The image of Argus floated in the void a few feet from Darian’s face. The edges of the colorful vision bled into the darkness, smearing the empty space like wet paint.

  “I served as the Goddess Ofnia’s companion for years, but my service with her started after the Sun God’s demise.” Radrick’s voice faltered for a moment, then he continued. “His death is the reason you’re here.”

  “How so?” Darian asked.

  “There can only be so many Gods in the realm at one time,” Radrick explained, the image shifting to depict a broken and charred wasteland. “According to Ofnia, this is what most of the continent looked like before Argus formed his pantheon. It was war without end. But Argus brought order to the chaos. His rules led to an era of almost total peace. That is when the Aspirants stopped coming.”

  Darian stared into the blood drenched expanse. “And when he died, the next set of Aspirants arrived?”

  “His death and others led to the cycle continuing. But he was the first to fall. The rest of the pantheon split with him gone, and now we’re left with only a handful of the old Gods.” Radrick looked down, his body slowly fading into nothing. “I know you’ve been told about his death, but the story you were fed…it was not the truth.”

  Raphael had always been a little shady, but the emotion he displayed when discussing Argus, it had been genuine. The sadness and rage in his eyes couldn’t have all been a lie, could it?

  The vision shifted to show three people. One he recognized as Raphael, but he looked younger, more powerful. Another had to be the demon God Atarax, his leathery wings, red skin and horns being a dead giveaway. The third was a woman Darian didn’t recognize, but her hair was made of leaves the same color as Almeda’s.

  “There were those who did not agree with Argus’ pantheon. They believed it was only a temporary solution.”

  Darian scoffed. “I mean, if it stopped the cycle, it was working, right?”

  “Time changes people,” Radrick replied in a measured voice. “On an eternal scale, someone was going to snap eventually. These three wanted a permanent solution.”

  “And they killed Argus for it?” Darian waved his hand in a wide arc. “Well, it doesn’t seem like that accomplished much.”

  “That’s because their plan hasn’t been completed.” Radrick pointed as the vision shifted to show two armies clashing, one belonging to the Justicars and the other demons. “To end the cycle, the system needs to either be broken.” He gestured at Darian. “Or purged.”

  “And how does someone go about purging the system?”

  Radrick grimaced. “With souls.”

  A cold hand gripped Darian’s heart. “Explain.”

  “The system was not always part of this world. It arrived thousands of years ago and has been drenching the land in a tide of death ever since. The skills and magic it provides; these are stored in the soul. Ofnia called the stored power ‘system data’.” Radrick smiled for a moment, some distant memory bringing him a moment of peace. But just as quickly as it came, the warmth faded. “If enough system data is harvested, it could be used to punch a hole into the system core.” He nodded at the vision. “At least, that’s what the betrayers thought.”

  “So Raphael’s plan to break the system using vampirism, it was a ruse?” Darian shook his head as if trying to dispel the dark thoughts bubbling to the surface.

  “I can’t say for certain, but I believe he and the others had a falling out. He and the fey queen have long been separated, and his people seem to have no love for the demons. Perhaps you’re a back up plan in case their plan fails, or maybe he’s trying to find a different remedy. But in the end, the toll is the same.” The image blurred red, smeared over like a bloodstain. “A reaping comes, Darian. A guillotine hangs over the world, ready to fall. And you have to stop it.”

  “Really now?” Darian thrusted his hands up in frustration, but the fire pulsing in his veins quickly calmed. “Why me? I’m sure there are other people more suited for this.”

  Radrick laughed, the sound splitting the void so suddenly that Darian flinched. “Because you’re the one I summoned.” He grinned. “And I know you won’t stay idle while the Gods continue their massacre. Even if I hadn’t told you what’s at stake, you would have become involved either way. Such is your fate as an Aspirant.”

  “I tried running from all this, you know? Back in Fria’s village. I thought if I left, all this bullshit would stay away. But I guess I can’t escape it, can I?”

  Radrick nodded. “I’m afraid not.”

  Darian would have sighed if he had the breath to do so. “Alright. But how am I supposed to use this information? I can’t exactly march up to the demonic army and ask them to stop fighting.”

