72 Another Gift from The Divine (2/2)

Sending actual messages over a link between Souls, however, was impossible without the [Devil's Soul Language] or a similar medium, as far as Amer was concerned. Which meant Furtak and Theodore were only learning simpler ones, such as 'help'.

As the communication, Rainer and Theodore had set up using Luna as a medium? Theodore had decided, with Elru's help, to become her undead rendering that prior method with Luna as a medium moot.

While not a user of magic, she was old enough to have once thought to learn not only Body Enchantment but also magic. Which meant she already knew the [Faraan Runic Language].

The pair planned to practice it until she could bind Theodore to her. The end result would mean he'd have full access to his Mana, and they'd no longer be as vulnerable without the rest around.

They had split up soon after confirming the plan to raid the Blood Soul Guild. Rainer would crack apart the illusion with his [Arcane Presence], and at the same time issue a warning to flee. And then Amer, Furtak and Rainer would bombard randomly for a few seconds before finally hitting the actual Guild.

From there they'd casually charge in with the hope that anyone truly smart or dangerous chose to flee. They had little doubt that a guild of dark mages would have escape tunnels. And that Rainer's recently obtained [Arcane Revelation] on top of Theodore's and Amer's expertise would deal with any traps left.

”Looks easy enough,” Rainer remarked seeing the simple formula. Amer had mentioned he used this spell to teach.

And so, the group went to practicing the otherwise harmless spell.

In the dark of night, a group of eight flew to the doom of others. Rainer led the group, carrying everyone with [Eldritch Flight]. Amer, Furtak, Theodore, Maya, Gunthar, Kara, and finally Luna, who was hiding in his jacket. Lilia stayed back with Laneth and Elru on guard with stronger members of Laneth's family. No reason to risk her being used as a hostage.

It also helped that Rainer had applied the tier 1 Mana-type spell, [Soul Trace] on her. Though in a surprising move, she was able to not only feel the connection but communicate through it. He knew he'd have to see just what she was capable of with that Soul Affinity of hers sometime soon.

It left Rainer little concern for her safety as he could Void-walk across the connection.

Once they learned of his success with healing Akhor's sickness, Prince Laneth's father had been over-accommodating with any request, even when he found out the spell was useless for anyone other than Rainer.

Rainer imagined no longer having the fear of catching such a deadly disease, or seeing your loved ones fall to it, was a huge weight off his back. And Yulia's claims of the Courts having a method to heal it? Completely false, at least as a whole. They simply hid away members of their courts afflicted by it, or in other words, exiled them.

Matheus' treatment at having been born without Mana was more than enough to show what the Fae thought of those afflicted with Akhor's sickness.

They arrived on top of rolling hills in a wide open plain. A few trees were scattered about, but otherwise there was nothing of note for miles in every direction.

”It's here,” Maya said.

Wordlessly affirming their plans, Rainer stepped forward. Careful not to include his party members in the skill, a world of violet erupted out over the quiet plain.

With a large fluctuation of magic, the illusion over the entrance of the guild shattered as if a giant screen of glass breaking. All that was left was a simple tower leading to the massive underground base. And all that was left for Rainer to do was to put a righteous fear into its inhabitants.

”Judgement comes for you!” A booming voice laced with Arcane echoed out, ”Be returned to the wretched shadows from whence you came.”

And with a wave of his hand, the trio of mages brought forth destruction. The once peaceful plain of grass and its solitary tower falling to a storm of Arcane and Fire.

”They all really ran?” Rainer questioned. After all but obliterating the entrance and then using [Terra Manipulation] to clear it out, they carefully entered the underground base.

”There are dark mage hunters in the north, you know. And not every Mage Guild is as bad as the Skyborne to facilitate Dark Guilds in their territories. Most mages hate them. After all, one of the best sacrifices involves stealing the talent of young children to improve one's own. During youth they aren't as... attached, to their magic,” Maya added. Being Yulia's liaison with this guild she had overheard much over the years.

Rainer nodded, understanding how easy such a group was to hate. Though the pragmatic side of him believed those in power only cared that talent they could have added to their own forces was stolen. Growing up studying well-detailed history that spanned millennia took away a lot of faith in the goodness of any government if one paid enough attention. And with [Sleep Learning], Rainer's memories were more permanent.

Any traps or enchantments were easily destroyed either through a direct [Arcane Energy Manipulation] or an application of [Arcane Presence].

The group finally came across a strongly enchanted vault. Noting with [Arcane Revelation] the numerous enchantments, some of which gave off a dangerous feel, he imagined that perhaps they hadn't had time to open and empty the vault in their hasty retreat.

With but a push of Arcane energy, the steel door's enchantments crumbled.

Amer behind him couldn't help but let out a surprised whistle at the filled vault.

”Already I have no regrets for taking this journey with you,”

Rainer snorted, ”You had no regrets the moment you went home with a Fairy after the festival.”

Amer merely ignored him as he went to divest centuries of knowledge from the vault. The [Archon] wasn't wrong, but he wouldn't confirm it for him.

