Universe's End

Chapter 234:

Zoey knew she should have been more impressed. It wasn’t every day that you saw some giant ass tree sprout on the spot, tearing apart the butt-baby love-child of a temple and an office building. Still, sometimes it felt like an everyday sort of thing with Rory.

Oh, the crowd was definitely impressed, with all the energy and significance being thrown around; it was hard for anyone beneath tier eight not to get swept up in it all.

It was only when the tree had stilled, its rampant growth phase over, that Zoey felt her eye twitch. She lacked Rory’s ‘potential vision,’ as he called it, but she still had an explorer’s instinct.

And staring at the tree, she knew that while the dramatics of the show hadn’t impressed her, the end result called to her.

Examining it, Zoey internally whistled.

What the fuck did you end up doing now, Rory?

“A rarity grade and a level, but an undetermined grade,” Rory muttered. “You’re something new, aren’t you?”

The tree did tree things, which is to say nothing.

“Cruor-Shu,” Rory called out, adding aura into his voice, certain that there was more than the tree was letting on.

Instantly, a tremor passed through the tree.

“Ah-hah! You do have an awareness,” Rory half-smiled. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Cruor-Shu.”

Re-examining the tree, Rory patiently watched the description, which had remained blank. Rory could almost sense Eon debating how much it wanted to share, like hovering your thumb over the ‘send’ button after typing up a risky text.

At last, a description suddenly filled in.

Cruor-Shu, Archon of the Crimson Wealds, Atriarch of Bloodwood Groves

Grade: Unique

Level: ???

A unique form of existence, an Archon is recognized as the living embodiment of a natural treasure or site. As the living embodiment of the Crimson Wealds and Atriarch of the bloodwood natural-treasure genotype, Cruor-Shu lays dominion over all bloodwoods. Should it be destroyed, a new Cruor-Shu will be reborn in time in a suitable environment. Over time, an Archon may form a Guardian Avatar to protect their physical bodies.

Guardian Avatar Status: N/A

“Well, I can see why you were taking your time,” Rory snorted as he finished reading the details.

An Archon. I wasn’t planning to shoot that high, but I’m not one to argue.

There was a lot to take in there, some of which Rory had a feeling Eon had decided upon on the spot. First, if he understood correctly, there could only be one Archon per embodiment. They could be killed or destroyed, but not removed.

Not altogether relevant for any of our purposes, but interesting to know.

The part that Rory actually cared about was the Guardian Avatar.

Again, not exactly what I was aiming for, but workable.

Putting that aside, Rory turned his attention to two notifications he’d received. One of them he’d expected, the other… not quite so much, a welcome surprise.

Territory Acquired: Poison Wastes (Formerly Golden Fields)

Allegiance: Architect of the Precursors

As the owner of a Large Scale Delve Territory, you may alter the very fabric of its existence to fit your designs. Conditions and Restrictions apply.

The territory acquisition had been expected. Since reaching tier eight, Rory had gotten a sense that he could ‘claim’ territory within the Maw, at least within the third floor, something he’d never tested until now. Given how much smaller the first two floors were, the second floor was smaller than even a single territory of the third floor; it made sense that there hadn’t been a ‘territory’ feature higher up, all or nothing.

While the territory acquisition was expected, the second notification hadn’t been.

Skill Evolution Successful

Green Thumb

Rarity: Common. Skill Level: Experienced.

Any hand-planted flora can be granted a permanent variable growth rate increase for a small amount of Pneuma, dependent on the amount of Pneuma used. It may also be channeled with life-aspect essences for greater variable results.

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Alchemic Thumb

Rarity: Rare. Skill Level: Low.

While the act of growing plants and crops is a matter of gardening or farming to some, to you, it is merely an extension of the alchemical arts. Grants a small degree of direct control over the genetic and preternatural direction a plant may grow through. Furthermore, maintains the base functions of [Green Thumb].

“Nifty,” Rory said as he read the skill upgrade. He hadn’t been expecting a skill evolution, a pleasant surprise. Yet, as he compared the differences, an idea began to worm its way into his mind.

The skill level. It’s always been treated as practical experience using a skill beyond its most straightforward use, but what if it’s more than that? Perhaps with a high enough skill level, skills become ‘eligible’ for facilitated skill evolutions?

Now that was an interesting idea, but a difficult one to test, given that even reaching the ‘experienced’ skill level often was a matter of decades of work. Hell, the only reason Rory had managed to raise Green Thumb so high was how often he’d faffed around with crop and plant-based experiments of the years, the easiest resources to get your hands on were ones you could grow after all.

