Shadowbane

A Nei'lah butler turns the corner, leading me deeper into the manor.

"Is this necessary? You could have told them about the soul discovery over dinner." Tyra said as she follows behind me.

"Not that, I realized something else that may be important. Ishar and Alicia need to know now before we all start on our prospective jobs."

The butler stops in front of a large set of double doors. He opens both doors and steps to the side.

"Thank you sir."

The butler smiles in response as I walk past him. Inside the room I see Ishar preparing his gear, with Alicia off to another side doing pushups while Shana sits on her back.

... Not sure how it came to that, but knowing Shana it really doesn't need to make sense.

Ishar spots me and puts his gear down, walking over to me with his arms held out to his sides.

"The hell is this? You just left."

"Very astute, you'd make a great investigator." I continued. "I realized something and needed to ask you about it. When Alicia said she could warp me to other attuned locations earlier, did you know about it?"

"I did, what of it?"

"Can Alicia bring over Shamans from Terra'kas' moon?"

Almost instantly Ishar tilted his head back and put one hand over his face.

"... Unbelievable. Such an obvious solution and it didn't occur to me even once. I'm not used to having such a handy teleporter nearby, but that is no excuse god damnit. We're already hanging by a thread here as it is."

Ishar walks over towards Alicia with me and Tyra following shortly behind him.

"Ninja girl, get off her. We need to speak with her."

Shana's eyes go wide, she jumps off Alicia and stares at Ishar.

"... How do you know that word?"

"Oh shut up, you're not that special. The planet Rei is from has an entire fucking nation of you little shadow hoppers. Hell most planets and moons do, so don't act surprised that I know what your little group is or why you're here."

Shana continued staring at him, this time looking like someone punched her in the gut.

"W-What do you mean, other planets... Other Ninjas?"

"Huh?" Now Ishar was the one looking confused.

The two stared at each other for a bit before Ishar shook his head.

"... We'll talk about this tonight, for now I need the rookie here. Get up you little shit, she couldn't have been that heavy."

Alicia turned her head, glaring up at Ishar.

"Didn't you say you were leaving? My arms and back are killing me, I need a few minutes."

Ishar sighed. "Fucking rookies... Fine, stay on the damned ground. I need to know how many people you can warp at a time."

"Doesn't go by amount, it goes by strength. I can't warp you yet, but I can warp Rei. However if I warp her, it'll take a long time for the dagger to recover and I won't be able to use it for awhile. Oh, and the dagger gets stronger as I increase my own strength, isn't that awesome?!"

"Tsk... Not what I wanted to hear, but the shamans might have a solution to this."

"Shamans?"

"Yes girl, shamans. When your precious arms work again go to your room and warp back to Gelrohg, and while you're there try to bring some Shamans back with you. They're almost on par with me in strength though so I'm not quite sure how you'll do it, but find a way damnit. Even if it's only one, that should be more than enough."

Same as Ishar earlier, I could see Alicia immediately realize where he was going with this.

"Damn... I feel stupid now. I don't see how I'll bring them over, but at the very least they might have an idea that can help us. I probably would have thought of it while I was there had I warped after learning of the broodling."

Ishar shook his head. "Eh, we both had a lapse in judgement. I shouldn't be taking this out on you." Ishar looked over at me. "That's it I take it?"

"Yep, hopefully they're able to figure something out, because that would be a massive boon right now."

"Yeah... Possibly." Ishar said, glancing at Tyra.

I know what he's worried about, but I couldn't put this off. Plus, they're all going to find out she has a shaman or two in her room quite quickly. I doubt they'll let us keep the maids and butlers away from our rooms.

I turned around and walked past Tyra. "Alright let's go, I'm ready."

"Excellent."

The crystals were already attached, so now it's finally time for me to check out the closest empty village. It's next to the cindered one we were at yesterday.

Upon nearing the cindered village I stopped and hit the ground. Tyra followed my lead almost instantly.

It really is nice having a veteran by your side at times like this. Even in that clunky armor she managed to barely make a sound.

Tyra shuffled up next to me, whispering. "Problem?"

"I can see a group of people in the village. Hard to tell at this distance, but it looks like they're around the cellar where we found the tunnel underground."

Tyra's face contorts into that of one filled with rage.

Whoa, I knew I'd put her on alert but why is it making her this angry? I can see her considering them suspicious but... Oh! Oh shit, if word got out and a group of people decided try and strike it rich, this is exactly where we'd find them.

"Rei, can you make me invisible too?"

