Chapter 58 – Park Life
The rumours had taken root, and over the coming week, had blossomed. SJ had even overheard whispers in the Black Gryphon about a being who had supposedly returned from the dead and appeared to be immortal. This hadn't gone unnoticed by the Chief and her henchmen.
Fas, through his network, and Benji had been informed that she was investigating on her own, trying to locate the being named Cortisar. There had been no mention in the whispers of his past links to the Chief; few in the city probably knew of their previous relationship.
"I've confirmed the details," Fas said as SJ entered his apartment.
The hair on SJ's neck stood on end. They had been working towards this moment, but now it was here; her palms instantly went sweaty. "We are really at the point?"
"Yes. You mentioned that Skuldor would require at least two days, so I have arranged the meeting as discussed in the central park. The one where the executions are held. As requested, I have ensured that it is after dark."
SJ nervously rubbed her hands on her dress. "I can't believe it worked."
"I told you, she would not miss an opportunity to reach immortal status."
"I know, but I think I had always expected the plan to fail. I will let Skuldor know so he can arrange for Kara to travel here. I also need to collect some things before this goes down and make a call to Killic."
"Killic? What do you need from home?"
"Oh, nothing important," SJ said.
The pair of them spent the next hour ironing out the exact details again. Fas had a drawn map of the park, with the locations marked where he expected the Chief and her henchmen to arrive. Fas knew she would never come alone. As SJ left, her nerves were ragged. The moment was finally here. The magistika was prepared, and the silvery liquid sat in a small vial waiting to be used to coat her claws. Fas had warned her that she would only have one opportunity to strike the Chief; if she missed it, the chances were it would be over, potentially for them all. Navina's threat of having to leave the city if she failed hung heavily around her shoulders like a weighted shroud.
SJ had returned home and sat in her room. She held the communication stone in her hand, considering what she would say.
"Just get on with it," Dave said impatiently.
"I know, I'm just trying to get the wording right in my head," SJ spoke aloud for a change; her uncertainty was obvious.
"Look, you already laid the path before Isavil returned to Killic."
"I may have, but this still feels awkward."
Dave tutted in response.
"Okay, okay," SJ said as she pressed the gems on her stone. The stone vibrated as the connection was made before his voice came through as clear as if he was stood in front of her.
"SJ. I've been waiting for this call," Zigferd said on answering.
"Sorry, I've been a little busy here in Asterfal. I should have been in touch sooner to check on what's been going on. I'm sorry I've been away for so long," SJ did feel bad; she hadn't been back to Killic since arriving, even though she could have portalled back at any time. She hadn't felt able to. She felt guilty about leaving her duties unattended in Killic.
"Don't worry, you will have loads of paperwork to catch up on with your return," Zigferd replied sarcastically.
"I'm sorry."
"Stop saying you're sorry. I know exactly what you're up to and I can't say I'm pleased, but I also won't stop you doing what you believe you need to do." His fatherly tone made SJ's heart ache.
"How do you know?" SJ asked nervously.
"Do you think Petunia wouldn't tell me?"
"No," SJ replied, dropping her head like a naughty child would when spoken to by their parents for doing something wrong.
"The answer is: it's your decision. You know how much further we have come since the last time, and I believe we are prepared this time. It hasn't been forced or rushed into like it was the last time."
"So you're okay with it."
SJ could imagine Zigferd shrugging his massive shoulders when he replied. "It will be what it will be."
"Thank you," SJ replied, her heart skipping with excitement.
"SJ, just do me a favour. Don't go getting yourself killed; you have too many friends here in Killic that would miss you," Zigferd said as he dropped the call.
"I told you," Dave said excitedly. "Come on, then, get on with it."
SJ took a deep breath, opened her display, and looked at her character sheet. It had been so long now since she had levelled, but with the imminent threat that the Chief brought, SJ wished to be as strong as she possibly could be.
Her experience sat at 218,415 after the deaths of Barnabus, Julisa and Branson.
SJ triggered her level increase. Her display began to cascade with details.
Congratulations on reaching Level 30
You have been awarded the following:
+3 Dexterity
+3 free skill points to distribute as you wish
+1 skill point
Congratulations! Achieving Level 30 unlocks Skill Synchronisation.
You may now align your skills to trigger on cooldown.
This can change the outcome of any combat sequence if utilised properly.
