Runeblade

End of Book 1. Chapter 130: The Prodigal Son Returns

One moment Kaius was standing at the peak of a dwarven citadel deep below the earth, then the world shifted, blurring for a few mind-bending fractions of a second as he was torn along an impossible axis. Something moved within those depths, something large and curious, something that inspired a primal terror within him. Then he was snatched away.

His stomach lurched, and he stumbled forwards, kicking up a pile of loose leaf litter. For a moment he reeled, struggling to process the experience of translocation, before he shoved it to the back of his mind when Porkchop let out an excited chitter. Having dived nose first into the soft earth of the forest, his brother was currently enraptured with rubbing every handspan of his surface along the ground.

“Dirt! Normal dirt, with dead leaves and insects!” Porkchop moaned, digging his crystalline claws into the ground.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kaius smiled at his bond-brother, before he craned his neck and stared at their surroundings in awe.

They were back in the Arboreal Sea.

Blessedly normal trees sprouted up around them in an unbroken tide that stretched as far as he could see, while brush and grasses poked up in the small gaps in the canopy, drinking in the warm summer sun. Kaius stepped forwards, into one of the beams of light, and soaked up its soft embracing heat.

It had been so long since he had felt the sun. To be graced with a summer’s noon upon their exit was fortuitous indeed.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and just felt the thrumming life around him. The rustle of a tepid breeze passing through the trees, the subtle buzz of innumerable insects flying through the air, the chirping of birds, the scent of discarded leaves slowly decaying into mulch.

It was all so pure. So different from the cold mechanical Depths. It had been easy, at times, to gloss over the gaps in its illusion of life. The odd behaviour of the depths-born, the utter absence of lesser forms of life, and a dozen other things. That difference was blinding now that he had returned from his trial.

That wasn’t all, at the base of the stone lay two pristine artefacts, nestled on top of the pile of leaves that had accumulated against the portal due to the wind. One was a softly gleaming crystal. Black like obsidian, a dull pulsing orange welled up from its deepest reaches, just barely visible in the daylight.

The other was a metal box. Thin, rectangular, and oddly curved on one side, it had a number of straps and attachment points, but nowhere obvious to carry it like a bag. Weirder still, it didn’t seem to have any kind of opening or latch.

Kaius’s heart quickened. He tapped into True Sight.

Spent Forgeheart:

Unique - Tier I

The drained heart of a warengine, even valued treasure is sometimes discarded.

A valued crystal, glimmering with the remnants of esoteric life, abandoned after the majority of its power was spent. A valuable material for forged alloys, its affinities make it a prized option for supporting the growth of newborn metallic soulbound artefacts.

Material (Life, Crystal).

…

Merchant’s Reinforced Dimensional Saddlebag:

Unique - Tier I

What’s this for? Fragile high-value goods and smuggling, mostly. Sometimes both.

A solid reinforced box of potent arcane infused titanium, its interior is lined with spatially aligned alloys, and engraved with a dense runic formation. Allows access to a small dimensional bubble, approximately the size of a large chest, that may be used to store non-living and non-spatially-enchanted objects.

Depths-wrought Artefact.

Auxiliary Equipment (Dimensional Bag)

Durability II, Dimensional Container I, Self Repair I

Kaius was already moving.

“Oh holy fuck, Porkchop!” He yelled, diving for the box before he scooped it up and held it in his hands. Despite its solid metal construction, it was deceptively light, even if it felt incredibly sturdy. 𝘙åꞐỐ𝔟ÈŜ

“What is it?” Porkchop asked, concerned as he ran over to his side.

“We got one! We actually got one!” Kaius stumbled over his words, a wide sweeping grin on his face.

“Got what?” Porkchop said, shoving his head past his shoulder to peer at the Merchant’s Saddlebag.

“A spatial artefact! It's small, but we should be able to fit everything in here! See?” He swung off his pack, holding it close to the artefact as he funnelled the slightest brush of mana against it.

There was a soft pop, and his bag vanished. Kaius could feel it inside the artefact, an intuitive sense of everything it contained, though it vanished when he stopped interacting with it with his mana.

Porkchop jumped back, shocked at his bag's disappearing act. “Holy shit!”

“I know! Do you have any idea how expensive these are? We’re gonna have to hide it in one of your saddlebags!” Kaius spun, shaking Porkchop by his jowls.

His brother shook him off. “Quick! Put the rest of our stuff in it, I wanna see if it all fits!”

Porkchop hunkered down, and Kaius ran to his side like a giddy child, picking at knots with hurried fingers as he pulled down the rough bags they had managed to convert into clunky saddlebags from things scavenged from the dwarven city. Kaius funnelled their food supplies, extra water, and his precious spices into their new container, immensely pleased when he saw it was still just barely over half full.

Saving one of their rough stitched bags, they shoved the dimensional container into it, tearing a few holes so that they could secure it to Porkchop’s barding from within. It looked suspicious as hell, but it would do until they made it to one of the villages and they could commission a leather cover, and a proper set of under-armour for Porkchop.

