Chapter 52 - Change in Rhythm
"I was wondering how your people arrived in the Necropolis."
Drahk eyed her curiously. "Why would you care about our history at this moment, hours before your trial?"
Liesel considered for a moment how much she should tell him about their own trial. It might be better to hide the truth about their actual situation, but did that really matter? They were reliant on the Caravan's generosity to survive, and of all the people she knew, Drahk had been more consistent than the Seer in his actions.
Liesel regaled the tale of their task, the meeting with the Ash Lord, and their decision to seek the Primordial Vein. He listened intently, with many questions. He was not sure what caused the Spire's seal to break and the energy contained inside to leak, but Drahk believed it was the Ash Lord's doing, as the decrepit creature was probably trying to ascend to a higher form, seeking an escape from the miserable existence it actually was.
"So, we only have one option as things stand. Reach the Skull Peak, find the promised key, and escape. Before, we didn't have a choice, but if you have entered the Necropolis from another place, we might be able to use it to escape."
"Five centuries ago, the caravan arrived through a Shade Lane, blessed by Gurvantha herself. Elder Ahura led us here, conversing with the divine to open it for our escape."
"Why?" Liesel asked.
"That, only Elder Ahura can tell you," Drahk said. "We know only that we brought a calamity to our previous home, and so must remain in this cursed land that not even our presence can taint."
That was where Liesel would've liked to disagree, but she couldn't see that bearing any fruitful results. "I guess it was a one-way trip?"
"If you are wondering if it can give you a way out, then I believe you are better off seeking the guidance of Gurvantha, for we are never going to tempt our fate and other realms by escaping our home."
But you will have to, when the Necropolis crumbles, and it will when I take the Soul Heart. Liesel could tell them that someday. There was enough energy in this place to sustain itself over decades even without the Soul Heart.
"In that case, our destination is, once again, the skull of the demon general."
********
Kfahan wasn't at the tent either, even though she had visited every few hours since their arrival before, but Liesel could understand the woman's trouble. Kfahan never could've imagined that she'd be arranging food and showers for someone who might be facing her partner in a death duel.
Liesel didn't think the lady would be wrong to hate her for this.
Liesel brought everyone to talk about the future with or without her.
"I have two pieces of news about our future, one is troubling, and the other one is devastating," Liesel said, regarding everyone for a moment. "I will start with the troubling one."
"Anything positive?" Garvin derided, mimicking Sarkot's tone. "Guess that's a bittoo lavish of an ask."
"It's not her fault," Yehia hissed. She had been a little more upset, and Liesel felt it might have something to do with Kfahan's actions, though Liesel had already asked her to never confront Kfahan and received a disgruntled nod from Yehia.
"So," Liesel said, clapping her hand to get everyone's attention back to her. Garvin swallowed his retort and calmed down. "Our temporary shelter is solely hinged upon the fact that Drahk's status remains unchanged. If he is killed or loses his authority, his faction, which is welcoming to us, would no longer have the capacity to host us. In that case, we have to escape to the Primordial Vein's domain. It is distant, but you all might easily survive inside."
"How likely is his loss?" Garrol Borran asked.
"That is hard to assess. So far, I know that he is not in the good graces of the true head of the caravan, the elders."
"The old woman who is forcing Liesel to this trial," Yehia added.
"She is old, and seems to favor the second in command of the Pathstriders, Saaranam," Liesel paused, "So he might try to harm us. Stay clear of any provocation, as we don't want anyone to be dragged into another trouble."
"You didn't, but they still dragged you," Yehia whispered. She seemed oddly angrier today.
"What's so terrible about it? I mean, Drahk must be strong to still have his head even with the old—lady, I mean, elder opposing him," Charbil seemed somewhat confused.
"No, I will now get to the terrible part," Liesel pointed in the direction of the skull, though it was hidden by fabric. "The Ash Storm cannot be circled around, it touches the entire stretch of the realm. We must cross it if we are to find the key."
"That's basically impossible," Garvin frowned. "So we are stuck here, and it is only for so long as Drahk remains in charge... Ah, fuck me."
"If we didn't have a choice, then it wouldn't be terrible news, would it?" Liesel smiled slightly. "I have seen a creature in the middle of the wasteland, and after conversing with Drahk, my suspicion is confirmed. The storm is caused by a single creature that lives in the middle of the desert. If it is slain, the storm will end, and so will the swarm of centipedes."
"I hope you are not suggesting we can pull an absurd miracle like that. It's basically creating a storm across at least hundreds of miles. Don't you think it would be a bit too strong for us?" Garvin was already frowning. "You would need a White Crusader to deal with that kind of creature."
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"For now, I am not making any suggestions. Only giving the information, just in case I don't win."
"You will not," Kurvam said. "You are weak and feeble. Facing a warrior in a stand-off. Oh, he's gonna rip you limb from limb without batting an eye. Shame I didn't get to repay my debt."
"I want you all to have all the useful information that I can give you," Liesel said, ignoring Kurvam. She hadn't asked him to join, but telling him to leave might be a waste of energy and time that she couldn't afford today. "If I am not here tomorrow to make decisions, you all should be equipped with all the necessary information."
"It's basically nothing, though," Garvin's frown deepened. "What the fuck are we going to do with it? Decide whether we want to be stuck in this stranded village, and play bodyguard for your friend, or walk into the desert and die. Both are terrible, but there's only one rational choice."
As Garvin spoke, he sounded even more frustrated and tired, realizing where they stood in actuality.
"Drahk, too, intends to kill the Sah Loran, the slumbering serpent that creates the storm," Liesel said. "You might coordinate with him. Our situation is bleak, but it has not completely collapsed on all fronts."
