JULES

  "Did you have the nightmares again?" Cyrus asked when they'd stopped to take a leak in the dense forest. The sun had risen a few hours ago, but he just couldn't hold it.

  "Every night since we left Whispering Pines." Jules shook his head. "They're different than they used to be. And different from the Sin nightmares. Visions of a volcano, I'm guessing Mount Fury in Obsidia—don't really know any others—and the Sound of Fury beneath it. Then there's some beast laying in wait deep in a forest. I don't know, man."

  "Katarina fares worse than you, so consider yourself lucky." Whiskers lowered a raised leg he'd hiked over a bush.

  "I always figured you peed sitting down," Cyrus said. "Like Rukia over there."

  "HEY DON'T LOOK AT ME!" The bushes rustled, and the fox burst through them with a smile. "I think it's that Unlock Rune, Jules. It's got you feeling all wonky." Jules' eyes narrowed.

  "What about you, Ruke. You feel wonky around it?"

  Rukia panted. "Nah, I feel good."

  "Speaking of Kat, how's she doing?" Cyrus asked.

  "She's been talking in her sleep. I wouldn't call it in-and-out, she's mostly just out. I guess Anya's draught is working, though."

  "Lemme see that." Cyrus grabbed and studied the bottle. "Gonna have to make sure to sell this bad boy. I'm talking mass production!"

  "I'm glad you're so concerned." Whiskers returned to his master's side.

  "Well I'm feeling back to my normal self," Cyrus said. "Thanks for asking, Whiskers."

  We have been headed north. "Do you think it's because we're getting further away from the Ethereal Rift?"

  "I don't know, but I'll take it. It kinda felt like I always had to vomit. But you know what else is north? The Library at Solstice Keep."

  Jules burst out laughing. "Oh my Salvos I hate you."

  "What? It's—"

  "IT'S ALL CONNECTED," the other three shouted at him.

  "See? I knew you'd all see the light." Cyrus hopped up on his antroph. "You all ready yet? We're losing sunlight here."

  Jules threw a rock at his best friend, and they continued on through the easternmost section of The Verdant Expanse. Every day they'd traveled, they had to hide from various Factions' patrols. Some Guardians here, some Arcanians there. No cultists, though. I'll take military any day over them.

  Over the course of the next hour, the antrophs became harder and harder to tame. It seemed like every dozen steps, they'd try to turn back and run away. "We must be getting close."

  "So like… Do we abandon these guys and walk on foot?" Cyrus asked. "Or should we have them returned to Anya and Edmund?"

  "Why don't you use your Space Rune?" Jules asked.

  "Yeah yeah, whatever. I'll cast a Script."

  

  ? Calm ?

  A mist fell over the antroph's heads, and they continued onward, until the gates of Eldertree Enclave finally came into view. Guards of all types of Classes lined the top walls and the ground just outside the small town. A massive bell hung near the gate. Like they knew we were coming, but I haven't felt like The Painter is watching me…

  "Halt!" a Guard shouted when they'd drawn close enough. "What business do you have in the Trees?"

  Jules looked at Cyrus. "You've got the higher Persuasion Skill."

  "And you could use the practice."

  "Fine." Jules grumbled some curse words at his friend. "We've come to see an old friend," he called out to the Guard.

  "What friend? We're not expecting visitors." Of course you aren't. Hmm, I've already given his name away once. Wonder if he knows—and if he's pissed. Well screw him, I'm pissed off we didn't get a welcome party after the past week of bushwhacking.

  "We've come to see The Painter."

  "The fuck's that?" the Guard shouted back. "And what're your names?"

  "Is this a trap?" Cyrus whispered to Jules.

  "I don't know, man. You were the one who found the note!" Jules addressed the Guard again. "He's got a man-bun, wears a flowery blue kimono, always has a paint brush on him, different colored eyes—Look, can we just come inside and look around?"

  The Guard whispered with some of the others on patrol. "Why are you looking for this bloke?"

  "He literally told us to come here…" No time for this crap. Jules dismounted his antroph and reached for Katarina, to sling her over his shoulder.

  "And why's she knocked out?" I wish I could tell you. Whiskers and Rukia leapt off the antrophs as well. "Oi, look—furry pets. Are you lads Druids, then?"

  "Sweet Virgin Mother of Salvos!" another Guard shouted. "That fox is the viscious and infamous Rukia! And that must be Wrath himself!" Rukia smiled off to the side.

