Chapter Seventy Nine - 079

Pit was full.

So full.

The big folk had brought so much meat and he had eaten it all. Pit had not had such abundance in what felt like many many days.

Weeks. The word is weeks.

Thoughts had been coming easier to Pit ever since Felix had saved him under the mountain. It was like a whole new world opened up, one where Pit could explore and fight and eat, side by side with his Companion. It was a good feeling.

But then the giants. And the Maw. Pit's hackles rose unconsciously, and the greasy looking Gnome nearby scooted a few inches away from the table.

And now the Void, this terrible dark place where there wasn't much more than rocks and dust to smell, and not a single tree to scratch against! At least he could fly here, something he hadn't yet been able to do back home. His mother could fly, and some of Pit's earliest memories were of sitting in her forelimbs as she would glide above the fog shrouded trees.

Pit whimpered slightly, partly because of his pained tummy, and partly because those memories made him feel...sad. Yes. Sad was the word, like when Felix would sit against a rock or tree and sigh into the night. 

Sad. His stomach grumbled again, rebelling against all of that delicious food. He was lying upon one of the stout tables, panting. Sad and painful. Felix feels that one a lot too.

A brief flare of woozy panic came across their pact, though it mellowed out into a wary resignation and...determination. Felix was fighting again, though not with his strong fists like usual. With...words?

How strange. Pit tilted his head, the triangular tufts of his ears twitching. He remembered Felix's parting words, before he followed Bad Teeth. Be careful, he had said. This place is dangerous, like the bad mountain. But different. Odd smells. What are they?

Pit turned an eye to the stinky Gnome and Goblin that were watching over him, much as they tried to hide the fact. He waited until they distracted each other with another fight. 

No! Dice roll six! Six win!

Yer a shifty little cheat, Garlak! I saw you touch that die!

I no touch! Gnome is stupid! Eat my butt!

Pit rolled off the table as a scuffle broke out. He landed lightly on his feet, wings tucked close to his body and ducked beneath. The two small folk were busy with one another, if the grunts and screams were any indication. He shook his head and Skulked away.

Follow the odd smells. He thought, then brightened. Maybe it's more food!


* * *


Felix froze with a piece of charred meat halfway to his mouth. Mouth suddenly dry, he gave a hesitant shrug.

Mostly just Human, really. I don't really like to talk about it, but we're an offshoot. Some encounters with Elves a few generations ago, and bam, here I am. Felix forced a laugh, trying to keep his cool. Aside from some talent with Mana Skills, we're no better than the standard Human.

For some reason, Felix's vision flashed red, though sparks of blue and gold flare at the edges. He forced himself to ignore it. He'd seen sparks like this before, back in the Foglands...

Fascinating. Nokk drew out the word, staring at Felix like he was an animal at a zoo...or a pet. An offshoot of Humans, hah! Those bastards'll bed anything that moves, right enough! Then again, who am I ta judge! He laughed and Felix joined him.

The sparks intensified, fireworks exploding just out of sight. Pressure built in his head and chest, like something was trying to push through.

Felix took a swig of Swill again.

You Have Poisoned Yourself!

-35% Dexterity and Agility for 37 Minutes

-44% Intelligence and Willpower for 37 Minutes

Poison Resistance is level 40!

Gasping for breath as the rotgut burned down his throat, Felix felt excruciating pain as something burst inside of him. The world lit up in a blue-gold radiance, covered in a sheen of crimson. A surge of music blared in his mind before fading away quickly...the sound unraveling as if it weren't allowed there.

New Skill!

Deception (Uncommon), Level 1!

Once you knew the Acting Skill, but it was sundered. Now you've distilled the essence of it and emerged from the other side with Deception, the art of managing perceptions. Chance of misleading someone increases moderately by Skill level.

Captain Nokk didn't notice a thing, and had in fact turned to speak to a passing server.

...and more Swill for our guest! Of course! He's a thirsty lad! Nokk turned back to Felix, who was blinking the stars out of his eyes. Talented Mana Skills, though? Must be from the Elf side. Not a path many of your kind take. Too few stats, generally speaking. You must have quite the Omen, hmm?

