—— ? ——

  Brian moved through the lab, adjusting shimmering connections between the various cores and aethra crystals.

  Above him, a metal sphere whirled as it zipped between dozens of connections near the roof. Zerathis’s flight ability had turned out to be extremely useful when dealing with higher-up connections, expanding the usable space in the room.

  The chamber was deep underground, directly below the lab. In the center of the room, a flower-like construct glowed and pulsed. The avalanche barrier.

  "I don't know. Zerathis,” Brian said, his face was scrunched in concentration as his fingers danced across a connection, searching for weak points. “This one's looking really good,"

  "I agree. Much more stable than previous attempts."

  Brian nodded, moving to another connection. "I think we just need a little bit more for it to start absorbing energy naturally."

  Zerathis descended, moving to watch over Brian’s shoulder. They both shifted to the center of the room, studying the information above the barrier construct.

  "Looks to be 2.5% percent and holding. 0.5% fluctuations." Zerathis intoned, his rings spinning and glowing bright.

  Brian nodded. He circled the device, staring at the darkened sections. Maybe this time it would energize completely. He could only hope.

  Then he could leave the lab and meet up with Simon and Kaelalin.

  Brian and Zerathis paused their frantic pace as the arching energies around them changed from arcing pulses to a steady hum.

  “This looks exceedingly promising,” Zerathis stated, hovering closer to the barrier.

  “Agreed.” Brian quickly replied, his eyes rapidly checking different sections. “I believe the aurora was having a much larger impact than we anticipated.”

  Zerathis bobbed in the air. “It drained power in a similar fashion when the Reliquaries attacked our tower’s barrier.” His construct tilted. “Although, at a drastically smaller scale.”

  “You think the aurora is actively attacking?”

  “That would be the logical conclusion. The pulses seem to increase only when the barrier is active.”

  “Huh.” Brian tapped his lips. “There must be more to that phenomenon than what we believe.”

  Over the next hour, the two double-checked and tripled-checked all connections. Besides some minor hiccups, the entire test was going extremely well.

  Compared to the last test, this one was leagues ahead. They had learned a great deal over the night. What worked, and what would fail spectacularly.

  One of their earliest tests had started to go badly after a spike in the aurora had caused the array to destabilize. An entire section of the device had gone dark, completely out of energy. Brian and Zerathis had attempted to create a bridge and do a fast bypass.

  That hadn’t gone well.

  They had frantically disconnected energy from the magical barrier to avoid disaster. From that, they had learned neither of them had the skill to actively bypass a dead area. The best they could do was supply additional energy and hope it refilled the area.

  This test had surpassed every attempt before it. The matrix of the magical device slowly lit up as each individual section filled with energy.

  The cost was monstrous. Brian didn’t want to think about the empty cores and Aethra crystals that were quickly filling a small crate in the corner.

  But it would be worth it.

  Once the entire device hit a threshold and all sections were energized, it would all be worth it.

  When they had discussed and explored the functions of the barrier, one of its major features seemed like a boon.

  The barrier could absorb energy through its own protective shell. The dome of energy would naturally draw magical energy from the environment. When they had discovered that functionality, they had all been ecstatic. That excitement only rose when they realized it could store that energy, functioning as a massive battery of magical power.

  Get it going, and the barrier would fill itself to its maximum capacity. Not only that, it would store almost four times that capacity in reserve.

  What they hadn't realized was that getting the barrier going was an absolute pain.

  But things were looking good.

  The barrier was on its way to a complete energization. Once stable, it would be simple to operate and power up and down. Brian doubted the town would power it down, though. Leaving it running would generate excess energy that could be used for other facilities within the town.

  “Four percent!” Zerathis sparked excitedly.

  Brian smiled.

  They were almost there.

  That’s when a prompt ruined their day.

  *BAWHM*

  —- WARNING —-

  > AREA UNDER ATTACK

  > Location: Varnholt Artisan Enclave - South Gate

  > Description:

  >> The barrier surrounding the town is under assault by hostile forces.

  >> Barrier Status - 4%... 3.8%... 3.5%...

  ——————————

  This was unlike anything Brian had gotten from the system. The prompt shoved into his vision, red and glowing, its sound like a foghorn blasting out into the night.

