UL1 - Book 10 - Chapter 24

“Progress has been steady,” Edward said, swinging his sword at Max. “My team and I are already closing in on the fiftieth level.”

“Good,” Max replied, sending another barrage of attacks at the one he had chosen to be king of Tanila and his people. “Remember, what comes next is a decision only you and the others can make. The dungeon is dangerous, there are rules, and what lies inside was dangerous to even my party. It isn’t foolishness to choose not to fight there.”

“But would you do so again?” 

The sound of their blades connecting as each parried and attacked rang out across the stone courtyard. Seven onlookers watched, four from Edward’s party, Tanila, Miranna and Jazzjak. 

Max took a moment, shifting his position, drawing the King toward him, considering the question that wasn’t an easy one to answer.

He has grown far stronger than seems possible in these few years. Your bloodline and spark have given him a boon most will never know.  When you acquire a domain, I wonder what he will do with it.

He reminds me of myself a little, but in a different way. Edward is calm, steady, and has a sound mind. The man is fair, doesn’t take risks most would, and even with all the power inside him, leads with care. I’m not sure what I should say.

You are, you just don’t want to admit it.

The king came, blades moving with a speed that was far beyond the rest of his team or any other on this world.  None of the other chosen of the gods had what he did and the blessing turned Edward into a force to be reckoned with.

But Max had seen all the attacks, knew the potential combos. Every possible thing that Edward would do was mapped out. And so Max improvised, adding to the man’s experience.

His blades parried Edward’s two swords, halting the cross-slash attacks. With the momentum of his coming forward, Edward wasn’t able to stop the foot that Max sent towards his midsection.  

The sound of air being forced out was heard, and the young man was sent tumbling backward across the stone. 

Max hadn’t kicked with more speed or strength than usual. Instead, he had simply become an immovable object that was struck by a man moving forward.

To Edwards' credit, the king was back on his feet in a moment, trying to draw breath as his swords rose in defense.  Max was already upon him, blades coming down, and as Edward parried them both, his foot connected with the throat.

Max stopped approaching as a gold glow covered Edward, as the king’s healer reacted before anyone could tell her that it needed to be done.

“That’s enough,” Max said, storing his blades and moving toward the downed man. “You did good, but you pushed forward and were off balance. Should you have done so, knowing the difference in power and skill between us?”

Edward coughed, his weapons vanishing as the king rose, massaging his throat. 

“Should I? Only a fool would stand there and face a foe he knows can end his life at any moment. My only choice is to move forward and try to learn.”

“And then what about the lives of the others?” Max asked. “I’m telling you the difference in what you’ll face in that dungeon is far beyond anything you can imagine. All the close calls you’ve had before are nothing compared to what will come.  Even with the knowledge that I gave you, the chance of death is high. Will you push toward something like that?”

Clearing his throat, Edward said nothing, brown eyes locked upon Max’s. A few seconds passed before the man frowned slightly and nodded.

“They desire it if the chance of success is high enough. Everyone knows the potential gains that can come from attempting to do the tower. My problem is that you and I both know I’ll never finish the tower. Which means they’ll need all the help they can get if they are to attempt it.”

“Correct, but one wrong move, one small mistake and you’ll be gone. Even with the shard I’ve given you, death might come before you can activate it.”

Max reached out, putting a hand on the red dragon armor he had crafted for the king.

“Trust me, Edward, you can afford a few weeks to decide. I know it’s hard enough with the duties the kingdom already has on your plate. Most kings get a chance to grow up, preparing for this position while another rules. You didn’t get that. Instead, you’re doing a task that is hard enough on its own.”

“I won’t shirk my duty or the promise I made,” Edward replied, his face set and unchanging. “Kingdom first. Party second. Myself last.”

The man sighed and then gave a slight bow.

“We won’t do the dungeons. As much as I desire to, there is no point in us risking everything for something I don’t need. The gifts you’ve given have been far more than anyone can hope to acquire. I’m at a loss, knowing that you have told me you’ll continue to make more equipment as we move through the tower floors. So I shall pass on being foolish."

Max chuckled and nodded. 

"It would appear you are wise beyond your years, Edward. Keep training and growing. Know that if you need my aid, I am here to help. This world and these people are special to all of us. Now you must soon also decide what to do about the wife situation."

A groan came from the king as he frowned, turning his head to glance over his shoulder.

Three women were in his party: two elves and one human. Each was a potential mate and match, all three having passed Tanila's questioning and inspections.

"How does one make that decision? I like all of them in different ways and I know that I must choose one. You shared with me what it was like getting to know our Mother. Part of me feels that with two of them and yet I also feel a... pressure to choose not just based on affection."

"You don't have to choose an elf because my wife is one," Max replied. "You chose the one you desire because both of you are of a similar mind. And ignore Sog and his advice to take all three. No man should torture himself like that, trying to keep multiple wives happy. You'll love one more and it will hurt the others no matter what they say."