Um, yes. It's quite helpful. Felix said through the pain, though it was nothing new. Pain was an old friend at this point.

I can imagine. That lightning storm you summoned was astounding. The power to turn back a ballista's arrows, even destroying some! Nokk laughed, his sharp teeth flashing in the conjured lights above. Felix smiled along with him, but this all felt...off.

When Nokk had stopped laughing, a new round of drinks were delivered to the table. Nook took one and handed Felix the other.

Drink up! This be your welcome party, friend Felix! He took a swig at that, and Felix mimed the same. His head was already feeling woozy and his hands didn't quite want to move the way he wished. The Swill was affecting him more than he realized.

Deception is level 2!

Ahh, Nokk sighed then smacked his lips appreciably. I miss the vintages of home, but the local stuff hits the spot. Don't ya think?

Felix grunted, not trusting himself to answer. The pain in his chest had dimmed to a dull roar.

Not many Humans wind up in the Void, or Human adjacent in your case. At least, none that live for long. Nokk said after a moment. Felix looked up, eyebrow quirking.

Why? There's plenty of Humans on the Continent. As far as Felix understood, they were one of the most populous of Races.

Too weak. Won't survive a few hours in the Void, let alone the time it'd take to make it to one of the safe havens. 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.

Nokk clapped his hands. Haha! Yes! You're a strong one. Which makes sense why that nasty Narhollow was after ya. You practically smell like magic, lad. Take no offense! My kind's got magic in my very bones, as do most of my crew. Makes us all tempting meals for the Voidborn.

He leaned out toward the crowd below, and shouted. That's why I say: not if we eat em first!

A ragged cheer went up all around them.

Do you know what the Void is? Felix asked.

Nah. Don't care either. Fer me and my crew, it was a second chance at life. We all thought we was dead, staring down that leviathan's teeth. Nokk shrugged, his clear eyes shining in the low light. Now we sail on, raidin' and pillagin' and takin' whatever we want!

Another cheer, this one much more deafening.

Ahh, but Old Mungle calls the Void a 'place between minds,' whatever that means. Man's gone a bit daft in his dotage. All I need to know is where to find the treasure, the women, and to keep two steps ahead of my enemies. What more could ya want?

Felix didn't have an answer for that. Not one that would satisfy the strange man. 


* * *


Pit ended up somewhere brighter than the big room, but just as hot and loud. The sound of sizzling and popping filled the air, followed by the most delectable scents he'd ever smelled. This was where the food lived, he realized.

The sound of clacking drew him forward, past dark tables and toward the legs of another big folk, though she was different from anyone Pit had ever seen. She had pale ochre skin and dark green hair that was bound into a loose coil behind her neck, and wore a once white apron that was smudged with all sorts of vile fluids. She was busy, moving across the room with purpose and several huge knives. Those blade flashed, chopping mottled tentacles into tiny pieces, and ripping strange Void bugs and frying their Mana-rich innards. Pit could smell the power in the air, a vapor that drove him wild despite his full belly.

Four other folks were in the kitchen (yes, right, that's the word) and Pit hid under one of the many tables as their booted feet scrambled around the room. The woman in the apron was shouting at them, and everyone was stumbling and trying to follower her orders. She seemed quite annoyed, and Pit was happy to avoid her, as tempting as those wonderful smells were...

And who is this? A stowaway?

Pit's golden eyes widened as he saw the woman had bent down and was regarding him. She smiled, kindly Pit thought despite her jagged teeth. One of the small folk cooking with her, one with pimply green skin and claws squealed.

Dahlia, that's the mutt! The one what come with the fresh meat--huak!

Pit tilted his head, ears pricking as the green-haired woman shoved a hot metal pan into the gut of the Goblin. The small pointy eared creature took the red hot pan and whimpered. Pit turned back to the woman, who was saying something to the others.

This is interesting. I smell...bones.

It was a familiar scent, one of many that had been plaguing him since they had arrived. It wasn't exactly the odd smell he'd caught earlier, but it was similar. Pit wandered closer, snuffling at the woman's dark, angular leg. It appeared made of the same material as floor and tables, attached to her at mid-thigh with various leather straps. There was a deep scent of blood to it. It made him hungry. Hungrier, at least.

