Chapter 30

Sania was waiting in my temple with Grigor and Wind of the Wild. Joel was there too, but we were otherwise alone.

Wind and Grigor both bowed. Sania hugged me quickly then stepped back and met my eyes. “We’re ready and eager to get on with our task!”

I met her intense gaze and smiled. “I need to run something by you first.”

“Don’t back out of this now, Clive. We need to be useful.”

“I’m not backing out Sania, but I have someone who wants to go with you guys. One of the Guardians. An air Affinity who swears she can teleport and keep up with you.

From what little I know of her, I trust her the most among the guardians and I know they’re all oath-bound to follow me, so it should be okay.”

“I... she…” for a moment Sania was speechless. I opened my void storage as she stammered out barely formed thoughts.

“We’ll do a trial now and if she’s likely to be a hinderance then I won't let her go with you guys, but if you think she’s legit then take her and learn what you can form her.”

My words seemed to satisfy Sania. Grigor and Wind just watched my void Storage with rapt attention.

Kai stepped out with a stiffness to her posture. It was only slight, but I saw it. Her words explained the reason a moment later. “Administrator. Do you realize you have a powerful Aesalfar trapped inside of your Void Storage?”

I shuddered at the mention of Light. “I do, Kai. It’s a long story that I’ll share with you soon. Now’s not really the time.”

“It’s an unpleasant sight, Administrator. I’m unsure how I feel about such a situation.”

With a sigh, I gave her the abbreviated version of events. “She’s repeatedly betrayed me, tried to kill me and actually killed my soulmate,” I said, gesturing at Sania. “Though I managed to save her Ethereal Soul from eternal imprisonment.

“Right now, I don’t have any other facilities to hold a goddess who is technically more powerful than me, so for now, this is where we’re at.”

I sensed Kai was mulling over my words. She finally raised a hand in salute, then turned to Sania. “You are the Administrator’s soulmate?”

“He’s called Clive, and I am. I also hear you’re intending to come on our mission?”

“If you will have me.”

“You will need to demonstrate your ability to use teleportation and to move silently.”

Kai nodded. Then Grigor yelped in surprise before any of them had registered that Kai had teleported behind the stoic Wultr and prodded him in the back with an armored finger.

I saw, but could only acknowledge that she had moved incredibly fast and with real skill. I also noticed that the effort had taken a hit on her overall power holding. She was primarily air and as the others nodded appreciatively, I pushed more air into her.

The move brought a sharp twist of her head toward me. Now ignoring the praise and the questions of Sania and the others. “Passing power in such a way is personal Administrator Clive. You should ask… warn… you should…”

“Sorry. I thought you would appreciate the boost.”

The others fell silent at the clearly awkward moment that had transpired. “I do appreciate it. It is just unexpected. Alo-im do not casually pass power around. Especially to Guardians. In my time, it would be considered unseemly.”

“Well you’re not in your time and if the act doesn’t cause any physical harm, get used to it, because I’ll pump you to the brim whenever I can.”

Until that point, I’d forgotten Joel was with us. His snigger at my perhaps poor choice of words brought his presence into sharp relief. I scowled at him, but was nonetheless happy to have him here. We would need to speak once Sania had gone. I would need Danivra too, so in the brief lull of conversation, I pulsed a message for her to come to the temple. Then I refocused on Sania.

“I’m hoping Kai will be able to offer advice and perhaps make the difference if you get into serious trouble.”

If she can sneak up on Grigor like that, she’s good to go with me,” Sania replied. “Wind didn’t look quite so pleased and I realized it was probably because he’d taken up the role of teacher and now he’d be a spare wheel. I smiled at him, which seemed to cause surprise. “Wind, I’m gonna level you as soon as I can. We need to sort this Sphere situation out first, but you’re high on the list. I want to get you at least to your Ardumis evolution.”

“Thank you Lord Clive. Perhaps then I will feel as though I belong here among such powerful company.”

Danivra’s arrival cut my reply short beyond a curt nod. “Hey Dani, if you and Joel wouldn’t mind waiting here, I’m gonna set Sania and the others off and then I’ll be back to talk to you both.”

“Of course Lord Clive,” Danivra replied with a small bow.

