Icarus Awakens

Thunder rumbled, just once, in the air around Aughal. It was unusual. Even with the natural variance, anyone accustomed to the sound would suspect that it had been cut off prematurely. It set Rasalia on edge, fearing another attack from the regions bordering hers. Of the yet unnamed team, only Hunter’s ears were keen enough to distinguish the difference. Yet they all heard it, including the one who shouldn’t have been able to.

Underground. The room was far nicer than her home. In fact, the comparison would forever prevent her from calling her burrow a room again. For one, it had a door. No windows, never windows, but accommodations beyond her village. A pile of cushions not only large enough to fit her but also contoured to her body to rest on. This was a guest room aimed at the average dusker. Khiat eyed the embellished chisel, meant to work at chitin that overgrew and prevented plates from locking smoothly, and amended her impression. This was a very good room.

She wasn’t quite sure what had woken her, in the same way anyone waking from a nightmare could recall only hazy details. Like the real-life nightmare that had plagued her for weeks. It was still there at times. Not that alien impulse, thank the gods, but the memories. The change in her nature hadn’t fixed anything, only stopped the bleeding. It still hurt, even in memory, because she was the same person who’d had those thoughts.

Last night was fun at least. Being hailed as a hero of your people was an experience more people needed. It had gotten better after Khiat had stopped trying to explain what she had wasn’t exactly Sun Immunity and just let people be in awe. Then there was slight concern as the night dragged on and it seemed people would keep mobbing her until dawn.

Xhrev had rescued her. He was an older native of the city and benefited from a bond with his wife that had grown so strong, they could pick up on emotions from other people as well. She was just glad honing on her anxiety had made Xhrev see her as a normal person, rather than a disappointment. Also, she was starting to realize a lot of her people had names that started with ‘X’, like her dad. Should I change my name? No, that’s stupid.

Khiat checked the clock on the wall, another sign of the very good room’s amenities, and saw there was still about a half hour to sunset. There was a floating dial around the outside of the two hands indicating when that was for the season, although that wouldn’t have been something she’d trust without her powers. With Sun Resistance?

Her new situation still took some getting used to. No one could explain the differences and guide her, for there were important differences. People in different classes could train others, especially if they possessed similar powers. That’s how Lograve had explained it at least.

With her? She didn’t advance anymore. Neither did Daniel’s identification power work beyond identifying what powers she possessed. It was like there was no class to read.

Sun Resistance. An otherwise unheard of power that did not require mana to work but still ran out of… something. She couldn’t survive a full day of exposure and there was a sense of the power weakening with prolonged use as if she were walking towards a fire. Yet the mana within her did not dwindle. She didn’t have to activate anything, it just worked until it didn’t. So, probably a passive power like a feature, though one Daniel’s Focus couldn’t see.

I really don’t know what’s going on, Khiat thought. It wasn’t a sad thought. The future was looking brighter. She’d had an amazing lunch last night, if interrupted, and a group of friends that might give her a chance to travel the world. She remembered never wanting to leave home before, and while a part of her still felt that way, another was excited to see what else was out there. Her new, strange powers had given her the freedom to not worry about the deadly sun. Without that literally hanging over her head, the prospect of going to regions her kind didn’t normally visit was tantalizing.

Khiat left a few of her gold and a note of thanks behind. Gods, but she was rich now. Another month of fighting could see her parents living comfortably in the city. Or, maybe the whole village. Would they leave? Will my team stay here long enough? The dusker brooded on that as she walked in the fading sunlight, leaving a small panic in her wake.

Khiat made it to the Painted Dusk, the genuine article framed behind the tavern, just as time ran out. Hunter was vibrating ominously, fangs bared. Tak glided down from the roof and into the generous space around the ringcat when he saw her. “Ah, you are back too. Good. We are going to kill something.”

“What?!” Khiat checked herself and breathed a sigh of relief in feeling her quiver. Losing more of her arrows, especially now, would have been a disgrace. “Is there a monster in the city?”

“Yes? No? Not sure. Lograve received a message. Something bad is happening in the Artificer’s store. Daniel went there and now Hunter can’t find him.”

“He is not dead,” Hunter growled.

Tak shook his arms as they melded back into their normal shapes. “I know. We are going to get him.” More people departed the inn, this time from the front door.