Kaius stepped back, pleased with his handiwork.

“What of the other thing? That crystal?” Porkchop asked, looking past him to where the Forgeheart lay forgotten on a pile of leaves.

At his brother’s prompting, Kaius felt his joy surge once more. “It’s one of the materials I need for my sword,” he said happily. “Though I'm not sure what to do with it.”

He walked over, picking up the glassy stone. It was warm to the touch, like a stone that had been left to bake in the sun. He drew his blade a handspan, and tried touching the material to his weapon. Nothing happened, though he did feel attraction between the two when he attempted to pull the stone back. Then he tried the handle, where the bonding formation lay hidden underneath its wrap. Still nothing. Kaius frowned.

“We might need to stash it for later. Maybe I need a smith, or to ‘forge a link’, whatever that means. Hopefully it's the latter, I don’t exactly want to go around telling everyone what I have.”

Porkchop nuzzled him. “We’ll figure it out. Either way, we got some good rewards. Why don’t you pack it into the Merchant’s Saddlebag to keep it safe?”

Nodding at his friend's suggestion, Kaius stowed it away. At the end of the day, even securing it in the first place had gone a long way to solving one issue he had wondered about. Perhaps, with a few more Guardians, he could obtain the rest of the rare materials he needed.

With their loot secured, Porkchop had quickly returned to enjoying the simple pleasure of their return to the Sea, kicking up clumps of dead leaves as he sunk his heavy digging claws into the earth below.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Kaius smiled, before he turned back to the portal. Before he had been distracted by their rewards, he’d been meaning to check something he had heard about.

He focused his True Sight on the system's formation.

Great Depths Portal: Locked - 3 daysLayer: 2Biome: The Great Warren (explored)

Kaius nodded in satisfaction, he had heard that most analysis type skills would give some insight into the access ways to the Depths that dotted the land, but it was good to get confirmation.

Dropping down, Kaius flopped down to the ground and leaned back heavily onto his hands. He simply stared at the forest around him, still struggling to process that they had actually done it. Even after more than a year in the Depths, it had been a constant push to the finish, a constant threat that hung over his head.

It was one thing to know that you had achieved your goal, another to be presented with the reality of success. Unbidden, a soft giggle escaped his lips, breaking the soft silence that surrounded them.

In the trees above, a small sparrow took flight, flittering between the trees as it watched him with open curiosity. Kaius looked back, a half smile on his face. Other than meeting Porkchop, it was the first time that something moving hadn’t tried to kill him in far too long.

“Kaius. You should analyse the bird.” Porkchop said cautiously.

“Huh? Why?” He asked, still watching the creature as it flitted to a branch and settled down to face him.

“We’re not in danger, but remember what the system said about phase two? With integrating animals?” Porkchop reminded him.

His eyes widened, and he immediately directed his skill towards the sparrow.

Common Sparrow - Level 1:

Beast

Kaius hissed, sucking in air through his teeth.

“I take it's a beast then?” Porkchop asked, having shifted to watch the bird with curiosity.

“Yeah, it is. This is going to change… a lot. I hope the villages will be ready.” Kaius replied, a knot of worry forming in his stomach.

Porkchop rumbled. “Things will become more fraught, especially as mana levels rise. I will not lie, it will be tough, but they will have a chance. At the very least beasts will still follow their instincts and natural inclinations, they are not like depths-born.” he said with confidence.

Kaius looked at his brother sceptically. “Are you sure? Just about every beast I have ever run into on this side of the mountains has been territorial, and most were actively aggressive.”

“It’s because of the mana. Here, only the species and individuals who possess that bent will have a far greater chance of accruing the feats needed for the system to take notice. Over the mountains, where the mana is greater, it is far easier for a common animal to become a beast. You see the meek just as often as the tyrannical. Besides, until the mana levels grow, they won't be able to grow truly strong.” Porkchop explained, trying to subdue his worry.

“That’s only going to take a year.” Kaius said, his mouth tightening into a line.

With the mention of the system's upcoming changes, he peered deep into the mana that flowed through the world around him. Unlike the depths, it was a barest tint on the surroundings. A subtle glow, or the odd mote of light, tinted the colours of their aspect. As could be expected from a forest, light, nature, earth, and life dominated, though there were dozens of others too - many he could not put a name to.

Very different from the overwhelming deluge that occupied the Depths, requiring him to focus to bring the mana into full relief, rather than pull back from his skill to stop the arcane brightness from overwhelming him.

**Ding! True Sight has reached level 22!**

He could physically see it, the slow inexorable change being wrought by the changing of phase. It was minute, but he could see more and more mana welling up from…somewhere. The increasing mana density would wreak havoc on many. Even if what Porkchop said was true, and most beasts would stay true to their nature, there were still more than enough out there to turn the wilds into a slaughterhouse for the unwary. Especially if they grew in strength with the rising mana.

Trade would slow or stop, and people would be isolated and cut off from each other, unless they fought back hard. Which, he realised, might have been the system's intention.