“Well, quite the successful endeavor, all things considered,” Rory said before patting the bark of Cruor-Shu once more. “I’ve got a birthday present for you.”

Teleporting from the cave-like recess within the oversized tree, Rory appeared standing on the shore of the lake, taking in the sight of Cruor-Shu from outside.

Dang. A bit awe-inspiring.

Cruor-Shu was much smaller than the Ehkorrian Grand Tree, which was to say it wasn’t a quarter of a mile tall. Still, it had an aura Rory would expect from another person or a monster, not a tree, except that it extended for hundreds of meters. It wasn’t too oppressive an aura, even an untiered would be fine. It was merely the fact that its passive aura was noticeable over such a wide range that was already impressive.

Standing there with his arms crossed, Rory waited as he sensed the former patriarch of the Rong making his way toward him.

“It’s astounding,” The man said, a reverence in his voice.

“Cruor-Shu. Treat her well.”

“Her?” Hao Lin Rong asked, eyebrows arched.

Rory paused for a moment. It had come out naturally, without conscious thought. Technically, the tree had no gender; it was a tree. Hell, even its title referred to Atriarch, not Matriarch.

But.

But to Rory, Cruor-Shu felt like a her.

“Yeah, her.” Rory nodded. “I’m certain the Rong will get to know her well. But before then.”

Teleporting once more, Rory appeared next to the deceased body of the former Khan of Blue Lightning.

Slashing his palm, Rory briefly activated two skills, the blood shimmering before he let it drip onto the ground next to the Khan’s decapitated head.

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For several moments, nothing happened until, slowly, deep purple roots began to push their way out, parting stone as if they were no stronger than sand. Like a spider’s web wrapped around a fly, the roots began to crawl slowly over the deceased Khan. Those same roots were slowly worming their way into its body as well, but the entire process would likely take at least a few weeks from Rory’s estimate. More importantly, having snared the deceased body of the Khan of Blue Lightning, the roots began to drag the corpse beneath the ground.

Goodbye, friend.

While a Guardian Avatar might normally take a long time to be formed, Rory had a strong suspicion that being fed the corpse of a deceased territory alpha probably skipped a large amount of waiting.

Teleporting once more, Rory appeared next to Zoey, who was staring intently at Cruor-Shu.

“So, an Archon?” Zoey asked, not even flinching as he appeared.

“Seems that way.”

“Think you can do that on demand?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Hmm,” Zoey mumbled, finally shaking her head. “You ruin exploring.”

“Huh?”

“Not literally,” Zoey answered. “But what’s the point of exploring when you just go around and whip up shit like that? Where’s the adventure if you’ve got an Archon just sitting in your basement?”

“Anyone ever told you that you’ve got a weird mindset?” Rory asked.

“Yeah, you,” Zoey laughed. “Humor aside, as far as memorials go, this has to be at least… Top fifteen.”

“Top fifteen,” Rory repeated, deadpan.

“Maybe top twelve.”

“Top six,” Rory offered.

“Top three, take it or leave it,” Zoey countered.

“Sold,” Rory half-smiled. “I appreciate the thought, really. Outside of the Khan, I didn’t really know these people, but they were still my people.”

“Things happen,” Zoey said, understanding. “But you gave back what you could.”

“Yeah,” Rory crossed his arms, looking at the Archon tree. “Yeah, I tried.”

Six years later

“So…. This is it, huh?” Zoey said, standing next to the Null Window. “Might be a few years until we see each other again.”

“Missing me already?” Rory asked, his arms crossed.

“I’m the one leaving you.” Zoey countered.

“Breaking my heart,” Rory said, doing his best to give the most convincing puppy dog eyes he could.

“Oh, shut up,” Zoey scoffed, raising her fist to Rory. “Once I’ve got the thingy-maguffin -”

“Zero Ocean Energy Yielder. I literally named it after you just so you wouldn’t forget.”

“Yeah, that thing. Once it’s up and running, you can always come visit and get the proper bridge network, or whatever you call it, set up.”

“Well, that won’t be for a bit,” Rory sighed.

“Yeah, six years until wave one hundred,” Zoey said. “You’ll be fine, one tier eight, even if it’s an alpha variant.”

“Of course,” Rory said, holding back the twitch in his eye. He’d been holding onto the little secret about wave one hundred for a good six years already. He desperately wished he could have convinced Zoey to stay for a few more years. Still, there wasn’t any good way to do so without suspicion. Zoey had made it clear she needed to finally return to her people; it had genuinely been over a century since she’d last seen them.