“Sure,” Joel grumbled a moment later as I opened a small portal to the south of Malatia, where it bordered the vast forests of Holse.

The five of us headed through, and I walked with them to the very edge of our Sphere’s influence before speaking to them. “I’ll wait until you go through and I know you’re safe before I head back. I don’t know exactly what’s stopping the Sphere Growth here, but one of you needs to walk through and if any kind of defense system activates. I’ll pull you back out. Wind, Grigor?”

“Why not Sania?” Kai asked.

“Because there are some wounds that are still too fresh.”

There wasn’t much point in discussing it further as Wind stepped through the barrier immediately and without a word. It surprised everyone, but I noticed Sania had a small smile on her face. She spoke into my mind. “He’s trying to prove himself.”

“Well, I suppose he just did,” I replied and smiled back. Then spoke to them all, working hard to suppress my worry as Sania approached the Sphere’s end.

Kai must have sensed my concern and stepped alongside me. “I can get them to safety should their power fail them. Do not fear.”

“I’d like to feel more confident hearing that, but your teleportation trick earlier cost you around a tenth of your power. What if your power fails? You have four hours if you’re careful with your output?”

“That is correct. Hopefully we should have completed our mission well within that time.”

“I sure hope so,” I grumbled, casting an eye over my friends.

“Time to go,” Sania said enthusiastically, then with a final wave she led them into the forest. The moment Sania moved out of view I felt my anxiety shoot up through the roof. I had to work for a moment to suppress it as I stood staring at the spot they disappeared. After a few long minutes I forced myself back through the portal to Far Reach.

It'll be okay. It’ll definitely be okay. I told myself.

As the portal to southern Malatia closed behind me, I was met with expectant looks from Danivra and Joel .

“What can I do for you Lord Clive?” Danivra asked.

“Would you mind escorting me to the Administration Hub. I need to give you access to the systems. I should have taken you a lot earlier, but As I haven’t had to level you as your Internal Connection was already quite high you’ve ended up being down the list and that’s not fair.”

“What about me?” Joel asked. “I’ve got shit ton’s to do, so if we can hurry this along.”

I smiled at my old friend. “I need you to come too, mate. I need to boost your Internal Connection up, which you’ve avoided for far too long. And I want you to meet the Guardians. See if you can get anything from any of them about strengthening our Sphere. Until it’s planet wide, I’m nervous. Hell with whatever’s happened on Talitus, I’m doubly nervous?”

“I know,” he said solemnly. “If you think they can help, then I’ll do it happily.”

“Cheers mate. You’re a star.”

“Sure, sure,” he said, leaning on the altar and looking thoughtful. “What I don’t get is why I’d need the Internal Connection. How’s that gonna help me with the Sphere. Surely I need a stronger connection to you.”

“You’re my new spiritual Leader Joel. This is how you’ll level and get stronger. If you’re stronger, then so is our Sphere.”

A long sigh erupted from his irritated lips. “Fair enough, but I have a feeling you’re up to something.”

“He’s always up to something,” Danivra agreed. “But, somehow, he’s never led us wrong.”

“Blind luck,” Joel muttered as I opened up the Void Storage to take the two of them to Toukal. As they entered, I noticed how dark it was inside and grimaced before reactivating the light inside. “Must have blown a fuse or something,” I mumbled as they both gave me meaningful looks.

“The Light Everlasting skill?” Danivra asked. “Oh yes, I can very much see how that might have happened,” she chuckled before disappearing from sight.

In Toukal, I took both of them down to the guardian area first. There were a few different colors speaking to Ezerius as we passed the main portal area, which made me uncomfortable, but all of them bar Ezerius turned and offered salutes. I waved back and moved more enthusiastically through the basement.

As the doors swished open, there was some heated discussion, but only around half of the guardians were still in the room. The gray who’d offered unwavering support early marched over with gusto as we entered. “Administrator Clive! You are back sooner than expected. The others are still scouring through the records to research what has transpired since we were last active.”

“I expected as much. My apologies, I didn’t get your name or designation last time.

He saluted again. “Aranel. My name was Aranel.”

“Well then, Aranel, I didn’t expect them to be ready yet, but I have a few jobs to do in the hub, and I hoped my good friend Joel here might be able to pick your brains over Sphere defenses, alterations, or anything you can tell him really.”