“Khiat. Your timing is perfect.” The dusker honestly didn’t know what to think of the Arcanist. Respect for someone of high level, certainly, but the few times they’d talked Lograve had seemed kind of busy. Now, there was a calm smile on his face. Like someone had pasted a painting over his true emotions. Scary. He was also covered in ice armor. “You are welcome to join us.”

“Shelter,” Khare added. It took Khiat a moment to realize their meaning. Of course. She nodded in thanks at the offer.

“Is it, um, do we know who’s there?” Can I fight people? Would that make my class come back!?

“Daniel’s there,” Evalyn said coldly. “We’re leaving now to stop them from escaping with him. We aren’t going to let this happen again. Come, or don’t. Lograve, is Thomas on his way?”

The Arcanist shook his head. “He’s staying with the Fate. It would take him too long to get here anyway. Rasalia has her own problems but has promised to intervene if she sees anyone riding from the city. Now, everyone stand together. I’m going to use a ritual.”

“The one you’ve been working on?”

“No. The first one.” Khiat, caught up in a moment similar to, yet far from last night, was ushering into a cluster with the rest of the team. She watched as some sort of branching ring was crafted in the air before being shot towards the group.

Then she was running. Really running, tearing through the streets with a frenetic energy. Another might have been in danger of falling behind the higher-level team, but Khiat’s height made up the difference. No, more than that. This kind of power felt right to her. Kindred. More than anything, it gave her the feeling that the words she’d heard when reaching the first threshold of power were more important than she’d been led to believe.

Lograve, at the head of the pack, was keeping the way clear by creating temporary barriers of ice from water contained in frozen cylinders melded into the back of his armor.

Some of the actual guards in the city did try to protest their passage. Word of the kidnapping spread slowly to their ranks. There was little they could do as Khiat sped past them while under the effect of a level 4 Arcanist’s boon. Someone that powerful could tear through a city like this with minimal resistance until the big bows were brought out to handle them. The reports went out, mixing in confusion with the kidnapping alert. Like arrows fired at men tired from a long march, they unlocked the last bit of reserve the remaining defenders of the city had. Weeks of overwork and disheartening politics made an actual, ongoing threat the only thing that could fully rouse them.

Would it be enough? Damn. That can’t be a coincidence.

What? Khiat asked in response to the voice in her head. Unlike the more limited bond-based telepathy network Hunter possessed, Lograve had just connected the entire war group. Amped up as she was, Khiat almost tripped when she heard the next voice.

A sandstorm, I know. It’s almost on me. It just came up from nowhere. Someone’s power is doing this. I’m making my way back as fast as I can, Rasalia, Commander of the entire region, replied. Knowing the stories, that was fast indeed. Lograve, we can’t rule out the possibility that they’ve kidnapped more people. Someone’s been stamping down attempts to elect new Council members. If there’s an attack like this coming, from inside the city, the guard can’t handle it. They’re for keeping order and firing shots from the wall before anything gets close.

Ahead, a cart splintered as a spike of ice rose to push it aside. We know where Willow Seliri is right now! Along with my friend.

You’re one of the most coordinated teams right now. I can’t waste time on you, I have an entire city to protect!

Rasalia? Rasalia? Lograve waited a few seconds. She must be blocking me out. I’m sorry, unless we trip over that team from yesterday we’re on our own.

It makes sense. Another voice from someone not among the runners. The Cleric to whom Khiat owed just as much as those around her. Silora, the Fate, she saw that Assassin in Arpan’s place. She, uh, she’s working herself up for another attempt to look in there.

Gods save me from shavi swimming in spirits. Tell me if she actually does it.

Ambush? The mental voice of Khare was disturbingly similar to their normal tone, and still limited by the gestalt’s language barrier. Of the group, they were having the easiest time navigating obstacles even if the sight of a vine person twisting around people did little to mollify them.

Probably. Hunter and Lograve should lead the rest of us. Take this like our first outing from the village, only we actually cover them this time.

Lograve eyed Evalyn. You think you can handle this better than I can?

Evalyn was keeping in the center of the formation, having established that as her normal spot long ago to get the most out of her group enhancing abilities. Khiat couldn’t see her face, but she guessed she was smiling. I haven’t been sitting in my room the past few weeks.

