RD 5 Ch 38

Simone beamed at Merlin as she dropped them off at the Roaring Wave Sect.

“Thank you for the lift, as always, Merlin.” Simone gave her a little curtsy.

“It’s always a pleasure,” Merlin said quickly. “Now, if you don’t mind, apparently I have some catching up to do when it comes to preparing for the Trial of Kings.”

“Don’t worry, you’ve got it.” Simone flashed a thumbs-up even as several members of the sect began peeking over the wall at them, like Simone was the strange one. Now that they were back and had gained their titles the remaining women orbiting around Bran seemed to feel the pressure to perform.

Though, Simone didn’t entirely hate that. More strength for Bran was in everyone’s best interest. 

“Ignore them,” Winnie said, back to her ever-frosty demeanor.

Merlin didn’t stick around and winked out of existence, probably to go track Bran down. She was quickly thawing around Bran, but Simone was worried for what Circe’s step forward would do as far as altering Merlin’s path. Though, that she was aiming for the Trial of Kings gave her some insight as to her current direction.

Simone waved a negligent hand as a smile returned to her face. “They aren’t important. The only thing that matters is what Bran thinks, and I can tell you with certainty he thinks I am doing a fantastic job.”

Winnie grunted. “There’s no reason for you to be in this good of a mood. We both know you haven’t gotten laid since you came back.”

Simone laughed, the woman was paying far more attention to what happened around Bran than before. Apparently, that included who he was spending time with. “And why is that?”

“Because the needy little snake girl has been all over him to a frightening degree.” Winnie stood with her arms crossed, staring into the sect as if daring them to try to keep her out.

Several of them were already milling about, no doubt sending word up the chain that they had visitors. Winnie watched them as if she were ready to storm the gates.

“Nyx is just a little touchy-feely, particularly after he disappeared. She’s innocent and I’m not about to ruin that,” Simone offered as an excuse for the medusa.

“You’re all babies in my eyes,” Winnie huffed and continued to glare ahead. “Are you certain you’re comfortable going in there with me?”

It wasn’t clear which part of the question she meant, being with her, or actually going into the sect. Either way, Simone didn’t care. “I can handle myself just fine now. Thank you very much.” Simone smirked, full of confidence. She’d been lagging behind before, but in one fell swoop she’d made giant strides forward.

Winnie narrowed her eyes watching her closely.

“After all, if you go by yourself, how can we trust that you see through any illusions?” Simone said, her eyes glowing briefly as if to put a fine point on the ability.

“I still can’t believe you got away with that. I swear, the system was plainly biased,” Winnie said.

“Syssy was most certainly, plainly biased. Also, her name is Syssy, and I think she’d appreciate you using it,” Simone reminded her. There was no reason not to give the supernatural entity that could control so much as much respect as they could.

“Still. It is broken.” Winnie grumbled.

There was no point for Simone not to lean into it. “Because, I sacrificed one of my stats for this ability,” Simone shrugged.

“Some sacrifice,” Winnie scoffed. “You sacrificed your spirit stat to gain Bran’s? That’s nothing but gain.”

That shit-eating grin flashed across Simone’s face. “That’s why it’s so perfect. But in fairness, if anything ever happens to Bran, I won’t even have a spirit stat anymore. I guess, unless I give up the King title. Can I just do that and hand it over?” Simone wasn’t really asking Winnie as she thought aloud.

“Syssy would probably let you,” Winnie sounded exhausted by the thought.

“Well, it all worked out and Bran’s going to get a significant boost from me. And if you ever wish to thaw out a little and admit that you picked yours not only for yourself but with Bran in mind, perhaps you could join our bed.” Simone decided to try and chip away at Winnie.

“Just because he is popular with most ladies doesn’t mean it’s popular with everyone,” Winnie sniffed and refused to look Simone in the eyes. “Besides, his bed is far too crowded. I don’t see how my focus on curses has any relationship with Bran.”

“Bran says that curses are just inscriptions. He should have all the knowledge to help you deck yourself out in curses,” Simone said.

