After the commotion of the black road, and it swiftly behind us, we made quick progress to our next destination.
It was obvious that both Hou-Jin and Cordelia were tired, but they were the only ones capable of driving these trucks. Also it was paramount that we get the equipment we set out to collect and make quick progress to the castle.
A lot happened after, but was of little importance and thus I will summerise what occured for the rest of today. We arrived at an industrial estate, where it was snowing. There was a van that had been wrecked and the gates and windows had been broken. Clearly an attack. Murcarthu found a corpse, but Cordelia decided to leave it alone, she wasn't interested. The snow was a little odd, it had a light gray hue to it. In one of the buildings, labeled the security office, we found plans of the complex and used them to find the power room. Along the way we found 2 people in a cleaning cupboard, 1 male and 1 female with their hands tied. They confirmed that they were attacked. The female told us about a 3rd person, an engineer should still be on the complex. Cordelia does something to the female and figures out where we need to go to get to power room. At the power room Cordelia figures out how to turn the power back on.
We went to the warehouse, and found the missing engineer. After questioning him how he got up on the pipes, Thane fetches a ladder to let him down. We get the mortars, black powder and black powder ammunition we were after, had to cut some of it out as we can't carry it all.
We leave this place and hellride towards Eminan. We pull up at another factory, except much more lively. Cordelia talks to the people at the factory and they go get the goods we are after and load them onto the trucks.
We leave and drive for another 6 hours. We stopped in the current shadow and decided to rest up. I decided to practice my martial arts outside for the duration of the time freeze. I sensed the presence of some creatures and get my vibro blade and notify the others.
Large denomic creatures appeared from the forest, more appeared as time went on. The buttons didnt work on sword, but the sword seemed to cut them none the less.
Between me and Thane, we dispatched the lot of them. Thane took out the majority, his sharp claws were exceedingly effective. It seems Thane can do more than just change his appearance. At first it seemed as though he could only do minor changes to his appearance, but now I have a totally different theory.
As he took little damage from the creatures attacks, his skin must have been incredibly hard, probably harder than my cybernetic plating. This concludes he can also change the qualities of his exterior appearance, such as make his nails sharp enough to peice armor, or harden his skin to allow him to take reduced damage.
He would be a dangerous enemy if his abilities stretched too far, though it doesn't look like he is immortal and can take damage. I will keep an eye on him.
Thane told Cordelia about our encounter last night and how he was hurt last night by some words, Cordelia called the technique 'power words' and they smashed her armor.
We drove for an hour. We arrived close to our destination, Cordelia said she needs to figure out how to get the truck into the castle. She informs Hou-Jin and then we set off to the castle by foot.
After an hour of walking, we arrive at an escarpment. In the distance there's a large castle raised above a town which was on fire.
It looked like we would need to get down the cliff if we wanted to get to the castle or the town. I was pretty confidant, as I've had extensive training but some of the others didn't seem as confidant.
We abseil down the cliff, Thane gave Kohanku some tips and Thane surprisingly turned into a bat and flew down. Cordelia was able to climb down with little trouble. After several hours and dodging various guards, we made it into the castle through a crack in one of the walls, it seems Fiona had informed her of the entrance before hand.
We follow Cordelia through a courtyard and into a fort where we met a man by the name Luke. Again we follow Luke and Cordelia to a loading dock where I realise that my lacrima has been recharging, it seems magic works well in this world and holds some parameters similar to my world.
Luke escorts us to the mess hall where we can see a pattern on the ground with a woman in the middle, Cordelia confirms the woman to be Fiona and the pattern on the ground is the 'pattern' we will be walking. In my curiosity I try out a basic spell to find it works, but I sense that more complex spells won't work until I study the parameters for casting in this world.
Cordelia tells me to memorise my room as she doesn't want to find me afterwards! I was a little perplexed by this comment but I decided I would listen for now as I just want to understand how to cast again in this world, and to study the pattern as the power coming from it is immense.
I meditate. The others go and get the trucks, and Luke appears after a while and shows me to my room, where I memorise the room and meditate until I know the necessary parameters for casting in this world.
I got little sleep this night, but I felt i made considerable progress. Now I must make sure to memorise the parameters for casting in this world and my own, hopefully I will find a suitable container to hold this information so I do not need to keep on memorising the parameters each time I go into a world.
I will ask Fiona about this topic as she seems to be the only one I know of that is both a mage and knows about the pattern to provide me with the necessary answers I want.
It is morning, and we finally will be walking the pattern today.
I am quite fascinated, and excited, to study the pattern, but first I must pass the trial of 'walking the pattern'.
One of the servants came to collect me in the morning. I decided I would have a shower first and then get ready and then follow him to where the pattern is.
When I arrived, Cordelia was already there and having breakfast. I had a little bit to eat, but I must admit I was far to excited to eat too much. I have never experienced such a powerful source before. It's power would probably scare many, but for some reason I'm drawn to it, as if my soul yearns for that power.
Cordelia mentions a few important facts about walking the pattern and demonstrating how dangerous it can be if the rules are broken. First veil is easy, 2nd is torrerable and 3rd is difficult. Don't stop and don't cross the lines. Cordelia told us to remember our rooms and the pattern will teleport us there, and if we go anywhere else she will not come looking for me.
Kohaku goes first, and then me, and Isokretes last. As I walked the pattern, I felt an overwhelming sensation from it. It was exhilarating, empowering and overall exquisite, I would love to study the power of this pattern further, perhaps even incorporate the patterns power into my spells to significantly increase their potency, but I will have to consult Cordelia and Fiona if this is realistically achievable. Once I reached the center, I thought only of the room and was teleported there, where I then passed out.
I have to admit, I almost thought of Draco, Cecilia and Father. I wondered how they were and if they were even alive. I pray they are safe and well and I can quickly make it back to them to help against the demon threat.
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| Hero of the Hour - Allanon | The Keep of the Thirteenth Hour |