NOVEL NEXT Sacrifice – Chapter 23: Fruitful Conversation
A tense silence filled the air as nobody responded to Aperio's statement. The Elf took another step towards the frail-looking mage, causing him to finally give in to gravity's embrace and slide down the side of the carriage until he sat on the floor. She wanted to be mad at them all for their insolence – punish them – but, could she really fault them? Besides their rather uncourtly behaviour, they had been nothing but helpful. Mostly. Thaddeus had been a nuisance at best, though if she could trust the words of the needle-poking Human, it was through no fault of his own. Feel every bit of mana… Aren't I doing the same? Maybe it hurts if it is foreign mana?
Even though she let her thoughts wander, Aperio held her gaze fixed on the old man. He was her best bet for answers. For reasons unknown to her, he had known that she would come. Or, at least, that someone would appear. The Prophecy he had mentioned had not contained anything in terms of location. If is even about me. Maybe he has others? Then, he had given her an Oath just so she would feel safer staying with them. Is this all some elaborate trap, and now he can't handle that I killed the one that was supposed to end me? But why?
Her one-sided staring contest was interrupted as the Human who had looked after Thaddeus spoke up. "Lady Aperio, I think he is in no state to answer questions."
Aperio focused her gaze on the man, the fanatic’s blood on her face already forgotten, causing him to shudder slightly. Why does everyone know my name? "How do you know my name?"
The man's expression switched between confusion and fright, seemingly unsure what he should feel. It took a couple of seconds, but he finally swallowed his fears and answered her. "The blessing you have given to Arden. Your title was undecipherable but your name was clear enough for him to decipher."
Blessing? ...But I just healed him? She directed her attention to the Human stepping out from behind the carriage – Arden apparently. Even though she had not tried to inspect the man further, the itch was back. That faint feeling in the back of her mind that always remained just out of reach. Is that the blessing? She still could not grab hold of the feeling, but she had an idea on how she might. It was probably stupid, but definitely worth a try.
A loud crack resounded, louder than stone breaking had any right to be, and Aperio appeared behind Arden, very gently placing her hand on his shoulder. If she had indeed given him a blessing, it was surely connected to the mana she had practically filled the man with.
As soon as she reached out for her mana that still remained in his body the itch disappeared, replaced by the knowledge of what she had given him. She had made him stronger, but that was information Aperio already knew, having observed how her mana had changed him. What was more surprising to her was that she simply knew he would be able to recover from most wounds. How do I know that?
There was something else; a third part to her blessing. What it did was beyond her, but the essence of it felt right. What could it be? If the theme of her mana doing what she wanted continued, then it would probably help him remain unbound. She had only meant to heal him; everything else the blessing did were things she wanted for herself. Not like it will change much. She had recovered the mana she had apparently used to bless the man as soon a she had used it. Maybe I could've made a better one? It was something to try later, when she encountered a sufficiently trustworthy person.
Removing her hand from Arden's shoulder, she could see him let out a heavy breath only to tense up again when he noticed she was still looking at him. Did he think I would take back the blessing? ...How would I do that, anyway? Giving one seems easy enough; maybe it's the opposite, take all my mana out of him?
Aperio wanted to try, but something told her it would be painful for him. She had the impression that her mana had somehow gotten...attached to its new placement. It was changing him like it did with her and in the process seemed to further intertwine itself with his person. I just hope he does not turn into a thrall of some kind.
Having people do as she wished certainly felt good, but so far they had done so out of what she assumed to be fear. Or maybe respect? If she turned someone into a mindless thrall… she did not know what she would do.
Having found what she was looking for she went back to the flabbergasted Human she was previously conversing with, this time managing to not break any more of the road with her movement. “
What is your name?"The words echoed through the open road, causing some of the people to look around. Aperio did not know or care if they just did it to hide their discomfort or if they really tried to figure something out, she finally felt good about herself and would not let some random strangers take that from her. Though it also seemed that the surer she was about herself and her capabilities, the heavier her mere presence weighed on the people around her.
"R-Roland, miss." The words sounded weak, a long shot from the snarky attitude he had had before. Maybe because he now knows I am a Goddess? Aperio felt a pang of guilt. She had liked the rather unbiased exchange. At least Laelia won't change. Probably. When will she be back, anyway? I still want to have a fight. After her encounter with the fanatic – Lunatic? – Aperio wanted to know how Laelia would hold up in comparison.
They looked to be a similar class, the only difference being that Laelia favoured a spear and a one-handed sword. Or would that make them something completely different? Questions for the paladin when she returned; for now she wanted to figure out who this 'Natio' was and why they thought she should die.
"Roland"–the man winced as Aperio spoke his name–"do you have any idea why Natio would want to kill me?" She could have asked who the person in question was first, but she knew that they were a God and it would seem awfully weird if a Goddess did not know of the others. I can always ask later, anyway.
He seemed to have gotten some of his confidence back as he straightened himself and answered. "I cannot claim to know what the Gods think, but maybe he thinks you are encroaching on his Domain? While it has only happened once before, some Gods don't seem to like the idea of sharing their Domain."
"His Domain," Aperio mumbled to herself. The thoughts that had overcome her as she had killed her attacker had given her the impression that it was the other way around. But that does not make any sense. I have been a Goddess for… Aperio found that she did not know for how long. She might have only returned to the world recently, but she was fairly sure she already counted as a Goddess when she was still in the Void. Is that why I got so mad? Because he claimed part of my Domain?
