Rune Seeker

“Another few feet ahead of us, and we’ll enter the trial,” Hiral said, eyes on a shimmering veil hanging in the air like a massive dome over the distant tower. The structure stood almost a mile from them, atop a prominent hill where it overlooked the territory in all directions. Far in the distance to the left and right, two more towers stood proud, and even more beyond them, to Hiral’s high Atn.

Really, it might be more accurate to call all of them forts themselves. A circular, tall wall that looked thick even from the distance surrounded the central tower that climbed into the air almost like an inverted pyramid. The angle of the walls was steep, making the width at the top of the tower less than a quarter of its overall height. At the top, crenellations hid whatever lay on the roof of the building, while the slope of the walls would make them almost impossible to scale by normal means. Shielded windows were visible at regular intervals, but something about them made the non-existent hair on the back of Hiral’s neck stand on end. No way those weren’t going to be bad news for anybody who got past the wall.

“I don’t see an interface,” Nivian said.

“This one’s different,” Hiral said. “There’s something like a boundary, around where that foot-shaped rock is. I think when we cross it, that’ll start the trial.”

“I don’t see anything,” Gran said. “But maybe we can take that rock for the next time somebody loses a foot.”

“He only has rocks in his head,” Yully said.

“I’m right here,” Devison pointed out. “I can hear you insulting me.”

“You never seem to listen when we tell you to stop kicking the inside of monsters’ mouths,” Yully said.

“Or to stop trying to block an axe with your ankle,” Gran added with her customary cackle.

“Seemed like good ideas at the time…” Devison grumbled, and Drahn gave him a consolatory pat on the shoulder.

“Plan?” Seena asked Hiral as they all stood looking for whatever he saw. “I don’t think the rest of us can see this boundary you’re talking about. Is it an attunement thing?”

“Maybe in part,” Hiral said. “It reminds me a bit of the fold in space the PIMP hides in.”

Beside them, Seeyela snapped her fingers. “It’s like the city we went to. For Who Dunnit?” the woman said. “Like Tomorrow overlayed a dungeon on a real place. How the hell did she even do that?”

“… you asking me?” Gran said when she noticed Seeyela was looking in her direction.

“You are one of the people who helped build dungeons in the first place,” Wule said, referring to the fact Gran had been outed as Laseen, one of Dr. Benza’s two assistants. The other – Fenil – had turned out to the be the Custodian of Tomorrow.

“And Tomorrow was a damn Progenitor,” Gran said. “One who apparently helped guide our construction of the dungeons in the first place. Fenil was around for all of Dr. Benza’s biggest dungeon breakthroughs. I bet he… she… they… it… whatever had a hand in encouraging the doctor’s thinking. Seeing what I have here in the Cradle makes me realize just how much we don’t know about what we started with the PIMP and dungeons.”

“But you must…” Seeyela started, only to trail off as Hiral raised a hand.

“For now,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll find out what’s going on when we pass through this barrier, or whatever it is.”

“We should expect the trial to start immediately,” Nivian said. “Some kind of assault on the tower, you think?”

“That’s exactly what I think,” Hiral said. “These towers clearly look like they’re set up to defend our side from the other faction. If what Dad was saying is true, this trial will probably teach us how to deal with towers on the other side.”

“Which means this tower probably isn’t going to want to be taken,” Yanily said. “There’s bound to be defenses in place.”

“And people guarding the tower when we get there,” Romin said. Beside him, his companion snuffed and pawed at the ground. “Wallop suggests we’ll likely have to deal with artillery, like the catapults we’ve been able to create back at the fortress.”

“Getting hit by one of those – a B-Rank version, I’m sure – doesn’t sound pleasant,” Drahn said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll shoot any projectiles out of the sky before they reach us,” Igwanda said.

“Speaking of the sky,” Seena said. “Can you fly us there, Hiral?”

“I could,” he started slowly.

“But?” Seeyela and Seena asked at the same time.

“But I don’t think we should cheat too much on this,” he said. “Look, if we skip or bypass some of the defenses by flying, how will we be able to tell the other raid groups what to expect?”

“The other towers are going to be different ranks, aren’t they?” Wule asked. “I bet this whole area along the border is stratified. Almost like lanes where different Ranks can move into the other faction’s territory without having to worry about the solar poisoning.”

“Just like how we got here by following a series of trials,” Nivian said.

“Even if we punch through the B- or A-Rank tower when the fog lifts,” Romin said. “The others won’t be able to follow us safely.”

“They’ll need to make their own way through,” Ilrolik said. “Meaning they need to knock down their own tower.”

“So,” Hiral continued. “The more we learn now, the more prepared we can make sure the rest of the raid groups are.”

“Do you think this B-Rank tower will have more tricks, or just stronger ones?” Seena asked.

“Only one way to find out,” Hiral answered. “Buff up. It’s time to storm the tower.”

With the command given, solar energy pulsed out of those around him, buffs layering themselves across the entire party. Longer-duration protections and enhancements reinforced Hiral’s body, and he even reached out with his scarves to give everybody a boost to their attributes. It wasn’t as strong as the forty-five percent multiplier he was getting from his own pseudo-aspect, but more likely closer to fifteen or twenty percent.

