[Chapter 14 part 1] Astra - Nero Ebonwood

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Astra rubbed her head staring at the projector’s blackness. Contrary to popular belief, immortals didn’t remember everything automatically. About a year out was when memories became everlasting. Anything less could be forgotten. Just as well, mundane details aren’t worth recalling. Regretfully, that left her memorizing like a mortal.

She’d spent the afternoon catching up on centuries of neglected history. Topics which once held no interest had become critical. She’d studied the politics of the ‘Demon World’ below the Blue Abyss and the ‘Cultivating Realm’ to its East. Not sure how much will stick, but I tried. Researching the Laughing Man had also been a point of interest. He’s a monster. Astra was enraged. How hard can it be to kill one man?

An other big development was the rise of the Grey King. That madman indirectly caused this too. Below the Sarada’s ocean of sand was Middle Earth. This frontier region, cut off from the outside, had been a splintered group of smallish kingdoms. Then the Laughing Man began his social-engineering experiment. After dozens of assassinations, the ensuing chaos had reduced the place to a no-man’s land. Keep slaughtering the decent folk, and any country will fall to ruin. When the Laughing Man had been forced into hiding ——his so-called hundred year ‘quiet period’—— the Grey King had built an empire from the ashes.

This enigmatic ruler refused envoys, so no one knew his face. What was no secret was his competence, ruthlessness, and ambition. A genius strategist and tactician who swallows territory after territory. Word from the conquered was life was fair, but bleak and brutal. Everyone was a cog for furthering the ‘mother land’. The Grey King was building a war machine, with no intent of stopping.

Soon he’ll have consolidated Middle Earth. That accomplished, he’d turn to the rest of Enera. It’s a world war waiting to happen. At least the Adventurer’s Guild remained neutral in such conflicts. Though aiding those fleeing will be our task…

She had enough on her plate already. The backlog is worst than anticipated. In the weeks preceding his demise, Arther had put matters on hold to investigate. Had he not died, it would’ve been fine. Stop, I’ll not blame him. In any case, a deluge of work awaited her.

The most pressing are those eruptions. Searing ash was nearing areas packed with refugees. I’ll tackle this first thing tomorrow. Not only was it urgent, she was also perfectly suited to solve the catastrophe. Suspiciously so. While the volcanic activity had been on-going for months, it’d drastically intensified in the last few days. That was you, right, HEAVENLY DAO? Manufacturing an emergency so I can show off… Is that your way of celebrating my return?

Astra sighed. I shouldn’t complain about something which benefits me so much. She needed the political capita. Hopefully no one perishes before I arrive.

In addition to serving adventurers, Guild Headquarters played several roles which would be her prerogative. Firstly, she’d answer aid requests when regional leadership was overwhelmed. Like this exploding crust situation. Next, she’d take the lead in menaces emanating from the huge swaths of Enera falling outside settled territories. From the news, I’ll be focused on piracy. Finally, she’d spearhead the response to cataclysmic events such as the White Dragon. In this world, massive threats materialize out of nowhere.

Thankfully she wouldn’t be tackling this alone. Since immortals were valuable military assets, competition to recruit them was fierce. Those who didn’t care to be tied down made the Isle of Dreams their home. In exchange for independence, they’d assist with the occasional global crisis. Arther mentioned managing them was challenging.

There was much to be done. I’ll have to rely on Lily more than I thought. Her long term goals, including the bounty, would be put on the back burner temporarily. If I’m accepting the job, then I’ll do it right.

A tiny pale sprite floated into view, beckoning. Nero’s here. Shutting off the projector, Astra followed.

Trust the Black Citadel to reveal its colors at night. Ghostly flowers bloomed from translucent vines dancing in an invisible current. Tomb ivy filled the space and blanketed the dome. Amazing death can be so beautiful. Her spectral guide drifted merrily through the glowing leaves.

Nero was sitting in the room of skulls, her children gathered around. “Thank you.” She said quietly, and the fairy nodded with a lethargic smile, fading away.

“I’m not sure why, but I thought you’d look older…” Free said. “What’s your physical age?”

“Thirty three.” Nero answered. “Most immortals are are under forty, by the way. In this world, you can’t judge by appearances.”

‘In this world’ was a frequently-used expression to explain away incongruities. It sounds better than ‘because of the HEAVENLY DAO’.

“I’ll bear that in mind.” Free said.

“I see you’ve met my children.” Astra installed herself.

“That’s right, this is my ‘official’ introduction.” Nero looked around. “Last time, you were babies. You sure have grown.”

“So, how’d it go? Caught up on recent events?” Nero asked.

You know the answer to that… You always do. Unlike Wise, Nero had mastered the art of casual conversation. Most would never realize he was making fruitless inquiries. Astra played along, “I’ve finished a good chunk. Optimistically, enough to get me through tomorrow. I already know what I’ll be doing most of the day.”