Oh ye like my leg? The woman smiled again. Made it from a critter no bigger'n you, though it wasn't so skinny. Here, she tossed a goey globule of mottled grey flesh onto the ground, where it immediately began leaking a rainbow-hued vapor. A Mana-sac from a tenedril. Go ahead. It honors me to have a Tenku in my kitchen.

Pit didn't waste time. He gobbled it up. A flaring explosion went off in his head, as if his Companion's lightning sizzled across his mind.

+1 PER
+1 INT

It's a good rush, innit? Chimera's need plenty of Mana to grow up big and strong. She threw down another Mana-sac, rainbow light escaping in wisps. Eat up.


* * *


Felix felt a jolt of energy through the pact bond, a rush of energy not unlike a System stat bump. Small, far off flutes trilled in his mind. Pit had just done something.

But what?

Nokk was still talking. They'd been chatting at length about, yikes, everything it felt like. The Captain had quite a lot to say on just about any subject, and Felix had taken his complacency as a great opportunity to gather information on him and everyone within eyesight.

The Captain was a Nixie, which as far as Felix could remember, were water spirits of some sort. Like mermaids, but different? The rest of his stats were hidden behind a similar sort of veil he'd encountered before, though stronger. Felix figured he could break through it eventually, but was positive the pirate would notice. So instead, he focused on his crew as the garrulous captain continued.

The crew all around them were a wide variety of Races, even more so down below. There were perhaps two hundred folk moving in and out of the massive chamber, and most of them were clearly below their Journeyman Temper. How he could tell that, Felix wasn't certain; it was almost like a burning brand on their foreheads, a mark that Felix's Voracious Eye could spot instantly. There were a few stand-outs, however, and they all made Felix's hand sweat.

Veris Shirtwaist, a Dwarven woman with a delicate face absolutely covered in geometric tattoos, she was managing the bartenders around the area. Sometimes cracking the literal whip she carried for emphasis. Celat, an aloof Elven person Nokk had mentioned earlier prowled the edges of the party, not partaking in anything and always moving. Their easy grace made Felix feel ungainly, but it was the series of long knives the Elf carried that made him wary. At the opposite end of the room was a raised stage, upon which a band bellowed out various shanties and ballads to the roaring approval of the crowd. The lead singer was Bridgven Parsdattir, a Half-Orc with white hair, dark green skin, and bright, attentive eyes,  ones that moved around the room almost as fast as her fingers on her mandolin. Nearby, against the opposite wall as the Half-Orc was Korm Rocksplitter, a huge Ogre wearing a mish-mash of half-plate and leather armor. He slowly polished and sharpened an increasing variety of martial weaponry.

He filed away every detail he could, carefully putting together an escape plan for when the time came. The debuff from the alcohol was close to wearing off and he'd been miming any further drinks at this point. He wanted a clear head and all of his stats in order. The Nym wasn't sure whether he'd have to fight his way out of here yet, but he'd rather plan for the worst and survive. The Risi had taught him how quickly plans could go awry.

Classic adventuring party if I've even seen one, though, he thought. These four, plus any hidden members were the backbone of the crew. They were all at their Journeyman Formation, perhaps beyond it. Voracious Eye only gave him a feeling on this count, but it was strong. The Captain himself had completed his Journeyman Formation, he was sure, though the Nixie was far better at concealing than the others.

What have I gotten myself into? The thought was loud, but he kept it off his face with some effort. No need to tip his hand yet.

The drinks kept flowing and Felix tried to keep Nokk talking as long as possible. Occasionally he'd feel a thrill of System power, as if Pit were eating elemental cores again. He glanced around the room, unable to find the tenku.

Lookin' fer yer friend? At Felix's nod, Nokk belched and smiled. I'm sure he's fine. I had a Companion once, ya know? A hippocamp I'd saved from a fisherman's net. A great beastie, one I sorely miss. Lost her when the leviathan attacked. He sighed, a touch bitterly. He seemed more than a little drunk. I miss the sea.

Thirty seven years is a long time, Felix agreed.

Aye. Long enough for most of the boys to get comfortable, settle in. We're losing our edge. Goin' soft, I fear.

