Nimbus and Alessia stood before the rest of the team. Alessia pointed at a crude map, her hand dragging across a dense forest to a castle.
“The Mad King’s Castle is here.”
“Someone needs to scout it out…” She said.
Korr crawled up a hill. As he crested the hill, he saw a massive castle, covered in moss and decay.
Most terrifying of all, an eight-foot-tall specter hovered above the entrance. Evil energy crackled through the air around it. One glance told Korr everything he needed to know—that thing would fucking kill you.
Alessia moved her hand on the map again, just below the castle to a skull and crossbones.
“Once we get inside, we will need to find the Queen’s tomb in the castle’s catacombs. But they’re a labyrinth.”
“Schematics of the catacombs are under lock and key at the Guild Hall,” Landar said.
Ex Vis said, “Sounds like something I should be able to handle.”
“By yourself?” Alessia asked.
“It’s better that way. They don’t call me Easy for nothing.”
“No one calls you that,” Korr said.
Nighttime at the Guild Hall. Under the cover of darkness, Ex Vis ninja’d his way over a wall when the guards weren’t looking.
Ex Vis silently choked out a guard from behind.
He lowered himself into a library with a rope. He stopped as guards passed by.
Ex Vis climbed down the rest of the way to the scroll he wanted. He touched it, and small marbles fell out of the base of the shelf, creating a lot of noise.
Shit.
Ex Vis hopped at incredible speed, dodging guards as they attacked, carrying the stack of schematics with him. He rounded a corner and hid, blending into the shadows.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
The guards ran past, missing him.
Whew.
Alessia pointed at another diagram. It represented all the realms of reality. She moved her hand from their realm to the Spirit Realm.
“The Queen’s body will be our entrance to the Spirit Realm.”
“I’m going to need a shitload of power to open the portal,” Druveus said.
“I’ve got a feather with your name on it,” Nimbus said.
“Then we need to find the source of the rot and seal it,” Alessia said.
“How are we going to do that,” Ex Vis asked, “sacrifice a virgin or something?”
Alessia scowled. Korr shook his head—wouldn’t say that.
Ex Vis shrugged—what?
“A feather from my wing can do it, with Landar as a conduit,” Nimbus said.
“If you give Alessia a feather for her magic, that’s all of your feathers,” Landar said. “That means...”
You’ll die… The weight lingered in the room.
“Okay, let’s just say we somehow pull all of this off,” Korr said. “How do we get back?”
“I’ve got something Omazz and I will work on,” Druveus said.
“Damn,” Ex Vis said.
“What?”
“We’re really dumb enough to try this. I keep waiting for someone else to point out how crazy this sounds.”
There was a moment as everyone considered.
“You know I hate to agree with the fur-ball,” Korr said. “But this is... a lot. Even for us, Alessia.”
“Look,” Landar said. “We have an angel on our side. That means it’s part of the gods’ plan. If nothing else, Nimbus can always call in backup.”
Nimbus looked like he was about to say something, but thought better of it. “Of course.”
But Alessia clocked his hesitation. She turned to Ex Vis and Korr. “You guys backin’ out?”
Korr scoffed. “Come on. I never said that. He might be too chicken, though.”
Ex Vis said, “You know, in rabbit culture, that isn’t the insult you think it is.”
“It means you’re scared. Wait—what does it mean to bunnies?”
“You’re an idiot.”
“Chicken means idiot?”
“No— you know what, if this moron is dumb enough to go on this mission, then I’m brave enough.”
“Good,” Alessia said. “You have your orders. Get to work.”
Landar stood over a brass bowl of water. A copper tube led up to a small vial. Landar closed his eyes and pulled up with his hands.
Magic. The water glowed a soft blue, flowing upward through the tube and filling the vial.
“Don’t go through the motions.”
Landar jerked his eyes open. The water fell back down the tube into the bowl. Alessia watched with her arms crossed.
“Otherwise, you’re gonna get someone killed.”
“That door was shut. Did you sneak in here? Do you know how creepy that is...”
“Stop messing around. If you don’t really connect with your breath—with your soul—while you’re blessing the water, then it won’t be as powerful. And if those are weak, and we need you to toss one in the heat of the moment, someone might die.”
Landar shrugged. “Okay, I’ll do better.”
“I shouldn’t have to tell you this. I don’t know if you’re ready.”
“It’s just holy water. I’ll make more.”
“No, it is not just holy water. We’re training you to be a cleric—a real cleric. Not that crap they teach you in your cult.”
“Hey. That cult— I mean, my church, helped me through some pretty rough times. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I know exactly what I’m saying. And they may have brought you in when times were rough. But they only did it so they could use you to make their times better.”
The two stared at each other.
Finally, Landar said, “The little girl—the ghost. It’s you, isn’t it?”
“That doesn’t matter anymore. We have our mission.”
“Is she why you can’t do magic?”
“I can’t do magic because I don’t have a soul.”
Alessia exited as Landar watched, his mouth agape.