Silence - Chapter 11

2/5

* * *

The night wore on.

Felix wasn't sure if was night time, but even his high Endurance was reaching its end. The party kept going, drinks served, shouts sounding, and music blaring. The various tables for dice and other gambling expanded as more pirates sought out its pleasures, while other members disappeared into back rooms. Presumably for other delights.

He mimed another sip at his horn, refusing to reset his poisoned debuff again. He'd been doing so for a while now, improving his Deception by leaps and bounds. It was up to level 7 already. However, the captain's eyes weren't easy to fool, and Felix had to take a few more drinks in the process. His Poison Resistance had even leveled up to 42, which was remarkable. He checked the Status Condition.

Status Condition: Poisoned
-25% Dexterity and Agility for 10 Minutes
-35% Intelligence and Willpower for 10 Minutes

As female servers squealed nearby and grizzled crew (male and female) guffawed at a lucky dice throw or play, Felix found the atmosphere of the Ten Hand's Fist was very...comfortable. It was a sentiment that popped into his head several times that night during his winding conversations with the captain, the mischievous Nixie continually plying him with drinks. The clock was winding down on his poisoned condition, but Felix was certainly feeling the effects of the Swill. His eyesight was blurry and the urge to wallow in the casual hedonism of Captain Nokk's generosity was strong. Luckily, Willpower was Felix's highest stat and he shook off the sensation whenever he felt it creep upon him.

Felix shook himself, focusing on burning away the last vestiges of the poison from his system. Its effects swirled in his channels, not his blood or guts, but as a vapor similar to his Mana. Felix still recalled the sensation of burning away poison that had earned him his first Tempered Skill, though before he had done it blindly. Now he could see the looping veins and the pulses of blue-white light that surged through them. As his core pulsed and the blue-white vapor shifted, Felix gripped at the green and dragged it along. Each throb sent more of the poison into the crackling flame of his core, where it burnt away.

It was a slow task made all the harder due to his core being absolutely stuffed. The remnants of the Harrowing were still in there, slowly being broken down by his Ravenous Tithe. Felix  wondered how much longer it might be. It had been days since that fight.

"Yes! Come here!" Nokk was calling out to someone in the crowd, pulling them up onto the dais with Felix. The Nym looked up from his drink and saw three scantily clad figures fawning over the captain. "Felix, my boy, yer too stressed! Time to relax! Take one of my luscious foundlings and retire for the night. You won't regret it, believe you me!"

Felix blinked and regarded the three that leaned against Nokk. They were all Elves, two women and one man, and all dressed equally provocatively. However, Felix's sharp eyes caught the presence of concealed weapons in their hair, hips, and even the sheer-seeming bodices on the women. Felix had no interest bringing anyone into his bed that could stab him in the back.

"That is very...generous, Captain Nokk. But I'll have to decline." Felix gestured helplessly. "It's getting late and it's been a long and stressful day. So I will take you up on that offer of a room to rest, if you don't mind."

Nokk frowned, his fangs disappearing in a wrinkled grimace. "Very well. Rooms're up one floor. You get yer rest, and we can talk in the mornin'. I'd like to see you bright and early. I have a request for you that is quite urgent." He smiled, shark teeth gleaming in the magelights. "Life or death, you might say."

Felix made his exit, slipping from the table and down into the crowd with a final farewell. His last sight of the captain was of his wandering hands gripping all three Elves possessively. Shaking his head, he dove into the shifting crowd.

A frantic looking Goblin in a stained white apron stood atop a nearby table, scanning the massive chamber. His eyes alighted on Felix and the little guy jolted, as if surprised. Felix's Eye identified him as Snurl the Whelp.

"Hey there, Snurl," Felix waved at the Goblin and got closer. "Do you know where the private rooms are? I'm looking to bed down for the night."

Snurl gave him a strange look and then pointed to his left, where a darkened alcove extended back into a hallway.

Felix smiled."Thanks! You looking for something?"

Snurl hopped again and shook his head emphatically. "No no no. Not nothing! Go 'way!"