You all seem pretty tough, Felix said.

Not tough enough to hurt you too badly! Nokk laughed, and Felix faked a smile.

Deception is level 4!

Ah but there's plenty to see here in the black. When we aren't holed up here, we ply the skies with our ships, searching for treasure and plunderin' what grabs our fancy.

Treasure sounded nice, but Felix didn't like the sound of the last bit. The captain had gone off on the subject a couple times, but hadn't hit on the part in which Felix was most interested.

So there's other folks out here? Felix tried to keep the question casual and off-hand, hoping his Deception was enough.

Oh aye, plenty of islands like ours, some even bigger. Spread out, o'course, like everything in the Void. Takes weeks to reach most places, even at full speed. Nokk burped.

Ships? You've mentioned them a few times. How do you have ships in the Void?

By bein' awful clever, that's how. Nokk spread his hands and grinned. You see this place? The walls, the floors, the table in front o'you? Ya think it's wood? Have ya seen a tree, Felix?

Felix ran his hand over the table before activating Voracious Eye.

Name: Narhollow Bone Table
Type: Furniture
Lore: Known for it's strength and mana-conductivity, Voidborn bone is often used by locals for many items of convenience.

It's bone? Felix exclaimed. The table was an odd color, sure, but it's dark surface was heavily grained and seemed more like stone. He knocked on it, and it sounded hollow.

Aye, bone. We make everythin' out of it. The ships are made of it, and given the Mana to fuel it we can sail straight across the Void.

Must take quite a bit of Mana to get a ship of this moving. Felix ran his hands over the table again, marveling at it's smoothness. It felt polished.

Ye can't imagine how much, Nokk muttered.


* * *


Pit was full again. Fit to burst, he thought.

He had gained another 6 points in STR and 4 points in VIT from the feast. The Mana-sacs were only the start, though they were the most delicious and beneficial. The rest were choice cuts of a marbled white meat, covered in sweet juices that Pit hadn't the words for yet. Dahlia said something about "honoring the chimera," but Pit hadn't really paid attention.

Eventually they stopped feeding him and left him alone. The woman was busy rushing more food out the doors as music swelled in the main chamber. Alone again, Pit huffed a contented sigh.

Then the smell came back.

Boots clomped through the kitchen, big ones covered in some sort of muck. They were on the feet of one of the big folks, something he'd heard Felix call a Half-Orc with dark green skin and small tusks in her mouth. She passed through the area without a single glance at him, tracking that dark gunk all through the kitchen and out into the main chamber.

It smelled odd. Like the smell Pit had chased into the kitchen originally.

Heaving his meat-stuffed bulk off the floor, Pit waddled down the hall, tracing back the footsteps of the Half-Orc. He followed the path back along several darkened hallways and down a rickety flight of stairs. Pit had to extend his wings to balance on the poorly made steps, but he made it down with only a little sound. Below it was darker, the magical lights few and far between there.

The smell was stronger.

Skulk is level 26!

The area opened up quickly as Pit slunk through the shadows, his golden eyes wide to catch any stray movements. The roof above disappeared, replaced instead by a huge cavern that was probably three times as high as the previous ceiling. Great stone blocks were all over, and it looked like massive black wedges were nestled on top of them. A large board dropped from the side of one of the wedges and a couple of figures started struggling down it. Though it was dark Pit had excellent sight, and he easily identified three big folk: two Orcs and a thin Elf.

They carried something wrapped up in a thick cloth.

Pit sniffed. The smell was strongest with these people. It clung to them. Hiding behind a stack of barrels, Pit watched as the big folk talked. 

Another one down, eh?

Can't keep em long enough! These weaklings ain't enough to power a skiff, let alone the Captain's flagship.

Ya know the rules. Swap it out. Get a spare from down below.

The Orcs headed into a darkened doorway with the shrouded thing, and as they moved a hand fell free of the cloth, one covered in scars and dripping blood. The Elf, apparently in charge marked something off on a board.

Pit felt terror well up inside him.

He'd seen plenty of dead bodies, had even made quite a few of them. This was different.

The figure wasn't dead.

It was hollowed out.