There was no pain, just an overwhelming sense of emotions. It was as though her mind had been flooded with a million thoughts all at once. SJ gasped as she staggered backwards. The only reason she didn't fall was her boots and their Sure Step ability.
"What's wrong?" Dave asked, panicked as SJ dropped the belt onto the table.
SJ held her head, scrunching her eyes closed as her mind still felt overloaded with emotions. Heartache, grief and pain at the same time as happiness, pleasure and love. Gradually, her emotions settled, and she opened her eyes again, staring at the belt.
"That was intense!" SJ said, panting as though she had just run a marathon.
"What happened? All I saw was your neurotransmitters going haywire."
'I have no idea. I was hit with so many emotions all at once, as though they were my own, but I knew that they weren't. I have never felt so much grief before, followed by joy and elation,' she thought.
"Did you identify it?"
'No. I didn't have a chance.'
"I have never witnessed anything like that before or heard of that sort of reaction," Dave said, sounding concerned.
'It wasn't painful. Just unexpected.' SJ reached for the belt again.
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
"SJ. SJ. Are you ok?" Yawnee's voice called from below.
SJ turned and walked to the door, opening it. "Sorry, Yawnee. This is just a fleeting visit. I will be going again in a few minutes. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"I heard a bang and just wanted to check, that's all," Yawnee called back.
SJ closed the door again and walked back to the table, again looking at the belt before she picked it up, this time ready for the rush of emotions. Closing her eyes as her mind spun. Emotions roiled, and slowly, they calmed. Until she eventually separated her own from those from the belt. And then, suddenly, they stopped.
Calming herself, she identified the item and, for the second time, nearly collapsed on the floor, this time in shock.
The Belt of the Earth Stone
Grade - Uncommon
Quality - Flawless
Durability - Excellent
Enchantment Slots - One
Hidden - Alignment fae (2 of 5)
You have discovered two pieces of the long-lost set of the Earth Stone, one of the greatest fae relics.
Unlocked abilities - Earth Sentry - 2 of 5 - each piece of the set grants attribute bonuses when combined. When the complete set is combined, the wearer receives unique abilities.
The Tiara of the Earth Stone - unknown
Choker of the Earth Stone - Charisma +5
Earrings of the Earth Stone - unknown
The Earthen Breast - unknown
The Belt of the Earth Stone - Dexterity +5
Quest - Earth Sentry - Update
The fae heirlooms have been missing for centuries. You have received two of five pieces of the Earth Sentry set. Find the other three remaining pieces to complete the set. This is a racial quest and has no territory limitations.
Progress: 2 of 5
Rewards: Earth Sentry status
"What on Amathera!" Dave squealed. "Two pieces. Two pieces. You have two pieces of the set. Do you know what this means? Only ever have I seen a Legionnaire with a single piece of a set, never two pieces. This is, is, is..." After a pause, he continued, "...do you know what this means?" His excitement bubbled over.
'No,' SJ replied in shock, still staring at her display.
"It means. It means...I have no idea what it means," Dave said. "Right, forget about Raceillia. Let's go kill that mage at the Black Griffin. See if those earrings are the real deal."
'No. I am dealing with Raceillia first, and we are in no rush.' The bonus stat increases alone were significant. 'I wonder if each of the set items boosts individual attributes? Consider the Tiara. Could that be Intelligence and the Breast Constitution? If so, I guess the Earrings would be Wisdom.'
"Very logical and would make sense, especially as strength is not a strongly used attribute of the fae classes."
'I wonder what the unlocked skill is. if the set is completed?'
"Only the gods probably know the answer to that. I don't know. When you got the first piece, I checked the archives and could find nothing giving the details of the full set."
Wrapping the belt around her waist, it shrunk to fit her perfectly. Its green tones and silver colour faded to match her darkened dress. 'It has changed colour!'
"Maybe a hidden property. Oh, your choker has changed as well," Dave said.