I’d wager what I’d gained against whatever you’ve scraped together while getting sandy. Somehow, the Arcanist managed to put a little bit of hurt into his next thoughts. You’d think my levels would be worth some respect.

Put some magic where your mouth is and I just might give you some.

Bards. Give them an ounce of control and they ride all over you. What was Daniel thinking?

We are close, Tak cut in. While Hunter was murderously on edge, the avianoid was just focused. He’d still yet to find whatever emotion unlocked his rage ability, though tense anticipation had been ruled out. Hmm. And we will have to fight indoors. Through traps, probably. That will be bad.

We’re not going to need to worry about those, Lograve answered, knowingly. Alright, ‘Commander’, I can guess where you’re going with this. Might I suggest we put Khare and Khiat on the roof?

Silora said they were underground, Thomas protested, still overhearing everything.

I know. I’m canceling the ritual effect now. You’ll all feel tired, but it won’t be as bad as if I’d let it go the full duration. A wave of exhaustion passed Khiat as if she’d just run twice as far. Get in position. It’s time for a dynamic entry.

There was no such thing as flawless home security. Given time any defense could be forced open, picked, subverted, or just made pointless by a new owner who thought the place could use more windows. By the same token, you had to balance impenetrability with accessibility. Creating a vault sheltered in a sub-dimension only open to ten keys carried by the fifth born sons of fishermen all but guaranteed your valuables would be hard to get to, though you’d include yourself in that estimate.

If you couldn’t seek perfection, do what most did and find the good enough. Make any theft obvious, make any protection hidden (excepting those that worked because they were visible), and most importantly, make any would-be thief regret the entire experience. Assuming they survived.

Arpan the Artificer had been faced with this quandary and solved it with the resources of a well-off artisan with ties to the city’s elite. Unfortunately said city was Aughal, so the majority of his protection was in a general alert ward on the walls, a heinously trapped corridor, and a fortified door. The first was practically useless since the guard had figured out where the team was going. Now, the door could resist a level 3 Martialist for at least a minute, more than enough time for Arpan to retreat into his sanctum while awaiting the guard. Unless someone left it open.

Since Mark had closed the door and eliminated the weakness in the building he’d sensed, this door would still give anyone inside enough warning before they made it through. Even the wall surrounding it had been given properties to resist being broken down. Everyone knew the first thing someone did when the first kick didn’t work was to just break down the wall instead.

Say you had someone powerful enough to force their way through anyway. Rasalia could, though petty theft was beyond the Champion. Perhaps Gtoll, who could pick up an entire floor of the building and throw it, was a better standard. After he peeled off the roof and forced his way down the tunnel, tanking the reprisal of hallway traps, he’d be in a good position to take anything he wanted and run.

This wasn’t a robbery, however. This was a hostage situation and SWAT had arrived first. Lograve didn’t have time or patience for any trickery. Thomas, get that Fate to scry me.

There was a slight pause. She’s, uh, still pretty shaken up. I think I can convince her. Need someone to watch your back?

That’s what I’m using Khiat and Khare for. Assuming the Bard who is completely in command agrees. Now in the alleyway, Lograve thinned out his armor and began to construct a long rod with the cast off water. The two city guards close enough to have made it here decided to wait for backup as a special call was put out.

Lograve, what are you doing? Evalyn asked, still keeping to nonverbal communication. Doubtlessly the people below knew they were here, but they didn’t need to know anything else.

Something that will be damned complicated. At least I don’t have to do this while also maintaining an ice shelf this time. Thomas?

Hold on. Ok, she can see you. Now what?

Have her locate Arpan’s study and tell me exactly how far it is from me. She’s a Fate, that should be as easy as going for a swim. The rest of you, be ready. I’m tunneling us right to them.

Evalyn lifted her instrument with a bit of uncertainty. I’m not really in control here, am I?

You’ll get there someday.

Hunter looked keen on trying an even more direct approach before Thomas reported back. Lograve, I have your directions but it looks like it’s just Arpan down there. Silora can’t tell if he’s alive or not.

We’re going to find out. Khiat saw the ice rod, about as wide as her arrow shafts, tilt down and towards the building on the opposite side. If Lograve was creating a tunnel in that direction it would let her fire down into whatever space was being created. She had a sneaking suspicion that she’d be effectively sidelined otherwise. That was fine. Things were getting too real, too quickly, and she didn’t want to kill anyone.