  The room glowed bright as energy pulsed up into the stream leading out of the lab. Sections that had barely lit now dimmed.

  “Oh no!” Zerathis screeched.

  “What the hell!” Brian yelled, his heart dropping. Was it the creature attacking? Had someone invaded the valley?

  Brian and Zerathis moved like the wind. They added more connections, trying to stabilize the barrier.

  After a long agonizing moment, it was clear their efforts were in vain.

  The barrier construct pulsed, then went dark.

  —- WARNING —-

  > ATTACK UPDATE

  >> Barrier depleted.

  >> Prepare to repel assailants.

  Growth is earned.

  ——————————

  Brian dashed to the door that hid the stairs leading to the upper levels of the lab.

  “Zerathis! Stay with the barrier! See if you can get it cycled and ready to go again.”

  Zerathis moved to a crate, one of the metal rings on his body contorting and shifting. A claw-like grabber formed and pulled a glowing Aethra crystal from the container.

  “Okay! What are you going to do?” He asked as Brian yanked the door open.

  “What do you think?” Brian said. “Find out what’s going on.”

  He glanced back at the construct, his fingers idly pressing his glasses to his face. They pulled away, then crackled with glowing energy.

  “And if needed, do what the prompt said to do.” He turned and headed up the stairs.

  “Repel assailants,” Brian replied, his face grim.

  Unless… It’s who I think it is… He added mentally as his feet slapped on cold, stone stairs.

  —— ? ——

  The crackling and sparking white glow persisted for several moments, lighting the south gate like the noonday sun. Heat exploded out, melting snow in dozens of feet.

  The air was infused with burning smells, acrid and stale. It was mixed with the smell of burnt fur and flesh.

  Finally, after moments that stretched beyond their time, the glow faded. The barrier popped like a bubble and disappeared.

  The cacophony of crackling was replaced by a hissing moan.

  Simon groaned through clenched teeth, his right arm held as a shield while his left tightly grasped Kaelalin’s body to his chest.

  The fact that he already had a rough idea just how hurt his body was.... well... Troubling. His life had become really fucked up.

  It wasn’t as bad as his time in the Realm of the Forger, but holy shit did it hurt.

  Simon pulled his arm back and gripped Kaelalin with it. He was a bit sad about his garb. The outfit had held up far longer than he expected.

  Still, the fabric had completely burned away, his now raw and burned arm exposed to the cold wind. Sweat dripped down the rest of him from the heat the barrier had emitted.

  And this was the barrier fluctuating? Barely stable?

  He shuddered at the thought. What would have happened if he had slammed into it, trusting himself to survive when it was at full power?

  Thanks for being slow, Brian.

  Simon’s eyes studied his burnt arm, sections dark and others raw. He was never going to get used to that. He blinked when he saw movement along the burnt edges of the garb's remains.

  The cloth wriggled and squirmed, shaking off burnt tatters. He could watch in real time as it started to grow and stitch itself back together. That repair feature was way better than he expected.

  He looked up from his arms to the dumbstruck faces of the five Varnholters.

  “Yeah.” He coughed out, his mouth dry. “I would not recommend doing that. Hurts like a motherfucker."

  Kurda and Jorik had no response. No comment.

  Rude.

  The other members of the Varnholt recovered much faster. Seemed like they DID have an opinion on what just happened.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  The two frost-kin guards advanced on him, their spears pointed towards his chest.

  “Uh, fellas.” Simon grinned, his voice recovering. “I don’t think that’s the right move. Really, the only good move here is for you to get the fuck out of my way. Deal?”

  The guards took another step.

  Simon’s grin widened. He was so done with this shit.

  He stepped forward as well. Right towards their spears.

  That made them hesitate, their eyes going wide.

  “Okay, I seem to remember Dravlen saying you weren’t supposed to kill me. Right?” Simon stepped forward again. The guards looked at each other, their body language growing even more hesitant.

  Simon gave them a nod. “Ah! Seems you have doubts. Well, if you just stand aside and let me go to Brian, I’m sure everything will work out nicely.”

  He took another step, a mad gleam in his eyes. “Although, if you want to do this. We can do this.”