... That was fast. I knew they'd find out eventually, but I wanted more time. It could have been one of our unit blabbing, yet I know it was most likely someone from Viseux. They had the report of what happened with Godwin's unit, and I don't believe Kellog for a second when they say they don't communicate with Viseux. Seriously, give me a break... Only someone truly gullible would believe that.

"How do you know about that?" I asked.

"I cannot say specifically where it came from, although I'd be shocked if you believed you could hide it. I barely remember what the world was like back when you were last alive, but things are a little different now. Information is spread far and wide, which also leads to carts full of crystals finding their way into the hands of those who pass that information. Understand?"

Yeah... About what I expected after staying in Viseux and hearing about how the records are kept there. I'm almost missing the chaos of the previous world already... I'll give it to Xelba, they did a damn good job of locking down information. Very rarely in the old world did I meet people who knew what I could do. Meanwhile I've been in the new Urza a couple of months and everyone fucking knows. There is at least some silver lining though; now I know for a fact that hiding it is pointless.

"... To answer your question, I can turn you invisible next to me, but only in this pitch blackness will it work and we'll have to move very slowly. Once we near that light I won't be able to hold it any longer."

I don't mind if people know this. Turning others invisible is a pain in the ass and something I can only do under specific conditions, so if anything I'd rather they knew not to ask me while also knowing I can't just stealth an army up to someones front door. That should keep me off any 'high threat' lists.

Tyra nodded, "I see... A shame, then I shall enhance myself to the max and charge straight up to them. Not the kind of approach I want to choose in this situation, but I'll make do with what I have. You coming?"

"I'll be a little behind you, I'm going to stay invisible nearby in case you need me."

"More than I could ask for, I thank you for that."

Tyra stands up and quite literally launches herself at the lights in the distance.

God damn! She pushed off with so much strength the snow under and behind her feet sprayed backwards as if a bomb hit it. No way she did that with pure enhancements, she must be using magic or an internal ability as well.

Activating my aura I stand up and run after her. The little lights on my back are making me wince but they're not draining me all that much thankfully.

As I shuffle around one of the villages lights I can see Tyra already has one of the suspects by the throat and another ones head is quite literally encompassed entirely by her left gauntlet.

That was fast, she's not fucking around.

"NO!! THAT'S NOT WHY WE'RE HERE!!!" A woman from their group screamed.

"Then why?" Tyra said, glaring at the woman.

"W-We came here to pay respects to our families. Both mine and my husbands died right here." The woman kneeled down. "Please put them down Lady Tyra! Please, I'm begging you..."

"I will, after you answer this one last question. Why is there someone hiding below in the cellar?"

The sound of someone running away on the cellar's stone floor echoed out towards us.

"Damnit! Rei, can you grab him?!"

I deactivate my aura.

"Nope, I refuse. What I'm here to do is far more important than stopping a couple of idiots from killing themselves underground."

Tyra paused, looking at the two men in her hands for a moment. Sighing, she dropped both of them to the ground.

"You made the right call... I apologize for trying to rope you into this nonsense." Tyra glared at the woman. "Are you out of your mind? The sky is gone, entire villages are being incinerated, and you decide now is a good time to go underground?!"

"I wasn't lying! The three of us really are here to pay respects to our families. Tyler our neighbor tagged along saying he also wanted to pay respects, but then he suddenly pivoted to this place, saying he needed to grab something he left here long ago. He dropped down awhile ago and refused to come back up... We were trying to decide what to do when you showed up and attacked us."

Tyra grimaced when the woman said 'attacked' with as much vitriol as she could.

"... Carry on then." Tyra said, walking away.

I sidled up next to her. "You fine with that? I feel like she wasn't lying, but she might have been."

"It's not fine. I'm gritting my teeth and forcing myself forward. It's as you said, we have far more important matters to deal with. Losing a couple of civilians underground is not something I would normally overlook, but it can't be helped right now. However, I need to find out how they heard about it. Do not forget, we only spoke of it in the manor. I know word is going to spread through the butlers and maids, but that was a little too fast for my taste."

Seems pretty normal to me. In Xelba it was already a given that anything major discussed in front of civilians was going to spread by the end of the day. It's just the way gossip works.

Tyra stops and looks at me. "It's straight ahead past this village."

Enhancing myself I dash straight ahead, with Tyra following behind me like usual. Before long we're out of the charred village and back into the empty plains near the mountain.

"Was this area not used for growing crops? I'm only feeling snow beneath my feet. I thought this whole open plain would be filled with dead crops the first time I ran through it."

"Correct. The fields between the villages and the mountains aren't cut out for farming. There were a few places that crops could be grown, but the kings of past decided against it. I am no scholar, but as far as I know, growing enough food has never been a large problem for our nation, it's one of the things we are proud of and why we were able to close ourselves off. Without that, it would have never been possible."

