Mantle of the Gods [LitRPG / Slow Burn / FTB Harem]

Trent had called his brother-in-law.

Tres was also the God of one of the cities in the Cathedral Ward. That didn't help much when Trent's actual brother was a God in the Fane Ward where Trazor was located. The geography I'd had when I was a lot younger drew a map in my mind. That was the same Ward where Pixie's three siblings were from. Why hadn't they called one of them?

"Trent! You're awake! I'm glad it worked!" Tres's eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to his screen. "What happened?"

"My daughter came into contact with a Dungeon Seed, and it transported her and the Hunter to Trazor." Klix growled as the table suffered more under her claws.

"Is everyone...?" The blue-eyed God looked at Rix, then over to Pixie. "Are you safe?'

"For now, but I don't know for how long." Rix nodded. "Therus was the one who used the Dungeon Seed to open a portal here, and Darren is one of the teachers for the first years." She paused, and her expression looked like she was considering whether or not to continue.

"There's something else." The golden woman took a deep breath before she continued. "The students all have white chokers around their necks."

"Are they slave collars?" Tres rubbed his beard.

"I don't know." Rix shrugged. "They could be, though I don't know why else they'd have an entire class wearing the same choker."

"How many?" Trent closed his eyes.

"Twenty-five."

Both of the Gods sank into their seats.

"What's that mean?" I looked at my father. "Aren't there slave contracts all the time?"

"They exist." Tres shook his head. "Most of us try to keep them heavily regulated to the point that it's not feasible, so an employee contract is preferable. The problem is we can't control what the other cities do, and they set their own rules. The main thing that we try to enforce is the safety of those involved. Which means not allowing someone under a slave contract into the Dungeon. If Trazor is allowing this to happen, especially with the use of Dungeon Seeds, then there's something bigger happening in the city."

"We need to get her out of there as fast as we can." Klix's voice was strained, like she was trying to keep from screaming. "I'm assuming Trent called you because he wants to send the Hound?"

I'd only heard one person called by that title, and if that was who it was, Rix wasn't going to like it.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I can send Whisper, but it'll take him two days to get there. Once he's there, he should be able to smuggle them out." Tres turned to talk to someone in the room. "They found Rix; she's in Trazor, and we need you to go get her." He shook his head. "Do that, but I still want you to head down there and get her yourself." The God let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't care who's down there. Isn't that what you're training the girl for?"

Tres turned back to his screen. "Whisper has someone he trusts that will be able to get into the city tonight and can get them somewhere safe."

"I could get one of the witches to get them." Klix folded her arms against her chest. "I trust them a lot more than whatever criminal the Hound is going to put them with."

Tres looked off screen for a moment, then turned back to his screen. "Right. Anyone those three send to Trazor is going to be a known associate, and they'll probably be given a security detail." He looked at Trent. "Same goes for Iver. Trazor isn't on the best terms with those four. But Whisper can get someone in there that he trusts to keep Rix safe from even Kire."

The situation in that Ward sounded bad. And considering Kire wasn't even in the Fane Ward, that made it even worse. I couldn't remember who else was in the Fane Ward; I'd have to look at a map. Not that it'd matter. The only thing strong enough to fight against Kire would be another God and it wouldn't be one of the Gods with a city. It would be one in hiding, like me, Pixie, and now Ether. But thinking of options gave me an idea.

"What if we sent someone from the Temple, since that's where they are?" I looked over at Trent. "Couldn't Mavery call the ArchBishop in Fane and have him send someone over?"

"If the Therus went through the Temple, then the Temple is involved. The only person who can outrank a High Priest in a God's city is the ArchBishop of the Ward. ArchBishop Ferdan would be able to pull rank, but he'd have to go there in person, and he'd be given an escort by Trazor's Wisps." Trent shook his head. "If Whisper vouches for this person, then we should let him send them. I've got someone who should be able to get them out of the city, but if he's going to send who I think he is, they'll be safer there than anywhere else until I can go pick them up."

"You're going?" Klix turned to look at my father. "You can barely travel right now."

"That's why we're sending Whisper to watch them until I can get there." Trent closed his eyes for a moment. This whole thing was taxing his already weakened body.

Everyone was looking at Klix, who had her eyes closed. When she opened them, she realized that everyone was staring at her. She sighed. "Fine. The Hound can go, but he better make sure that nothing happens to them!"

"Do I get a say?" Pixie waved at the screen.

"NO!!!" Almost everyone spoke in unison.

"YOU'RE GOING TO STAY PUT AND DO EXACTLY WHAT THE HUNTER TELLS YOU TO. IS THAT CLEAR?" Klix's voice shook the leaves on the trees around Rix.

The pale woman next to her nodded silently.

My ears were ringing again, but I was still able to hear Klix speak.

"Hunter, make sure she comes back alive."

Rix nodded. "I will."

"Good." Klix stood up and waved her hand at everyone dismissively. "I have other things to attend to." She stormed out of the room.

"I have things to handle on my end as well." Tres was typing something. "Just hang tight, and we'll have someone there by tonight."

The connection with him vanished, leaving only Rix and Pixie on the screen now.

"It'll be at least a week before I can get there." Trent let his shoulders sag. "I'm going to send Saba Vilou with whoever Whisper sends." His eyes narrowed. "Things can get very dangerous very fast. Don't hesitate to break your seal and..." He shook his head, then paused for a moment. "Stay safe."