The end of the rod facing the ground sharpened in midair. Get ready. We’re about to poke the beehive. I’m going to need to concentrate. Watch and learn, kids. This is why it’s not enough to just use your powers. The hardened sand making up the roads put up initial resistance, right up until the rod shaped into something closer to a spear. The head began to rotate, drilling into the ground at speed.

That alone would have only accomplished a narrow channel through the earth. Lograve had other ideas. As the ice drill continued through the ground, water along the exterior melted off into the surrounding sand as the central rod began to expand. The speed and finesse of Lograve’s control was markedly improved over the slow construction of his prior ice field, such that in less than half a minute there was a passage large enough for Hunter to descend, if single file.

To her credit, Evalyn was prepared. When the Arcanist nodded, she directed Tak and then Lograve through first, instructing Hunter to follow after her. Removing the ringcat from the vanguard was a revision to her earlier plan and fed into his agitation. Speed was the priority and more important than the largest team member going first. Khiat looked beside her and saw Khare twirling daggers. Trying to hide a flash of shame, she put an arrow to her bowstring. She couldn’t fire down the tunnel while occupied, and would hesitate to on anything not monster-shaped, but she would be ready.

We are at the bottom. Tak’s voice came in sharp and alert. Despite him shifting his body into his battle form, his inner thoughts betrayed no ferocity. Now, if he fully shifted into that other, terrifying thing, she imagined that would change. Lograve does not sense anything else. Arpan has been knocked out. We could have used your healing, Thomas.

I, I know. I’m sorry, I was too far away.

That is fair. Gadriel isn’t here either.

Lograve’s voice reached out as he kept everyone from fully entering the room. Alright everyone, this could a sign we got here in time but I’m going to make sure before we go further in. It’s time I pull out one of my hidden powers, Life Echo.

Hunter cut off Lograve. We don’t need that! I can tell he was here. We know he was here.

The Arcanist’s reply was somewhat terse. Can you tell what they did, or just taste the air? Thomas, how many were in the room the first time?

Uh, besides Arpan, Daniel, and the Assassin? Three, all in robes.

I’m only sensing two echoes from the past 24 hours beside Arpan. Daniel and whoever Silora originally followed to this place. That would make the rest higher level than I am. Khiat’s hands tightened on her bow. That’s a region-level threat, but manageable if that’s all there is. Our team could take one but it would be extremely dangerous.

But they’re at least level 5! Thomas protested. I’m going to see if Silora can Far Speak to Rasalia. She needs to know.

Do that. Everyone else, stay calm. All of you, well, most of you saw Gadriel do it. Level disparities can be overcome. They are not unkillable.

Where is Daniel? Hunter asked roughly, uncaring about any of that. Khiat could see him pacing through the window she had into the underground, as well as a haze to the north. The approaching storm.

For whatever reason, it looks like they’ve hidden him and the other hostage in Arpan’s storage power. We’ll need him awake to summon it, although I’m worried they may have hidden one of the conspirators there too. Leaving the Artificer unguarded after all this trouble, I mean, they didn’t take any of the inventory here.

“Street.” Khare’s voice startled her, having become accustomed to the telepathy. She looked and saw a few more guards massing. One, at the front, held a sword edged with a vibrant yellow metal.

Lograve, I think the guards are here. The, um, the good guards.

Just what we need. Don’t touch anything. Arpan had a few inventory powers and I don’t know everything about him.

Should I try to wake him up? Evalyn asked.

Better I do, unless you have a distance healing power. We don’t know the classes of these people, one could have set a trap. The storage power is centered on Arpan. I’ll drag him out and then deal with the guard. In the chamber, Lograve extended tendrils of water out towards one of the couches. The four were still grouped defensively near the tunnel opening, which was about a third of the way around the room from the natural entrance.

You do have other powers, right Lograve?

Of course. It’s just that this one is so damn useful, he answered Evalyn blithely. Also, it’s far less explosive than others. Arpan was only lifted an inch off the cushions when it happened. Had they entered the normal way, the layer of sand on the ground would have been noticeable. Unfortunately, none of what Silora had mentioned included that the lair of the normally fastidious Arpan had a dirtied floor before being broken into.