It seemed like an impossible ordeal. Even if he maintained his meteoric growth, and climbed higher than any had before, how was a man and beast supposed to stand against an entire world? There was no one foe, no one target. Not like the Guardian. Just a nebulous goal. Get strong, and all would come together.

People would die by the thousands, and there was little he could do to prevent it. Especially if, by what Ekum the Pale implied, that the only true way out was through the heart of the fire. Progressing the integration stage by stage, and weathering the resulting storm. Hoping that if he could force himself to grow fast enough, he would not end up too badly burned.

It rankled. Let alone that he still had no idea what Tyrants and Crucible Grounds were. More deathtraps no doubt, there to force people to excel or die.

“Kaius, you’re spiralling.” Porkchop butted in, picking himself up off the ground to approach him.

He craned his neck up, by the gods he still wasn’t used to how big Porkchop had gotten. “I know, but what are we to do?” he asked.

“We do what we have always done. Break it down into chunks. The integration and the chaos it will bring is our Guardian, we need to find our Champions first.” Porkchop said, taking a seat next to him before he wrapped one massive arm around Kaius and yanked him closer.

Kaius groaned, but leant against his brother all the same. “Okay, short term goals. We need to find out where we are. Travel through the Depths is supposed to get weird compared to the world above. I know the forest well enough to at least get us moving in the general direction of Three Fields once we know where we are.”

“You still think that’s our best shot? If they live next to the Sea they are likely to recognise what I am.” Porkchop asked cautiously.

Kaius nodded. “I know them, and they consider me one of their own. They wouldn’t sell us out, sticking together is how you survive on the frontier. Powerful beasts might be uncommon, but they are not completely absent, and a boggart swarm could be the end of anyone without backup. Besides, it’s our best shot at finding some information about the bandits that pursued us, and what happened to Father.”

“You think they would know? What if the bandits simply fled after they were unable to acquire what they sought.”

“That might be so, but if Father had been injured, he would have headed for the village to recover, and if those bandits had stuck around, they would have made a name for themselves.” Kaius replied. “Besides, the people there…some of them are basically family. I must see them, even if just to let them know I live and do what I can to prepare them for the coming chaos.

“Then Three Fields it is. I think I have an idea of how we could help, but I’ll save it for the journey.” Porkchop agreed, bumping him on the top of his head. “How long will it take us to get there?”

“Not too long, if we’re still near where we entered. A week at most, depending on how fast we can travel.” Kaius explained. The plateau that they had fallen from was something of a geographical oddity, it stretched from the base of the mountains that blocked off the Deep Sea, but in many places it stretched deep into the outskirts, much like where he and Father had made camp.

“I may have a solution for that…” Porkchop said, after a moment’s pause.

“Oh?” Kaius replied, craning his head to look up at his brother.

“It is something of a taboo amongst greater beasts, but I could… Give you a lift?” Porkchop suggested hesitantly.

Kaius grinned. “I didn’t want to bring it up, but it would be convenient. I also had something to mention. My class definitely aligns with our bond in some form, and the carving I saw showed me riding you into battle. I’m not sure how viable that actually is, nor what sorts of skills I might be offered in that vein, but I did want to check in with you before they started popping up.”

A deep rumble echoed in Porkchop’s chest, gratitude and gratefulness flowing across their bond. “Take them if they are good, we’re already going to give the Matriarch’s a conniption with our bond, we may as well make it really slap them in the face.”

Kaius snorted. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“Absolutely not, but hopefully by the time we go back we will be strong enough for it to not matter.” Porkchop said with a grin. “Well, with that settled, do we still plan on heading to Deadacre next?”

“Yeah, like I mentioned, the Delving guild is our best bet for securing backing and power, and it's the best spot for us to plan our next move. We can also start to think about finding allies and potential teammates, but I'm not sure if a provincial backwater will have anyone who can keep up with us.” Kaius said, familiar determination steeling his spine as their plans grew more concrete. “Regardless of what we find out about Father, we will need power and information if we want to find the bandits, and the man with the scar. Deadacre is our best bet for both.”

“Well then,” Porkchop rose to his full height, his physique towering over him. “Shall we try to find out where we are? North should bring us closer to the mountains.”

Kaius grinned and leapt to his feet. “You sure about this? It’s not weird?” he asked.

“It’s a little weird, but i’m sure.” Porkchop replied, crouching low. “Jump up!”

Letting out a whoop, Kaius grabbed the leather straps of Porkchop’s barding and hauled himself upwards. With his enhanced strength, it was easy for him to swing up and onto Porkchop’s back, even despite his brother’s height. The barding was a little uncomfortable, and their armour plates clanged together awkwardly, but that was washed away in Kaius’s sheer excitement.

“Hold on!”

Porkchop dug his claws into the ground and launched in the rough direction of the mountains that they had divined from the position of the sun.

Kaius let loose a peal of laughter, barely staying seated as Porkchop’s powerful strides tore through the forest, heavy claws used to gain enough traction to weave around tree trunks.

It was fucking good to be back.