I wonder if this would make a good place to fight the Tengu Lord? The fields are right behind Euphemia's manor, so it's either there or the town her home is situated in. I haven't asked because it should be unrelated to me, but I have wondered where they plan on fighting the creature. I doubt it's going to make an appearance in a distant village and wait for them to come to it. It's obviously going to hit them hard and fast while they're inside the manor. They must know this so... Yeah, I'm sure they have a plan. They're the ones who have dealt with him long before I came around. I only knew of the Tengu in passing while in Xelba. I vaguely remember hearing about it attacking a village of ours once, and I think it also wiped out another unit of ours near Rai'gas' lands? Hard to remember the finer details of something I overheard long ago.

I'm also seeing one other glaring issue, something that didn't jump out at me until now. There are small 'hills' dotting the landscape and some large 'bumps' sticking out of the mountain, but because they're covered in snow I didn't realize what they were until this very moment. Fucking broodling... I knew in theory that one was here and corrupting the land, but it's still surreal to see the Xerathian landscape appearing here in Urza. It's always been something from the land of nightmares I grew up in, and seeing that nightmare take root in our realm is sickening.

Hmm? Is that it?

I slow down and look over my shoulder at Tyra. "You said the lights are off and we need to turn them on right? How do you plan on doing that? I'm pretty sure I can see the silhouette of the town ahead but it's completely shrouded in darkness obviously."

"Can you spot a large tower with a bell on top of it? Actually even if you can't now, then when we get closer I hope you can, because that's where we need to go."

"Right now I can't see anything distinct, but I think we got another mile or two to go. It should come more into focus when we arrive."

A few minutes later as we neared the village I indeed could see a very large tower in the center of the village.

"I can't see a bell, but there's one tower higher than anything else in the village, so I assume that's what you were referring to?"

"Yes that's it. Lead the way please, and then I'll get all the lights turned on for us."

Some part of me wanted to do this alone, but now that we're entering the village I realize that was never possible. The ambient lighting from the other village just isn't enough. I can make out vague outlines around the village, but inside? It's near pitch black. There's barely enough light to navigate through the streets, so I would need to turn a light on to see inside any of the buildings here, which is quite possibly one of the last things I want to be doing alone, even if I had my former strength. My entire life has revolved around hiding in corners and taking my time getting what I need. The idea of me setting off a flare alone in a pitch black environment is absolutely ridiculous on every level. Unless it's to bait something, but that's different of course.

Settling down into a jog I lead Tyra through the village. More than a few times I almost ran straight into something that was left out in the street. Right before we reached the tower I barely managed to jump over something before tripping over it, but Tyra stopped following me and asked me to stop as she stood in front of whatever I had just vaulted over.

"What's wrong?"

"... When you jumped, your little lights lit the thing on the ground up just enough for me to see what it was. I think it's a body."

What? Mini-crystals don't work like that... They are only used like placement flares, they don't light up anything but themselves. She's either lying about where the light came from, or something really did light up a body below and she thought it was the crystals. Of course a third option is that I'm about to get ambushed by her and someone else, but my armor will save me from a surprise attack, giving me enough time to get away from this town before they turn on the lights... Unless they are ready to turn them on right now?

Tyra crouched down and began feeling something in front of her.

"Yep... This is a body. He's wearing leather armor, a dagger on his hip, and he's completely frozen. However... Hmm, do you remember when it snowed last? He has no snow on top of his body."

"When I slept it wasn't snowing, and if snow had crossed my vision it would have woken me up for a few seconds. So it had to of been before our trip to the village yesterday... I think the last time I saw snow was the first night we arrived, when I was talking with the princess and Seifer in her private living room."

"So it was sometime in the past day and a half..."

A blue light emits from the man's torso for a split second.

So she really did see something...

"Tyra, let's go get the lights on and then pull this guy inside. I'd rather not be outside much after we light the village up."

It looked like Tyra nodded before standing up, which was good enough for me. I turned around and fumbled for a handle on the building in front of me. Finally finding it, I pull on it but it won't budge an inch.

"Tyra, It must be locked. I can't move the handle at all."

"Apologies, I haven't needed to unlock doors in the villages in ages. I forgot it would even be necessary. Please place my hand on the handle."

Tyra steps forward while taking off her gauntlet, I guide her hand to the handle. A soft click follows after she holds it for a few seconds.

Same mechanism as before huh? Their whole nation must be built around it. I wonder what's going to happen when I blast one of these doors down.