Rainer himself left soon after, wanting to make sure the place was completely safe before he continued to explore the vault.

Though what he soon came across disturbed him deeply.

Kara walked in shortly after only to see Rainer moving bodies. What appeared to be a family were now lined side by side as Rainer hovered over them. Their necks had been cut and divested of blood for some ritual, though it seemed their coming had interrupted it.

Seeing Rainer in silent thought, she merely stood next to him.

”What are the traditions to bury them?” Rainer asked Kara.

”Most of the north has a moderate belief in the World Tree as their Divinity. Graveyards often have a tree in the center surrounded by graves.”

”We can use the one we saw in the plain,” Rainer said, taking them one at a time before Void-walking out of the room. It took only a few minutes with a manipulation of the earth to bury them at the largest tree in the area.

Rainer returned to find Kara in the same spot as before.

”A part of me wonders if I'm at fault for waiting so long to raid the guild…but yet another remarks that with all the worlds out there such a line of thinking is pointless. So then should I not bother with anyone because there are trillions of souls suffering just the same?”

”Isn't Lilia proof of what you should do?” Kara asked.

”I suppose she is…”

It was self-satisfaction, he mused, to only save those you happened upon. To only help when it's easy because you couldn't bear the guilt of watching it happen and doing nothing. The fact that you could stay callous to the suffering of others so long as you didn't see them. But if being self-serving could help at least one person like Lillia, Rainer didn't care how it seemed.

Wasn't it the privilege of the powerful to be as selfish as they wanted?

He wouldn't drive himself to madness believing he had to use his power to save people. Void-walking allowed him to reach too many to remain sane.

”Let's finish searching then,” Kara added as the two left the blood-stained room.

Returning to the Fae Realm after the tiring search of the Blood Soul Guild, the mood changed to a more joyous one.

Everyone joined together for the last night before they split. The only thing truly left to do was monitor the situation when Rainer used tracking magic to check in on his family again and heal Quera's Mother.

Amer had assured him there was nothing more on his Soul and that Agmar was a unique case being able to do what he did, but there was no reason to take a chance.

Suffering another month in some hell hole wasn't on his to do list.

Gunthar and Rainer sat side by side, the rest of the group more than mildly entertained by a drinking game Rainer invented. Theodore more than enjoying the sight of the incredibly serious white-haired Elru mumbling and swearing quietly whenever she lost, or yelling with far too much excitement whenever she got the ball into a cup, forcing either Kara or Luna to take a drink depending on what was in it.

”You say your goodbyes?” Rainer asked.

”Yes. I had been prepared for some time to separate from my Father, but I suppose circumstances put it off. Though in the first place, I had not thought I would see him, or anyone, ever again…” Gunthar added, his skull unreadable as always.

”Maybe it'll be nice, traveling with just the four of us again, adding on our two new additions.” Rainer mused.

”Yes, I would not mind it. I have, after all, gotten used to the shamelessness with which you act,” Gunthar added with a laugh.

Rainer for once was a bit embarrassed. His method of feeding Luna he later discovered was anything but appropriate for a public setting. But the [Archon] blamed the embarrassment he felt on the alcohol.

”Luna is ready for launch!” The Fairy who suddenly shrunk yelled out and brought Rainer out of his thoughts.

Upset at the constant losing, the far too drunk Kara opted to throw a small Luna with the ball.

And with the guidance of the flying Fairy, the ball went straight into a cup of Arcane-Water.

”I suppose you all still have enough shamelessness left to surprise me...”

Rainer had nothing to say to that.

”I can shtand on my own,” Kara complained while making absolutely no effort to stop leaning on Rainer.

”Of course, you can,” Rainer said, his hand scratching her ears as they made their way back to their room.

”And another thing, Luna is mine too,” Kara added.

”Yeah!” The Fairy echoed after a loud hiccup. She moved from her spot on top of Rainer's head and instead woozily flew over to Kara's.

”She-Wolf is Luna's pet too,” The Fairy proudly claimed, using Kara's two ears to stay on top of her head.

Kara instead echoed the horribly offensive comment.

”Yeah, just because I'm your pet, doesn't mean I can't also be Luna's. You need to learn to share Rainer.”

Rainer smirked, opting to learn mind magic quicker so he could tease Kara with this memory.

”Onwards noble steed. Princess Luna demands her bed!” Luna suddenly pulled on Kara's ears as they entered their room. Kara pushed off of Rainer and managed to stumble far enough to fall into the bed.

”It's me and Luna's night tonight,” Kara mumbled as the Fairy returned to full size, and the wolfkin transformed her clothes to the silver bangles they became whenever she shifted.

But instead of anything like a night together, within just a few second Luna fell asleep with her head in Kara's chest.

Chuckling, Rainer covered the tightly woven pair with a blanket and sat on the other side of the bed. Having not drunk as much as everyone else his thoughts instead turned to tomorrow. Not only would he check up on his sister again, something he tried to do back when Agmar had pulled him into the Abyssal Plane, but it also marked the end of one journey and the start of another.