They’d save their new pennants – and other short-duration buffs – for when they really needed them.

“Everybody ready?” he asked barely fifteen seconds later, and he got three nods from the party leaders. “We’ve got a little bit of space, so we’re going to spread out when we cross the boundary. Not too far. Fifteen feet between parties in case there is any of that artillery Wallop reminded us of. Nivian, you’ve got the right side. Ilrolik the left.”

Without a word, the other two parties moved away from Seena’s group, then took up positions with their tanks at the front. As for Seena’s group, Wallop trundled up into the lead, a snuff in the tower’s direction like he was daring to it throw something his way. Through practice in the previous trials, Romin and his companion would save their Onslaught transformation for when they actually ran into something they’d need to fight.

“If we get separated like we did in The Playhouse,” Hiral continued. “Head for the tower and meet up there. I trust you can handle anything this trial sends your way. Make note of anything you think the other raid groups will need to know. Questions?”

“Smash?” Bash asked, his toes flexing and churning at the dirt beneath his feet.

Stolen story; please report.

“We’re ready,” Nivian said. In his hand, his triple-spinal-cord whip writhed like it was an unliving serpent, the fanged skulls at the end clattering in anticipation.

“Don’t expect us to go slow and wait for the rest of you,” Ilrolik said with a wink. “In fact, why don’t we make this a bit of a game? See who can get there first.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the wise, patient, and responsible one?” Loan asked the old Shaper.

“Let’s just say spending time around all these kids is kindling the old spark of youth in my chest,” Ilrolik said.

Loan actually buried his face in his hands. “Fallen help us, I remember how competitive you used to be.”

“Only stopped because there wasn’t any worthy competition,” Ilrolik said, looking at the other groups. Her eyes finished on Hiral.

“If it’s a race you want,” Hiral said and flared his pseudo-aspect. The white energy of his Coat of Amin Thett snapped back like it’d been caught in a powerful gust of wind, embers of it breaking off and floating up before getting replaced by his deep well of solar energy. Power seemed to surge around him, concentric circles whirling on the ground beneath his feet as he lifted into the air. Behind him, his scarves whipped like the tails of a predator in anticipation of a hunt, while the double-helix of his PIM shone bright. “Bring it on.”

“You kids finished posturing?” Seena asked, shaking her head at the childishness of it all. Then she seemed to notice the rest of her party, each bristling with power and readiness. Lightning arced across Yanily’s body, wings of storm clouds spread at his back. Arcs of black and purple crackled through the air around Seeyela, as if a dozen portals were just waiting to open. Wallop’s hoof pawed at the ground, ready for the command to charge. Even Romin and Gran had shifted forward, wide grins on their faces. “Ugh, at least Nivian’s…”

She didn’t even bother finishing the sentence, the other party poised like they stood at the starting block. Wule didn’t even have a book out.

“What?” the Grower healer asked. “You’ve been showing us up since the Ascender’s Tower. Time for a little payback.”

“That’s how it’s going to be then, huh?” Seena asked the other two party leaders.

“Looks that way,” Ilrolik said.

Nivian smiled at her, a spark flashing in the blue-flame of his eyes. “Scared of losing?”

At the question, Seena’s eyes first widened and then immediately narrowed. “We. Do. Not. Lose.” Then she pointed at both of the other party leaders at the same time. “Remember, you brought this on yourselves.”

A flash of fiery solar energy ignited the Phoenix Sheath across her body, the heat and light of it rolling off her.

“Let’s crush them,” she said to her party.

“Cross the boundary,” Hiral said. “And we’ll be waiting for you at the tower.”

As one, the three parties strode forward, then crossed the border they trusted Hiral to be there. Immediately, two things happened.

The first was an instantaneous sort of overlay, like one image of the landscape in front of Hiral had been placed on top of the other. It was only for a split second, but something had been shifted. Whether it was the space around them, or the parties themselves, it was impossible to tell. Much like getting teleported to a dungeon, wherever they were wasn’t exactly where they’d been.

Hiral didn’t have long to ponder how amazing the level of transportation Tomorrow had was, with the second thing happening right away – namely a notification window popping up in front of them.

Dynamic Trial: Storming the Tower (Mid-B-Rank)

Before you looms the first line of defense. Built from nearly indestructible stone, with the ingenuity of Tomorrow, the towers stand vigil over wide swaths of land. Powerful weapons, an eternal fuel source, and stalwart troops guard their home and duty, with orders to destroy any who try to pass.

And pass you must, if you wish to conquer the Cradle.

Destroy the tower: 0/1

Or

Capture the tower: 0/1

“Two choices,” Hiral said, all three parties having stopped at the notification. Yes, it would be a competition for fun, but none of them were willing to rush ahead and risk the others before they had some idea what they were getting into.

“Which option we going for?” Ilrolik asked.

“Can you do the same thing to this place you did to the mountain?” Drahn asked, likely referring back to the D-Rank mountain from the Fields of Prey.

