Chapter 1334 (2/2)

Because Alta was clearly affected as Randidly’s Nether spread out in a controlled manner. She stood transfixed, her gaze locked onto Randidly Ghosthound. His Lantern of Harsh Truths Skill didn’t Level up at all during her long stare, but Randidly figured that was because Alta wasn’t really exposed to his Skills; what Alta was experiencing was direct contact with the Nether that Randidly possessed.

Much of the fury faded from her expression. “Who are all those people I can sense…?”

Nether contains memories and connection. Randidly’s gaze flicked down to the Fatepiece around his right wrist. Perhaps one purpose of this is so that I don’t forget that I carry around all these heavy moments with me…

Congratulations! Your Fatepiece Dreamcatcher of the Long Night has grown to Level 37!

Randidly thought about the population of Turtletown. He thought about all the people who flocked to Donnyton while he was too proud and awkward to protect the place as well as he could. He thought about his friends on Tellus, and the innocent guards in that prison he and Shal had infiltrated. He thought about all the graves he dug alone along the banks of the Hallat as they fled from the Wights.

He thought about that civilization that had survived inside of the Dungeon that refused to capitulate to him. He thought about the proud face of Ki-Kunot. He thought about all of the people in his Soulskills that fought and died for him to resist Yystrix’s invasion. He thought about the lives lost on the frontlines under his command and the people who died at the football game only a short time ago.

“That weight you feel are the people who died. The ones with a connection to me,” Randidly replied as lightly as he could manage. His Nether spun inside of him, faster and faster. The moment stretched until Alta began to shake and then Randidly cut off the strange, almost subconscious connection between them. He retracted his Nether.

Gasping to recover her breath, Alta swayed on top of the steel beam with such unsteadiness that Randidly legitimately thought she was going to fall. But she crouched down and gradually recovered her composure.

Partially reviewing the situation that had just occurred in his mind and partially waiting for a response, Randidly remained still and patiently observed Alta.

Eventually, she straightened again. And when she looked over at him, her expression was extremely complicated. “You… heh, I thought I understood you. But after feeling that… what was- no, I suppose I don’t want you to answer that. I have a feeling… the longer I serve in your Pantheon, the more I will understand what that was. The more I will have to bear my own weight that no one else can see.”

Randidly thought about correcting her, but instead just smiled more gently than his previous expression. What he possessed was Nether… but Randidly supposed everyone must have an aspect of some Nether to him. Perhaps what he should be investigating is how to sense that… because he must be connecting with some intrinsic Nether to display his weight like he just had done...

“...thank you for meeting with me. It’s strange… but I feel better.” Alta looked away from Randidly and back toward Kharon. “If it’s alright, I’d like to stay here a little longer. I believe… there are certain things you lose when you accept roles of power for too long. Being here makes me remember how to be normal.”

Randidly nodded and turned away, letting Alta’s not-so-subtle warning pass by without comment. But he did add one last thing before he departed. “Enjoy yourself. If you are truly strong… you can make the heavy seem light.”

Then Randidly used the Philosopher’s Key to open a portal back to his floating island. He made a mental note to talk to Tatiana again about selling floating island real estate, but for the moment concentrated on what he had learned from the interaction. First, he had learned of the ability to connect via Nether, but more importantly, he learned how to shift the Dreamcatcher of the Long Night as his attention changed.

Although Randidly had tested his abilities with Nether on that lonely ridge, that had been a dry run: what he really wanted was someone who he could fight on equal footing to see how effective Nether was as a weapon. His first thought was to focus on Lady Iellaya or Vualla and then fight against them using the Dreamcatcher of the Long Night, but Randidly worried that perhaps a watching guard similar to what had happened in Illym’s memory would happen again.

His direct use of Nether on the frontlines would draw the wrong sort of attention. Randidly supposed he could convince one of those people to come into his Alpha Cosmos to fight against him, but Randidly suspected that his Nether would have a bit of an advantage inside of the world that was actually his body.

So if that location was off the table…

Finally having a certain foe in mind, Randidly caused the Dreamcatcher of the Long Night to unfold into his hand. Then Randidly concentrated on the man who was more like a father to him than his own father: Shal. Responding to his will, the Dreamcatcher of the Long Night caused new chimes to start ringing. And as he concentrated further, one in particular emerged as the loudest.

Congratulations! Your Fatepiece Dreamcatcher of the Long Night has grown to Level 38!

Randidly touched the source of the chime and the world warped around him. Suddenly, he was floating in a pool of lava with the oppressive heat of the sun pressing powerfully down on the surrounding area.

Aegiant Wyrd, floating at the center of a miniature sun, chuckled. “It amuses me that I cook you now, like a goose. I wish I had a good wine to pair your death with; ah well. I will follow my baser instincts and simply revel-.”

Aegiant’s words were choked off as a blanket of Nether pressed down on the surrounding area. Taken by surprise, much of his image of heat was forcefully dissipated. Cursing, Aegiant stumbled backward and regained his footing.

Not that it was even necessary; In comparison to the heat that Randidly endured at the hands of Illym, this was almost comically easy.

The molten rock in the surrounding area rapidly cooled and solidified, but Randidly utilized his body empowered by Nether Brawn to simply rip open a hole to the surface. Then he sauntered slowly out and cracked his knuckles. The flames of Ignition Essence flickered to life around him as he looked over at the shocked face of Aegiant.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for a chance like this?” Randidly whispered. His emerald eyes glowed with relish. “Being cooked in lava fucking hurt.”