“The eruptions?” Nero grinned, “You’re uniquely qualified for them, aren’t you? Even more so then back then.”

Astra smiled wryly, “So you uncovered that too? How’d you do it? It’s not something I’d reveal easily.”

“Two thousands years isolated in the arctic… That’s the type of experience that can confer real power. Surmising its shape wasn’t too hard.”

Makes sense. Her children appeared clueless about their exchange. “Did you want to discuss somewhere private?” She asked.

“Later.” Nero waved off the suggestion. “First, I’ll speak to the young ones. Let’s begin with the three who’ve an aptitude for necromancy.” Three?

“Wise, you’ve little choice. Your talent, like mine, is deep but concentrated. To realize your potential, you must enroll.”

“Rose, you’re an intriguing case. It’s not uncommon for those skilled in fire to have a knack for death and destruction. Lily dedicated herself to the creation side of her talent, joining the Vermilion War College, but you aren’t bound to her path. You’re welcome to travel here to explore the dark arts.”

“Lastly, there’s Free. Your affinity is as profound as your original. Should you wish, you wouldn’t be turned away. Personally, I’d advise against it.”

“Afraid I might retread her footsteps?” Free asked.

Nero shook his head, “Sorry, please don’t misunderstand. I’m concerned you’d be discarding your chance at an untroubled life.”

“Once you’re a necromancer, everyone will regard you as capable of resurrecting the dead. As with Sola, you’ll never know peace. Even good people, particularly immortals, become irrational at the thought of meeting loved ones again.”

“What would you do facing her dilemma?” Nero looked her in the eye, “If someone held the lives of your siblings hostage?”

Free grimaced, “That… I can’t…”

“A guiding principles of the Black Citadel is that ‘Enrollment is sacred’. We depend on the free flow of students. Corrupting or impeding that process… will bring the full wrath of Xarst down on whomever attempts it. Do you understand?”

Free nodded slowly, “No one will dare blackmail me into enrolling because they’d be crushed.”

“Correct.” Nero nodded.

“It’s frustrating forsaking part of my future due to the greed of others.” Free complained weakly. “But I suppose it’s necessary. I’d hate it if others were harmed because of me.”

“It’s not only the ‘greed of others’ you’ll be facing. One day, someone close to you will pass on. You’ll then have the hardest choice: to let go or not.”

Thanks, Nero. She’d been struggling with how to approach this thorny subject with her headstrong daughter.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to converse privately with Wise for a bit.” Nero said.

“Should we step out?” Astra asked.

“That’s unnecessary.” Nero smirked. “If we could have quiet, that’ll be enough.”

What riddle is that? Nero gazed towards Wise. Staring back, her son’s expression went from surprised to serious. Slowly, the watchers understood what was unfolding. It’s what happens when two people who never need questions meet.

Nero took out a bronze circlet and swap out Wise’s headband. He told me of that. The old one had been cobbled together in haste. This will let Wise endure the trip.

After another silence, Nero drew out a jet-black book and everyone recoiled. That’s the most powerful necromantic artifact I’ve seen, second only to the Mask of Xarst. As the air hummed with death, Astra was tempted to snatch it away. Nero will justify this later.

Wise took the offering, and the wait resumed. Eventually, Nero spoke, “That was everything. Take care.”

“Thank you.” Wise bowed solemnly.

“You’re welcome. Now I’ve words for the rest of you.” Nero confronted Hope, “Do you have any notion of the monetary value of what’s packed in your bag?”

“Please don’t tell me.” She answered quickly. “Also, who snitched? It was Wise, wasn’t it? In your silent conversation, I’m sure of it.” She glared at her brother.

“I didn’t mention it.” Wise objected, shaking his hands.

“Don’t be smart with me.” Hope quipped. “I know how it works. You needn’t say anything. Just the willingness to give me up was enough.”

“For the record” Nero wore an amused smile, “He wasn’t the only one.”

Hope’s mouth opened and closed. She turned, searching faces, “Traitors! Unbelievable…” Her shoulders slumped. “Should I fetch them?”

Nero rubbed his shin, “It occurs to me, in all these years, I haven’t given you a single birthday gift. So I’ll overlook this if you remember to share.”

“Thank you!” Hope gave Nero a big hung. She faced Wise. “Since Nero is so generous, I’ll forgive you too.” She glanced around. “You too, nameless betrayer.”

I’ll assert my authority. “Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely over.” Astra spoke up. “Although I’m unclear on the details… Hope, am I to understand you circumvented my instructions?”

“No… This is about something else. Right?” She pleaded to Nero.

“You do remember I cannot lie?” He said sadly.

“Dammit,” Hope exclaimed. “So what happens?”

“I’ll allow it.” Astra said. “But this never happens again. Not everyone is this magnanimous with theft. Am I clear?”

“Absolutely,” Hope said with the cheerfulness of having gotten away with murder. I don’t think she got the point. Well, it’d be Lily’s problem soon.

(continued in part 2)