Tyra steps aside, pointlessly allowing me to go first.

"Even I can't see anything in there. Do you know the general layout? If that's the case then you'd have a better chance of finding your way to the room you're looking for."

Tyra pulls a six-inch long crystal out of her pack and hands it to me.

"As I said earlier, I already know why you suggested mini-crystals instead of these directed lights yesterday. That doesn't mean I wasn't going to bring some. I've catered to your desires thus far by not using lights, but surely you understand the need now?"

"Of course, thank you Tyra. I'll admit I found it rather suspicious yesterday when you two followed me without bringing lights like these, but I appreciate the gesture."

I turn the vile monstrosity known as a 'crystal light' on and direct it ahead into the building. Entering the building I find nothing more than a table and a long windy staircase heading up.

"Are you sure you want me to climb this? I'd be better off watching the door while stealthed."

"Normally I'd agree, but I'll keep an eye on the door as we climb. After finding that body I think it's best we both head up top to the ether control room. I find it hard to believe the man died outside of the most important building in every village."

The door was locked and undamaged but I understand why she'd be worried. Plenty of abilities and magic out there that can bypass a door.

As I head up the stairs Tyra turns another light on and places it on the stairs, aiming it so the tiny room is somewhat well-lit. She begins walking up the stairs behind me while staring at the door below. Slowly but surely I advance towards the room above, keeping my eyes glued to the entrance up there to make sure nothing is moving.

Upon nearing the entrance I stop and put my head close to Tyra, whispering. "Stay here and only direct the light up after ten seconds, okay?"

Tyra nods, taking her crystal back from me. I activate my aura and quickly shuffle up the remaining steps. Reaching the entrance I poke my head inside and see that the room is rather barren. There's just enough light to make out some shapes, but nothing humanoid stands out. Climbing inside, I move to the nearest wall as Tyra restarts her ascent with the light pointed up. Thanks to that I can clearly see that there aren't any threats up here. Tyra climbs up and takes one quick look at the room before heading over towards the other side where a bunch of crystals are pointing out of the wall.

Deactivating my aura, I walk over to the wall next to her.

"I've seen a room like this before. If I remember correctly, these all connect to different lights in the area, with some of them taking care of multiple lights. You're positive they have enough ether to run?"

"The investigators checked, they're practically maxed according to them. All I need to do is pour a little mana in just like... This."

A green cloud-like substance begins moving in the crystals she is currently touching. One by one she turns them all on.

"Alright, that should do it. I'm sure you're aware that it won't turn the lights on in individual homes obviously."

"Obviously."

We both ran down stairs, walking straight through the door to grab the dead man.

All the lights had indeed been turned on, creating a surreal experience of a well-maintained village completely lit up with nobody around.

Tyra bent down and picked the man up in a carrying pose while I looked around to make sure nothing was moving. After getting him inside Tyra removed his leather armor and undershirt immediately. After that we both stared at his bare chest for about a minute before a tiny blue light lit up under the left side of his upper ribs.

Tyra rubbed her chin. "Strange... Unless you're looking for it, you'd never notice it. Unless it's in a very dark room of course."

I enhance my fingers and begin ripping the man's chest open. After about a minute of cracking bones and pulling them out of the way, I find what I'm looking for, but...

Tyra whistled. "Now that you don't see everyday. A heart tinged blue that's lighting up randomly in a dead body? What do you make of this?"

"Right now I'm wishing I had opened the chest of the girl I got this artifact armor from."

Tyra raised her eyebrows. "Meaning?"

"I... Only have my suspicion to base this on, but I think this is related to the Tengu."

Ahh there it is, Tyra returned to her enraged face.

"People usually seem scared when he is brought up. You however are instead very angry. Have a reason to hate him?"

"Yes... A very personal reason. First though, can I ask why your unit believe that loathsome creature is meddling in our lands? It's been ages since he last bothered us."

"You'll have to ask the others why they think the Tengu is coming here. With our current predicament however, I'm basing it solely off of the blue light emitting from this man's heart. It's the exact same hue as the flora that he scattered around where I revived, and the ether aura feels the same as well. I'll admit though, at face value this is barely worth considering. There's maybe a twenty percent chance it's him if you look at it objectively."

Tyra chuckles sardonically. "And yet, you still believe it's him?"

"My instincts are telling me one hundred percent."

"One hundred huh..." Tyra smiles and closes her eyes.

She appears to be both enraged and ecstatic right now. She must really want to kill him... I can relate to that feeling. I don't know why she wants revenge, but it's good to see she's this pumped to fight him. When the Lord shows up she'll be a huge help I'm sure.