Winnie snorted. “That’s not how it works. What he’s doing are merely hexes, very simple curses. No, the big ones, like the one bound to me, require a significant emotion at casting. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be nearly as devastating.”

Simone hid a smirk and didn’t push the topic. She was almost certain Winnie would end up asking Bran for help with her curses eventually. If for nothing else, the portion of power she’d passed on to Bran would make him immune to most curses, which Simone thought would be important if she were ever to share a bed with him.

As for Simone herself, the Devout Monarch had been a grand success. Most of the cost, as Syssy had put it, when she showed them all the abilities that could go into the titles and the values to balance them, had gone into the permanent stat benefit of Worship, which Simone had happily passed on to Bran. By virtue of her sacrifice, her stat had brought the cost for the other major ability down significantly, and she’d managed to squeeze it in.

Her spirit stat was gone, now effectively replaced by Bran’s own spirit. The trade was a significant upgrade and even more incentive for Simone to push benefits onto Bran if only to give her more spirit stat, which drove the power of the majority of her abilities.

Of course, there were several other bonuses.

Places of worship that Simone constructed gave out a faint aura, which healed those who followed the practice and subtly harmed those who went against Bran. It would give a subtle push to move any enemies out of their territory.

The healing also bolstered defenses and gave tangible benefits to praying for Bran. For all those that came home from training or working would feel the subtle restoration in the evening and wake up the next night better for it.

The trial had highlighted a problem. Devotees could join, take the benefits, and later try to separate themselves from Bran. While Simone was confident she was creating a strong community that would dissuade transactional use of the Mul Branova, she couldn’t remove the possibility others would try to infiltrate for the benefits of the group. The faint auras would act like a beacon for anyone who’d already begun to betray Bran.

The shame of having spies in her ranks would not be repeated.

“Here they come,” Winnie said, breaking Simone from her thoughts.

A plain but pretty woman, likely far older than she looked, stepped out with the man who’d run in to give notice of their arrival. “Winnie, it’s been quite some time since you’ve come out of your little frozen prison to see the rest of the world.” She had brown hair cut sharply across, just above her shoulders, like it was done with a single stroke of a blade. She wore faded Roaring Waves robes of blue and white.

Winnie smiled in greeting. Simone did a double take, wondering what transformation had just passed over the woman. “It’s good to see you too, Sylvie.” Winnie said.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing more than staying stuck in the ice,” Sylvie said playfully to Winnie, stepping up and briefly appraising Simone before dismissing her.

Simone was surprised she didn’t feel the brush of an inspect. She had been somewhat hoping to be able to swing Bran’s big spirit stat around and dismiss inspects left and right.

“Who is she?” Sylvie asked not looking at Simone.

“I’d call her a friend, but you wouldn’t believe that, would you?” Winnie said, staring at the other woman. It was as if two tigers were sizing each other up.

“Well, at least we can get past you trying to bullshit me and get straight to the answer.” Sylvie answered.

“She’s Simone, leader of the Mul Branova. We’ve been working together on a few things,” Winnie gestured.

Simone dipped her head and performed a small curtsy at the introduction. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Sylvie stared at her like she was a stain. “Never heard of the Mul Branova.”

“And you wouldn’t. They are new. Bran saved Simone and the Mul Branova are his worshipers. They all stem from newly awakened.” Winnie explained, though it didn’t really do the Mul Branova justice.

“Oh. I didn’t realize new forces were running around quite so readily.” Sylvie said.

“Now it’s my turn to point out that you don’t get out enough,” Winnie jabbed back.

“The Mul Branova support Bran Heros and he’s the one sponsoring this tournament,” Winnie said.

Sylvie’s eyes raked over Simone again. “Are they all so…” She hesitated for the right word. “Pretty?”

Simone perked up. “Why, yes, we are.”

“I see.” Sylvie said with distaste and started walking back toward the site. “Whatever you’re here for, I assume we’ll have to go inside.” She called over her shoulder without sticking around for an answer.

“Don’t mind her. She’s a little prickly.” Winnie offered.