"And what's the catastrophic news?" Yehia asked.
"Elder Ahura might be able to open a Shade Lane. As I understand it, it is not a Shade Passage, but achieves the same result through a different method... and on some level, a Shade Being might be involved."
"Did Drahk tell you that?" Farki Jan asked.
"Some of it, but I think a Shade Being is the only possible way someone can open a passage into an unknown location... through the Origin Shade," Liesel said.
But how did the Custodian teleport me to this place? I am months away from the Inceptus... Maybe the Divine do possess another method of travel, unknown to humans. Or the Library is built in the Origin Shade...
She shook her head. "So we might be forced to persuade her to open a passage for us."
"And that's worse?" Charbil seemed to question her words.
"Yeah," Yehia nodded, whispering. "She's basically... not there anymore. How are we going to hold a conversation? She might ask the entire village to burn us at the stake for even mentioning it."
"It is something for us to figure out tomorrow. For today, I want to meditate alone. You all should see what you can do here?"
"If you need something, ask Fiya to inform me," Liesel said as they began making their way out of the tent.
Fiya nodded.
"Why you, though?" Charbil asked, raising a brow as they all left her tent.
"Don't you think running away is the better choice?" Kurvam said. "Or are you going to let yourself be killed because you don't want to see the reality with your own eyes?"
Yehia glared at him, but he shrugged her off.
"I am trying to make the right choice for everyone," Liesel said. She might have run away had she been alone, and she'd probably have died in the Primordial Vein's domain. But she couldn't lead them to death. This was a safety they couldn't have hoped for, and regardless of how it might seem from afar, under no other circumstances would they have a leg to stand on to survive the rest of the journey without this village.
Pathstriders and Drahk would be necessary for both information and the resources to kill the Sah Loran. Liesel couldn't see a way to woo the elder, other than thoroughly destroying Saaranam's sense of self and then having him fill her ears with niceties.
It might not work even then. Maybe she wants action and drama, and the Saaranam is there to take the ire. And there's a question of where we would end up once we are inside the Shade Lane.
It was still an option that they could consider if no other option seemed possible.
There was a strap to shut the flap of the tent from inside. It worked well enough for a little privacy.
"Auram," Liesel called as she picked up a normal sword resting beside the Blood Devourer.
"Finally," Auram heaved as she manifested in front of Liesel's eyes. "I thought you were going to start your duel without ever talking to me."
"I owe you a conversation," Liesel said, "Though, it might be the last time. If my life going forward is a series of breaks between near-certain death experiences, then I think this is the last time I am doing this."
"Oh, you will win," Auram said, grinning. "I have no doubt, but I was wondering if you want an enhancement potion from Isa. She makes good things. It might give you the edge."
"My body is not in shape to sustain that kind of effect. Victory doesn't mean much if I am not able to move tomorrow. Or collapse before I even fight."
"You say that but... there's a way..."
"Auram," Liesel said, "I will not ask you what kind of miracle in that potion saved me, but I know it was beyond Isa's ability alone."
"So what?" Auram frowned. "It saved your life. Isn't that more important? Why do you always refuse to accept my help... no, just my healing magic, even though you have no problem with your healer? Why? I am as good as him, if not better."
"You complicate things unnecessarily," Liesel said. "Because my body is incapable of accepting any kind of enhancement potion, I will not ask for one. That is all. Let that be all, please, Auram."
Auram scowled, mumbling something under her breath, but she nodded. "If you look like you are going to lose, I will make an appearance in front of the old hag and tell her she is a liar. I should probably do it right now. Maybe it will stop this madness."
"Drahk is aware of your presence," Liesel said, "And his man's life is on the line. I think he would have mentioned you if it could change anything. They are very rigid people in their traditions, and perhaps there was an opportunity to put it to the side by showing you off, but we have sailed past it."
"Still... I think she should feel guilty."
"You will only risk your own life, and I refuse to let that be for me."
Liesel shifted her attention to the sword. She channelled Materiality into her hand and then into the blade. She was realizing the rhythm of her Materiality was different than before. It was sharper and angrier, in a sense. It raced faster than she was used to.
She tried to follow the hum, as it crossed between the different shades. The moment was shorter than before.
"Liesel?"
Liesel frowned. She didn't hear Auram. Her entire focus rested only on her hand and the blade. She channelled the Materiality again, and swung her sword as she felt it cross the Soul Shade. But she could feel she had been off. The same way as she had been against the Centipede. But a failure against an Ascendant in a fair duel would be far more devastating. She'd not survive.
Liesel channelled Materiality again, and tried, and failed.
With each try, Liesel realized it wasn't just a change, but a demand from her Materiality. It wanted even faster reflexes from her, and tighter precision in her slashes.
Maybe... I should have been practicing this since I woke up.
"You can't do it," Auram said.
"I have to be precise," Liesel hummed. Instead of pushing herself to burn all her recovery in reckless practice, she tried to feel the rhythm and find the right moment in her mind first.
"Is it because you are using a different sword?"
Liesel doubted that was the case. The Shade Severance was her skill, and had little to do with the weapon itself. "I cannot use it."
"Why?"
"Because the last thing I want is for the Rakamel to witness their kin not just dead, but also violated as all of its blood is taken and soaked into my sword."
"Yeah... that's not gonna look pretty."
"Not to mention, he is a man I know, and not a beast. Though the situation demands me to fight him, it does not demand me to desecrate his dignity even in death."
"But you are handicapping yourself, even though you are already on the back foot."
"We have time," Liesel said. "I can find the right timing again."
"Then you would be exhausted."
Liesel smiled. "The fight will only last a few seconds. So stamina is not the problem. I promise, I will rest before the fight." She added, as the spirit glared at her.