"When did he join the pantheon?" Aperio did not know if he had appeared later than her, but she had a suspicion that he did. If the ritual marked the return of the Gods and her ascension, she would assume that she had acquired a Domain before he did. If, of course, they did not keep their specialties from before they disappeared. And if he was even a God before. She also felt like this Natio knew more about herself than she did. Maybe I should pay him a visit? As the idea settled in her mind it brought about more excited anticipation than any she had had before, and it required her to immediately focus on her aura to keep it from flaring up yet again. If my previous excitement was uncomfortable I don't want to know what this would do.
Roland looked thoughtful for a moment. Perhaps he did not know and was trying to come up with something that sounded plausible, or he might be earnestly trying to remember how long ago it was. The seconds that ticked by felt like an eternity to Aperio, but when the man finally spoke he sounded sure of his words. "Around a thousand years ago Natio and Mayeia joined the pantheon. But, I beg your pardon, I had thought all the Gods would have been informed of this? Every church and even Roots itself made an announcement."
Aperio cocked her head at his statement. A thousand years ago… I was in the Void then. Was I even awake? Did that happen while the little lights flooded into me or did I just hang around the Void in a state of unconsciousness, and it happened during that time? "I was otherwise occupied at the time." They did not need to know that she had no idea when anything had happened. And who is Roots?
She was fairly sure she had heard that before. No, not heard. Seen. Ira had a title with the name in it, did he not? Another God then? Does it also want to kill me? Aperio was excited, something even she herself found odd. She had just learned that an actual bonâ fide God wanted to kill her and somehow she was looking forward to his attempts instead of being scared like she probably should be. Maybe he is a weak God? What determines how strong one is anyway? Can't be followers; I have none. She briefly looked to the Human she had blessed. Maybe one.
"Is there a temple of Natio in Ebenlowe?"
Her question seemed to catch the man off guard."Of course. Ever– nearly every God or Goddess has one there."
Aperio still had no idea what it meant to be a Goddess. Do I need a temple? Was she required to do anything? Not that she had felt the urge to do anything specific lately. Except fight, I want to fight. But why? That was something she probably had to figure out on her own. She also had to rethink her image of Gods in general.
When she had emerged from the Void, what little she had known of Gods and Goddesses had led her to imagine that their mere presence would somehow force people to their knees. While she was certainly capable of doing just that, it seemed that the people found it commonplace to have a Goddess simply standing around talking with them. Or maybe they think I would kill them if they fall to their knees?
I don't understand people.
For the first time since she had returned, Aperio felt tired. Not physically, as her body still seemed perfectly fine, but mentally. It was draining, not to mention annoying, to ignore her strange instinctual urge to not ask questions. A Goddess should know, right? With a sigh she rubbed the bridge of her nose. Maybe I should go back to the Void for a while. The calm she felt when she was there was something she wanted at the moment, but simply disappearing in front of everyone did not seem right. Bring them with me maybe? ...No.
"What are we supposed to do with the body?" The abrupt shift of topics seemed to release some tension of the group, as the mundanity of death – something they all had had to deal with at some point – likely made them feel more comfortable.
A deep, calm voice drew her attention. "You acted in self-defence, the kill is yours to do with as you please." The Beastkin seemed to want to add something, but decided against it.
Walking over to the corpse with the same almost floating gait she had learned during her time as a slave garnered a few confused looks. She could not really blame them. So far she had acted with speed, using more power than necessary for the simple joy in it, but she knew full well that she would not be able to continue with such actions in the city. Not without upsetting most of it, anyway. There was also the fact that she simply wanted to know if she could still move with silent grace. The answer was yes, she could. Even better than before if she was honest with herself, but she assumed most of that was due to her increased strength which allowed her to avoid toppling over, as well as the presence of her wings for counterbalance.
Picking up the corpse she ripped off its armour – she had no need for that. What she wanted were the clothes underneath, at least a shirt. She would ask Ira for a proper replacement once he had collected himself. Much to Aperio's disappointment, the woman wore no shirt underneath her armour. Instead she wore a gambeson that had been tailored to fit her perfectly. Not something I can use.
At least the corpse presented another opportunity to try and store things in her Void. Last time she had not really known it was hers to do with as she pleased, nor had she spent a thought on the fact that her dress stayed with her.
With a wave of her hand, she opened a rift to her Void and threw the corpse inside. It drifted away from the opening she had created, but though she took an extra moment or two to observe, it did not dissolve as the stick had. Neat. A simple thought caused the limp body to halt in the nothingness and another sent it tumbling around. Mine to do with as I want. Pleased with the results she willed the rift to close and picked up the sword that was lying on the ground.
It was light – too light for its size – but she chalked that up to her strength rather than the actual weight of the blade. Certainly not a two handed weapon for me then. Not that I know how to fight with it. Looks nice though. While the sword had little use to her as a weapon she could probably use it to pass as some form of warrior. If I manage to avoid suppressing everyone with my aura, that is. Knowing how far her aura stretched, that was likely not possible. Maybe I should give everyone that is close a Thaddeus-bubble? At the very least it would be good training in aura manipulation.
A shift in her aura got Aperio's attention. Something was brushing it aside much like the fanatic had, but this time it appeared in the direction they had come from. A smile spread across her lips as she inspected the travelling form. She knew who that was. She turned to Ira as she directed her attention back to the sword she now owned. "Your friend is coming."