Nonplussed, Felix held up his hands and backed away. Soon the strange Goblin was lost in the press of bodies, and Felix found his way into the side hall. It was immediately quieter and cooler, the cloying meat-heat of bodies only a vague emanation there. The flooring was covered in a threadbare rug and extended for several dozen feet before terminating at a blank wall. A few doors were along either side, and to his right was a set of stairs leading up and down. The darkened hallway was empty of anyone else, and Felix cast his eyes and senses out over the crowd, still looking for Pit.

"Where are you, buddy?"

Movement to his side caused Felix to flinch, his hands going up to guard his head. But all he saw was the Maw, standing inches away and regarding one of the walls.

"Where have you been?" Felix hadn't realized it until then, but the Maw had been curiously silent since landing on the wall. She (it, he reminded himself) hadn't spoken to him in hours.

It didn't reply, only glancing over at Felix with hate filled eyes as it ran a hand over the smooth dark grey walls. They were made of bone too, just as Nokk had said. The Maw suddenly scoffed at him. Tried their noxious brew, did you? Foolish boy.

Felix frowned and wanted to say something scathing back, but she had the right of it. He'd been too confident in his Poison Resistance—he shouldn't have drank anything these pirates put in front of him. Luckily they hadn't done anything to the meat, disgusting as it was, but the Swill would make fighting a nightmare if it came down to it. And other than being pirates, these people seemed off; Felix was missing something that hid beneath their pleasant veneer.

As if waiting for that admission, the poison debuff deactivated. Felix's cognition rose to full instantly, and it was like a muffling shroud had been pulled from his thoughts. His mind was clear and his body so much more responsive. Not willing to acknowledge the Maw's point, he looked at her hand, still being run along the wall.

"What're you doing?" Felix asked.

Do you know what these walls are made of, child? Felix shrugged and nodded. Then don't ask stupid questions. There is something baked into these walls that I've not seen before. It—She (it, damnit!) trailed off, her blue-green eyes going distant.

"What's wrong with you? Still afraid of that shield?"

The Maw gave him an affronted look. I fear nothing, Unbound. It is youthat should fear. Something is happening here. Something I—

The Maw cut itself off, suddenly looking down sharply. Without another word, it disappeared.

Felix grunted and shook his head. He wasn't sure that he'd ever understand the Maw, and the sooner he could get to civilization and have her removed, the better. Magic being real, there must be someone on the Continent who could do it.

Maybe Vessilia's dad could do it? A duke has to have a lot of pull. If I can convince her to ask...and if I can ever get out of here. Felix sighed and trudged up the stairs. It was definitely time to rest and get his shit together. In the morning they'd leave, whether Nokk liked it or not.

But where was Pit?


* * *


Pit panted as quietly as he could. His little bird beak hung open and tongue lolled to the side as he hid beneath another overhang. Booted feet ran by and voices shouted over one another frantically. Pit wasn't sure, but he worried the big folk were looking for him. He slunk low to the ground and kept to the shadows the entire way from the big dock (that's what they called it), and was just outside the kitchens again.

Skulk is level 28!

The door into the kitchen open and closed several times as big folk and small folk alike rushed in and out. They all smelled frantic, some with food on trays, others with that foul stench clinging to their bodies. From below. However, the route ended here, so if Pit wanted to get back to Felix he'd have to get through the kitchens again.

He waited for some time, straining his senses for any hint of another. Eventually he was able to dart into the kitchen and under a nearby countertop.

Skulk is level 29!

Good. Unseen.

Pit stepped lightly, keeping his wings tight to his body and his tail tucked. He keenly missed when he was smaller—the entire endeavor would have been far easier a few levels ago. He could see legs from the knee down move to and fro, hustling around the kitchen doing something that resulted in a bounty of delicious smells. He was full, yet it took all his Willpower to keep from trying to steal more food. Then, as he drew near the end of the first counter, someone stomped into the room.

"Dahlia!" It was the shrill voice of someone who loved to yell. "Dahlia dammit! Where's the mutt?"