SJ had not lit a light in the room. Her adaptive vision and the glow from the incubating egg provided more than enough ambient light. Walking to the mirror above the sink, she looked at her reflection. The choker had adapted to match her dress. This would be amazing. The only areas of her on show now were her hands and head, and once she had her claws equipped, only her head. Everything else she wore allowed her to disappear into the dark.
Walking back to the table, she picked up her darts again and slotted them into the belt. The pattern provided almost natural loops for the darts to slide into, and they felt more secure than her starter belt. After putting the bracelet and the ring, she picked up the mana regeneration ring, which she would give to Larianco to use.
"I'm going again," SJ shouted down the stairs before she left via the balcony and flew off back to the sanctuary.
As she flew back, she pulled up her character sheet and checked her adjusted stats, damage and armour class. With the bonus from the belt and the ring of agility, she had just increased her dexterity from 31 to 40.
Armour Class: 67 +13 Enchantments +24 Equipment +30 Attributes
Damage: Base 81-83 (18-20) +13 Enchantments +20 Skills +30 Attributes
Dexterity: 40
Charisma: 22
On arriving at the sanctuary she handed the ring to Larianco.
"What's this?"
"It will help you hopefully, if there are any problems," SJ said.
Larianco turned the ring in her fingers, nodding appreciatively. "Very nice and very expensive."
SJ felt her cheeks heat slightly. "I procured it."
Larianco just nodded in understanding, not asking anymore.
"We may as well head over," Larianco said. While SJ was away, she changed out of her usual dress and wore a short robe with tight sleeves over cloth trousers. Her hair was pulled back, and she looked ready for a fight.
As they flew high above the city streets, the sounds of the night filtered up. The warehouse district was much darker than the surrounding areas, with most buildings without illumination. Flying to the clock tower, SJ landed with Larianco.
"It's that warehouse there," SJ pointed out. "I removed a tile yesterday, but they covered it with a canvas sack. I don't know if it will have been repaired or not. I will go and check." SJ took off and flew down to the roof, quickly locating where the canvas sack was still used to cover the hole. Now that it was covered, and the rain was being stopped, they probably wouldn't repair it looking at the state of the rest of the tiles.
"It's still covered with a sack," SJ said as she landed at the tower.
"That's good then," Larianco's eyes looked frenzied and she was flinching at all the bangs and shouts below.
"Are you ok?"
"If I said I am a little nervous, would that be ok? I have never snuck into anywhere before. I have lived my life as a diplomat and rarely had to fight."
"If you hadn't fought against Raceillia, I would have died. So you have proven yourself to me ten times over."
Larianco gave a weak smile.
'Dave. What level is Larianco?'
"She is 31."
'And Raceillia?'
"She was 25."
'I would have assumed Larianco was much higher.'
"She is probably very skilled. You don't need to be a high level if you have spent years at your practice, and as a fae, I am sure she has. Her magic skills will be of a much higher level. Compared to most races. One of the strongest mages I ever met was an elf. He was only a level 14, but his magical abilities were crazy."
'Makes sense. I just don't like staying behind in my levels. The extra constitution helps.'
"Your improved Dexterity will make you ridiculously fast now. Remember that you haven't attempted anything since you have had all your equipment adjusted. Be ready to adapt as you do."
The time was approaching 2200 hrs. "Shall we go?" SJ asked.
Larianco took a deep breath. "Yes."
The canvas flapped lightly in the breeze as they landed, and lifting the edge, SJ moved underneath and peered into the warehouse. She couldn't see anyone moving inside, but there was light coming from the office. Crawling underneath, she lowered herself before taking off and landing gently on the nearest beam. Larianco followed her, and SJ could tell her dexterity was not as high as her own as she struggled to lower herself before flying down to meet SJ.
"You made that look easier than it was," Larianco whispered.
SJ just smiled, pointing towards the office where the light was. "That was where I heard her," she whispered. "Follow me, and we will head to the office roof."