  “I wish I had easy answers for you, but I sadly do not.” Radrick’s body was hardly still there, and his voice was weak, distant. “My lady Ofnia will be looking for you. Seek her out and she will help you. Beyond that,” he bowed. “All I ask is that you leave some tenderness in your heart. This world will need it.”

  “I can do that.” Darian bowed in return. “Thank you for helping me. And I promise, I will do what I can to stop the Gods.”

  “Thank you, Blood God.” Radrick stood tall and proud. “The fey queen and Atarax plan on drowning the world in an ocean of blood, so perhaps it is fitting that someone like you should stand in their way.” His body flickered, there one second and gone the next. “And may I make one last, selfish request?”

  “Ask of me whatever you want, I owe you, remember?”

  “Tell Ofnia it wasn’t her fault.”

  And then he vanished.

  Darian stared at the empty space he left, the void growing darker as the floating vision melted away. “Goodbye, Radrick Von Rostcliff. I will make sure your sacrifice was worth it.” Even if I’m likely to die trying.

  He’d always wanted to help people, to be useful. But stopping some kind of God war, could he really do anything about that?

  “Guess I’ll have to find out. Like he said, I’m an Aspirant. This stuff was coming for me whether I wanted it or not.”

  Something pressed into his arm and the call of distant voices tugged at his ears.

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  “Seems like someone is trying to wake me up.” He groaned. “No rest for the wicked, as they say.” Light pierced the gloom and Darian entered it, hesitant but ready to face what came next.

  ***

  The night air was biting cold as Fria and Ofnia stopped at the roadside inn. They were somewhere on the eastern border into Vizzera, and Fria could see the endless planes ahead, the sight making her dizzy.

  “I never realized how big the world is,” she said, eyes wide. “Makes a person feel kind of small in comparison.”

  Ofnia showed a rare smile at that. “You have no idea.”

  A man shouldered past the pair, heavy bags under his eyes. He was bound for the encampment further down the hill, a pack slung over one lopsided shoulder.

  “Another fleeing soul,” said a travel worn woman on their right. She was tending to a horse that had its eyes focused squarely on Zan.

  Fria gave the wolf a scratch behind the ears. “Lots of reasons to leave Lonelen these days.”

  The blonde-haired woman laughed, the wrinkles around her eyes puckering. “True words friend. True words. But good luck to anyone trying to get into Vizzera. They’ve got their own troubles to contend with.”

  Ofnia stepped forward, her wool travel cloak still pulled tight around her head. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, they’ve got some crazy fey stirring up trouble in the north and then there’s some wild man running around the countryside getting the common folk riled up for rebellion. The whole high council is in chaos trying to manage everything.” She pointed a leather gloved hand at a wagon coming down the road, the man driving it looking like death itself. “Then there’s that plague you lot have going on. Nasty business that. No, the border is closed off and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

  Fria inspected her horse’s bulging saddle bags, her eyes coming to rest on the woman’s sheathed sword. “And what about you? Seems like you’re going somewhere.”

  “I am.” The woman gestured at a few armed men gathered just outside the inn. “We’re the Silver Serpents. Heard of us?”

  Fria shook her head.

  “Well maybe that’s for the best. We’re mercenaries.” She turned to reveal a silver pin in her tunic; a snake coiled around an arrow. “Lots of companies are getting called in from all over.” Fria followed the woman’s gaze to a giant red tent across the road, the symbol of a blazing bull flapping on a banner beside it. “Troubles brewing and that means coin. Probably enough to go around for a change.”

  “But if the border’s closed,” Fria cut in. “How are you getting into the country?”

  “Can’t say it’s the same for everyone, but we’ve got a pass from the high council.” Her hand lowered to rest on the wide pommel of her sword. “They need blades and we’re offering. Makes us, what did they call it? ‘Priority individuals’ or something like that.”

  Fria exchanged glances with Ofnia. “And how does someone get one of these passes?”

  The woman looked Fria up and down. “By being useful.” She turned her eyes to Zan, then Ofnia. “You look like you know how to handle yourself,” she said nodding at the bow slung over Fria’s shoulder. “But your friend here looks like a stiff wind could blow her over. Ditch her and maybe someone will sign you on.”

  “I’m not ditching anyone,” Fria shot back, a bit more venom in her voice than she intended.