The results of raiding the Blood Soul Guild had proven fruitful, as arming [Arcane Presence] took only a few tries, and roughly 30 of his Arcane Power and 40 of his Mana in reservation. Just like with [Arcane Bolt Armament], he could flip it on while focusing on other tasks.

Which meant healing Quera's mother became a far easier task. Rainer now guessed Yarik had learned [Mana Presence] from the same tome he found in the vault of the Blood Soul Guild.

[Arcane Presence Armament lvl 1/10]

A tier 4 spell. Quite the surprising result, Rainer thought, given how simple the formula was. Though really, the formula itself only related to arming something Arcane, Rainer still had to use the skill prior to that. He opted to experiment later with his various Arcane skills to see. It was a shame it was so expensive though.

He twisted the golden Nalmar ring on his finger, a symbol of where everything really started. Where he was forced make such a dreaded choice. Where he grew to love the women he was with. Where he fought against the Divine for the first time and visited what he now knows was the edge of an Abyssal Plane.

And tomorrow they would be heading to the Dragon Isles to start on the path of making a real home here. A place not only of magic and learning but also, by definition, a powerful fortress.

And their traveling group would be returning to just how they started, with the addition of Lilia, Tiamat, and Jor. He had offered to let his apprentice stay in the Fae Realm with Laneth's family, fully explaining how he could teleport back whenever he needed to. But the tears that nearly formed instantly had him backtracking that it was just an offer and he'd be more than happy to have her travel with him.

He wasn't sure what caused that type of reaction. After all, he was almost positive she didn't have any sort of crush on him, despite his far-too-high Charisma. And he couldn't say they really interacted enough for a real attachment to form, apart from the fact that he had saved her. Though technically, Gunthar did more of the saving than he did.

Either way, he enjoyed the quiet and studious girl's presence and wouldn't mind her traveling with them. He had only offered because he imagined a month-long ship ride wouldn't exactly be pleasant.

Perhaps in memory of home or lack of sleepiness, Rainer opted for the first time in years to sink into a far longer trance and attune his Affinity.

The morning came with hangovers and the preparation to track down Rainer's sister.

”You ready,” The [Archon] asked Amer.

The Devil nodded, annoyed by all the preparation for something that was harmless in his view.

And with a drop of blood, the spell activated. Rainer manipulated the Void as he stretched the connection to her. Already noting again that the distance was far shorter than the one between here and the Abyssal Planes, he was hopeful.

Feeling the spell's connection snap into place, he awaited Amer's approval before using [Void Seer].

And with an unreadable squiggle of tentacles, Rainer could only interpret that strange gesture as being equivalent to a nod. He went forth and reached his sight across the Void.

But he was not happy with what he saw.

”Laneth!” Rainer rushed up, everyone around him confused by the suddenly panicking [Archon].

”I need all the Fairy dust your family keeps.”

Laneth was absolutely stunned by the request, but seeing the look on the [Archon]'s face he wasn't sure if he was asking. After all, no matter how good-natured he was to his friends it was hard to forget how he destroyed one of the most powerful assassins the Fae had.

”Please, I swear I will repay with all I can for this,”

Rainer's further words snapped Laneth out of his thoughts as he ran to his father and then the vault.

”Rainer, what's going on?” Kara asked worriedly.

”I don't know. I have no fucking idea. I went to check in on her and the first thing I see is her injured and captured, surrounded by a dozen mages carrying her somewhere.”

Rainer recognized them too. Another result of his restored memories. They were no doubt agents of the Mage Council. But he couldn't for the life of him think why they would ignore his grandfather and try and take his sister. Their lack of using healing magic on some of her burns left him to believe they were not rescuing her.

Rainer shook his head as Laneth entered back in the room, a box in hand. He quickly put it away in his spatial ring.

”Thank you,” Rainer added without preamble, a part of him still watching with [Void Seer]. Hoping with everything he had he didn't have to actually go.

”After 20 doses the effectiveness of Fairy dust goes down pretty severely. Also, you should know I think if you end up using it my father will likely demand, as politely as possible, you make his choice King or Queen.”

Rainer nodded, having no issue nor in the mood to care about the consequences.

A few tense hours passed, as Rainer checked on her. But when he saw them bring her to a white room and begin strapping her to a table, he knew there was no more time to wait. The sheer panic on his little sister's face as she awoke and saw several mages surrounding her gave him no other choice.

Rainer stood up with a start. No matter what, he had to go. He could only hope he'd still have the power to return. He hoped his ability to use [Void Seer] without issue meant his access to the system wouldn't be affected.

Seeing his face, Kara knew there would be no stopping him.

”Come back to me, alright?”

Rainer smiled with a confidence that didn't match what he truly felt. He had no idea how his newfound strength would display itself on the systemless Earth. He only tersely nodded as he disappeared from the room and through the Void.

Kara went to ask Luna about what she sensed through the bond, only to see that the Fairy was nowhere to be found.

”Luna…” Kara sighed, understanding that the Fairy had shrunk herself and snuck into Rainer's coat just as he was leaving.

”Well, keep him safe then.”