Edward started to chuckle and shook his head.

"Fear not, I'm not that foolish. Still... perhaps in the coming year I'll have an announcement. Thank you again for being understanding."

Max nodded, and the sounds of footsteps approaching made him smile.

"It's my turn, Daddy!"

Max chuckled and summoned a pair of wooden swords. One was more of a short sword, the standard size one meant for him.

"As long as you promise to go gentle on me. It looks bad when you defeat me so quickly."

He tossed one of the wooden weapons to his daughter who caught it with ease. 

Even though she is only three, your daughter moves with a grace that is beyond the people in your city. I do not doubt that in a few years she might best Edward if he is not careful.

I'm afraid you're right... and her affinity to magic is a little scary. You're telling me you had nothing to do with her acquiring those skills?

Even though you can read my thoughts and know my mind, you still don't believe me.

Miranna came at him, sword moving with precision as he conversed internally with Bob. The sound of wood striking wood replaced the earlier one of metal on metal as his daughter came at him, not holding back. A slight grin was present on her lips, her eyes glowing gold.

You did alter my sister's skills. Forgive me if I still have to ask.

A chuckle reverberated inside his head as Miranna unleashed a kick and thrust, spinning and punching, not holding back as she attacked.

His blade caught hers, sliding it upward, and yet his child barely reacted as most warriors might, instead drawing close, her fist coming at his groin as her foot moved towards his shin.

Laughing, he blocked her hand, lifting his foot to catch hers.

"Ow!"

"I'm not falling for that," Max said, winking at Miranna, who had for a single moment pretended to be hurt.

Gone were the pouty lips, a laugh coming from a new smile as she attacked again.

"I had to try," she replied. 

She is too much like you. I pity whatever man draws her interest. They are going to be in a world of hurt.

I'd be more afraid of her mother. All I'd do is put someone in my dimensional space and have a long talk with them.

His daughter was just as ferocious as Edward had been only her eyes glowed as she pressed the attack. Max could sense her getting better when they sparred each time. 

It’s as if she somehow surpasses her previous self. Is it possible that whatever skill the shard says she has is adapting or evolving?

You mentioned that last time, and both Jazzjak and I said we couldn’t guess what Miranna will become. A child of two climbers is far stronger than most. Yet Tanila spent almost most of the entire pregnancy in the tower with her, its magic flooding her development. Then you two ascended to gods before she was born and your bloodline carried over. Now… the child before you might rival you one day if you’re not careful.

Max never let the smile on his lips fade; the dance he and his daughter were doing together could kill most creatures in the dungeons for anyone at level twenty or below.

I guess all I can do is wait and see. Perhaps in time we’ll learn more from the Archons.

Bob didn’t reply but the sense of dread and knowing what kind of target his daughter might become was present.  Every time they had this discussion, his skill’s acknowledgement of the danger she might be in couldn’t be hidden.

******

"It's time," Jazzjak said as the group sat around the table in their meeting room.

Pictures hung on the walls, painted years ago by the young child who was now ten years old.  Her height was the only indication she was ten, with gold hair braided tight, wearing red dragon armor, and sitting like she belonged with the other gods.

"We've reached the point of making a decision and based off our original discussion, you all know the day is upon us," Jazzjak continued. "You've earned a few extra DP from the two fights that took place over the last few years, but now we're going to have to wager it all and let Max fight if you want to jump the next gap."

"It feels like just yesterday," Fowl muttered. "I mean, who's this wee child over there sitting next to her mom? I'm just thankful she doesn't look like her dad."

Chuckles came as Miranna grinned.

"And that is why you're my favorite dwarven uncle."

"Bah, it means less when you say it like that," Fowl muttered. Still, at least I'm someone's favorite."

"Focus," Sog said. "We're discussing betting everything and I for one can't wait. Sitting still, I've been bothered by all that DP has been for a while. I'm not sure how one doesn't just use them."

"Is it that big of a problem?" Cordellia asked, side-eyeing the demon. "It's like you have a gambling problem."

"He does," Jazzjak huffed. "Every time there's a fight taking place, he wants to bet more and I have to talk him down from it."

"You don't understand," Sog said. "I'm anxious to get my sparks and my bloodline. As soon as I have those in place, I’ll be in a position to create something like what Max has.”

“And what is that?” Max asked.

The demon hesitated a moment, meeting his gaze.

“I… I could have something worthy of being copied. What I see in your kingdom, what you and Tanila have, is… unique. This sounds foolish, but if my kind can learn to be like  yours, perhaps there will be a place where demons aren’t feared.”

Rakonath leaned over and put his hand on Sog’s shoulder.  “Together we’ll do that. All of us.”

With a single nod, the demon turned his attention back to Jazzjak. “So as  you were saying, I can bet it all on Max, right?”

Everyone but the vorpal rabbit laughed as their helper gently rubbed his furry face.