“Sphere Manager huh?” he said looking Joel up and down. “Sure we might be able to help with that. What’s your Sphere speciality?”

I was stumped by the question though Joel replied first. “What exactly do you mean? We have a Sphere that we’ve developed along a fairly direct path. At least until we merged with the Spheres of our friends.”

Aranel shook his head. “Come with me, friend. We have a lot to discuss.”

Without another word to me, the two of them headed back across the room. I heard Aranel speak again. “You people really know nothing, do you?”

At my side, Danivra replied to the statement in barely a whisper. “It would certainly seem that way.”

I turned and clapped a hand on her back. “Not for long with these guys helping us. Now come on. I want to get you set up to move freely in and out of the hubs.”

Once we arrived at a more private interface, Danivra stood silently, stoic, and unmoving, though I could feel her anticipation through our bond as I spoke to Aly.

“Will you do the thing for Danivra please. Full access.”

As you wish, Clive.

“I need a totem for her as well.”

Of Course. You will find it ready in the room’s receptacle.

With thanks to Aly, I fell silent and allowed them to do what they needed to do and within five minutes Danivra was fully installed as a Universal Administrator assistant. She was now beaming at me. “This is a lot of power you have entrusted us all with. Thank you.”

I scowled at her as I moved to the interface. “Are you bloody kidding me Dani? I’ve not entrusted you with jack shit, it’s your place as much as it is mine to be able to use everything here. It just sucks that I’m the one who has to allow it. Now come over here and give me your hands. We’re not done yet?”

“I hardly think you should empower me, Clive. I am already the strongest among our group in almost all areas. At least those of us who are not gods.”

“Which is exactly why I should empower you,” I replied as I flooded her body with power.”

“Don’t feel too guilty. I have purely selfish reasons of boosting you. We need this Sphere balanced out a little better, and I want it over the planet.”

She frowned. “But we could only do that if I reach Ethereal Stage three, which… you’re not!”

“I am,” I replied as power flooded into her.

“You are a cad, Clive! Why do you always do it like this?”

I grinned. “I honestly don’t know! Maybe I just like to see you surprised. Nothing ever seems to affect you.”

“So you delight in teasing me-arrgh!”

Silence followed her exclamation as her core blossomed. I stood back and watched with Singularity Sight marveling at the growth of her Mortal Core. It all happened within a few seconds, but I was glad to be watching as I noticed an anomaly. Weak and hidden among her powers. A seventh power had appeared. Somehow she had developed Void in the change! I shook my head in disbelief. I didn’t think it was possible to become open to other powers especially after my experience with Sania.

While Danivra still focused on her new stats and abilities, I asked Aly about my query.

“I do not know Clive. From what I can tell, those who you or the criminal Hakanilaris have been directly involved with empowering have developed the seventh affinity. All of the gods, Sania, Mal and Hakan.”

“Does that mean all of the Chosen I raise will get a seventh?”

“I have no Idea Clive. Mal and Sania already have theirs. Perhaps they will develop and eighth.”

“Fuck. That’d be Nice.”

“Perhaps. It would reduce the efficacy of the others due to their racial limitations.”

I slammed my hands down on the table in front of me. “Damn it, you’re right.” I was stopped from saying any more as my erratic gesture brought Danivra back to us.

When she looked at me, tears ran down her cheeks. “It’s so beautiful.”  The next thing I knew I was being hugged.

“Thank you Clive. This gift is… beyond words. In a few months, I will earn my Divine Core and I owe that all to you.”

I hugged her back, and gave a little extra squeeze. “Will you stop fucking thanking me. I’m a rough arsed chef who only got here through the help of my friends. You in particular. If I could give you all the power I have to do it in my place, I would. You’d be a lot better than me at this. There’s a long list of people who’d be a lot better at this than me.”

She hugged a little tighter but said nothing and certainty swept over me that no matter what Sania said she had to be next. She already had her Immortal core. The moment she reached level 1000 we’d have another god in our ranks and that was priceless.

It's been a rough few weeks, (Months Really.) William is still in hospital, for the third time and it's just eating up most of my time, but I'm still getting some words in here and there.  He's doing okay, but they still have no idea what's wrong with him so onward we trudge. Hope you're all doing well!