"What!" There was a clatter of metal as someone threw down a pan or pot. Then the thump-tik of the ochre woman's steps. Pit tilted his head as she walked by. "What do you want?"

"I want that winged thing the newcomer brought with him. The Captain is looking for it." The shrill voice wore soft leather shoes that curled slightly at the tip. They stomped in impatience. "I know it was here."

"Oh aye, it were here. Some time ago. Ain't seen it since." Dahlia turned and started walking away.

"Don't—you—!" The shrill one stomped their feet again and stormed out. Dahlia simply strolled back to her stove and scooped up her implements. The sound of sizzling filled the air.

Pit cooed internally, pleased. A nice one.

There had been so few of those.

Sneaking again, Pit exited the kitchens and started making his long trek across the main chamber. He stuck to the shadows, keeping out of sight. He was careful.


* * *


The second floor hall was longer than the first floor, and seemed to extend parallel to the main chamber. A number of mage lights were stuck to the walls, one every ten feet or so, leaving gloomy patches of shadow down the corridor.

Do I just...pick a room? There were many, one every twenty feet or so, built sturdy and not-quite square. The first few were locked, and the next one was occupied. He could tell because of how...boisterous they sounded. He walked past that one as quickly as possible.

Further down the hall now, he picked out a pile of rags that had been deposited by a doorway. They looked dirty and dingy, the kind of things you'd use to clean the floor and then throw away. Made sense that they'd launder that kind of stuff; not a lot of fresh cloth in the Void, he imagined. Felix walked right on by, intent on finding an unlocked room. So it was downright terrifying when the rag mound grabbed him by the wrist.

"Ghost!"

Felix twisted his arm, grabbed the rags, and threw the entire pile across the hallway. They fluttered wildly through the air, thumping against the far wall and sliding down to their feet.

Feet?

The pile of rags had booted feet, though they were boots in name only. Far more beaten up than his own, these were cracked and split, barely held together with spit and wishes. More importantly, they were surmounted by a cloak of tattered rags, soiled and torn and faded until they resembled no one particular color. A mélange of dirty beige. A ratty beard cascaded from an equally shabby hood, made up of the same rags as the rest of the cloak, and watery grey eyes popped at him from above a huge hooked nose.

It was...a Human.

Voracious Eye...

Name: Daedalus Mungle IV, Sage of Vellus (former)
Race: Human
Level: 64
HP: 254/254 (3446)
SP: 94/132 (2243)
MP: 189/189 (5784)
Lore: Humans are the most populous denizens of the Continent, but are particularly frail in Body. They do not live much beyond a century until they've Tempered their Bodies at least once.
Strength: More Data Required
Weakness: More Data Required

Felix regarded the strange man before him, who even now was holding out a shaking hand, as if warding the Nym away. What the hell is a Sage of...does that say Vellus?

"Stay back, ghost! I deny you! You have no cause to be here!"

"Mungle...Old Mungle?" Felix thought the name was familiar. The captain had regarded him as someone who had theories about the nature of the Void. "Is that your name?"

"I deny you!" The man was howling and pressing himself so hard against the wall Felix felt either the man or the wall would break. "I deny your presence, specter!"

"Hey, hey, easy. I'm not a ghost. I'm flesh and blood, see?" Felix slowly raised a hand and poked his face, squishing in his cheek. "What's a Sage?"

The man blinked owlishly, his watery eyes wide but uncomprehending. Felix took a slow step away, further down the hall. It was a shame, but he wasn't gonna get anywhere with this guy. "I'm just gonna go, then. Okay?"

Felix turned to try one of the door latches, but felt a hand land on his shoulder. He spun to find Mungle inches away from him, invading the entirety of his personal space. He could see pock marks all over his grizzled and wrinkled face, and his ratty beard brushed against Felix's chin as he spoke.

"You've questions of the Void?"

His voice had deepened into something approaching a genteel accent. British-sounding, almost. Felix blinked and tried to step back, away from the door and wall. Old Mungle stepped forward at the same time, keeping them within inches of each other.

