odd look.
“I disagree with tearing entire planets and solar systems apart, then forcing innocents into a war under our, their banner. I fought for change through the high-courts, but everyone refuses to go against them and I received much hate for proposing a new path. I tried to stop the shutdown of the Genesis Veil and offered a way to protect from the Blitz Portals but I was stripped of rank and called a heretic. I was sent here as punishment. There are zealots who want me dead for daring to go against the word.” He answered my questions openly and honestly which put me at ease.
“What’s with the Blitz Portal thing? The Manager told me they shut down the Veil to stop the portals. How does closing the thing that’s protecting us, actually protect us? He said something about a Revelation but wouldn’t speak further.”
“Yes. It is more complicated than this, but basically the Veil isn’t shut down completely. It enters a lock down of sorts. It allows your system to be viewed by the greater Universe and the Mana Screen enters hibernation, but the Veil keeps a lid on the system, a level cap that lasts 3 months Earth time. No one above level 30 may enter the first week, Level 50 after the second, and 100 the first month.”
What happens at the end of the third month? Are the blitz portals allowed? Will level 1000 demons show up? What is the max lev—Stop! I may not get another chance to gain information like this.
I snapped out of it to pay attention to the important information he was providing.
“Natural leveling is allowed. If a demon portals in at level 25 the first day, they could go on a rampage and potentially be anywhere from, level 75 to 100 by now. The Revelation is something different... His programming should not allow him to even utter that word in context.” He trailed off, whispering the next part, “Unless a God or Demigod has an eye on you.”
“That’s a lot of information to parse, but who are the gods?” I asked.
“There are 3 Gods of the Heavens, with countless Demigods, Arch Angels and other powerful beings. Each God has their own solar system full of life sustaining planets. Trillions of souls, yet few choose to leave paradise to help in the war... Especially when there are other, Lesser life forms forced to do it for them.”
“The 3. They have names?” I asked standing up to pace with delicious drink in hand.
“I shouldn’t tell you, but it matters not either way. The Third is Halion, the Herald of—No... Run! Get your friends and run as fast as you can.” He turned serious very suddenly, his sword appearing in his hand.
Confused, I stopped pacing and looked at him. He was looking up to the sky and I saw fear in his eyes.
I looked up not seeing anything at all, even with Scout Gaze active.
“What is—”, I was interrupted by a loud sonic boom.
“Run!” He yelled with his helm appearing as I was already turning to make my exit.
There was a flash above as I hit full speed.
I glanced over my shoulder to witness a burst of golden light fall from the sky and slam the ground behind me. The force from whatever landing was like an asteroid slamming the Earth.
With a mental cue, my armor appeared as I flew high in the air spinning end over end into the woods, dumbstruck and horrified.
I smashed through branches and flipped off trees before crashing to the ground like a cannonball.
“Arthur! Come to my voice!” I fought through the pain to scream as loud as possible.
I gathered myself and ran through the dizziness. The ground trembled from whatever was happening, shaking my feet off balance as I tripped over debris. I rolled back to my feet, never slowing my momentum. The bright flashes from the powerful magic and 2 Moons in the sky were my only source of light.
“Woof Woof Woof!”
I heard Arthur calling out in the distance and I ran to his voice as airborne trees tore the forest apart around me, some slammed into others knocking them into my path.
A golden beam of energy torched my surroundings, burning through everything it touched as the world crumbled around me.
I fell prone as the energy passed overhead, the heat was enough to induce a great amount of pain and steal 30% of my health points even though it didn’t come close to me. As soon as the spell dissipated I scrambled back to my feet and started sprinting for all my worth, jumping over downed trees and sliding under others in the midst of falling.
A light blue flash came from behind and the air started to crackle and freeze, a tear in space appeared in front of me with a hand. I reached out and grasped the item it held.
“Find a Sage. Good luck friend.” Damael said as a blade pierced his back.
Suddenly, the blade shifted, moving deeper until Damael clapped his hands to stop it from killing me on the other side. Damael smiled with his perfectly white teeth as the rift began to close. As I backpedaled I got a glance of who held the sword at the other end. A large man with heavenly wings towering behind him wore pure golden armor, he ripped his sword back as the rift closed, covering my face in the mist of Damael’s blood.
[Aurelion—Level 152]
[Legionnaire of Psalm]
I ran as sounds from the fight dragged on, “Arthur, Brenden! We need to go, now!”
“But what of,” Brenden began.
“Now!” I leapt from the brush surrounding camp, grabbing his arm to pull him along as Arthur took off.
We followed closely behind, running away as fast as possible from the raucous commotion of spells that sounded like a war was taking place behind us. We ran for almost an hour as fast as Brenden could manage. As we moved, Arthur and I ripped through anything that dared try to slow us. We finally came to a stop in the middle of the woods as each of us took long heavy breaths.
“Fuck!” I shouted into the empty woods.
