The inside of the structure was quite dark. Sunlight shone through the narrow entrance. The crimson veins bulged, their dim light not enough to illuminate inside the structure.
“We should have brought a few of those torches…” Ava muttered with a frown. She stepped forward, walking deeper inside with a sword in hand. With each step she took, the veins started glowing brighter, illuminating the interior.
Inside, the structure opened into a round chamber with a towering ceiling. On the far side, a narrow path curved downward at a dangerous angle. At the centre rose a pedestal, its surface webbed with crimson veins that all converged on a dull red gem the size of Alaric’s fist.
“Is that the mana core?” Victoria rushed forward, dragging Alaric along. “Look!” She stopped just shy of touching it and leaned forward to take a better look at it. “We’re supposed to cleanse or destroy it, right?”
“Yeah. How do you reckon we cleanse it?”
Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know. I can try, but I don’t know if it’s something I can do.”
“Go ahead.” It was worth a try, no matter how unlikely she was to succeed. If this thing was responsible of the terraforming, then maybe they could somehow use it. Maybe we can turn things back. It was nothing more than a distant dream though.
Victoria gently touched the stone. The crimson veins lit up, the structure creaked. A few moments passed in nerve wrecking silence, then she pulled her hand back. “I don’t know how to do it.” Her disappointment was palpable. “Sorry,” she muttered, taking a few steps back with lowered shoulders and furrowed brows.
“It was worth a try.” Ava glanced at Alaric. “We smash it, then.”
He nodded. “Yeah.” Motioned to reach his sword, but a small hammer he immediately recognised formed in Ava’s hands.
“This is probably better suited than that,” she glanced at his sword. “Go ahead, do the honours.”
The familiar weight of the hammer gave him a little bit of confidence. He raised it, took a sharp breath, then struck the dull crimson gem.
The sharp clang of metal striking crystal echoed through the chamber. A crack split the gemstone, then it shattered, fragments scattering across the floor. The crimson veins dimmed instantly, plunging them into darkness.
OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED
YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE MANA CORE
THE SOUTHWESTERN NESTING SPIRE SLUMBERS
REWARDS GRANTED:
PHYSICAL ABILITIES INCREASED MINISCULLY
MANA INCRESEAD
MAGICAL APTITUDE INCREASED
NESTING SPIRES REMAINING: 3
***
They stopped by the orchard on their way back, grabbing some fruit for dinner. Their offerings to the Goddess of the Harvest were accepted, so they headed back to the camp.
“That was the easiest one, wasn’t it?” Sarah asked as they approached the camp. “You said the other one was full of spiders.”
Ava nodded. “Those are going to be much more difficult. Swords might not cut it.” She bit her lips. “Once you’re webbed, there’s really no way to free yourself. Not without help, I don’t think.” She visibly shuddered. “I’d rather leave that for last.”
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Alaric frowned. “I don’t disagree, but the southeastern spire is quite far. We’ve never gone so far out – even Castle Lorne was closer to the camp.”
“We can check out the northeastern one. It’s relatively close, and maybe we can even find things that can help us fight the spiders.” Ava tapped on the back on her right hand. What she meant was clear.
“You know, I’m glad you didn’t take the centipede.” Sarah chimed in with relieved chuckle. “I thought you were going to.”
“It would have been useful.” Jason piped up, drawing angry gazes from the whole group. “What? It was strong!”
“It’s disgusting!” Elizabeth shouted. Ava and Clara nodded in response.
“Give it up, nobody wants a man eating centipede in camp. Besides, what’s that going to do against spiders? Hiss at them?” Lochlan poked Jason with his elbow, smirking.
“… fine, fine…” Jason rolled his eyes jokingly and dramatically sighed as they arrived at camp.
“See, told you they’d be back!” The old hunter’s laughter rang before they even spotted him and Charles sitting with their backs against the boulder, enjoying the cool shadow it cast. “From your smiles, I take it you lads and gals did it?”
“Yeah.” Ava pointed in the air as a system window opened.
OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED
YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE MANA CORE
THE SOUTHWESTERN NESTING SPIRE SLUMBERS
Charles sighed with relief as he pushed himself up on his feet. “I’m glad you’re all back safe.” He said as he walked up to Ava and hugged her. “Good to see you.”
“Mum!” Arthur’s shouting was enough to stir the whole camp into action. Harriet stepped out of the church, and hugged her granddaughters, while a few others came from the back of the boulder where they were busy with other, menial tasks.
“Good job,” Carl squeezed his shoulder. “Tomorrow we take out the next one.” He forced a smile. “One problem at a time, right?”
Alaric nodded. “One problem at a time.”
***
“Why didn’t you take it? You said it was powerful, that it took all of you working together to kill it. Why not just take it?” Anger seeped into Charles’ voice, layered with frustration. He constantly fiddled with his clothes and rubbed his hands, shifting his weight from one foot to the other when he wasn’t pacing around.
“Why would he?” Ava made a face. “It was bloody disgusting and stank like carrion.”
“It doesn’t matter!” Charles raised his voice, startling his sister. “It was powerful. We need powerful things! I don’t care that it’s ugly or disgusting or that it stinks! All that I care is that it’s strong and can fight in our stead!” His knuckles were white from clenching his fists. His jaw tight, he glared at the four people standing in front of him.
Luna and Sol watched from a few steps away. They were laying down seemingly comfortably, but their ears were perked, their gazes solely on Alaric and Charles.
“You really think bringing a monster like that here would end well?” Jason shook his head. “Look, we joked about it on the way back, but-“
“For fuck’s sake, enough!” Charles slammed his fist to the church wall. “Anything that fights and dies in place of one of us is good enough. That’s what you need to do with that power of yours – got it?” He glared at Alaric, expecting a response. “Got it?” He repeated when he remained silent.
“I think we need to take a break from this conversation.” Sarah gently placed her hands on Alaric and Ava’s shoulders. “We’re all tired, Charles. There was also no safe way for him to touch the creature, even if he wanted to take it. Give it a break, alright?” She spoke calmly, with a gentle, yet forced smile. Softly pushing them along, she led them towards the boulder. Once they were out of view of Charles, she let go and sat down in the shadow of the boulder. “Let’s take a break.”
Alaric also sat down, which prompted both wolves to hurry over and sit next to him.
“They’re sweet.” Ava’s soft tone surprised him. “I… I don’t agree with my brother.” She glanced at Alaric. “I know why you’re wearing the gloves, by the way. Thanks for that.”
He glanced at his gloved hands. “Victoria told you?”
She shook her head. “She’d never. But I guessed, from how you were avoiding touching pretty much everyone.” She crouched next to Luna and scratched behind its fluffy ears. The wolf panted, its tail lazily wagging. It’s left ear lowered a little as it turned its head slightly to the side to lead Ava’s hand. “See,” ava pointed at the wolf, “It likes it. I don’t think what you do is as simple as just… ‘taking’ them. There has to be more to it, right?”
Alaric averted his gaze. “Maybe. I don’t know. Luna and Sol… they’re acting friendly. Not- not just like they’ve been commanded to serve.” It had been bugging him since he first used the Mark of Command on them.
What does it feel like? It had to be awful. It had to be.
“That’s what I mean. But these are wolves – they’ve been humans’ companions for thousands of years, right?” She glanced at Sarah, who nodded. “So maybe if you used your power on that monster, it wouldn’t end up the same.”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Maybe. You might be right.” He let out a sigh. “Charles isn’t wrong – I do need to use my power a bit more but…” He shook his head. “It’s not quite so simple, is it? And I don’t want to bring some monster here that will make everyone uncomfortable.”
“Yeah, Arthur doesn’t need to see things like that.” Sarah mumbled as she waved her hand. Her son ran towards her, but then immediately beelined towards the wolves. “Can I pet them?” He asked, his big blue eyes glittering with excitement.
“Of course.” He truly should never have to see such monsters. Sarah was right. “I’ll take first shift. Think about what to do tomorrow. You guys get some rest after dinner.”
“I could definitely use some rest.” Sarah stretched her arms, then yawned.