  One of them gulped, his eyes examining his steaming arm. Turns out, frying yourself to a crisp, then just shoving it off and walking forward, makes people question many things.

  “Zarvenna.” The talky Frost-kin blurted out. “You must hand over the body of Rune Mage Zar–”

  “In-vent-or.” Simon snapped out, murdering his words in his throat. “She called herself Inventor Zarvenna and corrected you stupid fucks on it. Were you not there?”

  The guard took a half step back as Simon continued to advance, staring at the obscene gesture Simon gave with the seared remains of his middle finger.

  “Look, dumb fucks.” Simon took another step, closing in on their spear points. “I’m bringing her to Brian. That’s what Inventor Zarvenna asked with her dying breath.” He cocked his head. “Now. Get. The. Fuck. Out of my way.”

  “Enough of this!” A slimy voice hissed. “Just take her body from him and arrest him, you cowards!” Maelis stepped forward.

  “Can’t you see he’s barely standing? You Frost-kin are all the same.” Maelis scoffed. “Fine, I’ll show you how a race with a spine acts.”

  Maelis moved forward, his quick steps closing the distance to Simon. His hands reached outwards, muscular and rough. His last two steps practically vaulted him across the space. His arms snaked through the air, coming under and over Kaelalin’s body.

  Simon stared down, the man’s scarred face just on the other side of his precious cargo. Simon’s grip nearly slipped as the man yanked at Kaelalin.

  Simon tightened his grip, arresting the movement.

  The Yoreboon’s scared face looked up at him. His face was oily, his skin strangely smooth. His facial scars shone in the light of the gatehouse. The Yoreboon’s eyes filled with disgust, his lips curled in a look of complete dismissal.

  “You have no right to hold a member of Varnholt.” Maelis breathed onto Simon. Both men strained as they tried to wrestle the body to their exclusive grip. “Release her.”

  Simon blinked. Burning hot rage rippled through him. He strained as he held desperately to his friend, but he could feel Maelis slowly pulling her away.

  “... No.” Simon hissed through clenched teeth, his neck muscles bulging.

  Maelis gave him an evil smile. “No? Pathetic.”

  Fuck. This.

  Simon’s mind tried to figure out a solution. Headbutt the guy? But the damned curse wouldn’t let him do that.

  Maelis pulled Kaelalin an inch further.

  Simon grinned. “Yeah? Well fuck you.” His mouth opened wide.

  Energy built up in Simon’s body as he channeled his skill. His head snapped back.

  *pop!*

  The instrument formed. Simon felt a slight weight on his chest, and then something touched his bottom jaw.

  Simon’s head vibrated as his teeth slammed down.

  In one fluid motion, multiple things happened. Simon took a slight step forward. Maelis stumbled, looking at the bottom of Simon’s chin. Then Simon’s arms bulged as he yanked hard.

  Maelis was dragged ever so slightly forward as Simon’s head swung forward in a blur. The glow of gold lit them both as Simon’s jaws descended on the man.

  *Hurrrrr* came the awful off note from the harmonica.

  *CLANG* followed as Simon drove his instrument-equipped face into Maelis’s stupid, wide-eyed expression.

  The impact rattled Simon’s head, but it fucking worked.

  Maelis’s grip failed, the Yoreboon tumbling back. His ass slammed into the street as a stream of unintelligible noises hissed from his mouth. The asshole's hands hurriedly moved to his face, covering it.

  Blood dripped from Simon’s mouth as he spat out the harmonica. The instrument bounced on the neckholder that rested on his chest.

  “Be great or be gone, asshole!” Simon snarled, his wild eyes snapping to the others.

  “Anyone else wanna try it?!”

  The two Frost-kin stared between him and Maelis. Jorik stared. Kurda stared.

  Simon readied himself, a glow wrapping his legs as he prepared for Maelis’s counterattack.

  The Yoreboon rose to his feet, his eyes glaring from behind his hands.

  Then he turned.

  And ran.

  Simon stood there, blinking.

  What?!

  Is he running?

  This was completely beyond expectations.

  What the hell?!

  The others followed Simon’s stare as they watched the Yoreboon retreat down the street.

  —— ? ——

  Maelis rounded the corner, his hands frantically pressing against his face.

  “Impetulent child!” His voice echoed in the street. “He almost ruined everything!”