  “Didn’t figure.” The woman turned, one of the other mercenaries calling to her. “Look, you seem like decent folk so I can give you some advice.” She pointed down the road. “A few of those freaks from The Society are hiring folk from the encampment for an expedition or something. Join them and you can get a free ride into Vizzera. But The Society is a bit…different. I’d only go with them if you can’t figure something out.”

  “Thank you,” Fria said.

  “Ah don’t mention it. Just let folk know Captain Tillery still has a heart, despite the rumors.” She finished removing a pack from her horse, then started toward her group muttering, “now, time to get one of the young ones to finish unloading for me.”

  Ofnia walked over to a nearby post and leaned against it, a lonely lantern swinging from the breeze above. “What do you think we should do?”

  “Me?” Fria asked.

  “You are the only person standing within earshot.” The Goddess leaned over, clutching her stomach.

  “Are you alright?”

  Ofnia raised a warding hand. “I’m fine. But Carn, he needs to eat.” She stared at the inn, the scent of cooked meat floating out from a cracked window. “I’m going to find us somewhere to sleep for tonight. Will you look into what the mercenary said about The Society?”

  “Can’t we just sneak over the border? I mean you’re,” Fria glanced around, making sure no one was close enough to hear her. “A God. Who’s going to stop you?”

  “You sound like your brother.” Ofnia pulled herself off the post. “Border security has to be tight, and I’d like to get past without incident. We can at least try things the official way and if that doesn’t work, then we go our own way.”

  Fria wanted to argue, but she’d been with the Goddess long enough to know she was stubborn. “Fine. We try it your way. But I’m not throwing us in with someone unless we have to.”

  “That is agreeable. Now then, let us part ways for now. Carn is growing restless.”

  The fact Ofnia carried the baby inside her inventory still unnerved Fria if she was being honest, but she supposed it was the only way to transport him safely. “I’m going to check down the road. C’mon Zan.” The wolf’s tail wagged, and he fell in beside her.

  “Be safe,” Ofnia said as Fria departed.

  Fria gave her a reassuring wave, then disappeared into the maze of tents that lined the way west. She wondered how many of them had to deal with bandits on their way here. She and Ofnia had run across them three times, talking their way out once and resorting to harsher methods the other two. And even though Ofnia was the Goddess of Healing, she killed without mercy.

  The scent of unwashed bodies, rotten meat, and something worse thickened as she continued. Most of the people that crowded the tents, ramshackle shacks, and other hastily constructed shelters looked about ready to fall over and die. But they weren’t sick, Fria knew what the plague looked like. No, these people were suffering from an illness of the soul. They had no hope, and you could see it in their eyes.

  She rounded a bend in the road and saw a white tent poking its head over all the others.

  “I bet that belongs to The Society,” she said, patting Zan on the head. Oh, how she loathed going to them for help.

  “I recognize that hunk of murderous fur,” came a gruff voice behind her. “And that red hair, could see that a mile away.”

  She was about to turn around with a pointed question when she recognized the voice.

  It belonged to Gorm.

  ***

  Darian rose from the floor with a pained grunt. It was like three dwarves had taken turns mining his bones with razor coated pickaxes while he was asleep. Each movement was a struggle, and he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. But then he remembered his current mission, and the information Radrick had left him.

  “We’ll be heading out in a few minutes,” Jorg said. “Will you be ready to move out by then?”

  “Don’t have much of a choice even if I’m not.” He did his best to put on a less strained expression. “But yes, I’ll be ready.”

  “Good because Lucia scouted ahead. There’s more undead guarding the way forward.”

  Of course there is. “We’ll smash them like we did the others.”

  Jorg grinned at that. “Aye, we will.”

  Darian watched the old paladin join with Yaz and Alistair. The orc’s wounds were healed, probably from Almeda. She was with Lallet and Lucia, the group exchanging whispers that Darian could hear as if they were standing right next to him.

  They’re worried I can no longer fight. He rolled his stiff shoulders. I hope they’re not right.

  But since he had a few more moments of quiet, he opened his system menu. He’d leveled up three times since arriving in the fortress, and that meant he had three unspent class points available.

  It was finally time to unlock Blood Knight.