“Really? I would have never guessed,” Simone said, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

“Yeah, well… it’s coming from me.” Winnie left with those words, Simone catching up behind her.

The two of them were clearly in a contest for who could be the biggest pain in the others’ rear. Simone found the simple tactic of turning it around on Winnie to be amusing.

They didn’t have to wait long. Sylvie led them down a side path that wound through the sect and deposited them in a grand building that desperately needed some airing out.

Sylvie paused, glancing back as if reading Simone’s mind. “Don’t judge me too much. When you get as old as I am, you’ll find yourself caring less and less about what others think.” She gestured at the room around her as proof.

“It looks homey,” Simone offered.

“You’re a shit liar,” Sylvie shot back and led them deeper. “But I don’t hate that.”

Simone glanced at Winnie. “You really should have prepared me.”

“For what?” Winnie asked. “This is how most of the sect leaders are, if not worse. Remember, each and every one of these people has run roughshod over the world for longer than you’ve been alive.” Winnie nodded at the woman leading them. “She was a teacher once, at the Heavenly Fist Sect, and left for an Elder role here. We have that in common and have spoken about it on several occasions, which is the only reason we walked in here today.”

Simone kept the smile on her face, but in her mind she decided that Sylvie would never touch Bran’s harem. He deserved better.

“I’d offer you tea, but that would encourage you to stay a little longer than I expect you’re planning,” Sylvie said, staring defiantly at Winnie. “If you’ve brought a host of that tournament with you, I can only assume that’s the topic of choice today.”

“As astute as always,” Winnie sat down. “But the conversation is more about demons.” She said it pointedly.

The elder of the Roaring Wave sect’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “And what, pray tell, do you have to say about demons?” she asked, clearly on guard.

Simone activated Lilith’s Gaze backed by her new massive spirit stat to break through any barriers and understand the current situation. Sylvie’s sheet came up easily enough, though the older woman turned to glare at Simone with her own inspection, and Simone got the satisfaction of brushing the move aside.

Simone couldn’t help but be satisfied at getting to prove she was more than the woman had initially assessed.

“We should have a conversation about manners, it seems,” Sylvie said, turning more fully.

Simone did her best to disarm the other woman with a smile. “I meant no offence. However, some of the topics we’re discussing should be kept between those who have a mutual dislike for demons and anything else that wishes to harm humanity.”

Sylvie sat back and tilted her head. “So you’re not here to try and convince me demons can be reasoned with. Instead, your stance is that demons are harmful. Is that correct?”

Simone frowned. “Who is trying to convince anyone that demons aren’t the enemy of us all?”

“You’d be surprised.” Sylvie sipped from her cup. “However, we have inspected them ourselves. There’s no sign of demons. But more than a few of the newest generation, courtesy of the Rapture, are throwing around wild ideas like negotiating with demons, giving them a fair chance.” She spoke the last words mockingly.

Simone scowled, very much not liking the news that there was some sort of growing faction that was apathetic, even sympathetic, toward demons.

“There is some group in your sect supporting demons?” Simone started.

Sylvie waved a hand. “The rat-bastards hiding behind masks or illusions while believing the same creatures that are attempting to hunt humans can be reasoned with are simply idiots, if you would.” Her tone was sharp despite her poor attempt to soften it slightly.

Simone stifled a smirk. “Right then. Well, these idiots, if you don’t mind me using that word, seem like a problem. If you’ve been able to look through them and haven’t found any demons, would you mind if we went through and took a look?”

Sylvie shrugged. “You’re welcome to it, but I know exactly what you’ll find. My greater concern is where the ideas are originating.”

“Even so,” Simone smiled, “we have to look.”

“Fine. I’ll let you see one of their demonstrations. They’ve been more than happy lately to strut around the school as if they own the place.”

Simone could only smile. After all, they were still on Sylvie’s turf, and they were only investigating by Sylvie’s grace. But so far, the woman had given her no reason not to trust them. Giving access to those advocating for demons was the first step she needed to assess the true risk to Bran’s greater plans.