Congratulations on reaching Level 31
You have been awarded the following:
+3 Dexterity
+3 free skill points to distribute as you wish
+1 skill point
Congratulations on reaching Level 32
You have been awarded the following:
+3 Dexterity
+3 free skill points to distribute as you wish
+1 skill point
SJ's Dexterity had immediately jumped by 9 points, and Dave whistled at seeing the notifications. Again, it appeared that SJ, in her anomalous state, had received bonuses beyond normal expectations. She also had 9 more free points to issue and 3 new skill points to assign.
This moment had been thought over for months, and SJ didn't hesitate as she assigned her free points. She was just about to add them all when Dave commented. "Remember to do them slowly; you know what happened to you last time."
"Thanks," SJ said as she took time assigning her bonuses. Four points were assigned to her Constitution and five to her Wisdom. The Wisdom choice was specific due to facing the Chief; her initial plan had been to consider Charisma to support her Charm skill progression for Subterfuge, but Wisdom would increase her mental fortitude.
SJ smiled as she looked over her character sheet.
"Now for the skills." Again, SJ had been considering her options. With the training she had been completing with Liam, she knew she needed to reach the thresholds that would allow her to gain the base skills properly, not just the rough techniques she had been practising. She added a point to Incapacitation and two points to Elimination, both of them now reaching level 10. Her claws were already lethal, and with the added dexterity, the base damage had increased again.
Her display triggered again.
Congratulations on reaching level 10 in Incapacitation. You may choose a new skill.
Congratulations on reaching level 10 in Elimination. You may choose a new skill.
Congratulations, having both sub-branches of your martial arts skills at level ten gives you one extra skill point to assign.
SJ smiled as her display flooded with options. She already knew exactly which skills she would choose.
The Listening Stone, which SJ had referred to as Mountain's Stillness, Silken Thread and Spiralised Concept.
The Listening Stone - Level 1 of 5
Passive threat-sensing; awareness of emotional intent before a being acts; the foundation of all other advanced techniques.
Silken Thread - Level 1 of 5
Passive skill. Prediction and reading of incoming attacks; deflection over blocking.
Spiralised Concept - Level 1 of 5
When triggered, it provides unpredictable offensive movement; the combat application of finding unity in direction.
The descriptors were brief, but they were exactly what Liam had mentioned to her. She had been practising the techniques even without the actual skills, but now she had them, she closed her eyes momentarily and controlled her breathing. An immediate calm came over her as The Listening Stone's passive ability triggered.
It was as though she were suddenly outside her body; it was a strange sensation. She could hear a cart travelling on the road outside through her closed balcony windows. The muffled voices of Yawnee and Lurtew, who were two floors below in the workshop. The sound of a bird that sailed over the rooftop. It was indeed a strange sensation, and something she knew she would need to get used to feeling. After several moments, she opened her eyes again, the calm sensation remaining; her eyes seemed more focused on everything she looked at, as though giving her added clarity. These were only the starting-level specialisations; she wondered what Liam's abilities were like when he used the advanced techniques.
SJ opened her sheet again and read through all her details.
Legionnaire 25007077
Name: SJ
Age: 27
Race: Fae
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Neutral
⇢Level: 32
Experience: 23415 of 71000
Hit Points: 234 of 234 (260) (55 * 4.72)
Mana Points: 93 (55 * 1.70)
Armour Class: 121 (58)(63)
Damage: 127-136 (23-32) (16)(63)(25)
Attributes:
Strength: 27 (10)(17)
Dexterity: 73 (9)(64)
Intelligence: 36 (6)(30)
Wisdom: 34 (9)(25)
Constitution: 43 (9)(34)
Charisma: 37 (17)(20)
Resistances:
Arcane Resistance 25%
Fire Resistance 15%
Lightning Resistance 25%
Magic Resistance 25%
Poison Resistance 10%
Skills
Racial:
Night Vision – you have improved vision in poor light conditions.
Flight – when in miniature fae form, you can learn to fly. Flying is not available in humanoid form.
Shapeshift – the ability to switch between fae forms.
Linguist - you can understand all sentient beings above a basic level of intellect when they communicate.