Mano y mano. Or, I guess, Mano y… I don’t know how to say beak in Spanish. I think it was Spanish at least.

Ehkorrus versus the Bird was looking to be one Founder against another, and there didn’t look to be any way to fenagle Zoey into staying longer.

It would have been nice to have two tier eights, but it wasn’t in the cards. Apostolos was doing his best, but at his current rate, he was going to come up one level short, on pace for just shy of level eighty by wave one hundred.

Which feels unfair. Rory mentally groaned. The Bird was undoubtedly tier eight, and the wave one hundred boss was going to be tier eight. Meaning they were in for a hell of a rough time.

But it’s not impossible.

Looking at Rory, Zoey held up her fist.

“See ya’ soon. And wish me luck with my grand return.”

Bumping his fist against hers, Rory chuckled.

“Yeah, to both of us.”

Snorting, Zoey turned around, passing through the Null Window, and then she was gone.

And just like that, Ehkorrus was on its own.

“Lord Founder,” A man raced up to Rory, out of breath.

“Yes?” Rory asked. Judging by the expression on the man’s face, Rory already knew what the message was going to be.

“The Esteemed Luminary and the Chief Protector have sent an emergency call to the lead figures of Ehkorrus, and they want… they need you to be there as well.”

“Oh, what is it about?” Rory asked, playing dumb.

Wave one hundred was less than a month away; there could only be one thing.

“It’s something to do with the upcoming wave. That’s all I know.” The man said.

“Well then, I should head on over.” Rory nodded.

It’s time to finally face this out in the open.

Rory sat within his chair –more of a throne if one were honest, but Rory pretended it was just a fancy chair— as the gathered crowd, the movers and shakers of Ehkorrus, murmured. It was only Rory’s presence that kept the energy tamped down; no one wanted to be seen as out of line with the Lord Founder, who was directly observing.

Within moments, two figures strode into the large not-throne room, the most formal gathering spot rarely used when they had a perfectly suitable and less ostentatious meeting room elsewhere in the city hall. Striding to the front of the room and flanking either side of Rory’s totally-not-a-throne, the murmurs quieted down completely.

“We appreciate our many leaders of our great city taking the time to gather on such short notice,” Irene said, holding her head regally. She had ‘broken through’ tier seven a decade prior, and it showed.

Which was a total lie; she’d been a tier seven for decades, and was actually closing in on tier eight herself, but if the woman felt it was a useful misdirect to have up her sleeve, hey, who was Rory to complain.

“As you can likely put together,” Apostolos spoke, as if the two were taking turns. “A joint meeting called by the Chief Protector and the Esteemed Luminary, with the Lord Founder overseeing, is unlikely to be a simple matter of tax code.”

A very quiet chitter of polite laughter petered out after only a moment.

“We will be rather direct,” Irene answered. “Recently, we’ve had scouts reporting a rather significant increase in monster density. It was assumed to be nothing more than the expected increase that precedes any wave. Except, if that were the case, we wouldn’t have found traces of people.”

That raised a sudden thrumming alarm pulsing through the gathered crowd.

“We have reason to believe that the wave one hundred we’ve been preparing for is going to be something akin to the events of wave seventy-two,” Apostolos said.

“The Fall of Ehkorrus,” Irene added, not bothering to sugarcoat. “Except this time, instead of an additional force supplied by a Khan of the Maw, we believe wave one hundred has a significant likelihood of being hijacked by a rival Founder to the Lord Founder. The presence of monsters further suggests that it will be none other than the Founder known as ‘The Bird,’ a monster that rose to the title of Founder, having slain two former founders.”

From silence to bedlam in an instant, people began shouting, of which Rory actively ignored.

None of what had been said was new to Rory, who had known for years now.

“Silence

,” Apostolos said. While it was spoken at a regular volume, his aura drowned out the combined chorus of voices that served as the backdrop to the chaotic chatter.“Our assumption is that the Bird is responsible for obscuring the movement and hiding their location. We currently have a team working full-time on tracking their location and details. Still, against a tier eight’s capabilities, it may take some time.” Irene said.

“The reason we’ve gathered you all is that we will be launching emergency measures. Due to the Bird’s… monstrous origin, we cannot fully guarantee that it will not employ wholesale slaughter tactics. We shall begin moving citizens and all non-combatants out of Ehkorrus.”

“Where to?” A voice suddenly called out, a well-regarded alchemist who was known for being a gifted teacher to low tiers.

“The Reverse Mountains,” Rory finally spoke. “The location where some of our citizens are currently residing, a home away from home if you will.”