“What happened?” Brenden asked, fear written on his face.
“There was another alien, different from the wheat girls. He was level 135, he was friendly. We sparred then he was telling me about the Heavens or whatever they call themselves...” I frantically talked between heavy ragged breaths, explaining everything that happened while I was away, from the juice to the Veil and Heavens.
I continued, “Then, another guy showed up... Aurelion. He fell from the sky like a fuckin’ meteor. He was level 152 and the system dubbed him as a Legionnaire of Psalm, whatever the fuck that is!”
“I—I—I don’t want to do this anymore. I w—w—want to go home.” Brenden broke down as he leaned against a tree for support.
I took a deep breath to calm myself.
We’re pushing through some scary shit and he’s young... It’s not his job to save the world, my parents, or anyone else for that matter. I’m guessing my freaking out didn’t help his confidence, I’m suppose to be better than that. I have to be.
Once my breathing was under control, I calmed my tone and approached, “Hey B-Rend, it’s alright, he wasn’t there for us. He was there for the other guy. Once we get to my parents, we’ll find a safe zone and you will be safe there... I get it man, this shit is terrifying.”
“I—It is.” He said, getting his breathing under control.
Arthur leaned into him and nudged the kids arm over his head.
“Good boy, you guys sit here. I’m going to find a place for us to rest comfortably.” I said before walking out into the woods.
I checked my map, realizing it was a familiar area. I walked west a few minutes and found another old barn, not a nice safe zone barn, but it would do for a night. I retrieved the boys and showed them to our spot to lay low for the night.
“I’m sorry about that guys. He seemed like a nice guy. Or alien, guy? Regardless of what happens in the future, I won’t do anything like that without your approval. It was just odd. It seemed like he was standing there waiting for me but he didn’t know anything about us. I thought he was sent to kill me for The Manager dust up which is why I didn’t call you guys out, but he didn’t even know about that.” I felt horrible for getting my party into the shit, yet again.
“Tis fine Sir Rick. I apologize for taking leave of my senses.” Brenden said, pulling the mask back over.
“Woof!”
“No need to apologize for that B-rendonian. The world is fucking scary now.”
“Indubitably,” He replied making me laugh through the nerves and anxiety.
“Tomorrow we should be there early, if you want to find a safe place to lay low we will do that as soon as we find my parents. Get your rest guys.” I said moving to the entrance to keep first watch.
I pulled up my inventory and selected the Pyr Rune. I thought I would have to do something with the Tuning Fork again or at least do it by hand, but when I selected the rune all of my items without sockets grayed out.
I dragged the rune over into the cloak and poof, like magic.
I removed my newly enhanced cloak to look it over for any visible changes.
There was a glyph burned into the back neck area, just below the hood. The same glyph that was on the rune. I spun it around and saw the inside stitching was now a fiery orange that had a faint glow in the darkness.
I pulled up the description to see what really changed.
Cloak of the Ba
Legendary Growth
1 Empty Socket
27 Armor
+7 Dexterity
+7 Endurance
+7 Vitality
Reduced Damage from Physical Projectiles
+35% Fire Resistance
Cloak is Fireproof
When Hood is raised option to obscure the wearers face with flames.
Provides visibility reduction while still
I was more than happy with the outcome. Especially after being set on fire.
I’m not sure about the flame face thing but I guess it may add intimidation factor. I probably need to find clothes that aren’t burned to hell first. Pretty sure people would just assume I’m on fire if they saw me with it on now.
I removed my armor to look it over. Each of the plain gray plates were dented and scratched, not one area was untouched from the fights. I was hoping for some sort of automatic repair function like the cloak, or to find loot that repairs items, but I hadn’t been so lucky.
With no tools or work bench I had to use my hands and the ground to try to fix the nasty dents. It worked to make the armor sort of fit again but it didn’t look any better. Plus, with how destroyed it was the stats on the armor took a huge hit.
Light Plate Armor of Warmth [DAMAGED]
Magic
12 Armor
+2 Endurance
+5% Health Regeneration
+5% Mana Regeneration
I decided to save it for later to see if there was anyway to fix it when I find a workshop or maybe I would find someone else who specializes as a Smith.
I’ll only wear it for truly deadly threats, it’s uncomfortable as shit and hinders my movement more than helped it. Maybe I can call it on and off to take hits with it, probably not though. Shitty busted armor, shield shattered into pieces. What’s next? Dad always said, it happens in threes.
I inspected the ring Damael passed through the rift, thinking it may be a good enough boon to make up for the loss of armor and shield, he was level 135 after all.
Ring [Unidentified]
???
???
???
???
???
???
???
“Well, that’s super helpful.” I muttered, “Must be why he said find a Sage.”
I had no clue where or how to find a Sage.
Maybe an old pawnbroker, or just some old guy who knows a lot.
I whispered to myself, “Shtay a while and lishen.”