Class:
Martial Arts –
Kata Level 10
Unarmed combat - Incapacitation Level 10 / Elimination Level 10
Secondary Techniques - The Listening Stone Level 1 / Silken Thread Level 1 / Spiralised Concept Level 1
Armed combat - Melee Claws Level 8 / Ranged Darts Level 6
Puncture
Clawed Avenger Level 5
Subterfuge –
Identification Level 10
Advanced Identification Level 5
Charm level 7
Shroud Level 10
Phantom Shroud
Shadow Discipline –
Shadow Step Level 9
Void Grasp Level 6
Profession:
Tailor Skilled Level 19
Perks - Sure Stitch
Profession Specialisation - 0 of 1 available points 1
Symbiosis:
Dragon Sense – your senses, touch, hearing, smell, and sight are heightened.
Precognition – foreknowledge due to increased perception will allow you to evade a killing blow. (24hr cooldown)
Divine lightning – your blood is combined with that of a blue dragon, increasing healing speed while out of combat.
Malware: Waiver (Sandboxed)
Inventory: 87 slots (8 x 10 Bags of Holding) (2) (+5 strength) (10 special)
Relationships:
Guardian - Carlito
Followers - Brian, Charlotte, Terence
Companions - Kibble
"You never fail to impress," Dave said with admiration.
SJ smiled at his comment. Her stats were indeed impressive. The boosts to her armour class and damage automatically triggered with her dexterity bonus were significant, never mind the increase in health.
"Remember, you can set auto level again," Dave said.
SJ adjusted the levelling skill. At last, she had reached level thirty. She had been waiting so long to trigger her increases, and only hoped that nothing happened to Killic with it happening.
Right, next stop is the Mage Academy. I have some stones to collect, SJ thought as she removed her heirloom pieces and placed them in her inventory. After her previous visit, she wouldn't make the mistake of walking in there with them on.
"Thanks, James," SJ said as she left Inspections. Both the choker and belt had now been upgraded with the use of the Earth stone variants of the gems. SJ had opted for greater bonuses for both their base stats. Although SJ had been tempted to upgrade the earrings while she was there, she didn't want to chance any degradation while they were being worked on. They were just too precious to risk.
The choker now had an additional +10 to Charisma, and her belt an additional +8 to Dexterity, again increasing her damage. Only her raw dexterity boosted her Armour Class, unfortunately, alongside specific equipment bonuses. It had cost a small fortune to perform the upgrades again, but SJ could afford it. It was the only time she had been confident in spending Nexis's money. She knew he would have been happy to see her progress as she was, and it pained her that he had been sidelined by the system. She missed his whimsical conversations, although not his meddling.
Armour Class: 129 (58)(71)
Damage: 135-144 (23-32) (16)(71)(25)
Dexterity: 81 (17)(64)
Charisma: 47 (27)(20)
Right, we are all set. Now I just need to speak to Skuldor and Liam, SJ thought.
"No time like the present," Dave said happily. He had been very chirpy since she had performed her upgrade.
Why are you suddenly so happy?
"Oh, no reason."
That's a lie.
Dave chuckled. "Okay, I may have bragged about your increase."
What? Why would you do that? The system already has enough reasons against us.
"Oh, not to the System. I was messaging Maria."
You still haven't told me much about this girlfriend of yours.
"She isn't my girlfriend," Dave said defensively.
It doesn't sound that way when you mention her.
Dave remained silent, which wasn't always a bad thing.
SJ had a skip in her step as she walked to Petunia's. With everything that had been going on, now that she had increased her levels, she felt confident for the first time. Not overly so, but enough to relieve some of the underlying dread that had been festering.
The cloud-covered skies added a layer of fear as SJ waited in the branches of a tree overlooking the platform in Central Park, where executions were performed. Fas was dressed as the newly immortalised figure of Cortisar, standing calmly with his hands behind his back, whistling a tune.
SJ's claws were already equipped, the shine of their liquid-traced blade edges occasionally caught the moonlight that attempted to fight through the clouds.
They had been waiting for over an hour now. SJ knew that Liam was nearby, not exactly where he was positioned, but knew he was there. Skuldor and Kara were not in the park grounds; they had an open link running. SJ's communication stone had been linked to a newly purchased one, which Skuldor now carried.
Everything was in place now. The weeks of work and worry had now reached their peak.
"Control your breathing," Dave said.
SJ closed her eyes and focused on her newly acquired skill. Silence enveloped her as the night's sounds came to her. Fas's whistle, small animals moving in the bushes. The cry of a cat somewhere in the distance, and then she heard it. The crunch of heavy footsteps on the gravel path that led to the central area. It sounded as though they approached from the east side of the park. That surprised SJ, as she had expected them to come directly from the Gryphon. The bar had closed a couple of hours earlier, which was when they had initially left to take up their positions.