  The Yoreboon’s hands traced the dent. He moved his eyebrows and felt pressure against his face.

  “Simon…” he hissed, as he picked up speed and headed towards his home. Maelis kept to the shadows, his eyes searching his surroundings for signs of pursuit or movement. As he crossed another street, he saw dozens of Varnholt citizens running toward the southern gate.

  It had been too close. If someone had tried to help him up, or had looked closely…

  But he had fled before anyone had been able to see.

  Maelis’s mind grated, fury and rage demanding he return. His mind imagined what it looked like as he had been forced to run.

  That human. That disgusting human.

  He would make him pay.

  Maelis wanted to turn back. To confront that child. Desecrate the corpse of the insignificant frost-kin the child held so dear.

  But it was too soon. His time would come.

  Hopefully, the attack on him would make the others hold that brat. Maelis would graciously offer to make the hot-blooded moron’s cell.

  Then, in the dead of night, he would have his revenge.

  With a final turn, Maelis reached his home. He moved inside quickly, carefully stepping through the maze of metal devices that protected his doorway.

  Soon. Maelis vowed to himself as he sat at his workbench.

  Everything would be settled soon. The time was approaching.

  His master had promised him.

  “I will have my revenge,” he cackled to himself. “And then…”

  He smiled, his hands blurring as small tools and metal pieces were pulled from drawers.

  “I will have my fun. Long, delicious, excruciating fun.”

  —— ? ——

  No one said a word as the Councilor vanished around a corner. There was a heavy silence as all watching waited for Maelis to return.

  But he never returned.

  All eyes turned back to Simon, who shook himself from his dumbfounded amazement.

  “Well, shit.” Simon smiled. “What a little coward.”

  “Simon,” Jorik said, his voice stiff.

  “Yeah, Jorik?”

  “Did you just assault Councilor Maelis?”

  Simon scrunched an eyebrow, his gaze turning to the sky. “Eh… That’s not what really happened. Guy was just too close for my head-banging routine.” Simon bobbed his head, demonstrating the move.

  The two Frost-kin guards shook themselves from their stupor and raised their spears again. They moved forward cautiously.

  Before Simon could do anything, a large shadow fell over them.

  “Yer’ ain’t gonna disrespect the wishes of der’ dead.” Kurda’s deep voice boomed out. “Simon er’ will respect her wishes. And yer’ gonna respect dem’ too.”

  Kurda glanced over his shoulder at Simon. “Time to go, lad.”

  Kurda, you’re a god damned saint. Good people indeed.

  Simon nodded and took a shaky step forward. Hours of carrying Kaelalin, being roasted, and the adrenaline now fading made him feel woozy. He firmed his jaw.

  The hard part was over. One more push, and his task was complete.

  Jorik had stepped away and was now moving toward the two. Kurda had his arms low and fists balled like sledge hammers. Simon froze as he saw what Jorik had moved away to get. That big fuck off crossbow of his was firmly held in his hands.

  “Jorik,” Simon asked quietly. “Are you going to stop us?”

  Jorik let out a heavy sigh. “You’re really going to make me do this, Simon Starfall?”

  Simon's lips curled. “Do what, Jorik?”

  “You know what I mean.” Jorik’s reply was as cold as death.

  “Jorik, I’m bringing her back to Brian.” Simon pleaded. “That’s it. I don’t care what happens after that. Please.”

  Jorik stopped moving, his eyes glancing between Simon and Kurda. In the corner of his vision, Simon saw Kurda’s legs tense, coiling like steel pillars.

  Fuck.

  He needed to say something here. Simon didn’t want either of these two to die for this.

  Jorik and Kurda faced off, the two sharing an intense stare. Both men’s jaws tightened, and the Frost-kin Guards readied to strike forward.

  An explosion of movement followed.

  Jorik moved. Kurda lunged.

  Simon’s brain felt sluggish as he tried to track the two, preparing to… Simon had no god damned clue what he was going to do.

  Block a freaking crossbow bolt with the harmonica?! Drop Kaelalin? What in the hell was he supp–

  *Thunk!* *Thunk!*

  Two out of the six standing people slumped to the ground.

  Simon stared, his eyes barely able to keep up with what had just happened.