  "You have got to be kidding me." Whiskers sighed. "Of all of us to recognize, it's the damn fox…" The massive bell by the gate rang an alarm through all of Eldertree Enclave and the surrounding forest.

  "Invaders? From Coralith!?"

  "They've sent the military!"

  "The War's begun, lads—Send out the first wave!"

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Jules ran a hand through his hair, and Cyrus drew his curved sword. "You should have let me do all the talking." Oh, piss off.

  "We're making friends, Cy. No killing."

  "Agh!" Cyrus slammed his curved sword back in its sheath, then drew Tensa from his back. "Rangers have already taken aim—"

  Arrows showered down on them. Jules launched a stream of fire and disintegrated his batch midair, and smoke and ash formed the battlefield. Cyrus spun his sword around in circles to deflect his share. Jules slapped his antroph's ass, and it fled away, along with Bobbie Sue.

  SHHRK! KLANG! On the walls, a few Guards loaded crossbows as large as huts with massive iron spears. Uh oh.

  TWANG!!

  Cyrus leapt away from an explosion of dirt where he'd stood. Jules picked up Katarina and fled from the second ballista, headed his way. The blast behind him deafened him slightly. He spun around in a circle and shot-put Katarina far to the side near some trees.

  

  ? Air ? ? Earth ?

  She landed softly on the ground, and a series of thick walls erupted from the ground; one hid Katarina, and Jules hoped the others would serve as decoys, and he ran back into the open plain before the gates so he wouldn't cause he collateral damage.

  

  ? ? Ryoku Shield ? ?

  BOOM! A cannonball halted right before Jules' face, blocked by the shield Cyrus had just thrown up for him. Cannonballs—on land!?

  "Thanks Cy—"

  KA-BOOOOM! The cannonball exploded midair, shattered the remainder of the shield, and sent Jules flying backward.

  "Watch out, Jules—they're bombs."

  "YOU THINK!?" How can they shoot bombs from a cannon without exploding on launch? Must be some Script. Jules looked at the artillery that lined the gate's walls. "Hey, use that Magnet Rune."

  "Great idea."

  

  ? ? Magnetic Impact ? ?

  The crossbows and cannons converged at one point, into each other, and knocked down a few Guards along the way. Sages ran out the gates—to heal the fallen and to fight the boys—but then everyone else ran to the battlefield, too—Druids and Monks alike. Why do they look terrified?

  The gates exploded in a fiery inferno and scattered the Guardians everywhere. Oh yeah, the bombs. Well if you choose to play with fire…

  Floating orbs that looked like bubbles floated toward Jules. Wispy trees erupted from the ground all around him, trapping him inside the orbs' path. He sped through them as horizontal branches shot out and limited his path. The orbs tracked him through it all, and one exploded against his armor.

  Yellow flames licked Jules' eyes. Damn Sages. Trees receded back into the ground to be replaced by more that led Jules onto a path of the encroaching Druids. Feral bunnies and squirrels ran to Jules and exploded on impact.

  "Hey Jules—remember when I mentioned kamikazes the other day? Well I just remembered—"

  "Not now, fox!" Jules rose to hit feet. "You want to hunt so bad, then get to it!"

  Rukia darted through the moving thicket and intercepted the Druid's animals, leaving Jules free to fight the men head on.

  

  ? ? Aspect of the Beast ? ?

  One Druid, who wore a bear's head and skin as a helmet-and-cape combo, morphed into what Jules could only describe as a Werebear.

  

  ? Berserker ?

  A second Druid grew sharp teeth and claws, then drew his battle ax. Blood vessels rupture through his eyes, and he howled to the sky, then both sprinted to Jules. The Werebear gashed Jules' cheek as Jules punched him square in the jaw, then the Berserker charged Jules, shoulder down. He landed on his ass a few paces away. Damn! I think that punch hurt me more than the Druid.

  Monks flooded in now, brandishing staves, bo staffs, whips, spears, and even nunchucks. At least those guys look easy. Jules' opponents stopped and turned their attention to the drifting smoke that arose from the exploded gate. A man marched straight through and fanned the smoke from his face. Well look who it is!?

  "Hey, you!" Jules shouted at The Painter. "Call off your boys and let us in."

  "Do you know them?" a Guardian asked the Alter.