"Uh, yeah. What is it?"

"It is the place between Minds." Came the reply, the same as what Nokk had quoted at him.

"What does that mean? Whose Minds? Mine and yours?"

"No, no ghost. Not even your Mind, great as it may be, can hold the infinite Void."His laugh was soft and gentle, and his breath smelled of mint. "Think bigger. Greater. Divine."

"Divine? The Void is the space between the gods' Minds?" Felix couldn't help his skeptical tone. He'd seen some weird stuff so far, but real, actual gods were a bit much.

"The whispers between departed divinities! Echoes unfurling into eternity, null of all things intrinsic to life, save for those shadows it twisted for purposes unknown." Old Mungle's voice rang out down the hallway, so loud that Felix heard the rhythmic banging of a headboard cease for a few seconds...before resuming.

"Departed divinities—What does that mean? You mean the 'blind gods' people talk about? Like Vellus?" Felix asked. He was groping for sense in the madman's ramblings, but the moment he said the last it was like he'd splashed water in his dirty face.

"Lost! Lost to blood and sea and storm!" Mungle howled into the corridor, and his voice was filled with so much grief he fell to the floor.

"Um, yes. Sorry to hear that.  I guess I'll be headed to sleep. Sorry to bother you." Felix attempted to disengage from the old man, but Mungle leaped to his feet and grabbed him by the shoulders. His fingers dug hard into Felix's skin.

Armored Skin is level 40!

"Ask yer question! The true one, the one I see shifting about in your Mind. A question with Teeth." He pushed his face into Felix's. "Ask!"

Felix winced at the old man's volume and squirmed from his grip. "Whoa, okay! Do you know how to get out of the Void?"

Mungle's eyes went strangely blank, as if he stared into the middle distance yet deeply into Felix's soul. His voice returned to that deeper, more polished tone. "Seek the tumbled rock, the Temple at the Edge. Hanging at the precipice of Desolation. My once-home away from home, now lost to the between."

"A Temple? Like a Nymean Temple? " He asked. When Mungle didn't answer, he tried another tack. "Temple of what?"

"Of who, you mean. Of who, you daft dead bastard. And you know who. You have to!" The mad gleam was back in the man's eye, and he smiled. His teeth were blackened and cracked. "I recognized you, ghost. The holy Reign of your Spirit is damning. To me and you. She works her wiles still, though she be Lost and gone. Lost for so long."

He fell to his knees again, reaching out to grab Felix's tattered pant legs. "Please ghost, take me from this place. Take me home, beyond the Lady's gate!"

"Gate?"

But Old Mungle had broken down into mad, gurgling sobs. With some effort, he pushed himself into a corner of the hallway and moaned to himself.

"Mungle! What gate? Who's the Lady? Is that Vellus?"It was no use. The old man had checked out, leaving Felix to stare sadly at him. For all Felix's newfound power, he had no ability to heal the body or mind, and wouldn't even know where to start if he did.

A short chirp followed by a knee-buckling headbutt nearly sent Felix sprawling, but he pushed out a leg and turned to see Pit nuzzling against him.

"Pit! You're back! Where've you been?" Felix said in relief. "No, wait. Get in the room. We've gotta talk."

He chose a room at random and threw the latch behind him. There was no lock, which didn't sit well with him, but Felix figured he'd make do. The room was small, only ten-by-ten square and containing a twin-sized bed, a footlocker-style chest, and a small desk and chair. Modest accommodations, but better than he'd hoped for; Felix grabbed the chair and wedged it under the latch.

Turning back, Felix flared his Manasight to see in the dark room. There were no magelights but the ambient Mana in all things was more than enough to see by—Pit, meanwhile, just had great vision and could pick out most details by the faintest of lights. In this case, that meant the strip of light under the doorway from the hall.

"Ok, buddy. Time for a recap. I—" Pit held up a paw, almost as if..."You got something to share?"

Pit nodded and his little ears perked up. Felix marveled at the level of intelligence his Companion was showing. It had been rising recently but this was—where would it go from here?