  The two Frost-kin guards lay on the ground, motionless.

  Kurda stood over one, the giant of a man pulling back his clasped hands from his own unconscious target.

  Jorik stood over the other, pulling back the butt of his massive crossbow.

  “Uhhhhhhhhhhh…” Simon said, his mind trying to catch up. “Jorik?”

  The man grunted in response as he reached down to check the pulse of his target.

  “He’s alive,” the head guard muttered to Kurda.

  “Yer’ mine is too.” Kurda nodded.

  The two turned to Simon, who stood there trying to figure out how to speak English.

  Before anyone could say anything, sounds carried over the wind. Shouting. From multiple people.

  “Time ter’ go!” Kurda gestured to Simon. “Move yer’ ass, Simon!”

  Simon started moving, his eyes shifting between the two men.

  What?!

  “Agreed,” Jorik said. “We’ll need to move quickly. Thankfully, the section with Brian’s lab is mostly uninhabited.” He looked back at Simon. “Move Faster!”

  Simon just nodded, following them. Kurda was already leaving them behind, so Jorik and Simon jogged to catch up. Kurda and Jorik stayed a few steps ahead, one on either side of Simon.

  Simon’s steps were wobbly, his muscles screaming at him to stop all movement and just lie down. Simon ignored those screams and handed them a rain check.

  “What…” Simon let out laboured breaths as they sped through the town. “What the hell happened back there?”

  Kurda laughed. “Jorik and I have been conversin’ since yer’ fried yer’ arm in the barrier.”

  Jorik shook his head in response. “Like I said, you’re really going to make me do it.”

  “Yer’ should have heard him complain,” Kurda said with a grin. “‘I’m going to force the guards to stand at the gate while I guide Sim– Did he just attack the councilor?! God damnit!"

  Jorik sighed. “Would have been so much easier. Had to walk right at them and force the issue, didn't you?”

  “Oh,” Simon replied. “I just didn’t see how else I was getting to Brian.”

  “Understandable.” Jorik relented. “For now, enough talking. We move quickly and quietly.”

  They picked up speed, Jorik and Kurda letting Simon dictate the pace. Around them, the town was coming to life, shouts, stomping footsteps, and loud noises drifted over the air.

  Almost no one lived near this section of town, but they still encountered people. The looks they got were those of bewilderment. The Varnholt crafters were moving down the streets, hands gripping tools, metal rods, or rough weapons. Each had strapped on whatever they had that amounted to armour.

  The trio just ran past them, ignoring most. Any that shouted or tried to stop them were met with death stares from Jorik and Kurda.

  If that didn’t work, Jorik would bark out commands for them to reinforce the southern gate.

  This caused every obstacle in their way to be left behind, confused as Simon, Kurda, and Jorik vanished around the next corner.

  After the third group was waylaid by Jorik’s actions, Simon finally started to relax. His body ached, and his vision was a bit woozy, but this was working.

  It seemed the hardest part of this task was finally over.

  —— ? ——

  Simon had never been so wrong in his life.

  Somewhere in their run, Simon had almost forgotten what he was doing. The feeling of Kaelalin in his arms had become an extension of himself. He had to focus on getting through the snow, the barrier, and then the assholes that tried to stop him. His mind had glossed over the fact, just focusing on completing his task.

  He hadn’t realized the hardest part of this request was when they turned a corner and came face to face with Brian.

  His face was filled with worry, but a grim expression of determination had pulled his lips into a frown. Belts of pouches were strapped haphazardly across his well-used lab coat. Enhancement potions peeked from the various pockets that dotted his figure.

  Brian’s face transformed from grim determination to relief when he saw Simon. His eyes were bright, and joy filled them.

  Then they traced down Simon’s form and spotted what he was holding.

  That momentary glimpse of happiness died.

  Simon didn’t think he would ever forget the visage of grief that twisted Brian’s face.

  It turned out, walking across the frozen wasteland while his body bled and screamed wasn’t the hardest part. Nor was it the pain he felt as he pushed through the barrier, or dealing with anything past the wall.

  The hardest part was listening to Brian’s broken sobs, as the researcher kneeled in the street, clutching Kaelalin’s body.

  —— ? ——

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