As SJ opened her eyes as the footsteps neared, she spotted the massive form of Tsongy approaching. Fas looked unperturbed as he stood facing his direction, still whistling calmly. Tsongy didn't speak but stopped about thirty feet from the platform. SJ felt a wave of something; she wasn't sure what, but he must have just cast a spell of some kind.
Tsongy then turned and walked back the way he had come. Fas continued to whistle and wait patiently. A few minutes passed, and the Chief appeared. She had an unnatural beauty, even for her age; her cloak was a soft silk that flowed around her with the light breeze that accompanied the night, and her obsidian skin glowed. SJ's stomach knotted at the sight of her. The moment was nearing.
Fas turned towards her; he was standing on the far side of the platform. As she approached, he spoke.
"It's been a long time, Urani," his voice completely different, it sounded to SJ as though there was an accent. She hadn't heard him use that voice before.
"Cortisar. Is it really you?" Urani said as she neared the steps to the platform. "I believed you dead over a century ago."
"Fortune favours those who seek," Cortisar said.
"It appears that way, although why wait until now to show yourself?" There was suspicion in Urani's words.
Crotisar laughed. "I have not long since returned from Caslitythiam. I have travelled for many years."
The backstory of how he had attained immortality was something they had discussed. Dave had given SJ some details about previous rumours, and she had also used the Legionnarious to do her own research. Caslitythiam was the home of The Lord of Lava, an ancient red dragon and one of the greats that Fas had mentioned. There had always been rumours from the continent that those who fell in favour with the beast would be granted immortality, but it had always been rumoured, and no evidence had ever been seen or a person claiming it previously. Using this rumour was ideal, since it was also Fas's true kind that he was referencing, and he could embellish the tale.
"So, the long-standing rumours are true then?" Urani said as she stepped onto the platform.
"They are," Cortisar said with a nod. Fas still stood casually, his hands clasped behind his back; he showed no evidence of threat. Then again, he was supposed to be immortal, so why would a being that was show any fear? "I can see you're suspicious; you always were, even when we spent our years together running this city," Cortisar chuckled.
SJ could see a faint shimmer surrounding Urani; it was obvious she had a shield active.
"If you were granted this power, then how can you pass it on?"
"Ah, that is the beauty of immortality. I may pass my skill onto whomever I wish to. I haven't met anyone worthy yet; the power it brings is something that can't be trifled with."
Urani squinted; SJ wasn't sure how she would respond. She relaxed her expression as she replied. "And am I worthy?"
"Of course you are my dear. You were always my favourite," Cortisar chuckled.
"Favourite?" Urani spat. "You worked for me, not the other way around."
Cortisar laughed this time. "You have always been sensitive to your position."
SJ noticed Urani frown. "And you have always wound me up."
"Indeed, I have. I'm just glad I managed to return before you joined the requiem. Immortality doesn't allow for resurrection."
"How can you prove you have immortality?" Urani asked.
"I don't know what you would like me to do. Drink poison, perhaps?"
"That's not a bad idea," Urani replied.
"If you wish me to prove it, then please provide any poison you wish. I will consume it readily."
Urani had kept her distance from Cortisar, and Fas hadn't attempted to close the gap either. Urani lifted her arm, signalling to someone. Moments later, the form of Oline appeared from the trees as he hurried over to her. SJ hadn't heard or seen anything, the rogue having appeared from the shadows.
SJ watched him remove a bottle from his inventory and hand it to the Chief. "This will do." She gave the bottle back to Oline, who moved to the centre of the platform, placed it down, backed off, and then disappeared into the trees again. SJ noted the direction he had left by.
"Please demonstrate your powers," Urani signalled.
Cortisar walked forward, lifting the bottle from the platform. He swirled it around in the glass bottle. "And what do I hold in my hand?"
"For it to be a true test, only the deadliest poison known to beings will do," Urani smiled wickedly.
"Ah, Flatirolyne," Cortisar nodded as he uncorked the bottle, before sniffing it like a wine taster smelling a fine bouquet. SJ knew the poison well, having suffered it by Fas’s very hand.
Fas lifted the bottle, looking directly at Urani, before he winked and downed the liquid.
