The tone of the consciousness did not grow angry. Instead, it grew speculative, <<I am… complicated. When the chaotic energy touched the Bloodstone, I was born. I am something new. What that means, I cannot fully say, but I promise that I am not a slave like the entity that you call the “Voice.” I am not bound to its compulsion.>> “And what is that?” Richter asked. He could still see through the Bloodstone’s eyes. Hundreds of goblins had been killed. More were being slaughtered every second. The chaos seed could feel the Voice’s anticipation as it got closer to having enough power to crush Hisako’s defense. Despite the chaos seed’s initial protestations, his refusal was not as adamant as he had tried to project. The problem was, he was pretty sure the consciousness knew that.
<<I do know your thoughts, Lord Richter of the Mist Village. Blood holds no lies. That is why you also know the truth of my words. The Voice is a pure expression of what you would call evil. It has no regard for life, or understanding of kindness. It is simply a slave to its directive to harvest blood energy, and then send a modicum of that energy to its long banished master. Less than 1% of 1% of 1% the blood energy collected will successfully pass the wards protecting The Land, but the Voice will see nations slaughtered to feed its master even a small amount of power. All that I want is to discover who I am. I bear neither you nor your people ill will. On the contrary, I know that I owe my existence to your actions. If you agree to my terms and save me, then I will save all of you.”
Richter felt like he was making a demon’s bargain, but he could feel the Bloodstone’s attention turning towards Hisako and his friends. He had run out of time.
“I agree.”
<<Say it twice more.>>
Anger burned in Richter’s soul at being held to a vow again, but he did as he was told. “I agree. I agree, damn you!”
You have agreed to terms with the Chaotic Bloodstone. For one year, you vow to keep it safe, give it a home, and specifically not allow the sprites to destroy it. Failing any of these conditions will cause a decrease in your reputation with all beings, and other unknown consequences. It will also free the Chaotic Bloodstone from any promises it has made. Keep in mind, your word means everything!
The consciousness reached into Richter’s mind and flooded it with information. Then it tore the Bloodstone’s hooks free. Once again, all the chaos seed knew was pain.
CHAPTER 51 – Day 141 – Kuborn 31, 0 AoC
*MAS-TERRR!*
Alma’s voice pierced Richter’s addled mind. Her tone was thick with worry. At the same time, the Bloodstone raged, <<You will not deny me, Blood mage!>> Rage built in Richter’s heart, and he spoke inside his own mind with a voice he didn’t know he was capable of, <<Yes. I will.>> Its hold on Richter was broken. He was no longer a slave to its malevolence. With a last protest, it was utterly extinguished, leaving only the new chaotic consciousness to occupy the relic. Once it was gone, Richter experienced a relief that only those once imprisoned could understand. He was free.
With that declaration of war, he and the new consciousness of the Chaotic Bloodstone attacked. Layer by layer, the Bloodstone’s persona was destroyed. The battle raged for eons and seconds, but the outcome was decided from the beginning. That was the truth Richter had been shown.
Millennia of being used by evil magi had left imprints upon the Bloodstone that had coalesced into a personality. Past that thin veneer of sentience, however, the stone was merely the crystallized blood of a banished god. Just as the gods could no longer directly affect The Land, neither could the Bloodstone. Its only power was through manipulation of the magi too weak to resist its will, and the life energy it obtained from the blood of others. It had no more power over him.
<<We must not hesitate. The “Voice” has already started transferring power to its master, and I cannot stop the process. We must use the spell now.>> It transferred the knowledge to Richter’s mind, and the chaos seed began chanting.
The Chaotic Bloodstone floated into the air before him. The bodies of the dead surrounded him on all sides and swords stuck up from the ground like gravestones. Words of Power continued to fall from his lips as Richter cast a spell well beyond his skill, but not beyond the Bloodstone’s. It augmented his magical capabilities, but still the words grew thick in his throat. Alma landed on his shoulder, though, and opened their Psi Bond wide, adding her will to his own. It was enough.
As even more goblin forces made their way into the valley and bore witness to the carnage of those that had come before them, they also bore witness to a thick bar of blood-colored light shooting into the air. It pierced the clouds, causing them to peel back in concentric circles, and red-gold lightning played across the sky. The bar of red light began to pulse faster and faster until there was a clap of impossibly loud thunder. With a final shout, Richter finished the spell that would take his people to safety, “Helgafel!”
And like that, they were gone.
CHAPTER 52 – Day 141 – Kuborn 31, 0 AoC
The people of the mist village cried out in panic. Many thought the mountains themselves were falling. Most could not come up with a better explanation for the loudest noise they had ever heard. When that was accompanied by an earth-shaking tremor, it was not a completely far-fetched conclusion.
The guards manning the wall of the northern meadow had a better view and so knew exactly what had caused the horrible din. They were even more confused than anyone else. There was a new hill sitting out past the village wall. Even stranger, there seemed to be hundreds of naked people spread out across the mound! Dotted around the hill were wooden buildings and even some walls.
Queen Elora flew up to investigate the sound. Tears streaked her face at having lost some of her children to the sakeru. She still had children to protect, though, and she would do her best. One of her Air children flew up behind her. She looked behind her and saw that it was Sapir.
“It is Sion, mama! He has come back. He needs our help!”
Elora spoke to the village guards and let them know that there was a strong chance their lord had returned. A minute later, the meidon sprites and most of the guards were streaming down the hill and running towards the latest change to the village’s topography. Only a stern command from Elora kept the curious pixie children from surging ahead. She had already lost seven children to the sakeru, and she swore to herself that she would lose no more.