Cautiously, SJ flew over to the office, keeping watch as she did. She still hadn't seen or heard anything in the warehouse as yet and only hoped that Raceillia was there. Gently landing on the roof, she waited for Larianco to join her before moving carefully and silently to the edge of the office roof. The sounds of the bars outside could be heard even inside the warehouse, the muffled music and laughter reaching the darkness of the warehouse.
SJ cupped her hand to her ear and leaned over the edge. At first, she didn't hear it, but as she focused on her hearing, the improved senses she had been granted allowed her to pick up breathing. It was slow and steady, deep, relaxed breaths. SJ turned to Larianco and signed that she thought whoever was in there was asleep, placing her hands together and against the side of her face, tilting her head. She hoped the sign was universal. Larianco nodded in understanding.
She then indicated she would check. Peering over the edge and checking everywhere she could see, she lowered herself before flapping her wings and letting go. Hovering, she approached the open door. The office was larger than she had expected, and looking inside, she saw it split into at least two other rooms. There was no one in the outer room, where a lantern sat on a table. Several chairs and a desk were the only other items in the room. There were maps strewn on the desk, and an empty bottle of wine stood on the table by the lantern.
The map on the desk showed District 10 in detail, and there were markings on Nebworth Street where a building was highlighted. That had to be the jeweller's where the chalice was being taken. Or was it? SJ didn't know the exact plan Wystria and the colonel had put in place. One of the doors leading from the office was wide open and there was no light or any sound coming form it. The other though the door was pushed to. Not closed but only a crack was left to peer through. SJ dropped down low to the floor landing by the door and peered inside.
The room was untidy with clothes strewn on the floor and a table. There was single bed against one wall and in the bed a being lay. SJ couldn;t see from here who it was the only way she would be able to is by opening the door further. She leaned against it gently, in her miniature form it was relative and it felt like pushing against a rock wall. Slowly it began to move and as it did more light bathed the room from the lantern in the office. SJ didn't need to go any further to see that it was Raceillia. Her back was to the door and her hair trailled off the edge of the bed as she slept.
Quietly SJ moved back away before taking off and listening again before she moved back out of the office and up to where Larianco's terrified face was. Landing she whispered.
"She is asleep in the back room on the left. No one else is around. What do you want to do?"
"Talk to her," Larianco whispered in response.
SJ nodded before taking off again, this time Larianco followed her inside and they both landed by the door. Larianco moved her hands in a flourish and a pale blue light appeared as a shield surrounded her. Larianco pointed upwards and they both grew. A red glow appeared in Larianco's hand as SJ eased the door open and they stepped inside.
Raceillia didn't stir, still lying asleep on the bed. Even the added light being cast into the room hadn't awoken her, and SJ noticed a couple of empty wine bottles on a bedside table. Larianco nodded and approached the bed, showing a drinking motion, her glowing hand held out towards Raceillia.
She spoke gently and quietly. "Raceillia. It's time to get up."
Raceillia stirred and groaned.
"Raceillia. It's morning, time to get up."
Slowly, Raceillia reacted, groaning and twisting in her sleepy state in the bed until her eyes met with Larianco and SJ's.
"Don't," Larianco warned as Raceillia pushed herself against the wall, lifting her hands. "Move them once more, and I release it. I only want to talk."
Raceillia's eyes were filled with hatred, but she could do nothing. Any movement would give Larianco the right to release her spell at point-blank range. There would be no way that Raceillia could stop it. SJ didn't know what the spell was, but the pulsing red and orange on her hand burned with intensity, showing that whatever it was, it was powerful.
"And why should I talk to you? Who allies yourself with that treacherous being," Raceillia said, looking at SJ.
SJ frowned but didn't reply.
"We know your contacts here in Asterfal and have already communicated what they planned to do this evening. I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't already in the custody of the tower guard."
Raceillia's eyes gave away her shock at hearing that the theft was known about, but she didn't follow up with a question.