While he mused, Pit seemed to be concentrating. A vague warmth built in Felix's chest, slightly alarming until he realized it was just their bond, their Etheric Concordance. It was the only Legendary ranked Skill he had, and it was capable of some strange things. Like Convergence, which allowed the two of them to share a body, among other effects. The heat built in Felix's chest for nearly thirty seconds, growing warm enough that he started to sweat. Without warning, Felix's mind went blank—

—and he was flooded with sensory impressions from smell, touch, taste, hearing, and sight. It lasted only a few seconds, but it burned into his indelible memory. His strong, Apprentice Tier Mind took only seconds to parse it all, replaying it back at speed.

"Holy shit," Felix gasped, then looked down at the tenku. "I'm glad you're ok, buddy. That is some messed up shit. You're sure they didn't catch sight of you?"

Pit nodded. A sense of utter certainly washed across their bond. Felix ran a hand through his hair and let out a weary breath. "Man, this is heavy. They're...draining people? For the ships? Nokk said their ships require Mana, but I never would've imagined..."

He went over their conversations, replaying them at triple speed. He easily remembered Nokk's words:

"But you," he snapped his fingers and pointed at Felix. "You've got that lightning. Big and bad and you can cast it, what? Two times a day? Three?"

"Something like that," Felix replied.

"Shit. Shit. He knows my regen is higher than normal. He's gonna drain me dry and use me as a Mana battery or something." Felix sat down next to Pit, idly scratching his friend's neck. One of the tenku's wings half-extended and shook involuntarily. "So what do we do? Escape?" He was dead-tired and needed sleep, but the idea of being literally dead was far less appealing. He stood again and clapped his hands.

"Alright Pit. We gotta move then. First, down to the kitch—the kitchen—"

You Have Finished Digesting Your Target's Mana!
You Have Gained A Memory From A Harrowing!
Would You Like To Review It Now?
Yes/Yes

The last thing he saw before he blacked out was Pit's dark pinions, rushing toward him.


* * *


Darkness.

All the world stretched before him, and before his family. Endless, eternal. A comforting shroud that he wore like a second skin, a flickering illusion that covered his flesh. All of their flesh.

Safe in the dark.

Something bright and Mana rich was spotted down below, and with a near-silent cry, his family wheeled themselves in pursuit.

Dinner would be fresh tonight.


* * *


Felix jerked to consciousness, his eyes snapping open to the full dark of the room. His Manasight had deactivated. He couldn't see. He couldn't see!

New Skill!
Dark Mimic (Uncommon), Level 1!
Mimic your surroundings for concealment. Duration increases with Skill Level, detail increases with Skill level.

Be Aware!
Synergy Detected between Stealth (level 25), Breath Control (level 22), and Dark Mimic!
Do you wish to create a new Skill?

Be Aware!
Stealth (Apprentice Tier) Level 25 will be lost.
Breath Control Level 22 will be lost.

Continue?
Yes / No

Relieved that he hadn't gone blind, Felix didn't even think about it, he chose yes.

From far away, the sounds of a string quartet plucked across his senses. The volume swelled rapidly, pushing against an invisible barrier. There was a great tearing sound, and a tidal wave of chords and notes bore down on his Mind, Body, and Spirit like the end of all things. It fell, a mountain of sound, and Felix's body spasmed violently. Distantly, he was aware that his arm broke the leg of the desk and his leg shattered the foot of the twin bed, but it was happening to another him, one divorced from the sonic cavalcade that thrummed across his being.

At some point, a notification popped up, but it was a while before he read it.

New Skill!
Abyssal Skein (Rare), Level 1!
Draw the Void within yourself as you become one with your surroundings. Costs Mana. Duration last as long as breath is held. Duration increases with Skill Level, detail increases with Skill level. Due to combination with Stealth, each increase in level also slightly decreases all sensory cues given to opponents.

Felix blinked at the bright notification in the dark room, not quite believing his eyes.

Huh. Magic stealth? Hell yes.