It had taken many decades, but Rory had finally done it. He’d come up with a name for the volcanic isles that he sometimes called home.

“Is that environment not ill-suited to low tiers?” The same man asked, showing a shocking amount of resolve, if he was willing to direct a second probing question toward Rory.

Huh, I should remember him. Most people go straight into sycophant mode after I address them.

“It is,” Irene answered. “But, thankfully, due to advancements in spatial bridging capabilities, we believe we can safely shuttle citizens there.”

“What about space?” Another person asked a question directed at Irene.

“Space will not be an issue,” Apostolos answered. “As luck would have it, several years prior, a team of lowercase architects was sent there with the mission of making it into a more proper base of operations after the events of the Undercity Emergency.”

Yeah, totally was the reason I ‘casually’ suggested such a thing, and not because I was purposely setting up for now. Totallllly.

Needing to keep the information regarding the Bird on the super down low, as in, just himself, Rory had been doing a lot of casual commentaries over the last few years that had seeded actions that he’d deemed necessary for this day.

And people would think that- huh?

Sitting in his throne, Rory suddenly felt it, a fluctuation in the environment, as if the Pneuma surrounding Ehkorrus was whispering to Rory.

It burns. The whispers seemed to say, a wordless ache at a new radiance that scorched.

“HEAR ME!” A voice that Rory did not recognize suddenly rang out from everywhere at once. “AND LOOK UPON YOUR NEW LORD.”

Oh no, the fuck you don’t.

In the air above Ehkorrus, a figure had suddenly descended in radiant light, prismatic sunbursts shining down with the fury of a judge, jury, and executioner still in the process of determining a criminal’s fate.

The room had gone silent, the world seemed to have gone silent, but Rory wasn’t about to just let some god damn bird show up and play the role of a divine arbiter.

Flickering, Rory was outside in an instant.

And sure enough, in the sky above, a brilliant bird floated, a radiant icon whose aura pressed down on the city, forcing the lower tiers to their knees. It wasn’t an actual attack; they had defenses against such things, but a declaration of intent.

And Rory was, in an instant, royally pissed.

Flying high above, clad in sunlight, who does it think it is?

It was painfully obvious what the Bird was doing, literally above them.

Well, two can play at that.

There were times to be diplomatic and times to send a message.

It was time to send a message.

With a thundercrack of noise, the Bird was suddenly no longer the only figure in the sky, as Rory appeared above it, pressing his palm to the back of the Bird as several rings appeared; the Bird launched over a dozen miles in an instant. It was magic fully tied to the concept of blowback, trading all damaging concepts in return for maximizing the knockback effect.

Moments later, a comet of brilliant prismatic light exploded out from the forest it had been launched into, racing toward Ehkorrus as beams of refracted light bent and twisted through the air, only to splash harmlessly against the defenses of Ehkorrus, the airspace above Ehkorrus protected as assuredly as the walls protected the ground.

“Not quite the ‘god-like’ image you were going for, eh?” Rory said, as the words were transmitted solely to the Bird, which now found itself unable to pass the airspace of their outer walls after revealing aggressive intent.

“You come to my home,” Rory’s voice suddenly blasted outward, calm and composed as his aura did the heavy lifting. “You attempt to lord over my people. A coward, a chicken. But is that not fitting for the Bird?” Rory scoffed. He was purposely putting on a show.

“Do you believe yourself-”

“Do NOT interrupt me in my home!” Rory’s voice and aura cut through the Bird’s attempt at countering, taking advantage of the home-field advantage. The citizens who had been driven to their knees at the mere presence of the Bird’s aura had managed to stand back up, as Rory’s aura rebuffed that of the Bird’s.

“A coward. Come at us directly, or not at all, and do not bother with such games in the future. Should you come, we will cast you down, just as I already have.”

The Bird, the almost divine-looking monster, glared at Rory before words radiated outward, its attempts at putting on a performance hijacked by Rory.

“One Month. Then the people of Architect shall come under my wing, of Kin and Claw.”

And then like a little bitch-

Totally accurate and not just my coloring of the situation.

-The Bird took off.

Making sure it really was gone, Rory disappeared from the sky where he’d tethered himself to some coordinates in the sky, reappearing in the totally-not-a-throne-room.

“Well… I think the meeting may be somewhat redundant now,” Rory said to the stunned crowd, who’d heard everything, as even the presences of the Bird and Rory had shown them what their eyes could not see from within the interior of the building.

Apostolos lowered his head to Rory before turning to face the still stunned crowd.

“A month until war.”