Two sharpened pillars shot toward the Arcanist. Not spikes, these were as wide as his legs. While he evaded the one aimed for his neck, the second broke through and pierced one side under his arm. An arrow crashed into that pillar moments later, breaking its cohesion. Hunter was on the one Khiat couldn’t see, but it proved more resistant to his fangs as it kept trying to drive itself into Lograve’s throat.

Khiat could barely see what was going on, but she heard Evalyn take command. It’s some kind of geomancy! Tak, grab Arpan. We’re getting out of here. Khiat, warn the guards! They were already advancing, though that was because she’d fired a shot. They didn’t look in the mood for a conversation.

What’s going on? Silora’s trying to reach the Commander but she’s saying there’s something in the way. Are you under attack?

Lograve’s been stabbed in the chest. Someone’s controlling the sand. We’re retreating.

If they’re controlling the sand, Lograve’s pained voice interrupted, Going into that tunnel is the last thing we’d want. I need… need to use a power.

Hunter managed to pull the pillar away by sheer force. Too strong. Something is coming.

They must be hiding under the floor. It’s like trying to fight me in the middle of a lake. The guard with the yellow sword pointed it up at Khiat, tip crackling. Khare undulated uncertainly in their chimeric form. If the walls weren’t enchanted he’d probably have pulled them down on us already.

That is bad. Lograve, he is coming out of the floor. Are you going to do something?

Tak, I’m gathering the mana within me while keeping my damned stab wound frozen closed. I don’t know how but that attack went through my armor like it wasn’t even there. I think I could manipulate the blood out of me just by speaking. Do you want to complain or cover me?

It’s coming towards us. Hunter sounded worried. Where did the robes come from?

I didn’t see his body. Hunter, did you smell anything?

No.

Lograve’s thoughts came rapid-fire, the Arcanist not needing to give time for his mouth to move. Khiat could barely make the words out. Thomas, listen carefully. They have an earth expert of a higher level than me. Geokinesis at least. That’s probably a summoned golem, keep back. Report all of that to Rasalia as soon as possible. Whoever is controlling that could kill crowds just by flooding the lungs with dust and lie in the damn ground like a worm all the while. It might even be a Crest-damned Geomancer. Lograve coughed and reddened the ice in front of his mouth. Get trackers and anyone with strong sonic attacks to counter him. Also, they’ll need to evacuate the city.

Into a sandstorm? And what about you guys?

It’s coming, Evalyn warned. Khiat couldn’t even see the supposed golem, but just from the sound of their voices, she wasn’t getting anywhere near the tunnel. Especially because the members of the guard not climbing onto the roof were stationed around the entrance. She had her hands up at this point.

I hate using this. Damned charge time. Khiat saw a glow at the other end of the tunnel. Not the best, but it’ll do. Khiat, Khare, I don’t think I can reach you. Let the guard arrest you if you have to, don’t fight them. They’ll get their heads together eventually.

Lograve!

A mana pulse hit the air as Lograve used one of the few level 4 powers he’d managed to awaken. Khiat held her breath as yellow sword kept watch, two others taking her bow. Someone was trying to talk to Khare to their mutual consternation. After a few seconds, she heard Tak. There was a faintness to the sound, almost like a distorting echo. What just happened?

Scatter Teleport. That took a chunk out of my reserves. I think we all got separated. Does anyone have Arpan?

Evalyn spoke next, with a buzzing that overrode most of her speech. -store you just- -no, I- -Lograve?

Something’s interfering with my Telepathy?

Silora’s Farsight is getting worse too. Lograve, is everyone- did Arpan go? - Lograve?

Get to- if you can hear- the Spires. Even his mental voice was fading. The sand in the air was also getting worse as the edge of the storm hit, making it difficult to see a few buildings over.

“Dusker, hey! Talk to me. What was that?” Without the internal conversation, Khiat started paying more attention to yellow sword.

She watched one of the guards begin to climb down into the tunnel and had a terrible thought. “Don’t go down there!”

“We are stopping a robbery in progress. If you want to be safely in a cell before this storm’s here, you better start talking now.”

Somehow, she knew she couldn’t stop what was going to happen. “It’s not a robbery.” By the looks of it, yellow sword was the only one with a class here. The rest of the guards had training, weapons, and armor. That’s all they had. Those on the ground raised weapons and screamed an alarm up as, from their vantage, Khiat and the guard sergeant saw the one in the tunnel take a spike through the face. “It’s an invasion.”