“Doubtful,” Hiral said as he spotted distant movement atop the tower. They’d already been spotted. “They know we’re here, but this is the plan. The description said the walls are almost indestructible – probably like the Fallens’ towers – so smashing the place from the outside is likely out of the question.”

“Smash…” Bash said sadly.

“That core mentioned is probably a clue to how to destroy the place though,” Hiral continued. “Why else would it be in the notification?”

“Taking control of the tower sounds like an even better option,” Wule said. “If we can do that to the other faction’s towers, it could be a big advantage for our groups.”

“Correct. First group that gets to the tower, head for the top floor. Second group, see if there’s a basement or something. Whoever gets there last, find out if there’s anything useful in the area immediately around the tower within the walls.”

“Got it,” Nivian, Seena, and Ilrolik said at the same time. And, not a moment too soon, a trio of flashes lighting up the top of the tower.

“Incoming!” Hiral said, but he needn’t have bothered, with all three groups scattering at the tower’s opening salvo. For his part, a burst of Rejection shot him forward, inches above the ground, while his party sprinted with him.

Arcing through the sky, three spheres like falling meteors glowed ominously, but struck behind the fast-moving parties. Explosions shook the ground and hurled dirt thirty feet in the air, even as another trio of flashes lit up the top of the tower. That didn’t seem to be all the tower had, either, a swarm of something spewing up from behind the circular, outer wall.

To Hiral’s eyes, they looked like some kind of mechanical birds, though their wings didn’t flap to move them around. And, they were unnaturally coordinated, moving in perfect unison to stream in the direction of Nivian’s group sweeping out to the right to circle around.

“I thought you were going to shoot those down…” Wule said into the raid chat.

“They weren’t going to hit us anyway,” Igwanda replied.

“It’s cause there were three… isn’t it?” Wule asked back flatly. “You could do one, but three…”

“Focus,” Nivian said over the chat as the swarm spread like a flock of strangely synchronized birds to blanket the sky as it approached the group.

On the other side, where Ilrolik’s group sped ahead at what looked like open ground toward the tower nearly two miles distant – Yup, spatial shenanigans – a series of rapid explosions shattered the peace.

“Traps!” Loan roared, another staccato of eruptions hurling dirt and fire into the air.

Not that Hiral or his group had time to worry much about the others. That next trio of arcing artillery was already arriving, with the crew manning the weapons having gotten their range. Just watching the trajectory of the falling meteors, one each would like in front of and behind the party, while the third – and final – would smash down right in the middle. Directly on their heads.

Really, it was a marvelous shot.

Still, to their B-Rank bodies – and especially to Hiral’s Atn – the shots didn’t move at a particularly threatening speed.

“I’ve got this,” Hiral said. “Don’t slow.”

Trusting in him, the rest of the party maintained their speed rushing forward, while he launched himself into the air, and straight for the incoming shot. His hands glowed with runic energy – Attraction, Rejection, Sealing, Connection, and Dreaming – and he reached out to the falling ball of energy. Using his sensory domain like an extension to his own grasp, he wrapped the shot in his will as it got to within fifteen feet of him, then jerked himself slightly to the side.

Down came the blast, then curved around Hiral as he twisted in the air, following the path of his hands. Held like a shotput, Hiral spun the blast in a complete three-sixty, ready to return the package to the sender. Before he let go, though, he made sure to send it back better than he’d received it.

Runes of Impact, Breaking, Increase, and Energy flooded into the shot, and Hiral released it at the same time the other two blasts smashed into the ground. Through the shower of debris and smoke rising into the air, the tower couldn’t even see what was happening until their own attack came barrelling back in their direction.

By that time, they’d already released another salvo of shots, and the three meteors passed a fourth – much larger – travelling in the opposite direction.

Having gotten a good feel of how the blasts held together, Hiral activated Hundred Handed+, then burst ahead of his group.

Hundred Handed+: Gain control of eight spectral arms to make attacks or conduct actions for 3 minutes per Rank (current duration is 12 minutes)

Note: Damage of attacks based off Str or Dex (whichever is higher).

Note (2): Speed of limbs based off based off Str or Dex (whichever is higher).

Note (3): Precision and deftness of hands based off Wis or Atn (whichever is higher).

Note (4): Skills and Abilities can now be channeled through limbs produced by Hundred Handed+ as if they were the user’s own natural limbs.

Note (5): Don’t worry, these don’t explode – unless you want them to.

Eight, new, spectral limbs sprouting from his back, he shot higher into the sky, a pair of arms each reaching below him toward one of the falling meteors. Just like he’d done with his own hands for the previous shot, he wrapped each of these blasts in a cocktail of runic power, then, before they hit the ground, he somersaulted in the air.

Spectral arms each at different lengths – and with their own payloads of destructive energy – windmilled above the party sprinting by underneath. Around, up, and over, the arms went, before catapulting the three shots right back the way they’d come.

Even as Hiral released these three newest shots, the first one he’d launched arrived back at its origin point. A massive blast of glowing energy erupted at the top of the tower, the boom of it drowning out the near-constant explosions from the traps harassing Ilrolik’s party. Even the swarm of metal birds – each firing beams of concentrated energy – seemed to pause at the attack.

Then the other three hit, and the battle was well and truly joined.