  The Painter studied them for a while, pausing on each of their faces, and then their Vessels. He even looked at the correct wall that hid Katarina. "Nope. Never seen 'em before."

  "You bastard!" Is this another test? Or some stupid game?

  "One, two, three, four…" The Painter counted all of the Guardians on the battlefield. "Twenty-one. Hm, you might want to send in reinforcements." He snapped his fingers, and another group emerged from the smoke. Arcanians. Great.

  "You've gotta be fucking kidding me."

  THUMP-THUMP.

  The little box inside Jules' personal Inventory reverberated through his own chest and heart, as the Unlock Rune called out his name.

  PATIENCE

  Patience's footsteps on the metal platform echoed through the narrow hallway. However much he hated zephyrs and their catwalks, he took his time as he approached her.

  "We're making excellent time, Sir," a Hunter said. "We're passing Eldertree Enclave now."

  "We're already past halfway?" Then I must get to work. He quickened his pace, and slowly opened the door at the far end, allowing it to squeak its unoiled hinges, to fill her with fear and dread. Patience walked into Lust's chambers and stood at her head, looking down on her, so they seemed upside-down to each other.

  Lust kicked and thrashed at him, but the iron restraints that held her lying down flat didn't budge. Patience placed his hands on the metal table on either side of her ears and leaned down to her—she tried to bite him anywhere she could. Yes, a cornered animal.

  "I see you've finally revived again." She spat at his face in response, but a thin Ryoku Shield blocked it. So predictable.

  "Where are you taking me?"

  "Sylvan Hollow, of course." Patience feigned confusion, as if she were stupid or simple to even wonder. "I'm surprised you have so much kick left in you—especially after I removed your legs."

  She thrashed in the restraints again.

  "Ah, I see you've figured out your Scripts are useless in these chains. Bounty Hunter's top shelf—stolen, of course. You're quite fond of theft yourself, from what I hear." Patience walked over to the Ninja armor he'd taken from her, which he'd had propped up on display, so she'd have to look at it. "You know, your Regeneration is not as fast as the others'." Something I should make note of for myself. I'll probably have a long way to progress myself.

  "What happened to my family?" Patience scoffed at her. How boring. I'd be more focused on myself right about now, in your shoes. But then again, I haven't thought about my family in years.

  "In due time, Lust. In due time. But for now, I want you to tell me everything you know about your Seal." Before it's too late, and the old bag shows up.

  Lust laughed in his face; however, he caught the faintest trace of a whimper, and adrenaline flooded his blood.

  "You know, it's been since before Coralhaven—the first time—that I've been able to torture anyone. Allow me the honors." Patience approached a medical tray and carefully selected his first tool, then went to work. He saw the pain in her expressions, he heard the various pitches in her shrieks, and he tasted her fear. After a time, he noticed her resolve break, but he continued anyway. Only took a few days. But this torture is for fun…

  "I don't know anything about them!" Lust finally screamed. Hm. I believe you. Now comes the torture with a purpose.

  "Tell me where yours is." She spat in his face again, and his Script blocked it again. Round and round we go.

  "Strip her naked." A Medic obeyed. They searched every inch of her exposed body, but Patience nor the Medic could find it. Patience threw a thin, scratchy blanket over her, to cover her up. Disgusting.

  She laughed. "You'll never find it…"

  Patience stared at her for a while; he was curious. How will I kill her next? There are too many options, I'm not sure I have the strength to pick just one.

  "Is it in you?" Patience asked. "No, too gross. Somewhere else…hidden in plain sight."

  An Iron Maiden Hunter opened the door. "Sir, a report from the Harbormasters. Shinsora has been overthrown." Lust began to cry. "There's a—"

  "Not now, you imbecile!" Patience shouted. He wanted to relish in her agony, and this man's voice sounded like a turtle's in heat.

  The Hunter handed Patience a dossier, then added, "She fought Wrath, Sir. In the Shadow's Path." Patience quickly turned to stare down the man, who bowed and fled immediately.

  Coward. You actually made yourself useful, at just the right time. Patience returned to his patient, and sighed. "How unfortunate for you, dear Lust. Jules seems the Samurai type, which means you must be…" Patience glanced at the displayed armor. "How foolish of me. You've hidden apart of yourself in the Shadow Realm. Impressive. Lights on." Patience pushed off the cold metal table Lust laid on. He snapped his fingers, and his Script blinded them both. "But I'm afraid for you, it's lights out."