"I need to understand why you have attempted to have SJ killed?"
"I have my orders."
"Orders from whom?"
"As if I will tell you."
"Raceillia dear. You are still so young. Why have you been tainted so badly that you are willing to show your allegiance to dark elves and sully the fae name?"
"It is my birthright. It always has been and always will be. Fae should be ruling this world, not the feeble beings that do."
Larianco laughed. "Fae, ruling the world? You are working for dark elves. At what point do you see the fae ruling anything? Do you not know you are being manipulated to do their bidding? Have you been inflicted so badly and tainted by their words?"
"Gavia is returning. When he does, he will take back what was rightfully ours."
"Gavia has been dead for millennia. He is not coming back. You are being manipulated and have been by false lies and misinformation. Who told you these tales?"
"My father, and his father before him."
"Three generations of fae do not return to the time of Gavia. You are mistaken and have been affected by these tales. I do not want to harm you. I hope you will come peacefully with us back to the sanctuary. You will be returned to the capital, but at least you can redeem yourself for your actions."
"I have nothing to redeem. I am guilty of nothing. I support our one true leader and god."
"Will you come peacefully with me now, or must I force you to cooperate?"
"SJ?" Dave said.
'What?' SJ thought angrily, at being disturbed. She was nervous enough, as it was, without Dave interrupting her.
"What Raceillia just said may be true. The way she said it, our one true leader and god."
'And what does that matter? Gavia is dead.'
"But the God of Darkness isn't, and if Haber can change his form to be whoever he wishes. Do you not think that Jaristi could as well? He could easily portray himself as Gavia. He may not do anything himself to affect anything directly, therefore not breaking the rules the gods are under as Haber does for us in Killic. But nothing stops him from presenting himself as Gavia's reincarnation and spreading the lies of old."
The thought of a god portraying Gavia pierced SJ's spine. 'He wouldn't?'
"Why not? If all he is doing is talking and not causing harm, is that different to any other god? I don't know how many are on Amathera, and from what Haber said, he is a little different, having spent most of his time here, but doesn't that mean they all could? This makes my circuits overheat thinking about the possibilities," Dave said, and SJ could imagine he just shivered as well.
'But what about the dark elves? Where do they come into it?'
"The God of Darkness has always been their race's patron. It makes sense that they would be completing his work on his behalf within the fae kingdom to bring about the chaos of the past."
'So where do I fit in?'
"I have been thinking a lot about that as well. I believe there are two key considerations. The first is that you are on the side of the good. What you have done, who you are and what you stand for are all the opposites of what Jaristi would want to happen. Again, he is not directly attacking you, but may have influenced others to do so. A ray of light is a ray of light in a dark room. That is when it shines its brightest. Secondly, I think the gods know more about what you stand for than we do. Haber has insinuated as much, but has never said what. You are here, I believe, to achieve something that even I, or potentially even the System, aren't aware of."
'Of all the times to hit me with this is now?'
"Well, thinking about something a lot for me doesn't correlate with your time. Maybe I used the wrong words. What triggered it was the comment then from Raceillia about the one."
'We have no proof. How could we be sure?'
"We can't, but how a certain friend of ours got flustered when we spoke to him about Jaristi. I think it is closer to the mark than we ever expected. I think another conversation is needed."
SJ continued listening to Larianco and Raceillia as she spoke to Dave. Larianco almost pleaded with Raceillia to come quietly.
"We need to hurry up," SJ said. "She either comes quietly, or we do what we must do."
It was the first time SJ had spoken since arriving there, and Raceillia's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Simple. We have permission to kill you if we must. You are a lesser fae and a relative of a lower council member. You hold no status in the kingdom."
Raceillia's jaw hit the floor with the statement, and she sat flustered, trying to gather her words.
That was when things went sideways. The door to the warehouse's side entrance flew open, and SJ heard voices and beings arriving.
